Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine
General Information
The Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine is the leading medical institution in the Maritime provinces. Known for its Distributed Medical Education (DME) model, it operates two main campuses: the historic Halifax campus in Nova Scotia and the Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick (DMNB) campus in Saint John.
General Info
Established: 1868.
Location: Halifax, NS (Carleton Campus) and Saint John, NB (UNB Saint John Campus).
Degree Conferred: Doctor of Medicine (MD).
Duration: 4 Years (Postgraduate entry).
Language of Instruction: English.
Accreditation: Fully accredited by CACMS (Canada) and LCME (USA).
Quota: Approximately 150-160 seats annually.
Maritimer Seats: Heavily prioritized for residents of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.
International Students: Generally limited to specific contractual agreements (e.g., with certain Caribbean nations). General international applicants are usually not eligible.
Campus Facilities
Halifax Campus (Carleton): The primary hub located in the heart of Halifax's hospital district.
DMNB (Saint John): Admits 40 New Brunswick students annually. Students complete their first two pre-clinical years at the UNB Saint John campus.
Learning Model: A case-based, integrated curriculum where students work in small groups. The school is a pioneer in the Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship (LIC) model for Year 3.
Hospital & Medical Facilities
Leading tertiary care hospital attached to the institution
Dalhousie’s clinical network spans roughly 60 communities across the Maritimes:
Nova Scotia Health (Halifax): Includes the QEII Health Sciences Centre (major adult trauma/transplant site) and the IWK Health Centre (specialized pediatric and maternity care).
Saint John Regional Hospital: The primary training site for DMNB students and the largest hospital in New Brunswick.
Regional Sites: Training occurs in community hospitals in Fredericton, Moncton, Miramichi, Kentville, and Sydney.
Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship (LIC): Instead of standard 6-week blocks, select Year 3 students spend the entire year in one community (e.g., Miramichi or Waterville), following a panel of patients across all medical disciplines.
Fee Structure
State University Affordability
Tuition at Dalhousie is standardized for Canadian students, though provincial bursaries often offset the cost for local residents.
Annual MD Tuition (Domestic): Approximately $24,000 – $26,000 CAD per year.
Mandatory Fees: Approx. $2,000 CAD per year (covers DSU Health/Dental, Bus Pass, and Student Services).
Application Fee: $70 – $115 CAD.
Incidental Costs: Budget $2,500 – $4,000 for clinical equipment, mandatory immunizations, and licensing exam prep.
City Details
Halifax: A historic seaside city with a vibrant downtown and the highest concentration of universities per capita in Canada. It has a maritime climate with cool, misty summers and snowy winters.
Saint John: New Brunswick's industrial and cultural port city. It is famous for the "Reversing Falls" and a tight-knit community feel.
Safety: Both cities are very safe and student-friendly, offering high accessibility to nature and coastal activities.
Hostel & Mess
Halifax Housing: Medical students often live in Peter Green Hall (family/graduate) or find private rentals in the South End.
Rent: Shared units range from $900 – $1,400 CAD per month.
Saint John Housing: Students at DMNB often rent near the UNB Saint John campus or the regional hospital.
Rent: Generally more affordable than Halifax, ranging from $750 – $1,100 CAD.
Dining: Professional students typically self-cater.
Food Budget: Approx. $450 – $650 CAD per month. Halifax has numerous grocery stores and "Student Night" discounts on Tuesdays.
Housing Portal: The DMSS (Dalhousie Medical Students' Society) maintains a private housing list specifically for medical learners.
Miscellaneous
Academic Requirements: Minimum of 90 credit hours (3 years) of undergraduate study.
Minimum GPA: 3.3/4.0 (Maritimers) / 3.7/4.0 (Non-Maritimers).
Standardized Tests:
MCAT: Mandatory.
Competitive total scores are typically 505+ for Maritimers and 512+ for others. CASPer Test: Mandatory online situational judgment test.
Selection Criteria: Admission is based on a "sliding scale" that balances GPA and MCAT scores.
Interview: Selected candidates participate in a virtual Multiple Mini Interview (MMI).
2026 Timeline: Section 1 of the application typically opens in June 2025 and closes in late July 2025.
Collage Images Gallery
Facilities & Campus Life
Well-equipped Library
Experienced Faculty
Computer Lab
Sports Activities
Heritage Campus
Frequently Asked Questions
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