Mount Saint Vincent University

Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) is a public university in Halifax, Nova Scotia, founded in 1873 by the Sisters of Charity with a founding focus on the education of women. Today it welcomes around 3,780 students from 55+ countries to a small, community-oriented campus overlooking the Bedford Basin.

Naming note: Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax is a different institution from the “University of Mount Saint Vincent” in New York — make sure any research you do for your application refers to msvu.ca.

For Nepali students, MSVU’s appeal is straightforward: small classes, a genuinely close-knit campus, and tuition that sits below many other Canadian universities.

MSVU offers 34 graduate degree programs plus 8 graduate certificate and diploma programs, alongside a broad undergraduate catalogue. Popular choices for international students include Business Administration, Public Relations (one of MSVU’s best-known programs), Tourism & Hospitality, Applied Human Nutrition, Education, Computer Science, and Psychology.

MSVU is home to the longest-standing and second-largest accredited co-operative education program in Atlantic Canada — a genuine differentiator for students who want paid, degree-relevant work experience built into their studies rather than added on afterward.

Interested in Business or Nutrition? See our guides to a BBA in Canada and studying Nutrition in Canada.

MSVU’s real strengths for Nepali students don’t show up on a single scoreboard: small class sizes, one of Atlantic Canada’s best co-op programs, and a genuinely affordable path through a Canadian degree in a safe coastal city.

For international students, that combination — hands-on co-op experience, personal attention from faculty, and manageable living costs in Halifax — often matters more day-to-day than an institution’s position in a global ranking table.

Undergraduate applicants generally need a high school average of 70%+ across their five best subjects. English proficiency requirements are IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 86 overall (minimum 21 per section).

MSVU’s admission rate is moderately open, though published figures vary a lot between aggregator sites, so it’s not worth quoting a single acceptance percentage — what matters more is meeting the academic and English requirements cleanly.

Fall intake applications typically open in September–October the year before. Apply by March for automatic consideration for MSVU’s entrance scholarships (see Financial Aid below) — always confirm the exact current-cycle deadline with MSVU or your Goreto counsellor before applying.

Check the full IELTS requirements for a Canada student visa before you book your test.

MSVU is genuinely one of the more affordable options among Atlantic Canada’s universities. In the current fee schedule, the international tuition differential is approximately CAD 1,166 per course. A typical full course load of 10 courses/year puts undergraduate tuition at roughly CAD 20,800–CAD 22,600 including fees; a graduate course load of 6 courses/year runs approximately CAD 15,800 including fees — among the lower graduate costs in this comparison set. Confirm the exact current figures on MSVU’s official fee schedule, since per-course fees are updated annually.

Halifax’s cost of living is also comparatively manageable for a Canadian city, though budget individually for rent, food, and transit rather than relying on a single all-in estimate.

Scholarships: MSVU automatically considers new students with an 80%+ average for entrance scholarships — no separate application needed if you apply by the priority deadline. Graduate students can apply for the International Graduate Student Scholarship and the BMO Financial Group Endowed Graduate Scholarship, plus a range of bursaries open to international students.

MSVU has three on-campus residences. Assisi Hall is a 12-storey building with 130 single rooms, geared toward first-year students. The Birches are 21-room houses with shared kitchens, offering a more independent living style. Westwood combines four-bedroom apartments with a dorm floor, aimed at students aged 19+ or returning/transfer students who want more autonomy.

This range of on-campus options — from structured first-year residence to apartment-style independent living — makes it easier to find a fit as you progress through your degree, without needing to move off-campus.

Halifax is Atlantic Canada’s largest city and a genuinely student-heavy town, with several universities feeding a lively, youthful population. MSVU’s own campus sits on a wooded hillside overlooking the Bedford Basin — a quieter, more tight-knit setting than a downtown campus, while still giving easy access to everything Halifax offers.

Co-op placements and experiential learning are woven into many MSVU programs, so student life here often extends into real workplaces well before graduation — a practical advantage when it comes time to apply for post-graduation work permits.

Mount Saint Vincent University suits Nepali students who want a genuinely affordable Canadian degree without sacrificing personal attention — small classes, one of Atlantic Canada’s strongest co-op programs, and a safe, scenic coastal setting in Halifax.

Goreto Educational Consultancy can help you confirm current tuition and scholarship figures, build a strong application, and prepare your study permit documents. Book a free consultation with Goreto to start your Mount Saint Vincent University application.

Comparing affordable Canadian universities? See our profiles of University of Manitoba and University of Regina.