With 13 campuses spread from Yarmouth to Cape Breton, NSCC is Nova Scotia's public college. In the Halifax area, most international students study at the Institute of Technology Campus on Leeds Street or at the Ivany Campus on the Dartmouth waterfront. Programmes are practical, from business and IT to early childhood education and marine engineering. Many include work placements.
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Official website: nscc.ca
Public community college
13 across Nova Scotia
Institute of Technology and Ivany campuses
CA$12,000 – CA$15,000
International students, diploma programmes, approximate
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 nscc.ca before you apply.
Business Administration Diploma
DiplomaDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 80
IT Programming Diploma
DiplomaDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 80
Early Childhood Education Diploma
DiplomaDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 80
Marine Engineering Technology Diploma
DiplomaDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 80
Campuses across the whole province, including waterfront Dartmouth.
Work placements in many programmes.
Marine and ocean programmes tied to Nova Scotia's coast.
Graduates work in IT, health, childcare, trades and marine industries across Nova Scotia.
Eligible graduates can apply for a post-graduation work permit.
Atlantic Canada's immigration programmes offer routes for graduates who stay in the region.
Undergrad
Apply early
Postgrad
No PG intake
Undergrad
Selected programmes
Postgrad
No PG intake
Halifax and Dartmouth face each other across the harbour, linked by bridges and a short ferry. The Ivany Campus sits right on the Dartmouth side of the water.
Winters are milder than inland Canada but damp. Rent has climbed quickly, so secure housing before you arrive.
Letter of acceptance from Nova Scotia Community College
Nova Scotia provincial attestation letter
Proof of funds for tuition and living
Online IRCC study permit application
Medical exam, if requested
Valid passport and biometrics
NSCC takes applications from October for the following September, and popular programmes fill early. International students should apply as soon as applications open.
Most programmes start in September, with a few in January.
Study permit, applied for through IRCC. You'll upload the acceptance letter from Nova Scotia Community College, an attestation letter if your programme needs one, proof you can pay tuition and living costs, and then give biometrics.
Business administration, IT programming, early childhood education and marine engineering technology are popular. Diplomas need a completed secondary school education, sometimes with specific maths or science, and IELTS 6.0.
NSCC has some awards and bursaries open to international students, mostly after the first year. Check the awards page for details.
