About the university
Dalhousie University is a public research university founded in 1818 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It has about 21,000 students and is the largest university in Atlantic Canada.
Dal is known for engineering, computer science, health professions, ocean sciences and management. Its Bachelor of Computer Science offers six majors, including artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, and most of its engineering, computing and commerce degrees have paid co-op terms.
Indian students look at Dal for its QS top-300 ranking, its International Tuition Guarantee (your tuition does not rise during your degree), January starts in computing and engineering, and a CAD 15,000 scholarship for Indian students entering the Bachelor of Commerce.
Halifax is a coastal city of about half a million people with lower living costs than Toronto or Vancouver and milder winters than most of Canada.
- Founded
- 1818
- Type
- Public research university in Nova Scotia
- Total students
- About 21,000
- Campuses
- Halifax (Studley, Carleton and Sexton campuses) and an agricultural campus in Truro
- Intakes
- September for all bachelor's programmes; January for Computer Science, Applied Computer Science and Engineering
- Scholarships
- More than 2,000 entrance awards a year; CAD 35 million in scholarships and bursaries
- Tuition guarantee
- International undergraduate tuition fixed for the programme length plus one year
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
298 in the world
Maclean's University Rankings (mid-size universities) 2027
3rd in Canada
Popular courses with Indian students
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Computer Science (BCS)
- Fee / year
- C$41,688
- Duration
- 4 years; up to 12 months of paid co-op
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 90 (20 in each); PTE 61; Duolingo 120
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Computer Science – Artificial Intelligence major
- Fee / year
- C$41,688
- Duration
- 4 years; co-op option
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 90 (20 in each); PTE 61; Duolingo 120
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Computer Science – Cybersecurity major
- Fee / year
- C$41,688
- Duration
- 4 years; co-op option
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 90 (20 in each); PTE 61; Duolingo 120
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Applied Computer Science (BACS)
- Fee / year
- C$41,688
- Duration
- 4 years; co-op option
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 90 (20 in each); PTE 61; Duolingo 120
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) – Computer Engineering
- Fee / year
- C$48,594
- Duration
- 4 years (two-year core, then discipline); 5 years with co-op
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 90 (20 in each); PTE 61; Duolingo 120
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) – Electrical Engineering
- Fee / year
- C$48,594
- Duration
- 4 years; 5 years with co-op
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 90 (20 in each); PTE 61; Duolingo 120
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) – Mechanical Engineering
- Fee / year
- C$48,594
- Duration
- 4 years; 5 years with co-op
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 90 (20 in each); PTE 61; Duolingo 120
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) – Civil Engineering
- Fee / year
- C$48,594
- Duration
- 4 years; 5 years with co-op
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 90 (20 in each); PTE 61; Duolingo 120
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (CAD) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Computer Science (BCS) | 4 years; up to 12 months of paid co-op | C$41,688 | ≈ ₹27.9 lakh |
| Bachelor of Computer Science – Artificial Intelligence major | 4 years; co-op option | C$41,688 | ≈ ₹27.9 lakh |
| Bachelor of Computer Science – Cybersecurity major | 4 years; co-op option | C$41,688 | ≈ ₹27.9 lakh |
| Bachelor of Applied Computer Science (BACS) | 4 years; co-op option | C$41,688 | ≈ ₹27.9 lakh |
| Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) – Computer Engineering | 4 years (two-year core, then discipline); 5 years with co-op | C$48,594 | ≈ ₹32.6 lakh |
| Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) – Electrical Engineering | 4 years; 5 years with co-op | C$48,594 | ≈ ₹32.6 lakh |
| Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) – Mechanical Engineering | 4 years; 5 years with co-op | C$48,594 | ≈ ₹32.6 lakh |
| Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) – Civil Engineering | 4 years; 5 years with co-op | C$48,594 | ≈ ₹32.6 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Dalhousie University with similar universities in Canada.
Scholarships
- Undergraduate (Bachelor of Commerce)
CorpFinance International Limited (Kevin Andrews) Indian Scholarship
Value: CAD 15,000
Eligibility: Students from India entering the Bachelor of Commerce with good academic standing. Apply through the General Entrance Award application.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Undergraduate (direct from high school)
General Entrance Award pool
Value: About CAD 1,000 to 80,000; some renewable
Eligibility: Usually an 80% average in five required courses, starting in September. Apply through the GEA application after applying for admission; deadline 15 February 2027.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Undergraduate (BCS or BACS)
Leacross Women in Technology Entrance Scholarship
Value: CAD 10,000 over 2 years
Eligibility: Canadian and international applicants entering Computer Science or Applied Computer Science, with preference for female-identifying applicants. Separate application by 1 March.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- CBSE (All India Senior School Certificate), CISCE (ISC) or another Class 12 Senior Secondary certificate.
- Programme minimums: 70% overall for Computer Science, Applied Computer Science, Engineering and Management; 75% for Commerce.
- Computer Science needs Mathematics (70%) and English (65%); Engineering needs English, Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics.
- Meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission. Scholarship applicants usually need 80% or more.
Postgraduate
- Graduate admission is handled by each programme through Dal's Faculty of Graduate Studies; check the programme page for degree, grade and test requirements.
- Dal's graduate tuition for international students is programme tuition plus an international tuition fee; use Dal's tuition and fee calculator for your programme.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (undergraduate)
- Degree transcripts and certificate (graduate)
- English test score, or proof of three years of English-medium secondary study
- General Entrance Award application if you want to be considered for scholarships
- Study permit documents, including the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) where required
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 90 overall, no section below 20 (4.5 on the new 1–6 scale) |
| PTE Academic | 61 overall, communicative skills at least 50 |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 overall |
| Waiver | Three years at a recognised English-based secondary school, or one year of English-medium post-secondary study. Ask Dal admissions how CBSE or ISC English marks are treated. |
Accommodation and living costs
Dal has traditional residences (Howe Hall, Shirreff Hall, Risley Hall, Gerard Hall, LeMarchant Place) and apartment-style options on its Halifax campuses. Meal plans are required in traditional residences and are extra to the fees below.
| Item | In CAD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional residence, double room2026/27; meal plan extra and required | C$6,645–9,380per academic year | ≈ ₹4.5 lakh – ₹6.3 lakh |
| Traditional residence, single room2026/27; meal plan extra and required | C$10,431–11,967per academic year | ≈ ₹7 lakh – ₹8 lakh |
| Glengary Apartments (single or bachelor)2026/27; meal plan optional | C$10,761–12,684per academic year | ≈ ₹7.2 lakh – ₹8.5 lakh |
| Graduate House, single room2026/27 | C$10,606per academic year | ≈ ₹7.1 lakh |
Campus and location
Dal's main campuses are in the south end of Halifax: Studley (arts, science, management, computer science), Sexton (engineering and architecture, downtown) and Carleton (health). The Agricultural Campus is in Truro, an hour away.
- Engineering students share a two-year common core before choosing one of seven disciplines.
- Engineering co-op students can earn up to about CAD 15,000 per work term, according to Dal.
- Halifax is a port city with a growing technology and ocean-science sector.
- Halifax is smaller and cheaper than Toronto or Vancouver, with an Indian community and Indian grocery stores.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Most Dal computing, engineering and commerce degrees include optional or built-in paid co-op terms with employers such as Microsoft, CGI and IBM. Co-op placements are competitive and not guaranteed. For work rights during and after study, see our Canada country guide.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering co-op partner organisations | 90+ | Dalhousie Engineering (BEng) programme page |
| Entrance awards each year | 2,000+ | Dalhousie international students page |
Studying in Canada
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Canada. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much is Dalhousie tuition for Indian students?
Under the 2026-27 International Tuition Guarantee, yearly tuition is CAD 41,688 for Computer Science, CAD 48,594 for Engineering, CAD 42,042 for Management and Commerce and CAD 37,992 for Arts and Science. Incidental fees, health insurance and co-op fees are extra.
Will my fees go up during my degree?
Not your tuition. The International Tuition Guarantee fixes it for the programme length plus one extra year. Incidental and co-op fees can still change.
Can I start at Dalhousie in January?
Yes, for Computer Science, Applied Computer Science and Engineering. Commerce and Management start in September only.
Is there a scholarship for Indian students at Dal?
Yes. The CorpFinance International (Kevin Andrews) Indian Scholarship gives CAD 15,000 to a student from India entering the Bachelor of Commerce. You are considered through the General Entrance Award application, due 15 February 2027.
What English score does Dal need?
IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0, TOEFL iBT 90, PTE 61 or Duolingo 120. Three years of English-medium secondary schooling may meet the requirement; confirm with Dal admissions.
Sources
- Dalhousie: International Tuition Guarantee (opens in a new tab)
- Dalhousie: undergraduate programme tuition (opens in a new tab)
- Dalhousie: 2026-27 master's tuition fee schedule (opens in a new tab)
- Dalhousie: Computer Science (BCS) (opens in a new tab)
- Dalhousie: Engineering (BEng) (opens in a new tab)
- Dalhousie: Commerce Co-op (BComm) (opens in a new tab)
- Dalhousie: admission requirements by country (opens in a new tab)
- Dalhousie: English language requirements (opens in a new tab)
- Dalhousie: residence costs and fees (opens in a new tab)
- Dalhousie: future undergraduate student awards (opens in a new tab)
- Dalhousie: international students (opens in a new tab)
- Dal News: Maclean's 2027 rankings (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.dal.ca (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details