Dalhousie University, Canada

Ranked among Canada’s top dozen universities and among the top 200 globally, Dalhousie (estb. 1818) has acquired an enviable reputation for academic innovation and research excellence

Among Canada’s oldest institutions of higher education, Dalhousie University (estb. 1818) has acquired an enviable reputation in North America for academic innovation, teaching and research excellence. In 2008 Maclean’s Magazine ranked Dalhousie the eighth-best university in Canada while in the same year the annual Times Higher Education Supplement-Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings numbered Dalhousie 11th in Canada, and 197th internationally. Moreover Dalhousie is a member of the Group of Thirteen (G13), a consortium of the leading research universities of Canada, and is consistently ranked among the country’s top research universities. In 2003 and 2004, The Scientist magazine ranked Dalhousie among the top five institutions (outside the United States) for post-doctoral work and scientific research.

Founded in 1818 by George Ramsay, the ninth Earl of Dalhousie and Lt. Governor of Nova Scotia, the cornerstone of Dalhousie’s first building was laid in 1820. Today the varsity sprawls across three campuses in the coastal city of Halifax, offering perhaps the broadest selection of academic choices in Canada, conducting 4,100 classes in 240 undergraduate, graduate, professional and continuing education programmes. With 11 faculties, 1,143 professors and a student population of over 15,000 attracted from across Canada and more than 100 countries, Dalhousie boasts an enviable teacher-pupil ratio of 1:14.

“Because of the research and scholarship of faculty members, an interactive intellectual environment and excellent facilities, students receive an enriched education that challenges and prepares them for whatever career or path they choose. We take great pride in our students’ achievements.  Dalhousie students rank sixth in North America for Rhodes Schol-arships won, and fourth in Canada for national academic awards,” says Dr. Tom Traves, president and vice-chancellor of the university.

Halifax. Sited on the east coast of Canada, Halifax (pop.400,000) is the capital of Nova Scotia and boasts the world’s second largest natural harbour. Sited on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, this coastal city offers the best of two worlds — the activities and services of an urban habitat and the friendliness of a small town. In addition to sandy beaches, rugged shorelines, blooming gardens, heritage sites, museums, art galleries, parks, shops and sidewalk cafes, Halifax has a stunning harbour and the famous Citadel overlooking the city. Unsur-prisingly it attracts a large number of tourists and visitors, and is particularly well known for its variety of entertainment and a nightlife that never quits. The city also hosts first class sporting events, and offers live theatre performances and festivals through the year.

However Halifax’s weather is unpredictable, with winter temperatures ranging between 4oC and -10oC and summer temperatures between 13-23oC. “Fog can roll in on a warm summer day and chill the air suddenly. Likewise sun can come out on a winter day and heat things up. So a good rule of thumb at any time of year is to dress in layers. That means bringing a jacket along on summer evenings or wearing a light shirt under your sweater in winter,” advises a university spokesperson.

Campus facilities. Dalhousie University is spread across three campuses, all within walking distance of each other, on the Halifax peninsula. Tree-lined Studley is the main campus for undergraduate studies in the arts, social sciences, and science, and also hosts the first-year engineering programme and law school. Its wide range of facilities include the Henry Hicks Academic Administration building, the Killam Library, the Life Sciences Centre, the Marion McCain Arts and Social Sciences centre and the students union building.

Directly to the east of Studley is the Carleton campus. It houses the faculties of dentistry, medicine, and health professions, including the departments of pharmacology, nursing, and occupational therapy. Further east, on Barrington Street, is the Sexton Campus. Originally the Technical University of Nova Scotia (until 1997), it hosts the architecture, engineering, and planning faculties.

The university’s four libraries — Kellogg Health Sciences, Killam Memorial, Sexton Design and Technology, and Sir James Dunn Law Library — together offer a collection of over 2.2 million volumes and access to a wide range of electronic resources. Sports facilities include the Dalplex recreation centre featuring an olympic-sized swimming pool, cardio machines, squash courts, fitness classes and one of the best rock climbing structures in eastern Canada. Moreover for athletics and field sports, there’s the Memorial Arena and F.B. Wickwire Memorial Field (all-weather turf) and the F.H. Sexton Memorial Gymnasium. Students also have the option of enroling in any of the 225 clubs and societies, covering academic programmes, recreational, athletic and cultural interests.

Admission. The minimum eligibility requirement for admission into Dalhousie’s undergraduate programmes is a first class Plus Two certificate. Moreover international students need to submit proof of proficiency in the English language. A TOEFL score of 580 or IELTS score of 6.5 is acceptable. For admission into the university’s Masters programmes, successful completion of a bachelor’s degree is mandatory. Some study programmes may specify additional eligibility criteria. The last date for submitting admission application forms is April 1 for the term beginning September.

For further information contact Admissions Office, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4H6. Tel: +902 494 24 50; Fax: +092 494 16 30; e-mail: admissions@dal.ca; website: www.dal.ca.

Accommodation. Dalhousie offers housing to 2,700 students, and guarantees varsity accommodation to all first-year international students. On-campus living options include halls of residence, houses and apartments. Most of the Dalhousie residences are co-ed with some all-female areas. Each room is equipped with a bed, dresser, desk, chair and lamp, and wired for high-speed internet access, cable television and telephone. Every residence has its own common television room and study lounge for students to socialise.

For those who wish to live off-campus, the university’s housing office offers a comprehensive database with a wide range of rental listings.

Degree programmes. Dalhousie offers more than 180 undergraduate, 90 postgrad and 40 doctoral study programmes across seven faculties (see box).

Summiya Yasmeen