University in Canada
Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada
University profile
St. Francis Xavier University (StFX) is a primarily undergraduate university in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, on Mi'kma'ki, and one of Canada's oldest universities. It was established in partnership with the Roman Catholic Diocese and has been shaped by the Scottish Highlander culture of Antigonish. Its motto is Quaecumque Sunt Vera (Whatsoever Things are True). Graduates wear the X-ring, and the university counts about 45,000 alumni in 140 countries.
Academic programs are organised in the faculties of Arts, Science and Education and the Gerald Schwartz School of Business, with graduate studies, post-baccalaureate diplomas, co-operative education, service learning and online study alongside the undergraduate degrees. StFX is known for small classes and undergraduate research, co-op and service-learning opportunities across all four faculties.
Five centres of excellence sit on campus: the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government, the Coady Institute (community development and leadership education, linked to the Antigonish Movement that began in 1920), the Frank McKenna Centre for Leadership, the Gerald Schwartz School of Business and the Victor and Mona Dahdaleh Institute for Innovation in Health.
The campus is known for New England-style architecture, green spaces and, over two decades, an investment of nearly half a billion dollars in learning spaces, labs and facilities. About 90% of first-year students live in residence. Support services include advising, libraries, accessible learning, career services and well-being resources.
About half of the student population comes from outside Atlantic Canada. The Office of Internationalization supports international students with study permit, visa and work permit documents, arrival services and orientation, academic and social advising, and on- and off-campus housing help. Exchange partnerships with universities abroad allow students to study overseas for credit. StFX was ranked first for national reputation in the Maclean's 2026 primarily undergraduate category, and 92% of first-year students reported being satisfied or very satisfied in the CUC Survey 2025.
StFX provides more than $7 million a year in scholarships and financial aid to new and current undergraduates. The McKenna Scholars Program, starting September 2026, annually awards 8 scholarships of $125,000, 16 of $40,000 and 36 of $20,000, each paid over four years, to students of any field recognised for academic achievement, leadership, character, service, initiative and community impact. The National Entrance Scholarship Program gives students with a minimum admission average of 85% at least $5,000 over four years. Major scholarship packages open December 1 and are assessed on first-term Grade 12 marks; the deadline for admission, scholarship application and documents (including first-semester transcripts) is March 1, offers are released in April and must be accepted by May 15. Transfer scholarships, scholarship renewal and in-course scholarships also exist. Contact [email protected]. Scholarships
The Financial Aid Office runs Entrance Bursaries (Entrance Bursary Program and Tuition Waiver for Youth in Extended Care), In-Course Bursaries (Fall and Winter Term Bursary) and a special X-Ring Bursary Program, and also advises on student loan programs. Contact [email protected] or (902) 867-2374. Need-based bursaries
StFX National Entrance Scholarship Program →
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View scholarships for St. Francis Xavier University →The minimum is an overall Grade 12 average of 70%, with no grade below 65% in each required subject. Limited-enrolment programs are competitive and meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission. Grade 12 students applying early need the program requirements completed in Grade 11 and must be registered in the Grade 12 prerequisites to receive an early offer; otherwise offers follow the final first-term Grade 12 transcript. Requirements are set out by Canadian province or territory, by US applicants and by country for international applicants, and for Arts, Arts and Science, Science and Business. Nursing has its own requirements; International Baccalaureate, diploma programs, Bachelor of Education and a University Preparatory Course have separate pages.
Applicants whose first language is not English are normally required to submit a test taken within two years. Minimums: IELTS 6.5 overall and no band below 6.0 (IELTS One Skill Retake accepted); TOEFL iBT 90 with no band below 20 (MyBest Scores accepted); MET 55; CAEL 70 overall and no band below 60; C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 180 overall and no band below 170; Duolingo 115 with no integrated subscore below 100; Pearson Test of English Academic 60 overall and no score below 50; Oxford ELLT Digital or Global 7 overall and no band below 6. Applicants who do not meet the minimum can take the online English for Academic Purposes pathway with Oxford International.
Students who have attended a college or university since high school may transfer credits after review ([email protected]). Mature applicants who have not completed secondary or post-secondary education and have been out of school at least three years are assessed individually, with the program prerequisites and a minimum overall average of 70% with no mark below 65%. Senior citizens aged 65 and over pay no tuition for on-campus undergraduate courses; the $40 processing fee and student fees still apply.
Graduate programs are Master of Applied Computer Science (course-based), Master of Science (thesis), Master of Arts in Celtic Studies, Master of Education, Master of Adult Education and PhD in Educational Studies. Admission decisions are made by the department that administers the program. Post-baccalaureate diplomas are offered in Actuarial Science, Accounting Studies, Data Science, Enterprise Information Technology Management, Digital Marketing and Business Studies.
Admissions office: (902) 867-2219 or 1 (844) 299-2527, [email protected].
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