Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada's largest research university, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It is best known for ocean science, engineering, medicine and law, and for a U15 research profile in a small, coastal city. Choose it for a Canadian research degree with lower rent than the big cities and a clear post-study work pathway.
Halifax, Canada
Official website: dal.ca
#275
Top 15 nationally; U15 member
Home to the Ocean Frontier Institute, a CAD 220 million research programme
Largest university in the region
CA$20,000 – CA$35,000
International students, undergraduate and master's programmes
CA$14,000 – CA$18,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on dal.ca before you apply.
Master of Applied Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
16 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 92
MEng Internetworking
Masters DegreeDuration
16 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 92
MSc Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 92
MBA (Corporate Residency)
Masters DegreeDuration
22 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 92
MEng Electrical and Computer Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
16 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 92
BEng Engineering
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
Ocean science — one of the world's leading centres, with the Ocean Frontier Institute on campus.
Corporate Residency MBA — includes an eight-month paid work placement.
U15 member — Atlantic Canada's only research-intensive university in the group.
Founded in 1818 — one of Canada's oldest universities, on a leafy campus in Halifax's south end.
Computer science graduates join IBM, Amazon, RBC and Halifax's ocean-tech and software startups.
Graduates can work anywhere in Canada for up to three years on a post-graduation work permit.
Engineering alumni work at Irving Shipbuilding, Nova Scotia Power and Atlantic Canada's energy sector.
Nova Scotia's immigration streams give Dalhousie graduates a direct route to permanent residence.
Undergrad
1 Apr 2027
Postgrad
Varies by programme
Undergrad
Varies by programme
Postgrad
Varies by programme
The Studley campus is a compact, tree-lined site in Halifax's south end, with the Sexton engineering campus and the medical campus each a short walk or bus ride away.
Halifax is a harbour city of about 500,000 people with a big student population, a waterfront boardwalk and rents below Toronto and Vancouver. Winters are snowy and windy.
Letter of acceptance from Dalhousie
Provincial attestation letter, if required
Proof of funds for tuition and living
Online IRCC study permit application
Medical exam, if requested
Valid passport and biometrics
For September 2027 undergraduate entry, international applicants should apply by 1 April 2027, though applying by 1 March keeps you in the running for entrance scholarships. Graduate deadlines vary: applied computer science and internetworking close around 1 February for fall, and thesis-based programmes often close earlier.
September is the main intake for all programmes. Many course-based master's, including applied computer science, internetworking and engineering, also admit for January, and some undergraduate programmes accept January starts. Check your programme's admissions page to confirm.
You need a Canadian study permit. After you accept your offer, Dalhousie issues a letter of acceptance and, where required, a provincial attestation letter. You then apply online to IRCC with proof of funds and give biometrics. Allow three to four months for processing.
Applied computer science, internetworking, computer science, the Corporate Residency MBA and electrical and computer engineering attract the most international applicants. Master's entry needs a four-year bachelor's degree with a B average (around 70% for Indian degrees), TOEFL 92 or IELTS 7.0. The MBA requires the GMAT or GRE.
Yes. International undergraduates are automatically considered for entrance scholarships worth up to CAD 40,000 over four years, based on their admission average, if they apply by 1 March. Graduate students can apply for departmental awards, and thesis-based students usually receive funding from their supervisor. Check the awards pages for details.
