BA Public Policy and Governance at St. Francis Xavier University

Programme overview

An applied Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and Governance (PGOV), one of few such undergraduate degrees in Canada, taught in Mulroney Hall within the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government. The programme supports over 200 students with more than $660,000 per year in funding and develops analytical frameworks and skills for tackling complex societal challenges.

Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Department: Public Policy and Governance (Brian Mulroney Institute of Government) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada

What you will study

First year is anchored by PGOV 101 Introduction to Public Policy and Governance, with complementary courses in Political Science, Economics and Statistics.

Career pathways

Advocacy, lobbying and consulting, international relations, journalism, law, public policy and administration; many graduates continue to graduate school.

Official programme page

Application information

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.

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities