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We're now accepting applications for Winter and Fall 2025 terms.

* For high school (or international equivalent) and transfer students.

Apply to graduate programs (master’s or PhD-level programs.)

Undergraduate application details

Application Fee: $65 (CAD) for domestic students, $100 (CAD) for international students, credit card only
Application processing time: 2-3 weeks
Program start dates: September, January, May, or July
Send supporting documents to the Admissions Office: Via mail: Saint Mary's University 923 Robie Street Halifax, NS B3H 3C3 Email: admission.status@smu.ca Fax: 902-496-8100
Email: recruitment@smu.ca
Phone: 902-420-5415

Undergraduate application deadlines

September (Fall term) 
Domestic Applicants – August 1
International Applicants – June 15
January   (Winter term)
Domestic Applicants – December 1
International Applicants – October 15
May  (Spring term)
Domestic Applicants Only – March 1
July (Summer term)
Domestic Applicants Only – May 1

Early admission

Early admission is available for those students who have completed grade 11 and have registered for their grade 12 courses, but have not yet completed their first semester of grade 12. Students must have at least a 70% average in the five courses required for admission, as determined by the Admissions Office. If a required grade 12 level course is in progress, then the corresponding grade 11 course may be used.

Application status updates

Please note that the official means of communication between the Admissions Office and undergraduate applicants is by email. To ensure that you receive our messages, please save admission.status@smu.ca as a safe sender.

For information on your application status, please log into your online application portal to check for updates to required information and decisions. Email notifications of these items will also be sent. If you have any questions or are having difficulty accessing your online account, please contact the Admissions Office at admission.status@smu.ca.

Check the status of your application

Changing your application program

Undergraduate students only

If you wish to change the program for which you are being considered for admission, please complete the Change of Program Request Form and return the completed form to the Admissions Office: admission.status@smu.ca.

Deferring your application

Saint Mary’s allows students to defer their undergraduate offer of admission under the following circumstances:

Domestic Undergraduate Application

One-Time Deferment: An applicant can only defer their admission start date once.
Admission Confirmation Deposit: Non-refundable Admission Confirmation Deposit must be paid prior to requesting admission deferral.
Domestic Students: Domestic students can defer from January to September or September to January. If a domestic student would like to opt for January to May or January to July, they can choose this option, but the rule of one deferral per application will still remain.
Deferral Deadline: The deferral request must be received on or before the first day of classes for the intended original start date and must be submitted via the SMU Application Portal.
Updated Transcripts: If you have been attending classes elsewhere or will continue studies during the deferral period, we must receive an updated official final transcript.
Future Plans: Students must complete section of deferral request which details their reason for the deferral request and their plans during the deferral period (specifically, will they be continuing studies or studying elsewhere).
Missed Deadline: Failure to defer on time will result in being required to complete another application for admission and paying the application fee again.
Deferral Beyond One Term: Students who wish to defer beyond the next consecutive term must reapply for admission, including paying the application fee.

Please complete the Deferral Request through your online application portal.

International Undergraduate Application

One-Time Deferment: An applicant can only defer their admission start date once.
Admission Confirmation Deposit: Non-refundable Admission Confirmation Deposit must be paid prior to requesting admission deferral.
International Students: International students can only defer to either the September or January start dates. Students can only defer to the next start date (e.g. September admission can defer to immediate January intake; January can defer to immediate September intake)
Deferral Deadline: The deferral request must be received on or before the first day of classes for the intended original start date and must be submitted via the SMU Application Portal.
Updated Transcripts: If you have been attending classes elsewhere or will continue studies during the deferral period, we must receive an updated official final transcript.
Future Plans: Students must complete section of deferral request which details their reason for the deferral request and their plans during the deferral period (specifically, will they be continuing studies or studying elsewhere).
Missed Deadline: Failure to defer on time will result in being required to complete another application for admission and paying the application fee again.
Deferral Beyond One Term: Students who wish to defer beyond the next consecutive term must reapply for admission, including paying a new application fee. Any previously paid Admission Confirmation Deposit will be valid on future applications for up to one year from the original intake semester OR up to the point when a third Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is being requested. Whichever date occurs first.