BA Development Studies at St. Francis Xavier University

Programme overview

Development Studies at StFX is an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts on development theory and practice at the community level in the Global South, Canada and Atlantic Canada, growing out of the Antigonish Movement and the Coady Institute. Students may pursue internships or service learning abroad.

Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Department: Development Studies | Study mode: full-time | Location: Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada

What you will study

First year begins with DEVS 101, covering colonialism and its legacies, Indigenous peoples, gender and development, environment and climate change, food insecurity, human rights, displacement and migration, and economic relations. Options include Honours, Advanced Joint Major, Joint Major, Minor, Subsidiary or Pair.

Career pathways

Community and international development, humanitarian and social justice work, urban and rural planning, law, journalism, economics, government, international relations, education.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Faculty of Arts (BA), Nova Scotia high school applicants: Minimum overall Grade 12 average of 70% with no grade below 65% in each required subject; limited-enrolment programs are competitive and the minimum does not guarantee admission. Required: English 12 (or English 12: African Heritage) and four other university preparatory courses. Requirements for other provinces and countries differ by location. Applicants whose first language is not English normally need proof of English proficiency (for example IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0, TOEFL iBT 90 with no band below 20, Duolingo 115, PTE Academic 60).

Requirements published at faculty level.

Main intake: September (classes begin 2 September 2026; Welcome Days 29-30 August 2026). January intake (classes begin 5 January 2027) for eligible programmes; competitive programmes such as BSc Nursing are not available for January admission. Spring term (May 2027) and Summer term (July 2027) undergraduate studies are also offered.

Domestic applicants: 1 September deadline for September entry (2026 and 2027); 9 December 2026 for January 2027 entry. Applications for September 2027 open 15 September 2026. Bachelor of Education: last date to submit application is 1 December 2026. LPN to BScN: 9 December 2026. Four-year BSc Nursing: 3 March 2027. Spring term (May 2027): 12 April 2027. Summer term (July 2027): June, date to be confirmed. Major scholarship consideration: apply by 1 March 2027.

International applicants: 30 May 2027 deadline for September 2027 entry (later applications reviewed case by case according to visa processing times); 30 September 2026 for January 2027 entry, with confirmation by 30 October 2026. Applications for September are made at apply.stfx.ca.

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