Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) is committed to being a model of creative teaching and research that nurtures socially responsible global citizens. With a unique blend of passion and individuality, MSVU is a university with unparalleled social impact at home, across the country, and around the world.
Incoming Exchange
- Average 73% on the numerical scale, or
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Completion of at least 2 semesters at home institution
If English is not your first language or the instruction language at your institution, please submit one of the following documents as your proof of English proficiency:
- TOEFL iBT: 86 with no score below 21, or
- IELTS 6.5 with no score below 6.0, or
- CAEL 70 with no score below 60, or
- other official documents may be considered upon request
MSVU does not accept application directly from applicants. Applicants must apply through the coordinating department responsible for exchange programs at your home institution. Your coordinator will email the following information to us at global@msvu.ca:
- Nominee’s Full Name (Given Name and Family Name)
- Nominee’s Date of Birth
- Nominee’s Email
- Nominee’s Program at Home Institution
- Nominee’s Intended Term(s) at MSVU
Nomination Deadlines:
- May 20 for Fall Semester (September – December)
- Sep 20 for Winter Semester (January – April)
Application Deadlines:
- June 20 for Fall Semester (September – December)
- October 20 for Winter Semester (January – April)
Tip: The sooner you submit your application the better because the classes and campus residence become full very quickly.
Application Steps:
- Download and install Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (the link goes to Adobe’s official website)
- Download and save the Incoming Exchange Application Form (fillable PDF)
- Open and fill out the application form on your computer by using Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
- Ask your coordinator to email the following documents to us at global@msvu.ca:
-
- the completed Application Form
- a scanned copy of your passport identification page
- a professional headshot (such as an ID photo)
- original transcript (in English)
- proof of English proficiency
- course descriptions (in English) of all the courses you will have completed in your home institution before your exchange at MSVU
All exchange students must register in a full time course load, which ranges from 3 to 5 courses.
* Note that 5 courses would be the number of courses that a student would complete per semester if they plan to complete their degree on time. This means that 5 courses can be seen as equivalent to 30 ECTS.
*All course requests submitted are pending approval based on the following criteria:
- Space in the class
- Completion of any necessary prerequisites as evaluated by the course professor considering the request
Incoming exchange students are required to purchase the International Student Health Plan through MSVU upon their arrival.
The cost of International Student Health Plan:
- For a full academic year, please find the cost of the International Student Health Plan here (in “Non-refundable Fees”).
- For one semester, the cost will be prorated.
Students who would like to live on campus need to apply online: http://www.msvu.ca/residence.
The cost of room and board can be seen here.
Instruction on Course Selection and Registration:
- Do not select course levels above your year of study. For instance, if you are in your 3rd year, please select courses at Level 3000 or below.
- Avoid online sections (unless there are no on-campus options).
- Avoid sections with some people on waitlist.
- Do not choose sections for specific cohorts, such as Bermudan Cohort or JC Cohort.
- Do not select courses in the following programs:
- Education
- Graduate Studies (unless your institution has an agreement with MSVU)
- Child Youth Studies (unless your institution has an agreement with MSVU)
Click here to Search for Courses (Please select “Advanced Search”)
MSVU has a team of dedicated professionals who are ready to help when you need it. From internatinal new student orientation, academic advising, physical and mental well-being, to counselling, our services are free-of-charge and available to incoming exchange students.
- International Education Centre
- Cerntre for Academic Advising and Student Success
- Residence Life on Campus
- Health and Wellness
- Accessibility
- IT Services
- Atheletics and Recreation
Study Permit Required or Not: If you study in Canada for less than 6 months, you will be eligible to study without a study permit. Otherwise, you will need to apply for a study permit. Click here to check (the link goes to the Canadian government’s website).
Visa (or eTA) Required or Not: It depends on what your nationality is. Click here to check (the link goes to the Canadian government’s website).
Processing Times of Application for Study Permit or Visa (eTA): Click here to check (the link goes to the Canadian government’s website).
Preparation for Your Travel to Canada:
If a Study Permit is NOT required for you to study in Canada, please visit: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid (the link goes to the Canadian government’s website). Otherweise, please also visit Arriving in Canada.
Halifax is the provincial capital of Nova Scotia. It is a major port city on the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the finest harbors in the world. It is closer to Europe than any other east coast port of call, while Toronto and New York are just two hours away from Halifax. With 8 post-secondary institutions in the Halifax Regional Municipality, we are home to 50,000 students each year. Halifax is considered Canada’s smart city! Learn more.
Questions regarding nomination, application, and admissions for exchange students, please contact:
Mahx Mason
International Partnerships Coordinator
global@msvu.ca
+1(902) 457-6199
Mount Saint Vincent University
International Education Center (SA101C)
166 Bedford Highway, Halifax, NS, B3M2J6
Canada
Questions regarding exchange agreements and policies, please contact:
Amy Braye
Manager, International Education Centre
amy.braye@msvu.ca
+1(902) 457-6130
Instagram: msvu_global
Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) Scholarships
The Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) scholarships, granted by the Government of Canada via EduCanada, provide students from post-secondary institutions located in Latin America and the Caribbean with short-term exchange opportunities for study or research in Canadian post-secondary institutions, at the college, undergraduate and graduate levels.
In addition to the Admission Requirements above, candidates must be:
- citizens of one of the following eligible countries/territories:
- Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos;
- Central America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama;
- North America: Mexico;
- South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela; and
- enrolled as a full-time student at post-secondary institution in an eligible country/territory, and
- paying tuition fees to that institution at the time of application and for the full duration of the exchange.
Candidates are not eligible:
- if they hold or have a pending application for Canadian citizenship or permanent residency;
- if they are already participating in a scholarship program funded by the Government of Canada; or
- if they are already enrolled in a degree, diploma or certificate program at a Canadian post-secondary institution.
Nomination Deadline: February 15
MSVU does not accept application directly from applicants. Applicants must apply through the coordinating department responsible for exchange programs at your home institution. Your coordinator will email the following information to us at global@msvu.ca:
- Nominee’s Full Name (Given Name and Family Name)
- Nominee’s Date of Birth
- Nominee’s Email
- Nominee’s Program at Home Institution
- Nominee’s Intended Term(s) at MSVU
In addition to all the required documents listed above, the coordinator of the home institutions also need to submit the following required supporting documents to global@msvu.ca by the end of February.
Each document must be smaller than 5 MB and in .pdf, .jpg, .doc, .docx, .txt or .gif format for the application to upload successfully.
Institutions must ensure documents are complete and accurate as per the instructions. Revised documents will not be accepted after the deadline. Documents in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by a translation.
- Proof of citizenship:
- a copy of the candidate’s passport or national identity card with a photo and valid dates
- documents not accepted as proof of citizenship are: driver’s license, permanent residence card, work permit, student card, health card, birth certificate or baptismal certificate
- proof of citizenship selected must be from the same country/territory as the citizenship selected in the online application form
- Signed Privacy Notice Statement: a copy of the Privacy Notice Statement for non-Canadian participants signed by the candidate and dated within the last six months
- Letter of intent from the candidate (maximum one page):
- explains the nature of studies or research to be undertaken
- provides rationale for study in Canada and for the choice of institution, program and supervisor and how the proposed program of study or research will relate to their future career
- Letter of proof of full-time enrolment from the home institution (maximum one page):
- on official letterhead
- dated within the last six months
- confirms that the candidate is currently enrolled in a full-time program
- specifies the date (mm/yyyy) when the candidate expects to complete the degree
- copies of transcripts, a student card or a letter of admission are not acceptable
- Letter of support from the home institution (maximum one page):
- on official letterhead
- dates within the last six months
- from the candidate’s instructor, professor or international director
- explains the nature of study or research to be undertaken in Canada and how the candidate and the home institution will benefit from this scholarship program
- Graduate students only – Letter of invitation from the Canadian supervisor (maximum one page):
- on official letterhead
- dated within the last six months
- signed by the Canadian supervisor
- describes the nature and scope of the research collaboration with the student’s home institution
- confirms their willingness to support and mentor the candidate during the exchange period
- explains how the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers will benefit from the exchange
- Information Confirmation Form
- For postgraduate applicants (fillable PDF)
- For undergraduate applicants (fillable PDF)