Acadia University

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General Information

Important Dates

Dates are subject to change.
Refer to the Academic Calendar to stay up-to-date with Acadia’s official university-wide dates.

FOR 2025/2026

Full Academic Year OR Semester 1 (Fall)

Semester 2 (Winter)

Nomination Period Opens

January 15

July 31

Nomination Period Closes

March 15

September 30

Application Deadline

April 15

October 31

On-Campus Room Selection

Once offered admission to Acadia, complete the detailed steps as soon as possible.

Room selection takes place in May.

Time slots for room selection are assigned in the order completed residence applications and non-refundable room deposits are received.

After June 1, room selection is available immediately upon residence application completion & deposit payment. Please contact Residence Life if you require support.

Course Registration Opens

May 26

(Course catalog & timetable to be available to accepted students for viewing two weeks prior to registration)

Annually, next business date after Semester 1 (Fall) ‘Last day to add/change any Fall or Fall/Winter course sections.’

Free Airport Pick-Up

TBD

On-Campus Residence Move-In/Out

August 26, 2025 / December 20, 2025

Note: full academic year exchange students can request to stay in residence over the winter break, for a fee.

January 10, 2026 / April 24, 2026

Start of Orientation

August 27, 2025

January 11, 2026

Semester Dates [Start & End – Including Exam Period]

September 3, 2025 - December 19, 2025

January 12, 2026 - April 23, 2026

 

Please see an example below of university-wide dates that are important for exchange students to know:

Nomination & Admission Procedure
Admission Procedure:
  1. Nominate: Partner institutions must formally nominate internally selected students
  2. Confirmation & Next Steps: After nomination deadline, students will be contacted directly via email with written confirmation of nomination acceptance & next steps; partner contact will be CC’d
  3. Apply: Accepted students must formally apply to Acadia University as an Inbound Exchange Student, following the application guide
  4. Submit Supporting Documents: submit all required documents
  5. Acceptance: Acadia University will provide accepted students admission letters
Required Documents:
  • Official nomination from partner institution
  • Completed Admission Application
  • Copy of passport
  • Academic transcript
  • ID photo
ID Photo Requirements:
  • This picture is for identification purposes. The picture must clearly identify you as a person.
  • You must be looking straight at the camera. (No side profiles!).
  • The background must be a light solid color. (white/off white).
  • There can be no borders on the photo.
  • There should be a small space between your head and the top of the image, as well as a definite contrast between you and the background.
  • The photograph must be in color.
  • No red eye or flash reflection on glasses or contact lenses.
  • No hats, sunglasses, jewelry or garments of any sort that obstruct the view of your face.

The Acadia Department of Safety and Security reserves the right to refuse any pictures that do not adhere to these standards.

New ID cards are free. Safety and Security reserves the right to charge $15 for a replacement card.

An email will be sent to your Acadia Email address when your photo is approved or denied.
Fees:

There is no cost to submit an application to Acadia University as an inbound exchange student. If an application fee automatically populates in your portal, it will be waived once your profile is updated as 'exchange' in the system.

Inbound exchange students do not pay Acadia tuition fees, however, there are other fees associated to participating in exchange. Learn about the expenses you need to budget for.

For fee payment, review payment options. Fees are due in full per the Academic Calendar 'fee payment deadline' each semester.

Language Requirement:

No English language proficiency assessment is required; however, Home Institutions should be confident in a student’s English language ability and consider this during the student nomination selection.

To succeed academically, we recommend an English language skill level of/equivalently to:

  • CAEL 70
  • TOEFL 90
  • IELTS 6.5
Do I require a visa?
General Resources:

Most people need a visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to travel to or transit through Canada. Answer a few simple questions using Government of Canada tools, to learn what’s right for you.

For Full Academic Year or Semester Exchange
  • Full Academic Year - Study Permit
  • Semester - Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), or Study Permit
For Education Practicum Exchange
  • Study Permit & Co-op Work Permit (COWP)

Inbound Program-Specific Details

INBOUND EXCHANGE | FULL ACADEMIC YEAR OR SEMESTER
Host Institution Name: Acadia University
Campus Location(s): Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
Language(s) of Instruction: English
Academic Calendar:
  • 1st ("Fall") Semester: September - December
  • 2nd ("Winter") Semester: January - April

See Important Dates

Partnerships:

See Partner Institutions & Agreement Types

Course Restriction(s):

Unavailable Programs:

  • Education
  • Mathematics Education
  • Music Therapy
  • Nursing

Limited Access Programs:

  • Engineering
  • Community Development
  • Kinesiology
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

Note: Other programs may have restrictions for courses that limit exchange student enrollment, such as pre-requisite requirements, class size capacity, etc.

Credit Conversion: 1 Acadia credit is equal to 2 ECTS
Cost of Living:

Average prices for inbound exchange students living on campus (in Canadian Dollars (CAD)):

  • Acadia Student Union Fees - $177.00 per term
  • ASU Health Plan - $1,215.60 (full-year)
  • ASU Dental Plan - $165.00 (full-year)
  • Access Fee - $5.00 per term
  • Residence Fees - Ranges from $2,952.50 to $4,110.00 per term (varies based on room type and residence)
  • Meal Plans - $2,879 per term

More information can be found here - select "Exchange" and "International" and please refer to the "Inbound Exchange (study abroad) per term for international students" section.

(For insurance plans, students can opt-out upon proof of private insurance coverage)

On-Campus Accommodations:

Explore Housing Resources:

Acadia guarantees exchange students a room in residence. Exchange students are welcomed to live in any on-campus residence building.

A mixture of single & double rooms are blocked in Crowell Tower, Seminary House, & Chase Court each semester. Please note that the residence buildings used for room blocking may vary depending on availability.

Rooms are blocked to ensure all inbound exchange students can secure an on-campus room. Blocked rooms are only reservable by exchange students, within the months of May (for Full Academic Year & Semester 1) & November (for Semester 2); unclaimed blocked rooms will be released to the general student body to book after each period has ended.

Each exchange student’s room/bed will be set up with basic linens prior to their arrival.

Note: full academic year exchange students can request to stay in residence over the winter break, for a fee.

If you have specific housing questions or need assistance, please contact residencelife@acadiau.ca and CC globallearning@acadiau.ca.

Please be advised that Canada is experiencing a housing crisis. Acadia International encourages exchange students to live on-campus.

Additional Resource(s):
INBOUND EDUCATION PRACTICUM EXCHANGE | 6 WEEKS - WINTER TERM
Eligible Partner Institution(s): University College Absalon
Agreement Type: Departmental Program
Partnership Type: Education Practicum Exchange
Host Institution Name: Acadia University
Host Institution Department: School of Education
Campus Location: Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
Language(s) of Instruction: English
Acadia Course/Transfer Credit:

EDUC-4003-WI02* (3 Credits)

*Must be registered by the School of Education's Administrative Assistant

Credit Conversion: 1 Acadia credit is equal to 2 ECTS
Practicum Coordinator: Natalie Dempsey
Practicum Placement Partner: Wolfville School
Education Practicum Exchange Period:
  • Winter Term - 6 Weeks (January to Mid-February)
    • For 2026: January 3 - February 15

Review Academic Calendar for Important University-Wide Dates

Practicum Placement Dates:
Practicum Placement Type Options:
  • Elementary (Grade Primary [Age 5] - Grade 5 [Age 10])
  • & Middle School (Grade 6 [Age 11] - 8 [Age 14])
Practicum Placement Teachable Options:
  • For 2027: Announced in July 2026
Practicum Placement Requirements:
  • Vulnerable Sector Check (& Certified English Translation Copy)
    • A special type of criminal record check required for situations where you will be in a position of trust or authority over a vulnerable group.
School of Education (SOE) Resources:
On-Campus Accommodations:

Explore Housing Resources:

Acadia guarantees exchange students a room in residence. Exchange students are welcomed to live in any on-campus residence building.

A mixture of single & double rooms are blocked in Crowell Tower, Seminary House, & Chase Court each semester. Please note that the residence buildings used for room blocking may vary depending on availability.

Rooms are blocked to ensure all inbound exchange students can secure an on-campus room. Blocked rooms are only reservable by exchange students, within the months of May (for Full Academic Year & Semester 1) & November (for Semester 2 & Winter Term Education Practicum Exchange Students); unclaimed blocked rooms will be released to the general student body to book after each period has ended.

Each exchange student’s room/bed will be set up with basic linens prior to their arrival.

*Note: Inbound Education Practicum Exchange Students are charged a prorated fee for on-campus residence and meal plan based on the duration of the Education Practicum Exchange program.

If you have specific housing questions or need assistance, please contact residencelife@acadiau.ca and CC globallearning@acadiau.ca.

Please be advised that Canada is experiencing a housing crisis. Acadia International encourages exchange students to live on-campus.

Fees & Cost of Living:

For 2025/2026

  • Tuition: $0 - exchange students pay tuition to their home institution
  • ASU Fee (Mandatory): $177.00
  • Access Fee (Mandatory): $5.00
  • ASU Extended Benefits Short-Term Plan (Mandatory): $100.80
  • ASU Health Plan (Optional): $1,215.60
  • ASU Dental Plan (Optional): $165.00
  • Estimated cost of books, equipment and supplies: $150
  • On-Campus Room: $1228.5 - $2009.7
  • Residence Meal Plan (Optional): $1176.39 - $1316.33
Immigration Requirements:
Additional Resource(s):