Top-rated St. Francis Xavier University (StFX) in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, offers its 4,100 full-time students the highest quality programs in the Arts, Sciences, Business and Information Systems, and in selected applied areas including Adult Education, Engineering, Education, Human Nutrition, Human Kinetics, Music, and Nursing. Primarily an undergraduate university, StFX prides itself on a personalized learning experience, international outreach, and an innovative teaching and research environment. Students have excellent opportunities for active participation with faculty in research projects, for internships, community service, and part-time employment.

StFX maintains an impressive record of academic excellence. In recent years, StFX students have received the most NSERC (National Sciences and Engineering Research Council) post-graduate scholarships per capita of any similar-size university in Canada. Arts students also fare well in winning scholarships to pursue graduate studies and four StFX students have been awarded Rhodes Scholarships. StFX is well known for the X-spirit, friendliness, service to local and international communities, and its loyal alumni around the world.

Students in certain subjects in arts or sciences have the opportunity to combine the study of two or more areas in joint programs. Science students benefit from small class sizes and opportunities to participate in hands-on research, and they often continue their education at the graduate and post-graduate level. Business students have the opportunity to gain practical experience in their fields by participating in the co-operative education program.

Approximately 90% of first-year students live within residence -- 50% of ALL StFX students live on campus. It's this composition that fuels StFX's legendary sense of community and X-spirit. Steeped in rich traditions and house loyalties, we have a residence option that suits every personality and style. The preferred residence options for first-year students are Bishops Hall, Cameron Hall, MacKinnon Hall, MacIsaac Hall, and Mount Saint Bernard, however there are many other options available to explore. Please note that Wi-Fi is available everywhere on campus. Student storage and hockey storage is also available for all students.

Orientation program: New students are assigned academic advisors as well as buddies. Workshops are offered on transition to university, how to use the library and an introduction to computers. Also, sessions are provided for parents of first-year students. The Writing Centre offers workshops and one-on-one tutorials on writing skills, as well as the Excel program, which is widely described as a "University 101" course.

Students who are looking for part-time, full-time or summer jobs, or who are working on developing their post-graduation job search skills, may take advantage of services offered by the Centre for Student Employment and Career Development.

StFX has men's and women's cross-country, ice hockey, soccer, and basketball teams; men's football and rugby club; and women's volleyball and rugby. The recreation program is open to all students, with activities ranging from aerobics to water polo. The campus has a sports complex complete with two ice surfaces, a swimming pool, gymnasium, tennis and racquet courts, and a state-of-the-art weight room.

StFX has one of the most active intramural sports programs in Canada, with over 80% of the campus community participating in games and tournaments. Activities range from tug-of-war to flag football to water polo, with the annual hockey tournament remaining a favourite feature.

Action for Equity, Friends of CACL, Photo-X, Biology Society, Geology Society, Human Kinetics Society, Business Society, GLBX (Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals @X), Physics Society, Campus Alive, Green Council, Political Science Society, Canadian University Nursing Association, History Society, Psychology Society, Chemistry Society, Human Nutrition Society, Salute-X (Students and Alumni), Chinese Christian Fellowship, Information Systems Society, Sexual Assault Educators, Celtic Society, International Students Society, Sociology/Anthropology Society, Development and Peace, Math and Computing Science Society, StFX Choir, Economics Society, Mature Students' Society, Survival-X, Engineering Society, Model United Nations Society, Walk Home, English Society, Music Society, World University Service Can (WUSC), Ethnic Minorities/Multicultural Society, Nursing Society, X-Debate, Exekoi Society, Off-Campus Society, X-Project, Friends of L'Arche, and Philosophy Society.

All students have access to Internet resources, some course materials, schedules and communication with faculty from any computer on or off campus, and a private voice mailbox. Residence rooms have phone, cable TV, and high speed Internet connections. A dozen computer labs are distributed across campus featuring Pentium multimedia workstations. Students have access to the library resources of most of the universities of Nova Scotia through Novanet, a computer database of the holdings.

StFX is home to students, faculty and staff of diverse backgrounds, and is committed to building on its Catholic heritage. Two full-time Roman Catholic chaplains organize spiritual retreats and chaplaincy related events. Anglican, United, Pentecostal, and other clergy are available for consultation with students.

The university recognizes that some individuals have physical or learning disabilities. To assist individuals with disabilities, the university offers the services of a contact person. For further information, please call (902) 867-2281. A full range of services is available for students with learning disabilities. Student advisors are available for mature students, Black students, or Aboriginal students. The on campus Health and Counselling Centre is also available to provide support for students with other health concerns.

StFX has agreements with colleges and universities in the New England States and around the world. They include Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, the Institut d'economie scientifique et de gestion (IESEG), part of l'Université Catholique de Lille in France, St Mary's University College of Strawberry Hill in Twickenham, United Kingdom, and St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill and New York. In addition, students have spent their junior year at the Moscow Institute of Social and Political Studies, Université Catholique de l'Ouest in Angers, France, Université Canadienne en France, University of St. Andrews, Scotland, National University of Lesotho, University of London, England, University of Durham, England, and the University of Haifa, Israel.

In-person campus tours are currently unavailable.

In the meantime, we encourage you to take a Virtual Tour, which is led by a student tour guide. Virtual Campus tours are offered every day at 10am, 12pm, and 2pm.