University in Canada
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
University profile
The University of King's College is a small, primarily residential liberal arts and journalism university in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Founded in Windsor in 1789 as the first university established in English Canada, it holds a Royal Charter granted in 1802 and describes itself as Canada's oldest chartered university. It enrols more than 1,000 students, with a student-faculty ratio of 15:1 and an average class size of 30.
King's is academically associated with Dalhousie University, its neighbour in Halifax. Students in arts, science and music take courses at both institutions and graduate with a degree carrying the stamp of each; they can choose from more than 2,500 courses, over 60 degree options and more than 98 exchange programs across the two universities. Students in the School of Journalism, Writing & Publishing may add minors or pair journalism with a second honours subject through Dalhousie.
Programs. King's offers the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Journalism (Honours) and Bachelor of Music, all of which can begin with the Foundation Year Program (FYP), an interdisciplinary first-year course in the humanities introduced in 1972. Interdisciplinary honours programs include Contemporary Studies, Early Modern Studies and the History of Science and Technology. The School of Journalism, Writing & Publishing also offers a one-year Bachelor of Journalism, a Master of Journalism and Master of Fine Arts degrees in Creative Nonfiction and in Fiction. The Mi'kmaw Journalism Initiative and African Nova Scotian Journalism Initiative support applicants from those communities.
Student life and residence. The campus follows the Oxford-Cambridge model of colleges around a quadrangle. Residence accommodation is available for up to 271 students in Alexandra Hall, the Bays and Angels' Roost, mostly in double rooms, with dining in Prince Hall. Most first-year students live in residence and take FYP. Nearly every student takes part in a group or society, including the King's Theatrical Society; the college has 8 varsity teams (the Blue Devils), a chapel community with two choirs, and traditions such as Formal Meals and the Matriculation and Encaenia ceremonies. About one in three students holds an on-campus job.
International students. International undergraduates pay a guaranteed tuition rate held for up to five years, receive the International Mobility Award automatically, and may use Dalhousie's English for Academic Purposes program. Applications are made through Dalhousie's online application system, which hosts a separate King's application.
All secondary students applying for September entry to the BA, BSc, BJ(Hons) and BMus programs are automatically considered, based on admission average, with a March 1 (11:59 p.m. AST) deadline. Guaranteed first-year amounts: 80-84.9% $1,000; 85-89.9% $2,000; 90-94.9% $3,000; 95-97.9% $4,500; 98%+ $5,000. Students with a 3.7 GPA (3.3 after the Foundation Year Program for year 2) are considered for in-course merit scholarships.
Application is made within the admission application by March 1 and most require an essay. Examples: Sobey Scholarship ($50,000 total, $17,000 in year 1 and $11,000 a year after; two available; Canadian citizens, 85%+); Carrie and Ralph Wright Memorial Scholarship ($39,000, Foundation Year Program, 85%+, open to international students); Debra Dean and Robert Little Academic Scholarship ($20,000, open to international students); Dr. Carrie Best Scholarship ($20,000, Black Canadian and Indigenous students); Gordon Earle Scholarship ($24,000, African Nova Scotian students); Harrison McCain Scholarship ($16,000, financial need); Colin Starnes Award (about $10,000, Nova Scotia students with financial need).
The International Mobility Award gives full-time international undergraduate and graduate students up to a $12,000 tuition waiver, applied automatically and renewable for up to four years at undergraduate level. Graduates of the Nova Scotia International Student Program pay out-of-province domestic tuition rates. International students with financial need can apply for the International Student Bursary through [email protected].
New full-time students who plan to apply for a student loan receive a $1,000 entrance bursary. The Joyce Family Foundation Bursary ($20,000 over four years) goes to two entering students a year, with applications due March 1. In-course bursaries are based on financial need, with no deadline; Urgent Need Bursaries of up to $500 are available by email. The Study/Work International Fund and Godfrey Traveling Scholarship support international study. Details: undergraduate scholarships, bursaries, international students.
University of King's College Entrance Scholarships and Awards →
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View scholarships for University of King's College →Requirements depend on province or curriculum and program. For the Bachelor of Arts (General), Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut applicants need English Language Arts 30-1 (minimum 70%), four additional 30-level courses with no grade below 60%, and a 70% overall average. Meeting the minimum average does not guarantee admission, and offers are made on a rolling basis with limited enrolment. Applicants submit an application, an application fee and official transcripts; Foundation Year Program applicants also provide an academic writing sample, Bachelor of Music applicants a supplemental music application and audition, and BA Theatre (Acting) applicants additional supporting materials. Journalism portfolio and references are optional. A letter of activities is requested after any break in studies.
IB Diploma applicants need at least 26 points including bonus points and must meet the general requirements; IB Certificate courses can be combined with another curriculum; IBCP applicants complete 2 IB courses and at least 3 Grade 12 academic courses. CAPE applicants must hold CSEC results in at least five subjects including English, plus at least two 2-unit CAPE subjects. Two-unit CAPE courses with a final grade of 1, 2 or 3 and an equivalent at King's/Dalhousie can earn transfer credit after payment of the $200 admission deposit; one-unit courses do not qualify. IB courses with grades of 5, 6 or 7 can be considered for transfer credit.
Proof of English proficiency may be waived after three years of full-time English-language secondary study or one year of full-time post-secondary study. Otherwise the minimums are: TOEFL iBT 90 overall with bands of 20 (and 4.0 or better on writing); TOEFL at Home 4.5 overall; IELTS 6.5 overall and no band below 6.0; Duolingo English Test 120; Michigan English Test 55; CAEL 70; PTE Academic 61 overall and no skill below 50; C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency 180 overall and no band below 170; Oxford ELLT 7 overall and no component below 6. Alternatives: IB English A grade 5 or English B grade 6; AP English grade 4; GCSE/IGCSE English Language or Literature grade B; or Dalhousie's English for Academic Purposes. TOEFL code 0990.
The one-year Bachelor of Journalism requires a three- or four-year bachelor's degree; the Master of Journalism and Master of Fine Arts require a four-year bachelor's degree or equivalent. All require a minimum GPA of 3.0 (B) in the last 60 credit hours from a university of recognized standing. English minimums: TOEFL iBT 92 overall (bands 4.5 on the 1-6 scale), IELTS Academic 7, CAEL 70 with no band below 60, PTE Atlantic 65 with nothing below 54, or Dalhousie EAP Level 2 grade A-. Scores are valid for two years.
Transfer applicants apply by July 31 or August 15 for September entry; students away from King's for more than two consecutive terms must reapply.
September 2027 entry (BA, BSc, BJ Honours, BMus): applications open October 1, 2026; March 1, 2027 for entrance scholarships and major awards; April 1, 2027 for international applicants and the residence guarantee; May 15, 2027 for the admission deposit; July 31, 2027 for Canadian and American high-school applicants. January 2027 entry (BA, BSc): international deadline September 15, 2026, Canadian and American deadline November 15, 2026. One-year BJ and Master of Journalism (September 2027): early deadline February 15, 2027, international final April 1, 2027, Canadian final July 31, 2027. MFA (June 2027): international December 31, 2026, Canadian March 1, 2027. Applications are made through Dalhousie's online application system by selecting the University of King's College application; undergraduates can submit two program choices under one application fee. Admissions: [email protected], 902-422-1271.
Halifax campus, 6350 Coburg Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia. King's has a single campus built around the Quad beside Dalhousie University. It houses the arts, science, journalism and music programs taught by King's, the School of Journalism, Writing & Publishing, the library, the Wardroom, a chapel and the college residences.
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