University of King's College
Founded 1789 | Halifax, NS
King’s is one of Canada’s oldest and smallest universities, known for its interdisciplinary programs in the humanities and journalism. The campus is nestled on the northwest corner of Dalhousie University; the two universities grant joint degrees. A central quadrangle is surrounded by an award-winning library, stone residences, a chapel and a gym. Most first-year students enrol in the unique Foundation Year Program, where they study great works of Western thought and take part in lectures and small-group tutorials. Then they can take one of King’s honours programs in their upper years while completing one of four undergraduate degrees offered by King’s and Dalhousie.
“We understand that exceptional futures depend on exceptional beginnings,” says president William Lahey. “King’s students gain an education and friendships that serve them for a lifetime in a changing world that needs all they have to offer.” Another big draw is the school of journalism, which offers a four-year honours bachelor’s degree, a one-year bachelor’s degree for students who already have a degree, a two-year master of journalism, and a two-year limited-residency master of fine arts in creative non-fiction. Extracurriculars include an impressive music scene, a theatrical society, one of the oldest college literary societies in North America and a renowned chapel choir.
Standout Programs
• Foundation Year Program: Students trace the history of ideas through an interdisciplinary exploration of seminal works of Western civilization. The philosophy, literature and art of each historical period are studied in an integrated fashion.
• Journalism: Students learn to conduct independent research, think critically about current affairs and produce stories in multiple media formats. The final year includes concentrated workshops and internships.
• Medical Humanities: Students in this certificate program explore how global societies have engaged with health, wellness, medicine and healing. Students also consider how to deepen understanding of these concepts in the future.
Tuition (includes compulsory ancillary fees)
$8,804 ($10,087 out-of-province students)
Minimum Entering Grades
Arts: 71% · Science: 74.8%
Student Body
Undergraduates: Full-time: 786 · Part-time: 44
Graduates: Full-time: 63
International Students: First-year: 2.7% · Graduate: 3.2%
Male-Female Ratio: 36 to 64
Housing Facts
Residence Spaces: 238 (155 reserved for first-year students)
Residence Costs: Double room with meals: $10,200 to $11,500 · Single room with meals: $10,700 to $12,200
Cool Courses
• Little Girls: This course examines the role of the girl in literature, philosophy and pop culture; topics include the infantilization of women.
• Human Experiments: Offering a series of case studies, this course examines how human experiments have influenced our ideas of scientific objectivity.