Acadia University Admission Requirements for Int’l Students

This article discusses Acadia University admission requirements, courses, scholarships, rankings, tuitions fees, and so on.

Acadia University is located in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada. It is a public designated university, the institution is predominantly undergraduate and offers over 200 courses across its faculties and schools, it, however, offers a number of graduate programs at the master’s level and one doctoral program.

The University campuses include; Arts, Pure and Applied Sciences, Professional Studies, and Theology. Its Distance Learning Courses and Correspondence are handled by Open Acadia.

The school was initially founded as an extension of Horton Academy in 1828, the academy was established in Horton, Nova Scotia, by Baptist faithful from Nova Scotia and Queen’s College in 1838.

Acadia University, established at Wolfville, Nova Scotia in 1838 has a strong Baptist religious affiliation. The institution initially was designed to prepare men for the ministry in the Christian faith and to provide education for its lay members.

In this article

Acadia University Rankings

Canadian Universities ranking by Macleans for 2021 placed Acadia as second in its publication for “primarily undergraduate” Canadian university category. In the same year, Maclean’s publication ranked Acadia 28th, in its reputation rankings.

Acadia University Faculties

Acadia is primarily organized into four faculties, namely: Arts, Pure & Applied Science, Professional Studies, and Theology. Each of these faculty is further divided into departments and schools specialized in areas of teaching and research.

Acadia Research

Acadia has over 15 research centers and 6 research chairs. This consequently provides undergraduate students with ample opportunities to participate in as many research opportunities as possible.

Acadia’s Division of Research & Graduate Studies is separate and runs independently from the faculties, therefore, it is able to oversee graduate students as well as Acadia’s research programs efficiently.

Acadia University research programs are designed towards exploring

  • Coastal environments
  • Ethno-cultural diversity,
  • Social justice,
  • Environmental monitoring and climate change,
  • Organizational relationships,
  • Data mining,
  • The impact of digital technologies,
  • Lifestyle choices contributing to health and wellness.

Acadia’s research centers include the following:

Research is central to Acadia education processes, therefore, if you are research-oriented and your choice of program is research-based, then Acadia University is the right fit for you.

At Acadia, you are exposed to enlightening and meaningful research while collaborating with your professors, to tackle problems in world-class facilities that rival the largest institutions around the world.

The following is a list of Acadia research centers.

  • Acadia Centre for Baptist and Anabaptist Studies
  • Acadia Centre for Estuarine Research
  • Acadia Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Computation
  • Acadia Centre for Microstructural Analysis
  • Acadia Centre for the Study of Ethnocultural Diversity
  • Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre
  • Acadia Institute for Data Analytics
  • Acadia Laboratory for Agri-Food and Beverage (ALAB)
  • Acadia Tidal Energy Institute
  • Acadia University’s Planter Studies Centre
  • Centre for Analytical Research on the Environment
  • Centre for Organizational Research and Development
  • Centre for Sensory Research of Food
  • Centre of Lifestyle Studies
  • E.C. Smith Herbarium
  • Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens
  • Humanities Hypermedia Centre
  • K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre
  • Research Ethics Board
  • Sheldon L. Fountain Learning Commons
  • Statistical Consulting Centre
  • Vaughan Memorial Library

Applied research opportunities that are engaged at Acadia include; research with local wineries and grape growers, alternative insect control techniques, and technologies.

Acadia University Academic Programs

Below is a list of undergraduate programs offered at Acadia

  • Applied Science (BASc, CAS)
  • Biology (BSc)
  • Business Administration (BBA)
  • Canadian Studies (BA)
  • Canadian Studies (BA)
  • Chemistry (BSc)
  • Classical Studies (BA)
  • Community Development (BCD)
  • Computer Science (BCS, BACS, BSc)
  • Economics (BA, BSc)
  • Education (BEd)
  • Engineering (BASc, CAS)
  • English (BA)
  • Environmental and Sustainability Studies (BA, BCD)
  • Environmental Geoscience (BSc)
  • Environmental Science (BSc)
  • French (BA)
  • Geology (BSc)
  • German (BA)
  • History (BA)
  • Kinesiology (BKin)
  • Mathematics and Statistics (BSc, BA)
  • Mathematics Education (Integrated BSc+BEd)
  • Music (BM, BAM)
  • Music Therapy (BMT, CMT)
  • Nutrition and Dietetics (BSN)
  • Philosophy (BA)
  • Physics (BSc)
  • Psychology (BSc, BA)
  • Politics (BA)
  • Sociology (BA)
  • Spanish (BA)
  • Theatre (BA)
  • Theology (BTh)
  • Women’s and Gender Studies (BA)

The Following Underlisted are Graduate and Post – Graduate Programs Offered at Acadia University

  • Applied Geomatics (MSc)
  • Biology (MSc)
  • Chemistry (MSc)
  • Computer Science (MSc)
  • Community Development (MCD)
  • Divinity (MDiv)
  • Education (MEd)
  • Educational Studies (PhD)
  • English (MA)
  • Environmental Science (MSc)
  • Geology (MSc)
  • Mathematics and Statistics (MSc)
  • Ministry (DMIN)
  • Political Science (MA)
  • Psychology (MSc)
  • Social and Political Thought (MA)
  • Sociology (MA)
  • Theology (MA) – 1 year
  • Theology (MA) – 2 year

Graduate Admissions and Application Process

Here is a list of all that is necessary to apply to a graduate program at Acadia as an international applicant.

  • Certain programs require that you secure a supervisor before you apply, this is a necessary criterion that must be fulfilled should your choice of the program require the assistance of a supervisor.
    • Masters of Science in:
      Biology
      Earth and Environmental Science
      Geology
      Geomatics
    • Master in Community Development
      The consent of a supervisor must be secured before you initiate an application for the courses listed above.

Please note: There are supporting documents also required for an application and documents submitted in support of an application for admission are retained by the University and are not returned to the applicant. You must ensure that your application is complete, otherwise, it will not be reviewed.

Therefore, it is your responsibility as an applicant to ensure that all your supporting documents required to complete your application are submitted by the deadline. Your file will not be assessed nor a decision made as regards your application until all your documents have been received.

  • All Masters of Arts (except MA Political Science) – February 1st
  • All Masters of Science (except MSc Psychology) – February 1st
  • All Masters in Community Development Programs – February 1st
  • Masters of Arts in Political Science – February 1st
  • Masters of Science in Psychology – December 15th
  • Masters of Education in Counseling – December 15th
  • Masters of Education in Curriculum Studies and Inclusive Education – February 1st
  • Masters of Education in Leadership – February 1st

Important to NOTE: These deadlines refer to the submission of a complete application. If documents are not received by the deadline/or post-marked, it will be at the discretion of the dept/school in question whether a file will be considered for admission offer or not.

For more detailed information as regards the application deadline for each program please visit the link: https://gradstudies.acadiau.ca/Graduate_Admissions.html

  • You must have an honors degree or fours bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or college
  • You must have at least a B – average, which is made up to 70% in the courses taken in your undergraduate program.

Note: The number of graduate students admitted to Acadia is limited, so meeting the minimum requirement does not guarantee admission. Also, that departments and schools have additional requirements, thus, ensure to contact the school of your chosen program for more information.

After your online application has been completed and submitted, you will receive an automated email with a link to your Applicant Status Portal.  Through the Applicant Status Portal, you can:

  • Will see the list of required documents that are required to complete your admission file;
  • Then you can upload your supporting documents (except for transcripts); and
  • You will also see the official letter when a decision has been made on your application here.
  • When an admission decision has been made, you will be notified through the Applicant Status Portal.

There are not many part-time programs offered at Acadia, nevertheless, the only part-time program offered to graduate students on a regular basis is the Master of Education. Students who choose this program pay their tuition on a per-course basis.

Should be interested in pursuing an MA/MSc degree part-time, you will have to consult with the department/school in question to see if they can accommodate your request.

University Internal Support

Should you desire to apply to an MSC / MA / MCD degree program (other than MSc in GEOM, MSc in ENVS, and MSc in PSYC), and have submitted a complete admission application package by February 1st, and you have a GPA of at least 3.0 in each of your last 2 years of undergraduate study, you will be automatically considered for an Acadia Graduate Scholarship (AGS).

The same applies to if have submitted a complete admission application package by February 1st with a GPA of 2.67 in each of your last 2 years of undergraduate study, you will be automatically considered for an Acadia Graduate Teaching Assistantship (AGTA).

Other External Funding Options Includes the Following:

  • Canada Graduate Scholarship Program (Masters)
  • ResearchNS Scotia Scholars Awards. For further information see https://researchns.ca/ssa/
  • Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan

.For information on funding for your graduate or undergraduate program visit the link below:

 https://gradstudies.acadiau.ca/fees_funding.html

  • One official transcript is required from your last institution of study. that is either University or College.
  • The transcript must be sealed and certified authentic by the institution and sent directly to Acadia
  • For more on a transcript, specifications click on the link:https://gradstudies.acadiau.ca/Graduate_Admissions.html

Admission to Acadia University for a program requires that you submit a reference letter. The process entails that you provide your referee information and an automated email will be sent to your referee. Your referee can either complete an online recommendation form or upload a letter.

For details of reference letter requirement for your specific program visit the official link: https://gradstudies.acadiau.ca/Graduate_Admissions.html

  • Transcripts: One (1) original, an official transcript from each post-secondary institution attended (required for all applicants).
  • Resume: Required for all applicants to graduate studies. You will upload your Resume through the Applicant Status Portal once you submit your application form.
  • Reference letters: Required for all applicants to graduate studies.
  • Letter of Intent (LOI): Only for MEd applicants. Please visit https://med.acadiau.ca/faq.html. on how to proceed with this.
  • Statement of Applied Interests: For MSc Psychology applicants only. Describe your academic and clinical interests and how you intend to pursue them in the clinical psychology graduate program at Acadia University.
  • Research statement: Only for MSc Psychology applicants. You must outline how you are prepared to complete a Master’s thesis. Describe your research experience and completed coursework that is related to research such as research design and statistics.  The statement must also include general areas of research interest and potential Acadia supervisors in those areas. You will upload your Research Statement through the Applicant Status Portal once you submit your application form.
  • Departmental Information form: Only for MSc Computer Science applicants).
  • Statement of Research Interests: For all applicants except MEd and MSc Psychology applicants). You will upload your Statement of Research Interests through the Applicant Status Portal once you submit your application form. In this, you will:
    • (1) Articulate the broader field that you are working within, and the specific question that you are interested in answering
    • (2) Provide a brief history of your past research/interest. How did this research propel you forward?
    • (3) Describe your ongoing research. What questions are you actively trying to solve? What have you found so far? How are you connecting your research to the larger academic conversation? (do you have any publications under review, upcoming conferences, or other professional engagements?) What are the larger implications of your work?
    • (4) Describe the future trajectory of your research. What is the big picture? What further questions do you have and how will you solve them? How can the institution to which you are applying for help you in that process?
  • Writing sample: MA in English, Political Science, Social and Political Thought, Sociology, and the Master in Community Development programs are required to provide this with a minimum of 10 pages.
  • M.Ed. in Counseling applicant might be required to provide a GRE.
  • GRE scores for the MSc in Psychology program will be automatically waived for the 2022/23 admission season.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

  • A TOEFL score of 580 paper-based test (237 computer-based test, 93 Internet-based test — With no sub-test score below 20) is required.
  • Acadia will accept an overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 or higher (with no sub-test score below 6.0).

Original hard copy scores must be sent from the Test Centre if you are accepted to the program. After submitting your application, you can upload your unofficial score through the Applicant Status Portal and which will be used for your assessment/review.

Applicants for MSc in MATH, MSc in COMP, MSc in GEOL, or MSc in CHEM might be offered conditional admission notwithstanding whether they meet the required minimum score. For all other programs, the English language requirement must be met at the time of application.

English Proficiency Requirement

Acadia’s minimum graduate studies English requirements are as follows:

  • IELTS (Academic ONLY!) – 6.5 overall with no subtest score below 6.0
  • TOEFL – 93 IBT with no subtest score below 20
  • CAEL – 70 overall with no subtest score below 60
  • PTE Academic – 61 with no subtest score below 60

IMPORTANT NOTE: Only applicants residing from the following countries are EXEMPT from providing an English Language Proficiency Test as part of a graduate admissions application:

Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Nigeria, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Acadia University Tuition Fees

International student contemplating graduate studies at Acadia University, you should be able to guarantee annual funding of $37,000 before you proceed with a student visa application.

Tuition For International Students

Full-time graduate enrolled in an MA program (except the MA in SOPT) and the MSc in GEOM 19,158.00
Full-time graduate enrolled in an MSc/M CODE/MA in SOPT program
1st year…………………………
2nd year…………………………		  

13,347.00
13,347.00
MEd, per 3h course 2,473.50
Continuing graduate fee per semester 862.50
Continuing in co-op work program fee per semester 1,894.50
Co-op internship program, fee per 16-month course 3,904.50
Ph.D. in Educational Studies 22,860.00
Ph.D. Ancillary Fee 350.00
Ph.D. Continuance Fee 6,530.00
Letter of Permission 10.00
Late payment fee 50.00
Transcript of Record 10.00
Replacement Diploma 50.00
Campus Card System Access Fee 10.00
N.S.F. or other returned cheques handling charge 35.00
Declined/refused Mastercard or Visa handling charge 20.00
Reinstatement fee 50.00
Late Graduation Fee 25.00
Payment Extension Fee 25.00