ADVISORY: All of Halifax Peninsula, including NSCAD’s three campuses, are currently under a boil water advisory until further notice. All water must be boiled for at least one minute if it will be used for drinking or any other activity requiring human consumption.
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Extended Studies

INCOMING Exchange

We welcome exchange students from partner institutions who are interested in studying at NSCAD University! As one of North America’s oldest art institutions, we have been an integral player in developing art school exchange programs around the world. Since 1972, the program has grown to include more than 70 partner institutions in 15 countries. 

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Winter Term (Jan to April) – October 15 
Fall Term (Sep to Dec) – May 15 

APPLICATION PROCESS

  1. Talk with your home institution exchange coordinator or international/exchange team to get nonmined and ask them to send the official nomination/ notice of endorsement to NSCAD Coordinator, Opportunity and Belonging (hnao@nscad.ca). Nomination includes the nominee’s full name, email address, study program at the home institution, the program applied for at NSCAD, and the semester applied for.
  2. Upon receiving the official nomination, NSCAD Coordinator, Opportunity and Belonging will send the nominee the special NSCAD Exchange application link to start the application: 
      a.     Complete the application form   
      b. Upload all mentioned documents and references  
      c.     Request your current official transcript directly from your home institution to NSCAD Coordinator, Opportunity and Belonging
      d. English Language Proficiency test result, if applicable.
  3. During the review process, the Admissions Committee will determine an applicant’s placement in courses of study at NSCAD University. If accepted to the institution, the nominee will work with their home institution to finalize the Study Learning Agreement sent by NSCAD, including courses the nominee would like to take while on exchange. This document must be signed by the point of contact at the home institution and returned to NSCAD University as part of the pre-arrival process. 

English Language

Proof of English Language proficiency is mandatory for exchange students applying from a school where English is not the primary language of instruction. Either your home institution’s English course(s) grades or your country’s national exam with an English section must be equivalent to the NSCAD English Language Proficiency requirement for Undergraduate studies. Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) needs to be greater than B2. NSCAD’s Office of Student Experience will notify you upon receipt of your transcript if any additional English Language Proficiency is required. 

STUDY PERMIT AND VISA

In general, students who are on a one-semester exchange (less than 6 months) do not require a study permit to study in Canada. However, students should check with the Canadian embassies and consulates in their home country to ensure they are not required to complete any paperwork before leaving the country. For entering Canada, students should ensure they have one of the following: 

 If a student intends to stay in Canada longer than 6 months or to register with NSCAD during a second semester, then you must apply for a study permit. For more details, please visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. 

TUITION & FEES

Students on a one-semester student exchange through a verified student exchange partnership pay tuition* to their home institution according to the rates of the home institution and are not tuition at NSCAD University. 

Exchange students are expected to pay certain fees that are associated with their studies: 

  • International Health Insurance (approx. $300/semester) 
  • Any course material fees as required by course 
  • Bus Pass (optional) 

If fees are not paid to NSCAD University by the required deadline, students are at risk of losing access to facilities and will not receive a transcript upon completion of their semester. 

*Partner institutions that have a “domestic tuition” exchange arrangement should advise their students they will be expected to pay domestic tuition fees as posted for the relevant number of study credits in the semester. 

HEALTH INSURANCE

NSCAD University requires that you be covered by comprehensive medical/hospital insurance during your stay in Canada. You are automatically enrolled in our comprehensive health insurance policy provided by NSCAD University. There are no substitutes or alternate policies that will be accepted by NSCAD University. Students may wish to supplement this plan with additional travel coverage as the insurance policy covers students only from the time of arrival in Halifax but not prior to or during transportation to Halifax.   

The fees are automatically added to your student account at the time of registration and must be paid within the first 15 days of the semester. Information regarding your health insurance is provided upon your arrival.  This plan is not intended to cover pre-existing medical conditions, dental care, or general health checkups. The policy covers students for any new illness or urgent medical need. Please visit your own family doctor before leaving your home country to ensure you are in good health. 

CREDIT SYSTEM AND CURRICULUM RECOMMENDATIONS

Exchange students must be registered for 9-15 credits of study. NSCAD University’s 100% course load in undergraduate exchange programs is 15 credits per semester, and courses are in increments of three (3) credits. Most Introductory level (2000) courses are weighted at 3 credits (½ day per week), and most Intermediate / Advanced level (3000-4000) courses are weighted at 6-9 credits (2 – ½ days per week). When being evaluated for acceptance, faculty will make course selection determinations based on the applicant’s level of skills and experience. Students seeking a flexible study plan (i.e., taking courses at the Foundation – 1000 level) may not be accepted for exchange as first-year students will have priority for registration on these classes. 

CLASS REGISTRATION

With the signed Study Learning Agreement and exchange acceptance letter, NSCAD Registrar’s Office (registrar@nscad.ca) along with NSCAD Coordinator, Opportunity and Belonging will get your courses registered accordingly. 

WAITLISTS

Waitlist offers will be emailed to NSCAD University student email accounts on Wednesdays until the relevant semester begins. During the semester, students need to receive permission from the instructor to register for a waitlisted course. There may be alternative waitlist arrangements for courses that are fewer than 14 weeks. Please check your NSCAD University email account for details regarding your status on a waitlist. 

Contact the Office of Student Experience (ose@nscad.ca) or NSCAD Coordinator, Opportunity and Belonging, for more information.