Saint Mary’s University is one of Canada’s top primary undergraduate universities known for its international collaborations, leadership in entrepreneurship, and research that benefits local and global communities. Our programs in Arts, Science, Graduate Studies and the Sobey School of Business are among Canada’s best and feature professors who are committed to the success of their students. Saint Mary’s provides our 7,000 students with a place that fosters possibility, excellent research opportunities, and distinguished graduate and professional programs combined with a caring community. Saint Mary’s is community-focused with strong values, operating the way the world should. We embrace diversity, are committed to sustainability, and bravely tackle the issues that matter to society. 

With students from as many as 118 different countries and partnerships with institutions in dozens of other countries, Saint Mary’s University is a leader in international and intercultural education. Nestled in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Canada’s east coast, Saint Mary’s University is marked by iconic buildings, green spaces and fresh ocean air. Our campus is based in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq, and is global in reach and influence. The Saint Mary’s University community is committed to a prosperous future for the world—a world without limits.

More: Why Choose Saint Mary’s?

Academic Dates

Fall Semester 2022: September 7 - December 21 (exams Dec 11-21)

Winter Semester 2022: January 9 - April 21 (exams April 11-21)

Information for the 2023-24 academic year will be update when dates are available.

Course Load

Three to five (3-5) courses in a semester; each course meets for approx. 3 hours/week for 13 weeks and is worth 3 credit hours.

Course List

Go to http://selfservice.smu.ca/ and select “Class Schedule” 

Select ‘September-December 2022’ or ‘January-April 2023’ and ‘Submit’

Select the subject and click on “Class Search”

Look up undergraduate courses, numbered from 1000 to 4999

Course Registration Period

Registration is completed online in May 5 - Sept 16 2022 (fall term) and May 5 2023 - Jan 13 2023 (winter term). Register once accepted to SMU, since courses will close for registration once full. Permission from SMU academic advisors is required before registering in courses with prerequisites.

Language Requirements

TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.5 or equivalent (test result is not required)

GPA Requirements

There is no GPA requirement, but pre-requisite courses for a SMU course need a pass at a grade of 65% or higher at the home institution.

Other Considerations

Not all course options may be available due to insufficient prerequisites, enrollment limit, etc. Thus, Saint Mary’s exchange program may not be suitable for students who need a specific set of courses.

Application Period

1. Fall 2023: Recommended Deadline of March 1, 2023. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until May 1, 2023.

2. Winter 2024: Recommended Deadline of March, 2023. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until September 1, 2023.

Application Materials

The Home Institution Coordinator will:

Confirm the number of exchange places available for their institution (please email global@smu.ca if unsure).

Complete the Student Exchange Nomination Form by the dates above.

Send a PDF copy of the Letter of Permission (see template) to your student, to include in their Admissions application.

Email a scan of Official grades in English as a PDF issued by home institution to Global@smu.ca.

The Visiting Student will:

Following your nomination, you will receive an email from our office that will explain how to apply to Saint Mary’s University as a visiting student. That email will include a waiver code for the application fee. Please apply as soon as you receive that email.

Application Deadline: Two weeks after you receive the application instructions.

Normal tuition charge will appear on the student account as students register in courses. For those admitted as a tuition waiver/discount exchange student, the applicable tuition waivers and discounts are reflected on the student’s account approximately 3 weeks after the start of each semester. Questions about tuition fees or waivers should be directed to miyuki.arai@smu.ca

Students who do not receive tuition waivers or discounts will pay the following tuition rates in academic year 2023-2024:

Per-course Tuition in Arts: CAD$2247

Per-course Tuition in Sobey School of Business: CAD$2503

Per-course Tuition in Science: CAD$2424

Ancillary fees are also charged to students based on their student status. Learn more about Ancillary Fees here.

Student Fees (in 2023-2024)

(Mandatory for ALL students including tuition-waiver and tuition-discount students)

Students’ Association : CAD$179 per academic year

U-Pass bus pass: CAD$174 per academic year

Insurance Plan (in 2023-2024)

(mandatory for ALL students unless ‘Opt-out’ is approved based on CAD$2 million alternative coverage through home institution)

Basic Health: CAD$915 per year

Extended Health: CAD$250 per year

Dental: CAD$120 per year

On-campus Housing

Residence Fees

Payment due dates and payment methods

Course tuition (as applicable), student fees, insurance, and housing & meal plan (mandatory for Loyola and Vanier Single/Double rooms) are paid.

• September 15 2023 for Fall semester

• January 17 2024 for Winter semester

Students can view the Account Summary by Term, and make payments using one of the methods explained in payment methods. CIBC International Student Pay is the most convenient payment methods for international students. Although Saint Mary's cannot accept credit card payments for tuition, student fees or residence charges, CIBC International Pay allows students to use Visa & MasterCard Debit and Credit Cards, Wire Transfer, etc.

Other expenses

Voluntary meal plans for students in on-campus Rice Apartments and off-campus students are paid directly with Aramark Food Services.

Textbooks are purchased at the Saint Mary’s Bookstore; budget up to $180 per course.

Learn more about Saint Mary’s from our short Informational Video for Visiting Students.

The SMU Students’ Association (SMUSA) Basic Health, Extended Health and Dental Plans are mandatory, unless the student’s alternative coverage arranged through their home institution meets the “Opt-Out” requirement. It is rare that exchange students are approved for Opt-Out.

Options

1. Single Student Housing

2. Senior Apartments

Application

Apply online with a $25 application fee. A $500 residence confirmation deposit is required when a bed space is offered.

When to Apply

For Fall : as soon as the student ID is issued upon admission.

For Winter: Early October. Spaces are limited.

Move-in & Move-out dates

Move-in: 2-3 days before classes begin in September; 1 day before the start of classes in January. More details are emailed with room placement package. Move-out: Individual check out date begins 24 hours after the student's last exam or scheduled class. Exam schedule is announced in middle of each term.

If you have received your SMU acceptance letter and your A number, you can register in classes. We recommend you register for classes before you arrive on campus.

All international students staying for less than 6 months will need either an Electronic Traveller Authorization (eTA) or a visitor visa to enter Canada. In addition, students on a two-semester exchange will need a Study Permit.

Covid-19 continues to be a significant factor when planning international travel. Please visit https://www.smu.ca/covidinfo/students.html to learn more about Covid-19 and travel to Nova Scotia.

Welcome Weeks starts one week before the first day of Fall semester classes and at the beginning of Winter semester classes. Participation is highly recommended.

The New to SMU website is also a great resources for virtual sessions about Saint Mary’s and to engage with other students.

Check out the Jumpstart program for an introduction to studying and learning at Saint Mary’s.

Free airport pick-up is provided when the student arrives at Halifax Airport at the beginning of the exchange program. Submit the airport pick-up request form 3-4 weeks in advance of the arrival date.

Every student has two accounts: A number and S number.

Self Service Banner (A number account) is where students register for classes, see exam schedules, pay tuition or fees, and find tax receipts. Learn more about Self Service Banner here.

A student’s Computer Account (S number account) is used to sign in to campus computers, log into Brightspace, access your @smu.ca email and access Library resources. To activate your S number go to activate.smu.ca and use your A number and pin to log in. Follow the directions and you will then receive your s number and email.

Learn about the two accounts here.

Brightspace is the Learning Management System SMU uses to host classes online and store course information and documents. To log in to Brightspace go to smu.brightspace.com and sign in with your S number and password. Learn about Brightspace from the Software and Application Support Centre.

The SMU Bookstore sells everything you need for classes, like textbooks and lab equipment, as well some home essentials for residence students, and SMU swag.

SMU posts all it’s important dates each term for students’ reference. Ensure that you know the dates pertaining to course withdrawals, payment periods, and final exams.

Check out the additional resources and supports for students here.

The International Centre (Student Centre, 3rd floor) organizes events and provides a range of services. Visit their website at: https://smu.ca/international/student-life.html.

The Fred Smithers Centre provides accommodations to students with disabilities. There are a variety of services available to help students achieve their academic and career goals.

The Writing Centre provides free, academic supports for students, including one-on-one tutoring, workshops, in-class presentations, etc. The Writing Centre also provides resource to help improve one’s Academic Communication, click here for details.

English Language Support Services are located within the Writing Centre, and provide one-on-one support.

The Patrick Power Library offers research help and resources, book loans, computer access, and study space for group and independent studying.

SAS supports students in use of Brightspace (the learning system used to host class material online), Microsoft Suite, and other university-supported software.

Full-time students receive a complimentary SMUfit Plus membership at the Homburg Centre and free entries with SMU ID to Huskies varsity games.

The Student Health Services Clinic is your family clinic when you’re away from home. They treat illness and injuries quickly so that your studies don’t suffer.

The Saint Mary’s University Students’ Association (SMUSA) provides services, support, advocacy, and representation to all student members. SMUSA is home to the student societies on campus. Societies are a great way to get involved in campus life and meet new people!

Individual check out dates begin 24 hours after students' last exam or scheduled class. Be sure to check your Self-Service Banner and notify Housing & Residence via email residence.housing@smu.ca of any changes to your departure date. Learn more at: https://www.smu.ca/campus-life/important-housing-dates.html

Follow the steps below to have your official transcript be sent back to your home institution at the end of your exchange.

Complete the Official Transcript Request Form. Please do the following exactly:

1) fill out the Personal Information section at the top.

2) put “1” at Number of Transcripts Required.

3) for processing options, put a check mark next to “Wait Until My Grades are Posted” and write “Winter 2021” next to “Specific Term”

4) leave “Delivery Method” blank

5) for Mailing Address Information, write down “c/o Global Learning and Intercultural Support, SMU”

6) sign and date at the bottom of the first page,

7) no need to fill out or attach the payment information on the second page (– this copy for the home university is provided free of charge.)

8) email the completed form to michaela.peters@smu.ca.

Once your transcript is issued in the month follow the end of your term (January or May), we will email your grades to your home university, with you in copy. If you wish to order extra copies of your transcript for your own or other purposes, they can follow the instruction at https://smu.ca/academics/ar-transcripts.html. Each copy costs $5.