St. Francis Xavier University

Established: 1853

University Type: Primarily Undergraduate

Location: Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada

Background Information:

One of Canada’s oldest and most prestigious universities, St. Francis Xavier is consistently ranked the best undergraduate university in Canada. As the first university in Canada to have a formal Service Learning program, StFX values community development, social justice and global awareness. We are home to the internationally-recognized Coady International Institute, and students find leadership development opportunities here that they can apply in all aspects of their lives. Students who are committed to and embody these values thrive at StFX..

Tucked away in the town of Antigonish, N.S., St. Francis Xavier caters mainly to undergraduates in arts, science and business. The university has high academic standards but also promotes the personal development of its students. They are well supported, as they are encouraged to live and learn on a beautiful campus.

At StFX, small class sizes challenge students to think critically and contribute to class discussions. “Even with our rich history and traditions, I believe it is important to rethink [the] academic experience and to articulate our promise more clearly to our students,” says president Kent MacDonald. He wants to increase the school’s global reach through service learning, academic programming and international research. StFX’s service learning program celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2016. Nearly 20 per cent of students participate in course-based or immersion experiences, getting outside the classroom to work in communities, locally or further afield.

A well-known tradition at StFX is handing out X-rings (a rectangular gold ring with a large black X in the middle) to graduating students. The campus is known for its Ivy League-style architecture, limestone residences and pedestrian-friendly layout. With a population of about 20,000 in the surrounding town and county, students get to know some locals by their first names. Many develop a sense of pride and belonging—also known as the X factor.

School Strengthen:

• StFX recently ranked #1 in Canada in teaching students to think critically, helping students gain experience for employment, and #1 where professors know you by name.
• Our small classrooms foster lively debate and discussion where professors inspire you to achieve. You’ll join a thriving academic environment where community involvement is expected and encouraged.
• Employers looking to recruit top talent look for StFX credentials. In fact, StFX has one of the best university reputations when it comes to Canadian employers.
• We’ve invested over a quarter of a billion dollars in residential and academic infrastructure over the past two decades -- and we are not done! This has created a unique campus that blends New England-style architecture with world-class learning spaces, labs and facilities.
• There are opportunities to study abroad at over 40 universities worldwide, or for international students to study here and experience Nova Scotia and StFX for a semester or a year.

• Social Justice Colloquium: Students explore the range of human experience, from our pre-human roots to our present-day lives.
• Public Policy and Governance: Students gain skills in public affairs and leadership, learning how and why government decisions are made, and options for tackling a broad range of local and global public issues.
• Health Studies Colloquium: Explores psychological, biological and sociological perspectives on human health and is available to students in both the faculty of arts and faculty of science; includes a service learning component.

• St. Francis Xavier University ceremonially awards to students a distinctive X-Ring. The ring is awarded on December 3 (Saint Francis Xavier's feast day) of each year before the students' graduation. On average, more than 95% of the graduating class opt for the ring. The StFX X-Ring represents your unique journey from student to alumni. It’s a symbol of your achievements; a symbol that forever binds you to the Xaverian community.
• After convocation, you will officially join Canada’s strongest alumni network, a community of more than 40,000 strong who proudly call StFX home. It’s a community that will be there to help and support you as you continue toward your next goal.

• St. Francis Xavier offers over $2 million annually in merit-based scholarships and financial aid to its new and current undergraduates. Applicants with a Grade 12 average of at least 85% are automatically guaranteed an entrance scholarship worth at least $5000 ($1250 each year for four years), and at least $7,000 for those with Grade 12 averages above 90% ($1750 each year for four years). Applicants are also automatically considered for larger merit-based scholarships ranging from $12,000 to $32,000.

• Maclean's Magazine has ranked St. Francis Xavier as the top "Primarily Undergraduate" university in Canada for five consecutive years (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006). The university has also ranked first in alumni support for the period 2001–06. In 2007, Maclean's changed the criteria of the "Primarily Undergraduate", resulting in St. Francis Xavier placing third in the category. In early 2009, Maclean's reported that St. Francis Xavier students ranked first in choosing to return to their current institution among other categories. In 2016, Maclean's Magazine has ranked St. Francis Xavier as the top 5 "Primarily Undergraduate" university in Canada with 2^nd Student Satisfaction.