Universities in Halifax, Canada
- Rankings & Reviews -

Latest ranking updates related to universities in Halifax
  • 06 Mar, 2024: New edition of Scimago Institutions Rankings. 3 universities in Halifax ranked.
  • 19 Dec, 2023: URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance updated with Dalhousie University ranked highest among 2 listed universities in Halifax.
  • 07 Dec, 2023: Research Infosource: Canada's Top 50 Research Universities updated with Dalhousie University ranked highest among 2 listed universities in Halifax.
  • 07 Dec, 2023: Research Infosource: Canada's Top Research Universities Undergraduate updated with Saint Mary's University in position 17.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, is a smallish, laid back city known as much for its heat waves as for its snowstorms. Besides unpredictable weather, Halifax offers many of the conveniences and comforts of a larger city without all the stress of large crowds and congestion that normally accompany them.

The locals like to spend their free time in the city’s numerous museums, cinemas, or Chocolate Lake beach which is just a five minute drive from the Downtown core.

With affordable housing, a good cost of living compared to other Canadian cities, and reasonably good possibilities of picking up a part-time job to help students with their expenses, as well as a number of reputable universities to choose from, Halifax could be an excellent candidate for the prospective student who will be fending for themselves for the first time.


Rankings of universities in Halifax, Canada 2024

Student satisfaction: 4.2 / 5.0 (based on 249 student ratings)
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  • #14 
  • #301 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #12 
  • #298 
QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023]
  • #15 
  • #397 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
Show 18 more rankings of Dalhousie University and subject specific rankings for 9 subjects

Student satisfaction: 4.4 / 5.0 (based on 185 student ratings)
  • #60 
  • #3878 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #39 
  • #1800 
CWUR Center for World University Rankings
[Published 25 April, 2022]
  • #44 
  • #2187 
URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
[Published 19 December, 2023]
Show 5 more rankings of Saint Mary's University

#3
Canada

Mount Saint Vincent University

Student satisfaction: 4.4 / 5.0 (based on 72 student ratings)
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  • #62 
  • #4175 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #16 
  • #15 
MacLeans University Rankings - Primarily Undergraduate Universities
[Published 12 October, 2023]
  • #59 
  • #2823 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]


#4
Canada

NSCAD University, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design

Student satisfaction: 4.0 / 5.0 (based on 28 student ratings)
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  • #82 
  • #9073 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#5
Canada

University of King's College

Student satisfaction: 4.0 / 5.0 (based on 31 student ratings)
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  • #84 
  • #9441 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#6
England UK

Calderdale College


Highest subject rankings of universities in Halifax

Law THE World University Rankings by Subject
#100 
Dalhousie University
Geology QS World University Rankings By Subject
#101 
Dalhousie University
Psychology URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#120 
Dalhousie University
Medicine QS World University Rankings By Subject
#201 
Dalhousie University
Education GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#201 
Dalhousie University
Environmental Engineering URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#238 
Dalhousie University
Agriculture URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#239 
Dalhousie University
Mathematics QS World University Rankings By Subject
#501 
Dalhousie University
Computer Science THE World University Rankings by Subject
#501 
Dalhousie University

Student Opinions About Studying in Halifax

”Even though I’m not a fan of the public transport here at all, getting around is quite comfortable since you can usually just walk to your destinations, which has the unexpected benefit of keeping you in shape, and you see more of the city.”

“As a student at Dalhousie, I was able to find off campus housing in the Downtown area with a couple of friends. I would definitely advise others to look at a few different places before you decide, because you can really find a good deal if you’re patient.”

“It can be hard to make friends with the Halifax locals as someone not from the city, because they will always see you as an outsider, but they are almost always friendly and willing to talk with you, at least.”

Halifax Key Facts for International Students

PROS

  • The average price for a comfortable 3-bedroom apartment located right in the heart of the downtown area is around C$2,200. This is considerably more affordable than living in the downtown area of other, bigger Canadian cities.

  • The city has a small and accessible distribution, so many people simply walk or cycle to get around, taking advantage of the city's extensive bike lanes.

  • Domestic and international students report being able to find part-time jobs in the retail sector, bookstores, or even on their university campus itself.

CONS

  • Halifax has some of the highest tax rates in the country. Although this is compensated by lower living costs, many express that even so they feel the impact on their salaries.

  • The public transport system is slow and unreliable, but the city does participate in the U-Pass transit discount program.

  • Many describe Halifax locals as polite, but also that it can be tricky to make friends here. Newcomers are recommended to jump into lots of social opportunities at the beginning to make sure you are getting to know people.


5 out of 6 Universities in Halifax Ranked in at least one ranking

23 Different Rankings list Universities in Halifax (18 institution and 5 subject rankings)

8 Global Rankings rank Universities in Halifax Among TOP 200

Population: 440000

Time: GMT -4

District/province: Nova Scotia,

Living costs for students in Halifax:

* 100 = prices in London

  • Living costs without accommodation 93* (7% cheaper than London)
  • All costs including accommodation 68* (32% cheaper than London)
  • Meals (grocery & lower cost restaurants) 92* (8% cheaper than London)
  • Average Big Mac price 7.23 C$
  • Plug Type A
    • Residential voltage: 120 V
    • Frequency: 60 Hz
  • Plug Type B
    • Residential voltage: 120 V
    • Frequency: 60 Hz

Map with location of universities in Halifax

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Student Life in Halifax.

  • Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 4K
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FAQ

Dalhousie University ranks #1 in Halifax in our meta ranking composed of 112 university rankings.

Among all universities in Halifax Dalhousie University is listed in the largest number of rankings. See all 28 rankings where Dalhousie University is listed.

Dalhousie University is ranked best in Halifax for Law (Law). See all rankings for the Dalhousie University.

Dalhousie University is ranked best in Halifax for Natural Sciences (Geology). See all rankings for the Dalhousie University.

Dalhousie University is ranked best in Halifax for Social Studies & Humanities (Psychology). See all rankings for the Dalhousie University.

Dalhousie University is ranked best in Halifax for Medicine & Health (Medicine). See all rankings for the Dalhousie University.

Dalhousie University is ranked best in Halifax for Education (Education). See all rankings for the Dalhousie University.

Dalhousie University is ranked best in Halifax for Engineering (Environmental Engineering). See all rankings for the Dalhousie University.

Dalhousie University is ranked best in Halifax for Agriculture (Agriculture). See all rankings for the Dalhousie University.

Dalhousie University is ranked best in Halifax for Mathematics (Mathematics). See all rankings for the Dalhousie University.

Dalhousie University is ranked best in Halifax for Computer Science (Computer Science). See all rankings for the Dalhousie University.

Ranking publishers

4icu

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British Quacquarelli Symonds, UK

Criteria used in ranking -QS World University Rankings:

Academic Reputation 40% Employer Reputation 10% Faculty/Student Ratio 20% Citations per faculty 20% International Faculty Ratio 5% International Student Ratio 5%

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Criteria used in ranking -QS Employability Rankings:

Employer reputation 30% Alumni outcomes 25% Partnerships with Employers per Faculty 25% Employer/Student Connections 10% Graduate employment rate 10%

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CWUR Center for World University Rankings

Criteria used in ranking -CWUR Center for World University Rankings:

Research Performance: 40%

  • Research Output: 10%
  • High-Quality Publications: 10%
  • Influence: 10%
  • Citations: 10%

Quality of Education: 25%

Alumni Employment: 25%

Quality of Faculty: 10%

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Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, Netherlands

Criteria used in ranking -CWTS Leiden Ranking:

Scientific Impact Number of Publications Collaboration Open Access Gender Diversity

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NTU ranking

Criteria used in ranking -NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers:

Research Productivity: 25%

  • # Articles last 11 years: 10%
  • # Articles current year: 15%

Research Impact: 35%

  • # Citations last 11 years: 15%
  • # Citations last 2 years: 10%
  • Average # citations last 11 years: 10%

Research Excellence: 40%

  • H-index last 2 years: 10%
  • # Highly cited papers last 11 years: 15%
  • # Articles current year in high-impact journals: 15%

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Nature Index

Criteria used in ranking -Nature Index - Academic:

Article count (AC) Fractional count (FC) Weighted fractional count (WFC)

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RUR Ranking Agency (Moscow, Russia)

Criteria used in ranking -RUR World University Rankings:

Teaching: 40%

  • Ratio Faculty/Student: 8%
  • Ratio Faculty/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • Ratio Faculty/Doctoral Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • Ratio Doctoral Degrees Awarded/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • World Teaching Reputation: 8%

Research: 40%

  • Citations per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
  • Doctoral Degrees per Accepted PhD: 8%
  • Normalized Citation Impact: 8%
  • Papers per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
  • World Research Reputation: 8%

International Diversity: 10%

  • International Faculty: 2%
  • International Students: 2%
  • International Co-Authored Papers: 2%
  • Reputation Outside Geographical Region: 2%
  • International Level: 2%

Financial Sustainability: 10%

  • Institutional Income per Faculty: 2%
  • Institutional Income per Student: 2%
  • Papers per Research Income: 2%
  • Research Income per Academic/Research Staff: 2%
  • Research Income per Institutional Income: 2%

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Criteria used in ranking -RUR Academic Rankings:

Normalized citation impact (Citations of research publications from all university authors compared with world averages) 20% Citation per papers 20% Papers per academic and research staff 20% International research reputation 20% Share of research publications written in international co-authorship 20%

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Criteria used in ranking -RUR Reputation Ranking:

Teaching Reputation 50% Research Reputation 50%

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RUY

Criteria used in ranking -Research Infosource: Canada's Top 50 Research Universities:

Total Sponsored Research Income 20% Research Intensity per Faculty 20% Total Number of Publications 20% Publication Intensity 20% Publication Impact 10% Research Intensity per Graduate Student 10%

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Rogers Digital Media

Criteria used in ranking -MacLeans University Rankings - Primarily Undergraduate Universities:

Students 28% Faculty 24% Resources 20% Reputation 15% Student support 13%

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Scimago Institutions

Criteria used in ranking -Scimago Institutions Rankings:

Research 50% Innovation 30%
Societal 20%

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ShanghaiRanking Consultancy

Criteria used in ranking -ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking:

Quality of Education 10%

  • Alumni winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 10%

Quality of Faculty 40%

  • Staff winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 20%
  • Highly Cited Researchers 20%

Research Output 40%

  • Papers published in Nature and Science 20%
  • Papers indexed in Science Citation Index-Expanded & Social Science Citation Index 20%

Per Capita Performance 10%

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StuDocu

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THE Times Higher Education, UK

Criteria used in ranking -THE World University Rankings:

30% Teaching (the Learning Environment)

  • Reputation survey: 15%
  • Staff-to-student ratio: 4.5%
  • Doctorate-to-bachelor’s ratio: 2.25%
  • Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio: 6%
  • Institutional income: 2.25%

30% Research (Volume, Income and Reputation)

  • Reputation survey: 18%
  • Research income: 6%
  • Research productivity: 6%

30% Citations (Research Influence)

7.5% International Outlook (Staff, Students and Research)

  • Proportion of international students: 2.5%
  • Proportion of international staff: 2.5%
  • International collaboration: 2.5%

2.5% Industry Income (Knowledge Transfer)"

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Urap

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Us News

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Webometrics

Criteria used in ranking -Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities:

Visibility 50% Excellence 35% Transparency 10% Presence 5%

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