Frequently
Asked Questions
Where is Halifax?
Halifax is on the eastern coast of Canada only two hours by air from New York or Boston. It has all the shops, restaurants, museums, and other attractions of a lively city of 340,000, but it is surrounded by beautiful, natural countryside. Halifax, the financial centre of Eastern Canada, is rich in culture, romance and history. We are world famous for our hospitality!
Halifax is on the eastern coast of Canada only two hours by air from New York or Boston. It has all the shops, restaurants, museums, and other attractions of a lively city of 340,000, but it is surrounded by beautiful, natural countryside. Halifax, the financial centre of Eastern Canada, is rich in culture, romance and history. We are world famous for our hospitality!
What is the climate like?
Halifax has the warmest average temperature in Canada. The average temperature in July is 21.8 Celsius (71 Fahrenheit). The average temperature in January is 0 Celsius (32 Fahrenheit).
What is the minimum age for students in the Intensive English Program?
Students should be at least 16 years of age. If you are younger than 19 (the age of majority in Nova Scotia), Citizenship and Immigration Canada may require you to have a legal guardian or custodian. Custodianship may be available for those Intensive English Program students who have a conditional admission to Saint Mary's University.
Do I need a visa to study at Saint Mary's?
You do not require a Study Permit to study English for less than 6 months. However, you may need a visa to enter Canada. Please contact the nearest Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate for information about whether you will need a visa or Study Permit before you come to Saint Mary's. Once you register and pay your deposit, we will write you an official letter of acceptance which you will use to apply for a Study Permit.
How many sessions of English should I apply for?
Most students study for 2-4 semesters of the Intensive English Program. You may register for as many sessions as you wish. However, we recommend that you register for at least 2-3 sessions, especially if you are preparing to take a University degree in English. If you wait to register for further courses until you get here, the semesters you are interested in may be full. Our prgram is very popular and we cannot hold a spot for you in any semester unless you have registered and paid the deposit.
How early should I apply?
Because visa and other processing can take time, we advise you to apply as early as possible. In addition, as homestay and residence space is limited, you should apply for these at least two months before the start of any semester.
Do you have scholarships for English study?
We regret that we are unable to offer scholarships for English study at Saint Mary's University at this time.
Do you charge an application fee for the Intensive English Program?
No, we do not charge an application fee. The 20% non-refundable and non-transferable deposit is applied to your tuition.
What happens if I am not able to get a Study Permit? Is my tuition deposit refundable?
If you are not able to obtain a Study Permit or visa, just send us a copy of the letter from the Canadian Embassy and we will refund your tuition deposit, except for a C$100 administration fee.
What does my tuition fee cover?
- 25 hours of ESL instruction per week
- full academic, computer and cultural orientation at the beginning of each semester
- small class size, average 15-16, maximum 18
- experienced and dedicated instructors, all with certification in TESL/TEFL or Applied Linguistics. Most speak a second language and have taught overseas
- all textbooks
- full-time International Student Advisor
- use of International Centre and other Student Support Services, including various counseling services
- full-time Director, Instructional Services Manager and Student Programs Coordinator available for academic counseling and advice
- Saint Mary's student ID card
- borrowing privileges at the Patrick Power University library
- 24 hour computer labs on campus
- use of full university computer network with e-mail privileges and internet/WWW access
- computer coordinator for assistance/advice
- borrowing privileges at TESL resource library with over 5,000 texts and 1,000 audiotapes for self-access language learning
- full year-round access to the Tower, a world class recreational facility
- Conversation Partner and/or Tutor, when available
- on-campus Health Clinic with nurse on call
- a full schedule of social and cultural events with the participation of Cultural Assistants on a ratio of 12:1
- Welcome luncheon or reception each semester, along with a farewell ceremony
- weekly video and popcorn
- weekly coffee socials
- on-campus University Residence and Homestay accommodation services
- a reduced fee for the CanTEST which is offered 4 times a year, with an unlimited number of score reports sent to universities and other institutions (score valid for 2 years)
