How to Apply to Business at Dalhousie University: Direct Entry to the Commerce Co-op (BComm) or Management (BMgmt), and Requirements and Timeline for Canadian, Chinese and Transfer Students

Dalhousie University (Dal) is in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Business is taught by the Faculty of Management, which offers two undergraduate programs: the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op (BComm) and the Bachelor of Management (BMgmt). High school students apply directly to one of them. Both are accredited by AACSB. 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, and international students at Canadian schools), students at high schools in China, and transfer students.

1. How the two programs differ

• Commerce Co-op (BComm):
  • the first two years build foundations in accounting, finance, marketing, leadership and organizational behaviour; in second and third year you take major courses or build your own electives;
  • seven majors, or no major, plus optional minors and certificates;
  • three paid work terms, which Dal describes as about a year of work experience, completed locally, nationally or internationally;
  • exchanges with 16 partner business schools in 10 countries.
• Management (BMgmt):
  • management foundations in leadership, entrepreneurship, marketing, organizational behaviour, innovation and ethics, with room for electives, minors or certificates in areas such as psychology, computer science or marine biology;
  • an optional 8-month paid work term while still graduating in four years;
  • an option to add a year and earn a BSc (Recreation) as well.
• Outcomes (Dal’s figures): for Commerce Co-op, 92% of active job seekers were employed within six months and 81% of survey respondents earned $50K or more; for Management, 82% and 62% (2025).

2. Academic requirements: students at Canadian high schools

• Minimum overall average: 75% for Commerce Co-op and 70% for Management. Dal notes that many programs are competitive and meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission.
• Courses (same for both): Grade 12 academic English, Grade 12 academic math and three more academic subjects.
• British Columbia:
  • English: English Studies 12, English 12 First Peoples or Français Langue Première 12;
  • academic math: one of Foundations of Math 12, Pre-Calculus 12, Calculus 12 or Statistics 12.
• Ontario: ENG4U or equivalent; academic math can be MDM4U, MHF4U or MCV4U.
• AP and IB: may earn university transfer credit.

3. Academic requirements: students at high schools in China

• Credential: Dal lists the Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate for China and does not mention the Gaokao.
• Courses: English and high school math plus academic subjects, with an average at your program’s minimum (75% or 70%).

4. English requirements

• Waivers: three years at a recognized English-medium high school, or one year of college, usually meets the requirement.
• Minimum scores: IELTS 6.5 (6.0 per band); TOEFL 90 (20 per section) or 4.5 on the new scale (listening 4.5; reading, speaking and writing 4.0); Duolingo 120; PTE Academic 61 (50 per part); CAEL 70.
• If you fall short: you may receive a conditional offer and retest, or complete Dal’s academic English program. English proof is due by May 1, 2027.

5. Timeline (September 2027 entry)

• Applications open: October 1, 2026.
• No fixed deadline: commerce is not among Dal’s programs with specific deadlines, so applications are considered until classes start while space remains. High school students should still apply early for awards and housing.
• February 15, 2027: entrance scholarship application deadline.
• May 1, 2027: deposit to accept your offer and English proof due (unless your letter says otherwise).
• May 15, 2027: guaranteed residence application deadline.

6. Transfer students

• Transfer credit: courses must have a grade of C or higher and be relevant to your new program; only a certain number of credits count toward your Dal degree.
• Process: check the Transfer Credit Equivalency Table (login required); after you are admitted and pay your deposit, submit a transfer credit request; courses not pre-approved may get a departmental assessment.
• Admission: the business program pages do not list a minimum transfer GPA; contact an admissions advisor.

7. Tuition and scholarships

• Tuition: international business tuition is not listed on Dal’s static pages; use the tuition calculator. International undergraduates starting in fall 2023 or later may be covered by Dal’s International Tuition Guarantee.
• Entrance scholarships: open to Canadian and international students, generally for fall entrants coming directly from high school with an admission average of 80%+; submit a separate entrance scholarship application by February 15.

Checklist

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

• Choose Commerce Co-op (75% minimum) or Management (70% minimum)
• BC: English Studies 12 and one academic math (Foundations, Pre-Calculus, Calculus or Statistics 12), plus three academic courses
• Apply for entrance scholarships by February 15, 2027

Students at high schools in China:

• Prepare your graduation certificate and transcripts with strong English and math grades
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 per band), TOEFL 4.5 (new scale) or Duolingo 120 by May 1
• Apply for entrance scholarships by February 15

Transfer students:

• Apply early; relevant courses with C or higher may transfer
• Submit a transfer credit request after you accept your offer

Sources: Dalhousie University, Commerce Co-op (BComm); Management (BMgmt); Canadian high school course requirements; International requirements by country; English language requirements; Transfer credits; Dates and deadlines; Future student awards; Tuition. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check Dalhousie for the latest details.