How to Apply to Psychology at Dalhousie University: BA or BSc, Declaring the Major After First Year, and Requirements and Timeline for Canadian and Chinese High School Students and Transfer Students

Dalhousie University (Dal) is in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Psychology is offered by the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, which describes itself as the most distinguished in the Atlantic provinces, as a Bachelor of Science (Faculty of Science) or a Bachelor of Arts (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences). The psychology program is the same either way; only the general degree requirements differ (for example, the BSc requires math courses and the BA requires language courses). Here is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on Dal’s official information, for students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students and international students in Canada), students at high schools in China, and transfer students.

1. How you enter psychology

• Undeclared first year: BSc and BA students start as undeclared majors and declare psychology at the end of first year. First-year students take the introductory courses PSYO 1011 and 1012 (or the online PSYO 1031 and 1032).
• After that: second year brings core courses in experimental methods, statistics and neuroscience with lab experience; third and fourth year offer topic courses. Students considering graduate school apply for honours before fourth year. The program is research-focused, with required statistics and research methods.
• Options: major, double major, concentrated honours, combined honours and minor, plus certificates such as Animal Behaviour, Disability Management and Science Communication. A psychology major cannot be combined with a neuroscience minor or double major.
• Other choices: BSc students can spend first year at the Truro campus, with smaller classes and a dedicated coordinator, before moving to Halifax, or join the Dalhousie Integrated Science Program (DISP) with a team research project. Exchanges include Maastricht University in the Netherlands. Psychology admits students in September and January.
• Research: students can volunteer in labs or take part in studies, and the Faculty of Science offers 70 competitive summer research awards each year from third year on.

2. Academic requirements: Canadian high schools

• Psychology requirements:
  • completion of Grade 12 with a minimum overall average of 75% and Grade 12 academic English;
  • for the BSc: Academic English 12, Pre-Calculus 12 and three more academic subjects;
  • for the BA: Academic English 12 and four more academic subjects.
  Many programs are competitive, so meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission.
• BC equivalents:
  • English: English Studies 12, English 12 First Peoples or Français Langue Première 12;
  • Pre-calculus: Pre-Calculus 12 or Calculus 12 (for the BSc);
  • academic math: Foundations of Math 12, Pre-Calculus 12, Calculus 12 or Statistics 12.
• Missing a requirement: Dal’s online, self-paced UPrep courses can help you earn a prerequisite such as pre-calculus or upgrade your marks.
• Application fee: CAD $70.

3. Academic requirements: high schools in China

• Credential: Dal lists the Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate as the equivalent qualification for China. It does not list a Gaokao requirement.
• Courses: the same psychology requirements apply: English, senior math equivalent to Pre-Calculus 12 for the BSc, and other academic subjects, with a minimum 75% average. Dal notes that holding the equivalent credential does not guarantee admission; subjects and grades are also considered.
• Grades: if your school does not use semesters, you can submit grades from the first half of the year (mid-term or predicted grades).
• After admission: most students accept by paying the admission deposit by May 1, 2027, which is also the deadline to provide proof of English proficiency.

4. English requirements

• Exemption: three years at a recognized English-based high school, or one year of post-secondary study, generally meets the requirement.
• Test scores:
  • IELTS 6.5 with bands of 6.0;
  • TOEFL 90 (bands of 20) on the 1–120 scale, or 4.5 on the 1–6 scale (4.5 in listening and 4.0 in reading, speaking and writing);
  • Duolingo 120; PTE Academic 61 (50 in each skill); CAEL 70; Cambridge C1/C2 180; Michigan English Test 55; Oxford ELLT 7 (no component below 6).
• Other ways: IB English A at 5 or English B at 6, AP English at 4, or GCSE/IGCSE English at B or above.
• If you are short: you may receive conditional admission and then complete another test, Dal’s English for Academic Purposes program, or a partner institution’s pathway.

5. Transfer students

• Transfer is possible: students with university, college or CEGEP study apply as transfer applicants. Dal’s admissions pages do not list a minimum transfer GPA, so check with an admissions advisor.
• Transfer credit rules:
  • a grade of C or higher;
  • completion at a recognized post-secondary institution;
  • a subject taught at Dal;
  • relevance to your program.
  Only a limited number of credit hours can count toward your degree, and high school or community college work can earn at most two math and two science credits.
• Process: check the Transfer Credit Equivalency Table for pre-approved courses; after admission and paying your deposit, submit an initial assessment request. Courses not pre-approved may qualify for departmental assessment. Transcripts not in English or French need certified translations.
• Timing: Dal encourages transfer applicants to apply early to get early class registration in March and transfer credit reviewed before classes start.

6. Timeline for September 2027 entry

• No fixed application deadline: where space is available, applications for programs like psychology are considered until classes start. High school applicants should still apply early to meet the award and residence deadlines below.
• October 1, 2026: the General Entrance Award application opens.
• January 31, 2027: accept early entrance awards by paying your admission deposit, which guarantees at least your early award amount.
• February 15, 2027: entrance scholarship application deadline; offers go out in March.
• May 1, 2027: deadline to accept your offer by paying the deposit, to accept General Entrance Awards and to provide proof of English proficiency (unless your letter says otherwise).
• May 15, 2027: guaranteed residence application deadline.
• June 2027: first-year course registration opens.

7. Scholarships and tuition

• Entrance awards: more than 2,000 each year, worth roughly CAD $1,000 to $80,000 (including four-year totals), one-time or renewable for four years. Both domestic and international students can apply. Typically you must be entering from high school in the fall with at least an 80% average (or 26 predicted IB points), calculated on the five courses required for your program. Awards recognize academics, leadership, community involvement and financial need.
• How to apply: after applying for admission and paying the CAD $70 fee, complete one General Entrance Award application by February 15.
• Tuition: varies by program and status; use Dal’s tuition and fee calculator. International undergraduates starting in fall 2023 or later may be eligible for Dal’s International Tuition Guarantee.

Checklist

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Minimum 75% average; the BSc needs English Studies 12, Pre-Calculus 12 (or Calculus 12) and three academic courses, the BA English Studies 12 and four academic courses
• Apply early and submit the entrance award application by February 15, 2027
• Accept by paying the deposit by May 1 and apply for residence by May 15

Students at high schools in China:

• Graduation certificate and transcripts; senior math for the BSc
• IELTS 6.5 (bands of 6.0), TOEFL 4.5 or Duolingo 120, by May 1
• Apply for entrance awards by February 15 (international students are eligible)

Transfer students:

• Apply early; relevant courses with a C or higher may earn transfer credit
• Submit a transfer credit assessment request after admission and paying the deposit

Sources: Dalhousie University, Psychology program and admission requirements; Canadian high school course requirements; Requirements by country; English language requirements; Transfer credits; Dates and deadlines; Future undergraduate student awards; Tuition; Psychology degree planner. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check Dalhousie for the latest details.