The beginning of a child’s post-secondary education is an important step in parents’ lives. For many, the moment represents their child’s movement towards adulthood. You have likely noticed the eagerness of your child to start their professional path. For some parents, this new stage can be stressful and Université Sainte-Anne has prepared this document to help you through this process.
Starting out at University
Your child’s first year of postsecondary studies will be full of new experiences and discoveries. For most parents, the start of studies at Université Sainte-Anne means their child will move away from home for the first time. While this can be difficult at first, this time allows them to discover new skills and to begin their career development.
As you have noticed, Université Sainte-Anne distinguishes itself from other postsecondary institutions by the small size of its campus and the friendliness of its students and professors. Sainte-Anne’s dynamic student life and spirit of camaraderie help new students to quickly feel included.
Visit the website Know Before You Go
Finances
Université Sainte-Anne offers new students a generous scholarship system of academic and non-academic scholarships and bursaries.
Students are advised to develop a budget (income and expenditures) for their studies to minimize their level of student debt. We invite you to consult the fees calculator to see a complete overview of applicable student fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries Fees CalculatorResidence Life
Université Sainte-Anne has a total of 300 beds in ten residences available to full-time students. Each residence has its own style, personality, and traditions. The prevailing friendly and warm atmosphere makes living in residence an integral part of the university experience. Each residence has a dynamic Residence Animator who is responsible for the well-being of your child.
Learn more about residence life! FR (Available in French Only)
The First Year
The first year of university is a period of transition and adaptation. With that in mind, the first year of a university program consists of general courses that allow students to gain knowledge in a range of subjects. It is therefore completely normal if your child is not entirely sure of their choice of program. The path taken in first year allows students a certain level of flexibility in regards to their program choice for future years.
Find a programInclusion
Because of Sainte-Anne's rural setting, we provide students a range of on-campus activities including: workshops, humanitarian trips, concerts, exhibitions, sports, recreational activities, student associations, and much more. Studies are important, however, so too is your child’s involvement in extracurricular activities that will help them to develop new skills and become part of the university community.
Explore how your child can get involved! FR (Available in French Only)
Safe Campus
Université Sainte-Anne is proud to offer a safe and secure environment for students, faculty and staff members, and visitors. A campus where everything is close by creates a friendly environment where everyone helps each other and forms a supportive community.
Our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives ensure that there is a place for everyone here at Sainte-Anne!
Learn more about Equity, Diversity and Inclusion FR (Available in French Only)Our Green Commitment
Université Sainte-Anne aims to be a leader in sustainable rural development and ecology. Several concrete initiatives have been undertaken over the last few years to enrich the quality of the environment in which our staff, students, partners, and community members evolve.
Discover our green campus!
Education and Academic Performance
Our professors care about your child’s academic success. Class size at Sainte-Anne allows for high-quality and personalised instruction. Students find it extremely easy to talk to professors and to actively participate in classroom discussions. At Sainte-Anne, the staff know your child by their name and not by their student number, which creates a friendly and inclusive environment. When studying, hard work and perseverance are generally the keys to success. However, good time management skills are also important to the academic and social success of your child. For students who requires extra support, Université Sainte-Anne has recently opened a new Academic Support Centre.
Learn more about the Academic Support Centre FR (Available in French Only)Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept credits from other universities?
Potential students who have previously studied at another university or another postsecondary institution will need to submit an official transcript from their institution so that the Registrar’s Office can determine if there are course equivalencies. The Registrar’s Office may also ask for a description of the courses in question. At least half of the credits in a program must be taken at Université Sainte-Anne.
Do you have other students from our country?
We welcome students from over 37 countries. If there is no one else from your home country, your child will make friends from all over the world thanks to the small size of our campus!
Can you explain the finances associated with the program of study?
The tuition fees for each program can be found on the program description page (for college programs, click here). Please consult the Finances section for more information on scholarships and bursaries, payment and reimbursement of fees and other useful financial information.
What are the security measures on campus?
Student safety is a priority for us. Security guards are on campus every night, from 5pm to 8am, and student security members are on campus at all times. Additional measures are also taken; for example, the residences are locked, and several buildings on campus are locked at midnight each night. Students can access locked sections of buildings with a key FOB.
What is the weather like?
The climate in Canada
In one word: moderate. Extreme hot or cold is very rare. Daily temperatures vary according to the time of day and proximity to the ocean. If you spend the morning in Wolfville and the evening in Yarmouth, the temperatures and weather conditions can be very different. To be comfortable wherever you go, it is recommended that you have with you a sweater or a light jacket.
- Spring: March 20 to June 20
- Daytime temperatures are usually mild, ranging from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius.
- Summer: June 21 to September 21
- Daytime temperatures generally average 20 to 25 degrees Celsius.
- Fall: September 22 to December 20
- In October and early November, average temperatures range from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. In late November and December, they range from 0 to 10 degrees Celsius.
- Winter: December 21 to March 19
- Average temperatures range from -1 to -15 degrees Celsius.
To effectively combat the snow, the icy wind, and the Canadian cold, it is essential to have a good winter jacket or coat, comfortable boots, a tuque, and warm gloves.
We also invite students to bring their traditional clothes, which they can wear at the university (weather permitting, of course!) and for certain activities such as the multicultural evening organized each year by the Department of Student Life.
To stay up to date on current weather conditions, visit the Environment Canada website.
What bursaries/scholarships are offered? How can they be accessed?
All the information on scholarships and bursaries can be found on the Scholarships and Bursaries page. Please note that there are deadlines for some scholarships/bursaries.
What health services are available/offered on campus?
Your child’s health is a priority, which is why a family doctor comes on campus once a week. In addition, there is a medical centre just 15 km from the university and ambulance services in the region. There are hospitals in Yarmouth and Digby.
There are also two pharmacies close to the university.
My child doesn’t have a car. Is there a transportation system?
We offer a bus service in the area every week. There is also a taxi system in the community.
Are we allowed to visit?
You are certainly welcome to visit your child during the academic year. There are plenty of accommodation options near the campus!
If you wish to visit us before the beginning of the academic year to see the campus and meet the professors, please contact us!
My child is a transfer student. What is the process?
The first step would be to fill out the application form.
No decision about the status of a student file can be made without an application. That said, if you have any questions about the application process, you can contact the Admissions Office at 1-888-338-8337 (from Canada and the United States) or at +1 902-769-2114 (from abroad).
Why should I send my child to study so far from home?
The professors at Université Sainte-Anne care about your child’s success. The small class sizes allow for a high quality and personalized education. It is therefore very easy to speak with the professors and to actively participate in class discussions. At Sainte-Anne, staff members will know your child by his or her name and not by his or her student number, which helps to create an inclusive environment. While studying, work and perseverance are usually synonymous with success. However, good time management is also an important factor in academic and social success.
Should my child experience some problems, what services does Université Sainte-Anne offer?
Université Sainte-Anne wants to ensure the well-being of your child and understands that this transition period can be difficult. For this reason, we offer counselling services.
Our counsellor offers on-demand services and is available to help your child find the resources he or she needs. Regardless of the difficulty your child is experiencing (homesickness, depression, mental health issue, academic orientation, anxiety, etc.), the counsellor will be able to meet with him or her in confidence.
My child has a learning disability, what services are available to help?
For those who need help with homework and learning, Université Sainte-Anne offers several resources. Students with a learning disability not only have a direct contact with their professors, but can also receive support from the Accessible Learning Services Coordinator. Our Post-secondary Support Centre is open to anyone who needs help with their studies.
