WhatsApp
St. Francis Xavier University logo

St. Francis Xavier University

7.5(1)
VerifiedPublicEstd. 1853
Founded
1853
Type
Public
University Guide

About St. Francis Xavier University

Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.

St. Francis Xavier University is located in Nova Scotia, Canada. The University was founded back in 1853, it is one of the most prestigious and oldest universities located in Canada. It is a public university providing liberal arts programs to undergraduates. The university campus has a rural type setting. The university has a total of 1,170 students employed and the average number of students per class is 34.

Highlights

Type of University Public
Year of Establishment 1853
Campus Setting Rural
Total Students 3,895

Rankings

  • StFX ranks No.1 as per Maclean’s in universities in Canada.
  • In the list of Helping students think critically StFX ranks #1 as per Maclean’s report.
  • It is the 3rd most recognizable ring in the world.

St. Francis Xavier University Campus

StFX has the most beautiful campus.

  • The campus has various recreation activities such as a six-lane swimming pool, Gym and dance studio.
  • There are various athletics and recreation centres, health and awareness, more than 100 art and culture societies for students to be part of.
  • There are 5 dining options for students to have healthy food meals.

Residence Facilities at St. Francis Xavier University

The university has an on campus residence facility for its students.

  • The residences are apartment style, single and double sharing residence rooms.
  • All the rooms are furnished, with bed, table, study desk, shared washrooms, common space for television, kitchen, study lounge area.
  • The residence campus has cable television, full Wi-Fi access, has a laundry room and has a food meal facility for the on campus residence.

Programs offered at St. Francis Xavier University

St. Francis Xavier University offers programs for undergraduate as well as graduate courses to students from all over the world.

The various faculties are:

  • Faculty of arts
  • Faculty of science
  • Faculty of education
  • Gerald Schwartz school of Business
  • Brian Mulroney Institute of Government
  • Frank Mckenna Centre for Leadership

Courses are offered in fields like Anthropology, Arts, Education, Catholic Studies, Celtic Studies, Biology, development Studies, etc.

The university also offers continuing and distance education through part- time or online courses. some of the courses offered are Master of Education, Certificate in Outdoor Education etc.

Application Procedure

International students who want to seek admissions at St. Francis Xavier University is mentioned-below:

  • The applicants have to apply through the online university application.
  • The application fee for undergraduate applicants is C $ 40
  • The applications are released on September 16, 2019 and the deadline for international applicants is May 30, 2020.
  • The transcripts of previous institutions are required to be submitted.
  • High school diploma or class 12 or any equivalent is necessary for admission in undergraduate courses.
  • International applicants will have to prove their proficiency in English. The minimum required scores are tabulated below:
Test Minimum required score
IELTS 6.5
TOEFL- iBT 90
MELAB 81
CAEL 71
CAE 180

Cost of Attendance

The estimated cost of attendance for undergraduate students are tabulated below:

Application fee $ 40
Late payment fee $ 50
Confirmation payment for B.Ed. students $ 300
Confirmation payment for New students $ 100
Transcript of record $ 10
NSF cheque fee $ 20
Letter of permission $ 20

Scholarships & Financial Aid

The university offers more than C $ 4 million to students as financial aid and scholarships for international students to afford study in Canada .

  • Students with 85% of admission average are offered with a minimum of C $ 5000 as Entrance scholarships. The amount is given over a period of 4 years.
  • Students are also offered with an opportunity to work on campus in order to finance their education. Around 30% of the students are employed annually.
  • In order to apply for scholarships, students will have to complete an online application and provide their previous transcripts. The eligibility is decided on the basis of marks in Grade 12.

Alumni Network

  • The university has an alumni association and it felicitates the alumni with various recognitions and awards regularly.
  • Various benefits are offered to the alumni. It includes high quality products and exceptional services.
  • The university also sends gifts to the alumni in case of any celebratory event in the life of alumni.
  • Some of the notable alumni are:
    • John Allan Cameron- Celtic musician
    • Father Moses Coady- Leader of Antigonish Movement
    • Charles V. Keating- Businessman
    • Amanda Lindhout- Author and Journalist
    • Alistair MacLeod- Writer

Placements

87% of the graduates get employed within 6 months of completing their graduation.

  • The career centre of the university conducts various events and workshops for the students.
  • Mock interviews are conducted in order to train the students to face a real interview.
  • The career centre also conducts various Career Connection events and career fairs where the students get a chance to get in touch with employers.
Courses & Fees

Compare courses in a cleaner, easier way

Explore tuition, duration, language, eligibility, and exam requirements without the clutter.

Courses

38

Fee from

₹12,07,431.12

Exams

TOEFL · IELTS

Showing 5 of 31 bachelors

Overview
Degree TypeBachelor
Duration4 years
Study ModeFull Time
LanguageEnglish
Fees
Tuition FeeINR 6.9 L/Yr
Native FeeCAD 10,135 /Yr
Fee trendTuition progression
Official Program Page
Admission Guide

Admission Process

St. Francis Xavier University with an acceptance rate of 75% is a moderately selective institution to provide admission to international students. Programs at St. Francis Xavier University have a wide range of undergraduate but limited number of graduate programs covering fields in STEM, arts and other areas. The university doesn’t offer January intakes in graduate programs; there is only September intake available to applicants. Aspiring students need to have at least 70% average marks in their previous school or college with 65% in each subject to apply for the university.

  • Indian applicants can get assistance for their application at [email protected].
  • Limited seats are available in graduate programs. Around 40 seats are available in each program.
  • IELTS Scores are preferred over other English tests.
  • Work experience is highly recommended, especially in graduate programs.
  • International applicants or prospective international students can contact International Student Advisor who can support them in their immigration matters, application queries, and arrival services.
  • For all nursing school programs, the CASPer test is required.
  • Freshmen applicants having an average of 85% in academics or higher will receive an StFX grant/scholarship valued at over 5,000 CAD for 4 consecutive years.
  • International students can easily make the payment to the university using GlobalPay.

COVID-19 Information: StFX requires its accepted students to sign and submit 2 documents named COVID-19 legal waiver and student community protocol document. Documents will be sent to students via email on their StFX student email account.

Highlights

Application Mode Online
Application Fee 40 CAD for Undergraduates and 100 CAD for Graduates
Mode Of Payment Cheque/Credit Card/Money Order
Acceptance Rate 75%
Intake Session Fall Semester
Academic Calendar Semester-Based
International Scholarships & Grants Available
Programs Offered Undergraduate & Graduate
On-Campus Housing Available
Official Website www.stfx.ca

St. Francis Xavier Admission Deadlines

The university adheres to the announced deadlines strictly. Aspirants are advised to follow these to seek admission in undergraduate and graduate programs:

Important International Deadline - Undergraduate
January Intake September 30
International Student Confirmation Deadline November 1
International Application Deadline May 30
After Deadline Case-By-Case Basis
Graduate Deadlines
Masters of Applied Computer Science October 15
Masters of Science February 15
Masters of Arts February 15
Master of Adult Education Rolling Basis
Master of Education February 15

St. Francis Xavier International Student Admissions

St. Francis Xavier does not accept any student until official transcripts are obtained and confirmed. The transcripts must be sealed and submitted directly from each institution or college the applicant has attended to the admission office of the university. A WES report with a thorough credential evaluation strengthens the transcript's credibility.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements can enroll in the EAP (English for Academic Purposes) program of the university. They are offered conditional admission. Application deadlines should be taken seriously.

Application Portal: Online, Application Fee: 40 CAD for Undergraduates and 100 CAD for Graduates

Supporting Documents for International Admissions

  • Completed online application form
  • Official high school transcripts (undergraduate applicants) and college or university transcripts (graduate applicants) along with certified English translated
  • Undergraduate programs require certain criteria to be met in certain subjects to get qualified for admissions.
  • A minimum average score of 70% with 65% score in every subject or area
  • English language proficiency evidence
  • Financial statement
  • Valid passport copy
  • Letters of Recommendation or reference
  • Letter/statement of intent
  • Work-experience is recommended

Students can either pay the application fee through money order or credit card. During business hours (8:30 am-4:30 pm AST), call the Admissions Office and pay by credit card over the phone. Contact number is 1-844-299-2527.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

Non native English language speakers have to submit one of the test scores to demonstrate their language competency. Some of the tests accepted and the minimum score requirements are as follows:

Test Minimum Score Required for Undergraduates Minimum Score Required for Graduates
TOEFL iBT 90 (20 Sub-Score) 92
IELTS 6.5 Band (6.0 Band in Every Skill) 6.5
MELAB 81 N/A
CAEL 70 Overall (Minimum 60 in Each Module) N/A
C1 Advanced 180 (170 in Each Module) N/A
C2 Proficiency 180 (170 in Each Band) N/A

US Visa Process for International Students

Students need to apply for a study permit for Canada to study there. They can apply for the permit and must get their supporting documents ready. Students need to submit a letter of acceptance from St. Francis Xavier University along with a COVID-19 readiness plan, academic documents such as English proficiency proof, transcripts, references, etc., and a letter of explanation (if applicable – when any document is missing for now). To apply online, students are required to complete the following steps-

  • Make electronic copies of the documents
  • Read the instructions guide explaining how to complete each step
  • Answer all the required questions to create a personalized document checklist
  • Pay the processing fee, application fee, and visa application fee (payable to 3 parties at the time of visa)
  • Create an online account to fulfill all the required steps

Students can also get their visas at the same time through this process. They do not need to apply separately for the visa. After paying the required fee, students are required to submit the application as soon as possible. They can also check the application status by logging into the same account.

St. Francis Xavier University Undergraduate Admissions

UG at St Francis Xavier University has a wide range of programs in various fields for studying in Canada for international students. The application process for undergraduates is listed below:

Where to Apply Online Application, Application Fee – 40 CAD

Admission Requirements for UG Courses

  • Completed online application
  • Official high school transcripts – English translated
  • English language proficiency scores
  • Average 70% in Grade 12 with minimum 65% in required subjects
  • Statement of Purpose

Additional subject requirements to be fulfilled are:

  • Bachelor of Arts requires 12th class completion with English and 4 other university preparatory courses.
  • BA in Human Kinetics requires 12th class completion with English, 1 of Maths, Physics, Biology, or Chemistry, and 3 other university preparatory courses.
  • Bachelor of Arts & Science in Health requires 12th class completion with English, 2 of Maths, Physics, Biology, or Chemistry, and 2 other university preparatory courses.
  • Bachelor of Science requires 12th class completion with English, calculus or pre-calculus, 2 of Physics, Biology, or Chemistry, and 1 other university preparatory course.
  • BSc in Human Kinetics requires 12th class completion with English, 2 of Maths, Physics, Biology, or Chemistry, and 2 other university preparatory courses.
  • BSc in Nursing requires 12th class completion with English, Maths, Chemistry, Biology, and 1 other university preparatory course.
  • Bachelor of Business Administration Kinetics requires 12th class completion with English, Maths, and 3 other university preparatory courses.

St. Francis Xavier University Graduate Admissions

PG at St Francis Xavier University has a limited number of options but they are all popular and cover arts, science and technology fields. The requirement for admission to these courses are as follows:

Where to Apply- Online Application (available in October on the program website), Application Fee –100 CAD

Admission Requirements for PG Admissions

  • Completed online application form
  • Official college or university transcripts with certified English translation
  • English Language Proficiency proof
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Evidence of funds
  • Passport ID Pages
  • GRE/GMAT scores are not required.

Course specific requirements are given below:

Programs Resume/CV Statement of Purpose LOR Work Experience
Masters of Applied Computer Science Not Required Required 250-500 Words Two Optional Recommended
Master of Science- Biology Not Required Required 250-500 Words Two Recommended
Master of Art- Classical Studies Not Required Required 250-500 Words Two Recommended
Master of Adult Education Required Required 500-1000 Words Two Required
Master of Education CV Required Required 250 words Two Highly Recommended

Applicants may contact the Admissions Office to ensure that their application has been received and filled correctly. The university doesn’t consider incomplete applications for admission decisions. All supporting papers and the application fee must be submitted before the evaluation decision.

Admission decisions will usually take 4-6 weeks. Limited seats are available for some programs, especially graduate programs so meeting the minimum admission criteria doesn’t guarantee admission. St. Francis Xavier takes its admission deadlines seriously and doesn’t accept a late application. Applicants must submit supporting documents and applications as soon as possible.

FAQs

Do I need to upload the reference form on the online application?

The applicant should not upload references. The referees must send reference letters through email or mail.

Can I submit unofficial transcripts for application review purposes?

The university does not review or access unofficial transcripts. Only official transcripts are considered. The only exception is a WES report submitted by international candidates who have had their credentials reviewed by the WES thorough course-to-course evaluation procedure.

How can I strengthen my graduate admission application?

Graduate programs require high English language skills. While the minimum requirement is IELTS 6.5 band with sub-no less than 6.0 band, the application is strengthened by a higher score. Work experience in a relevant field also adds to the applicant’s worth.

How should I write the statement of intent for graduate programs?

The letter or statement of intent should describe the applicant’s qualifications, research interests, career objectives, and reasons for applying to StFX. To apply for MA in Adult Education, long-term professional objectives, area of concern, educator experience, and education philosophy should also be added.

Can I also mail university transcripts to the university in case I have already issued my transcripts from my previous college?

Transcripts will only be considered official if they are mailed directly from the academic institution. If the applicant already holds the official transcript, he/she is required to request a reissue of the transcript and make it send to the university admission office.

Are admissions competitive in St. Francis Xavier?

Yes. Admissions are competitive in St. Francis Xavier, especially for graduate programs. Graduate applicants must hold exceptional academic records, exceptional English skills, and relevant work experience to get their hopes high for admissions.

Can the English proficiency requirement be exempted for international applicants?

Only applicants who have English as their first language or whose medium of instruction was entirely in English can be exempted to provide English proficiency evidence.

Placements & Recruiters

St. Francis Xavier University Placement Details

St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.

Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Recruiters
N/A
Salary Metrics
0/2
Placement Metric

Highest Package

N/A

Represents the top salary package reported in the available placement information.

Placement Metric

Average Package

N/A

Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.

Placement information is currently limited.

More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.

Rankings over the years

Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.

2022

Highlights
2022
  • Best overall country rank: #14
  • Education: #13 in country
  • Top source: THE
  • 12 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Statistics
  • 1 ranking record in 2022

2025

Highlights
2025
  • Best overall country rank: #16
  • Social Studies: #12 in country
  • Top source: THE
  • 2 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Social Studies
  • 1 ranking record in 2025

2026

Highlights
2026
  • Best overall country rank: #18
  • Overall: #18 in country
  • Top source: THE
  • 2 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Social Studies
  • 2 ranking records in 2026

Contact Information

4130 University Avenue, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, B2G 2W5

+1-902-867-2219

Student Reviews & Ratings

Overall sentiment and category-wise rating summary

Overall score

7.5/10
Top Rated

Based on 1 rating

Rating Breakdown

Visual summary of rating distribution and categories

Live Summary
Academic
8.0/10
Faculty
9.0/10
Infrastructure
7.0/10
Accommodation
5.0/10
Placement
7.0/10
Extracurricular
9.0/10