When planning their secondary school programs, students should note that a number of courses taken in the first university year have secondary school prerequisites. Generally, students continuing university work in subjects available in secondary school are advised to have senior year secondary school standing in those subjects.

Only academic (university preparatory) high school courses are acceptable for admission. The University reserves the right to exclude inappropriate courses from among those presented.

All programs require senior high school completion for admission, although exceptions may be made for very capable students to enter following their penultimate high school year (except from Quebec). All programs require four years of study except the Certificate in Applied Science (2) program of study in the School of Engineering is prerequisite to the Bachelor of Engineering program at Dalhousie University or University of New Brunswick.

The two-year program of study for the Bachelor of Education degree requires an appropriate undergraduate degree for admission. The requirements for admission to graduate programs are given in the companion Graduate Studies Calendar, and those for the Acadia Divinity College in its calendar.

Since English is the language of instruction at Acadia University, candidates must be able to communicate competently in English both orally and in writing, and may be required to present the result of the Test of English as a Foreign Language. The minimum acceptable score is 550 (computer-based score of 213). Preference will be given to candidates with a score of 580 or higher. Students not having sufficient communication skills in the English language may be required to enrol in remedial programs (e.g. English as a Second Language course, tutorials) at their own expense.  Acadia University offers an English for University Purposes (EUP) second language program for students who may be academically admissible but who do not meet the minimum English language proficiency requirement.

Enrolment in some programs is limited by Senate regulation. Consequently admission is competitive and possession of the minimum requirements does not ensure that admission will be granted.

Applications for admission to Acadia University must be made on the prescribed application form and must be supported by official copies of all high school and other records of academic work. These documents must be submitted to the Admissions Office together with the appropriate application processing fee. Applicants who are attending, or who have attended, other post secondary institutions must have their official transcripts sent direct for evaluation or provided in an envelope sealed by the institution. Further evidence may be required of an applicant's suitability for certain programs of study such as education, music and theatre studies.

In all cases, it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all documents related to or requested in support of an application are submitted, including final marks needed to confirm a previous offer of conditional admission.

If an offer of admission is made by the University to the applicant, an acceptance deposit must be sent. This deposit is, in all instances, not refundable. It is applied in full to university fees at the time of registration. Details of the amount of the deposit are stated in the letters of admission.

The application for residence is included in the Application Kit or can be requested from the Office of Accommodations and Meal Plan Services (accommodations@acadiau.ca). This application must be completed and returned to the Office of Accommodation and Meal Plan Services if you wish residence accommodation on campus.

All entering students who wish to be considered for an entrance scholarship must have completed all admission procedures no later than the March 1st preceding entrance to the university.

See Financial Assistance information in Campus Resources section

Admission from high school

From Nova Scotia Grade 12 new curriculum September 2003 (all programs)

1. English is required for admission to all programs.
2. At least two of biology, chemistry, French, German, geology, history, Latin, mathematics, physics.
3. The remaining two classes may be from those listed above or from computer science, economics, geography, law, political science and sociology. Accounting may be offered by students entering a business administration degree program.

Courses unacceptable for admission purposes include art, business education, industrial arts and secondary industrial. High school courses which are not university preparatory will not be accepted.

Mathematics requirements
Grade 11 and 12 academic math is required for all science programs and for business administration, computer science, economics, engineering and psychology. Grade 11 and 12 advanced math and precal 12 is required for all programs in the Faculty of Pure and Applied Science except nutrition and psychology, and of all applicants intending to take a course in calculus.

The senior high school university preparatory program in all provinces except Quebec is considered equivalent to Nova Scotia Grade 12 for admission purposes. Exceptions may be made for very capable Quebec Secondary V applicants. Normally, one year of CEGEP study is considered equivalent to Nova Scotia Grade 12. Students who complete the two-year CEGEP program with a 70% average and receive the DEC will be admitted to the second year of a four-year program. A list of specific guidelines by province is available on our website.

Applicants who have completed a United States high school university preparatory program with an average mark equivalent to the college recommending mark in 16 academic subjects, including four courses in English and three in mathematics, will be considered for admission to a four-year degree program. Applicants must also submit the result of the tests of the College Entrance Examination Board showing a combined score of at least 1100 in the Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT1) and a letter of recommendation by the school principal or guidance officer.

From the British System of Education

Normally two General Certificate of Education "A" level examinations, or equivalent, at the Grade "C" level or above are required for admission to any program. However, an applicant who has completed one year of study beyond GCE "O" level will be considered on an individual basis. Credit for appropriate 'A' level courses may be given if completed with grades of A, B, or C.

The IB Diploma is accepted as a credential for admission on the same basis as senior secondary credentials from Nova Scotia. Advanced credits may be awarded towards a four-year degree in subjects completed at the higher level with a grade of 5, 6, or 7 in biology, psychology, chemistry, economics, European history and physics. Credit in other subjects completed at the higher level may be awarded on the recommendation of the academic unit involved. Any prerequisite subjects must be offered at the higher level.

All AP students will receive advanced credit in approved courses as indicated below. An official AP transcript is required as part of the evaluation process.

Admission other than from high school

Admission by transfer from another university

Applicants for admission from another university must have an official transcript sent direct or provided to you in an envelope sealed by the institution for evaluation. Transfer credit normally will be given form individual courses which are applicable to the intended undergraduate degree program of study.

Admission by letter of permission

Students now attending another university and who wish to take a course or courses at Acadia University for transfer credit to their home institution, must apply on the regular Acadia Application for Admission form and have the Registrar of their university forward a letter of permission and an official transcript to the Admissions Office at Acadia University.

Admission of Mature Students

Persons who wish to study on a full-time basis, who have been out of high school for a minimum of four years and who do not meet the published academic admission requirements may be considered for admission on a mature student basis. The mature applicant is required to submit transcripts of all academic work completed, two letters of reference from employers, an outline of future plans, and to be present for interviews if required. The mature applicant may be encouraged to take up to 18h specified courses as an independent part-time student. If grades of C- or better are obtained in each and a minimum CGPA achieved of 2.00 or better, admission will be granted to a degree program and credit for these courses will be allowed towards it.

Re-admission of former students

All students who have been absent from the university for one academic year or longer, or who have graduated from the program of studies to which they were admitted, or who were subject to academic dismissal, and who wish to return for further studies, must apply for re-admission and complete the required application form.

Admission to two-year Bachelor of Education Program

Applicants should request an application package from the Admissions Office. Further information regarding admission and teacher licensing policy may be found under the calendar section 'School of Education'.

Admission to graduate programs

Applicants should consult the Graduate Studies Calendar.  All applications and supporting documents must be submitted to the Admissions Office.

Admission to Acadia Divinity College

All inquiries about programs offered should be directed to the college from whom a calendar is available. Applications for admission are to be submitted to the Acadia Divinity College.