Quick links Student fees Student enrolment Programs and degrees Student facilities and services University research International education Web site: www.stfx.ca

St. Francis Xavier University

PO Box 5000
Antigonish, Nova Scotia B2G 2W5
Telephone: 902-863-3300

President: Dr. Sean E. Riley

Profile

St. Francis Xavier University offers what so many of Canada’s top students are seeking: a high quality education, focused principally on the undergraduate, in a vibrant residential setting. StFX is meeting the needs of today’s undergraduates through outstanding teaching, exceptional hands-on research experiences, the very best in a residential community, and unique opportunities to make a contribution to communities at home and abroad.

For nearly 160 years, StFX has helped shape the world in which we live. From the halls of StFX have come a prime minister, provincial premiers, Rhodes scholars, scientists, and religious and business leaders.

The university brings together 4,200 students in arts, science, business and information systems, education and applied programs. The unique StFX brand of education offers an excellent student-to-faculty ratio and exceptional opportunities for personal growth in a close-knit residential campus.

Because we’re a small university where research is a priority, StFX offers its students individual attention and exceptional hands-on opportunities to participate in research early in their academic career. The results are impressive. For many students, this involvement begins in the summer following their first academic year, continues through other summers, and culminates in a senior project or honours thesis, as well as joint conference presentations and publications. With this background and experience, graduating students are exceptionally well prepared to begin graduate studies or professional programs.

StFX offers students and professors in all disciplines access to advanced web communication tools and an innovative computer environment linking students with professors, classmates and the world.

The StFX experience reflects a tradition of social responsibility and community service. The community development work at the heart of the Antigonish Movement has been carried out locally by StFX’s extension department since 1928, and globally by the Coady International Institute on campus since 1959. Since then, the Coady has gained a reputation as a centre of excellence in global education.

StFX is located in the Town of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, nestled along the beautiful northeastern coast of Nova Scotia, near Cape Breton Island.

History
Year of foundation: 1853
Former names of the institution: St. Francis Xavier College/Seminary (1855); St. Francis Xavier University (1866).

Student fees

Canadian student fees  2008 - 2009 *
Undergraduate tuition fees: $6,335
Graduate tuition fees: $5,929 - $6,690

International student fees  2008 - 2009 *
Undergraduate tuition fees: $12,410 - $12,540
Graduate tuition fees: $12,595

* Source: St. Francis Xavier University

Note: In addition to tuition fees, universities generally charge fees for goods and services supplied to students. This includes areas such as student associations, sports and health. These additional fees vary widely per university and per student and can run from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. Check with the university for details.

Student enrolment

2009 rounded preliminary fall enrolment *
Full-time (undergraduates: 4,040
Full-time (graduates): 80
Part-time (undergraduates): 480
Part-time (graduates): 270

* Source: Association of Atlantic Universities

Programs and degrees

Note: The program information is compiled by AUCC staff in cooperation with staff at member institutions. The programs are classified according to the Classification of Instructional Programs 2000. To search for the programs offered by this institution, please consult the Directory of Canadian Universities’ programs database online at http://www.aucc.ca/can_uni/search/index_e.html.

Student facilities and services

Personal support services
Art gallery, chaplaincy services, contact person for gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual students, counselling centre, financial aid office, human rights and equity services, health services, residence life programs and services, early childhood education centre, nightline helpline for students, observatory, athletics and recreational services.

Academic support services
Aboriginal student advisor, Black student advisor, career and graduate school resource centre, career planning and placement service, international student advisor, mature student advisor, course-based and immersion service learning, services for students with disabilities, and writing centre.

First-year student programs
Orientation program, academic advisers and on-going support and personal development programs and sessions are offered. The writing centre offers an optional, non-credit, full-year course on transition into university: time management, research and writing skills, note-taking and study skills.

Housing
On-campus: The university accommodates more than 1,850 students in single and double rooms in traditional dormitory residences, apartment-style complexes and a new modern suite-style complex (the latter two for senior or mature students). Residences are male-only, female-only and co-ed. Annual costs: traditional residence, room and board, $7,885 - $9,085; apartments and suite-style, $6,100 - $7,485 including minimum $700 commitment to food plan. Rooms are equipped with Internet and cable TV connections, and phones with private voice-mail. Rooms for new students are allotted on the basis of receipt of confirmation fee and the room reservation deposit with the resident contract.

Off-campus: Housing is readily accessible. Price range: one-room, $100/week; one-bedroom, $350 - $450/month; two-bedroom, $400 - $600/month; three-bedroom, $800 - $1,000/month; four or more bedroom house, $1,000 and up.

Student assistance
Undergraduate: St. Francis Xavier University offers more than 1,000 scholarships, awards and bursaries. Guaranteed entrance scholarships of $3,500 are provided to students with a minimum high school average of 85 percent; $4,000 is the minimum award for those with an average above 90 percent. Upper level scholarships range from $10,000 to $32,000 over four years. In-course scholarships are also available, ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 annually. The university offers bursaries, grants and other awards based on academic standing, financial need and extra-curricular activities. Student jobs are also available on campus.

University research

Research has played a large role in StFX becoming one of Canada’s leading undergraduate universities. StFX now has seven active Canada Research Chairs, half of whom are women of excellence. Undergraduate students have numerous opportunities to collaborate with faculty and to gain graduate-level research experience; this outstanding work is recognized annually at the StFX Student Research Day.

StFX’s cutting-edge service learning program adds another rich dimension by integrating experiential learning, academic study and community service.

International education

StFX has agreements with more than 30 colleges and universities in the United States, Mexico, Peru, Argentina, France, Denmark, Germany, Finland, the Czech Republic, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Students spend one or two terms studying at partner institutions. Course credits earned at partner institutions are transferred to StFX and satisfy some of the students’ degree requirements. Students from the sciences, arts and business have participated in exchange programs. Students with a GPA of 70 or above, including honours students, have participated. Spaces are limited at partner institutions and the process is competitive. Second language learning, new approaches to academic study, cultural experiences and travel are large motivators. Students regularly maintain or exceed their academic standing while studying at partner institutions.

Contact
Brenda Riley, International Exchange Coordinator
Telephone: 902-867-4532
E-mail: briley@stfx.ca, exchange@stfx.ca
Website: http://people.stfx.ca/int-exchange/

Weblink: Coady International Institute (www.coady.stfx.ca)