Higher education in Nova Scotia

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Higher education in Nova Scotia (also referred to as post-secondary education) refers to education provided by higher education institutions in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. In Canada, education is the responsibility of the provinces and there is no Canadian federal ministry governing education. Nova Scotia has 11 universities authorized to grant degrees and the Nova Scotia Community College offering programs at 13 campuses and 5 Community Learning Centres.

Contents 1 Quick facts 2 Chronology 3 Access 3.1 National enrollment 3.2 First Nations 3.3 Women 3.4 Students with disabilities 3.5 International students 3.6 Financial accessibility 3.7 Mobility between institutions 4 Structure 5 Governance 5.1 Accountability and Key Performance Indicators 5.2 Institutional Governance 6 Institutions 6.1 Specialized Institutions 6.2 Private Institutions 7 Funding 7.1 Postsecondary Education Funding Formula 7.2 Students 7.3 Research Funding 8 Terminology 9 References 10 See also 11 Related Associations

[edit] Quick facts

• Governing body for education in Nova Scotia: Department of Education
• Minister of Education: Karen Casey
• Public Chartered Universities: 11
• Private Chartered Universities: 2
• Other Specialized Institutions: 1
• Average undergraduate tuition fees for domestic residents: $5,878 ^[1]
• Average graduate tuition fees for domestic residents: $7,598 ^[2]

[edit] Chronology

Year	Event	Significance
1789	University of King's College in Windsor, Nova Scotia is founded by Anglican United Empire Loyalists	University of King's College is Canada's first chartered university and the oldest English-speaking university in the Commonwealth outside of the United Kingdom. At the outset King's College discouraged non-Anglicans from attending. Protestant and Catholic colleges would emerge as a result. The first universities were intended primarily to preserve British traditions against American republicanism. Secondarily - to educate clergymen.[3].
1801	Edmund Burke arrives in Halifax, Nova Scotia.	Edmund Burke will found Saint Mary's University.
1802	University of King's College receives its Royal Charter from King George III to grant degrees. On March 1 Edmund Burke writes to the Governor of Nova Scotia for permission to establish a college in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for "the education of young men." [4]	This will lead to the founding of Saint Mary's University.
1806	Saint Mary's University is granted its license. Only Catholics are admitted to attend.
1807	University of King's College grants its first degrees.
1818	Dalhousie University is founded by Lord Dalhousie, who models the university on the University of Edinburgh. In this same year, Lord Dalhousie is appointed Governor General of Canada and he leaves Halifax.	Lord Dalhousie’s move will have financial implications for Dalhousie University.
1838	Instruction begins at Dalhousie University.
1838	Acadia University is founded in the town of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, by Baptists.
1841	On March 29, An Act of the Legislature incorporates Saint Mary's University and allows degree-granting privileges for 11 years “and a grant of $1,622/annum for 4 years.”[5]
1852	Saint Mary's College (Saint Mary's University) receives permanent degree-granting powers.[6]
1863	Dalhousie University opens with 6 professors and 1 tutor. The Dalhousie University Act includes a suggestion of denominational representation on the Board of Governors in proportion to support of endowed chairs. [7]	According to Robin Harris, "Dalhousie enjoyed a modicum of 'independence from the instability of government grants and "sectarian" squabbling by relying on private endowment contributions (for now...)." [8]
1866	Dalhousie University awards its first degrees. The student body consists of 28 degree students and 28 "occasional students".
1873	The Act Respecting Saint Mary's College (Saint Mary's University) is passed, reviving the forfeited legislation of 1841, and establishing a Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and Senate for Saint Mary's University.
1876	The University of Halifax (Saint Mary's College, Dalhousie University, King's College, Acadia University, Mount Allison University and St. Francis Xavier University) is established by the Nova Scotia Legislature, under the "University Act" as a degree-granting institution.
1878 to 1879	Degrees by Saint Mary's University are conferred under the University of Halifax.
1880	The provincial government withdraws all provincial grant funding from Nova Scotia institutions.	Higher Education institutions are forced to depend on individual supporters for support. Saint Mary's Universitycloses.
1881	The University of Halifax is abolished.
1882	Oscar Wilde's much publicized lecture tour stops in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Wilde advocates for the support of art education.	Wilde’s advocacy will be a precursor to the foundation of the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design
1885	Professor H. Smith at the School of Agriculture in Truro is the first academic to conduct agricultural research in the Maritimes funded by the government. [9]	In the 1880s agricultural education and research like Professor Smith’s will provide a foundation for the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. The new College will prepare new farmers. According to the Nova Scotia Agricultural College’s website: “The words "agriculture" and "farming" conveyed similar meanings. From the beginning, graduates were prepared for farming or for further study leading to a degree in agriculture. Students regularly transferred to Macdonald College at McGill University or to the Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph, to complete the degree programs. These were usually short courses, demonstrations and research were all part of the College offerings. Many of the early graduates who underwent further studies, entered public services and were among the early leader of agricultural services for Canada. The first women graduates were among the first such graduates in Canada. Students from the other Maritime provinces were always accepted into NSAC on the same basis as in-province students." [10]
1887	Anna Leonowens, better known for her work as the tutor or governess to the King of Siam as portrayed in the book and film Anna and the King of Siam, along with a committee of citizens founds the Victoria College of Art to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee.	The Victoria College of Art will become the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, and later NSCAD University.
1890	College Sainte-Anne (Université Saint-Anne) at Church Point is founded by the Eudist fathers. This French language college will receive its Charter in 1892 and begin granting degrees in 1903.	Université Saint-Anne is Nova Scotia's only French university.
1894	Affiliated to the Sisters of Notre Dame, St. Francis Xavier University is founded.	St. Francis Xavier University is the first North American Catholic University to offer degree programs to women.
1903	Archbishop Cornelius O'Brien's efforts result in the re-opening of Saint Mary's College (University).
1905	The College of Agriculture (Nova Scotia Agricultural College) officially opens on February 14. Melville Cummings in the first Principal.	The Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC) is the third oldest center for agricultural education and research in Canada. The College’s roots include the School of Agriculture established in 1885 at the Provincial Normal School, the Provincial Farm established in 1889 at Bible Hill, and the School of Horticulture established in 1894 at Wolfville. These three agencies merged to form the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (or College of Agriculture - the names are used interchangeably during their early years).
1913	Federal funds are made available to encourage agricultural education. The Irish Christian Brothers take over the running of Saint Mary's University.	Additional federal funds for agricultural education result in the creation and expansion of campus facilities at Nova Scotia Agricultural College to encourage new programs in Home Economics, Women's Institutes, rural science and youth training. Nova Scotia develops demonstration buildings to establish closer ties between the community and agricultural education. "Nova Scotia was among the first areas in Canada to have clubs for rural youth on agricultural themes. The demand from governments for more food production during World War I further enhanced agricultural education and demonstration activities." [11]
1917	On December 6, the [Halifax Explosion], the largest man-made explosion claims thousands of lives from the booming military harbor town of Halifax, Nova Scotia.	Saint Mary's College (Saint Mary's University) is used as a hospital by the Boston Unit of the American Red Cross following the explosion. The College reopens on February 8, 1918.
1920	The main buildings of the University of King’s College burn to the ground.
1922	The University of King’s College accepts funding from the Carnegie Foundation to rebuild.	A condition of this funding is that the University of King’s College must affiliate with Dalhousie University and move to Halifax.
1925	The Nova Scotia legislature gives Mount Saint Vincent College (Mount Saint Vincent University) the right to grant degrees. Under the direction of the school‘s first female principal, Elizabeth Styring Nutt, Victoria College of Art is renamed the Nova Scotia College of Art and is incorporated by Provincial charter.	Mount Saint Vincent University becomes the only independent women's college in the British Commonwealth.
1930s	Initiated by St. Francis Xavier University’s innovative Extension Department, adult education, cooperatives and credit unions are given emphasis as paths “to social improvement and economic organization for disadvantaged groups in eastern Canada.” [12]	The [Antigonish Movement] gives momentum to St. Francis Xavier University’s programs which reaches out to the community. [13]
1953	Nova Scotia’s Education Act is revised & consolidated.	A “modern” Department of Education is formed.
1960s	The degree program at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College is officially recognized as a Maritime program.	The role of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College is formally recognized by the four Atlantic Provinces and later the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission for vocational and technical education. [14]
1966	Mount Saint Vincent College becomes Mount Saint Vincent University.	Under the new charter a lay Board of Governors and Senate are established along with the Corporation representing the Sisters of Charity.
1967	Men are admitted for the first time to Mount Saint Vincent University	Formerly Mount Saint Vincent University was the only independent women's college in the British Commonwealth.
1969	In recognition of the importance of the study of graphic design, the Nova Scotia College of Art is renamed the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design NCSAD. The College is given authority to grant degrees and plans are in place to move it to downtown Halifax.	By the 1970s, NCSAD would become the art school emulated by others in Canada. Notable artists who lectured, taught, or collaborated alongside students and faculty include: Joseph Beuys, Eric Fischl, Vito Acconci, Sol LeWitt, Michael Snow, Joyce Wieland, Hans Haacke, Claes Oldenburg, A.R. Penck, Krzysztof Wodiczko and John Baldessari.
1971	The Atlantic School of Theology is founded by the Divinity Faculty of the University of King’s College (Anglican Church of Canada), Holy Heart Theological Seminary (The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of Halifax) and Pine Hill Divinity Hall (United Church of Canada). The agreement between these three institutions is signed on March 29. Students are first admitted in September 1971.	Atlantic School of Theology is an ecumenical school of theology and Christian ministry.
1974	The Atlantic School of Theology is granted degree-granting powers and is incorporated by an Act of the Legislature. Cape Breton University is founded. Former names of this institution include University College of Cape Breton (1982-2005); College of Cape Breton (1974-1982); Nova Scotia Eastern Institute of Technology (1968-1974); Xavier College (1964-1968); Xavier Junior College (1951-1964).
1980	Legislation allows the Nova Scotia Agricultural College to grant a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture or negotiate academics agreement with other institutions for degree-granting purposes.	Nova Scotia Agricultural Collegedevelops an agreement with Dalhousie University.
1981	Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC) registers its first students for the B.Sc. (Agr.). Specializations include: Agricultural Economics, Animal Science, Plant Protection and Plant Science. By the 1990s, graduate programs will also be developed and supervised by NSAC faculty culminating in M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees conferred by Dalhousie University.
1985 to 1992	Ministerial responsibility for education is divided between the Department of Education and the Department of Advanced Education and Job Training.
1985	The Department of Human Resources Development and Training is established to assume responsibility, formerly held by the Department of Labour, for labour market programs, apprenticeship, and vocational, trades, technical and technological training.
1986	The Department of Human Resources Development and Training is changed to The Department of Vocational and Technical Training.
1987	The Department of Vocational and Technical Training assumes responsibility for post-secondary education and its name is changed again to Advanced Education and Job Training.
1988	The Nova Scotia Community College is formed. Mount Saint Vincent University’s (MSVU) current charter is approved by the Nova Scotia Legislature. Ownership of MSVU is transferred from the Sisters of Charity to the Board of Governors.	The focus of the Nova Scotia Community College is on training and education, amalgamating the province's former vocational schools.
1989	The Degree Granting Act is passed in the Nova Scotia Legislature.
1992	Responsibility for post-secondary education and vocational and technical training reverts to the Department of Education. The Department of Human Resources Development and Training is dissolved.
1994	The Department of Tourism and Culture is abolished and the Department of Education assumes responsibility for cultural affairs. The department's name is changed to The Department of Education and Culture. The Universities Assistance Act is passed in the Legislature.
1996	Nova Scotia Community College is separated from the Department of Education and Culture. The Community Colleges Act is enacted.
1997	Dalhousie University joins the Technical University of Nova Scotia. The institutional name remains Dalhousie University.
1998	Private Career Colleges Regulations Act enacted
1999	Responsibility for cultural affairs and heritage is transferred to the re-created Department of Tourism and Culture, and the name Department of Education is restored.	The (new) Department of Education is responsible for all matters relating to public school education and teaching, post-secondary education, including financial assistance for students; apprenticeship; trades, technical, technological and applied arts training; the Provincial Library and immigration, other than business immigration.
2000	The Student Loan Remission Program is eliminated.

[edit] Access

Overall, participation in post-secondary in the Maritimes is higher than the national average, with approximately 35 to 40% participation rates in Nova Scotia while Canada as a whole hovers around 20-26% ^[15]. Demand for skilled labour has prompted an increase in participation rates upon the nation's post-secondary institutions. However, the population of 18-24 year olds in Nova Scotia and the rest of the Maritime provinces are predicted to decline greater than the rest of Canada. Between 1990 and 2000, the number of 18-24 year olds dropped 13% in the Maritimes while the rest of Canada dropped less than 1%. ^[16] Some of the factors leading to a decline in university participation include:

• tuition fees that are highest in the country
• Increasing demand for community college education over attending university
• Strong economy that encourages students to enter the labor force early
• Declining full-time participation of male students in university
• Out-migration of students from the Maritimes

[edit] National enrollment

In 2000 to 2006, over 32,000 full-time and part-time students were enrolled in Nova Scotia's 11 universities. ^[17] In 2006-07, 61% of Nova Scotians aged 25-54 had a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree. This is on par with the national average for Canadians with post-secondary credentials. Over a five-year period, the number of credentials issued by Nova Scotian institutions increased by 9.4%. ^[18] Nova Scotians make up two thirds of those enrolled in the province's institutions and of the Maritime provinces, participation in university education is greatest among Nova Scotia residents. The majority of out of province students come from Ontario. In fact, the peak of undergraduate enrolment in the Maritimes was in 2003, attributable to the double cohort in Ontario where the graduating class doubled in the province as it eliminated its grade 13 year of high school.

[edit] First Nations

Nova Scotia universities through the Atlantic Association of Universitieshas developed working relationships with leaders of the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations in Atlantic Canada Chiefs and the Mi’kmaq Kina’matneway to better understand critical issues concerning access and persistence to graduation for Aboriginal learners. For example, Sydney's Membertou First Nation and the Nova Scotia Community College signed a memorandum of understanding in 2004 that focuses on three key components: customized training programs relevant to Membertou’s employment opportunities, high school transition support programs and information technology initiatives.

[edit] Women

In largely urban areas such as Halifax, participation of women students has increased steadily over the last twenty years. Conversely, the proportion of full-time male students have declined by 9% in the Maritimes. Women who complete a university degree earn 50% more than female high school graduates. Those between the age of 20-34 years old in metro or rural areas are only marginally different in their completion rates for high school. But when comparing women who have completed post-secondary studies, the gaps widens, particularly in University certificate, diploma or degree programs. Women in metro areas average 34.8% to that of 15.9% in rural areas. ^[19]

[edit] Students with disabilities

The number of students with a disability that have graduated from post secondary in the province has grown 45% from 2003 to 2006 ^[20] This is likely due to the increasing number of students accessing an increasing number of services and resources offered through the government and the institutions they attend. Post Secondary Disability Servicesis a web-based resource that outlines grants, services and contacts for post-secondary students with disabilities. Government grants are available including the Canada Access Grant and Provincial Access Grant and the Canada Study Grant for Accommodation of Students with Permanent Disabilities.

[edit] International students

Nova Scotia and its 11 universities attract students from around the world. In 2004-2005, there were 3,594 full-time international students attending Nova Scotia universities and community colleges. This accounts for 11% of total students enrolled in Nova Scotia undergraduate programs, above the 7% national average. ^[21]

Universities set their own tuition fees for International students and to keep the revenue generated. There are ceilings for funding grants received for these students, 10% for undergraduates and 30% for graduate students.

[edit] Financial accessibility

University tuition fees in Nova Scotia universities are among the highest in the country, largely due to low government grants to fund university operating costs. According to the Missing Pieces V report on the Accessibility of Post-Secondary Education, the underfunding of Nova Scotia post-secondary institutions, the lowest in the country, have caused tuition fees in the province to double over the past decade. As a result, tuition fees in Nova Scotia far outreach the median income or saving potential of its population. Other shortages make the province inaccessible to students, such as the elimination of the loan remission program in 2000. It is the only province without a non-repayable student financial assistance program, instead relying on the federal Millennium Scholarship Foundation to provide funding.

[edit] Mobility between institutions

Credit transfer can occur between public colleges and universities, and between those institutions and private postsecondary institutions. Nova Scotia post-secondary institutions are in support of the principles outlined by the Council of Ministers of Education for the Ministerial Statement on Credit Transfer in Canada. A focus is on the availability of credit transfer information including the creation of an on-line transfer database. This builds upon the work of the the Atlantic Provinces Community College Consortium. This consortium produced a Guide to Block Transfer Agreements in 2006. APCCC is an inter-provincial mechanism with a mandate to collaborate, coordinate, and share resources to enhance college-level postsecondary education in the Atlantic provinces. One of the cornerstones of the consortium is to provide maximum mobility for students through the portability of learning and credits throughout the postsecondary education system in Atlantic Canada.

[edit] Structure

The Higher Education System in Nova Scotia includes

• The governing Department of Education, which is made up of 8 operational units including the Higher Education Branch and the Skills and Learning Branch.^[22]
• Eleven universities offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs
• The Nova Scotia Community College offering post-secondary programs leading to a Certificate or Diploma.
• Private Career Colleges offering occupational training under the Private Career Colleges Regulations Act.

[edit] Governance

Department of Education
The mission of Nova Scotia's Department of Education is:

to provide excellence in education and training for personal fulfillment and for a productive, prosperous society.^[23]

Post-secondary or higher education falls under the Higher Education Branch, which comprises Universities, the Nova Scotia Community College, Student Financial Assistance, Private Career Colleges, Post-Secondary Disability Services, and the Provincial Library.

[edit] Accountability and Key Performance Indicators

Nova Scotia's Department of Educationproduces an Accountability Report each year, as well as a Business Plan that includes the goal of providing relevant and high-quality post-secondary education and training. Performance measures include establishing targets for tuition fees and increasing enrolment, with emphasis on specific populations.

[edit] Institutional Governance

Universities are autonomous entities incorporated by legislative Acts. Canadian higher education institutions have a common bicameral model of institutional governance including:

• A corporate Board of Governors responsible for the institution’s financial and administrative matters
• A Senate with responsibilities for academic matters^[24]

The specific composition and authority of these two bodies are specified in the individual institutional Charters.

[edit] Institutions

Universities and Governing Acts

• Acadia University
  - Acadia University Act
• Atlantic School of Theology
  - Atlantic School of Theology Act
• Dalhousie University
  - Dalhousie College & University Act, Dalhousie-Technical University Amalgamation Act
• Cape Breton University
  - University of Cape Breton Act
• Mount Saint Vincent University
  - Mount Saint Vincent University Act
• NSCAD University
  - Nova Scotia College of Art & Design Act
• Saint Mary's University
  - Saint Mary’s University Act
• St. Francis Xavier University
  - St. Francis Xavier University Act
• University of King’s College
  - University Kings College Act
• Université Saint-Anne
  - Universite Sainte-Anne Act

[edit] Specialized Institutions

• Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC)
  - As part of the Degree Granting Act, NSAC is authorized to grant the Bachelor of Science, Agriculture degree, and programs leading to undergraduate and graduate degrees from Dalhousie University.
• Nova Scotia Community College
  - Community Colleges Act

[edit] Private Institutions

Private career and vocational colleges specialize in vocational training. A list of registered colleges are provided by the Department of Education. The Private Career Colleges Regulations Act regulates these institutions.

[edit] Funding

[edit] Postsecondary Education Funding Formula

• In 1995, the Nova Scotia Council on Higher Education (NSCHE) began a process to review and recommend a new Funding Formula for Nova Scotia's universities. This process attempted to acknowledge considerable changes in enrollment and new programs at several universities. The new formula was approved by government and funding for fiscal 1998-99.
• The new Funding Formula is comprised of two major components: Unrestricted operating grants (96%) and Restricted operating grants (4%). Subsequently, the Unrestricted operating grants are broken down into three components: the Weighted Enrolment Grant (WEG); the Research Grant and the Extra Formula Grants. The WEG accounts for approximately 91% of the total operating funding provided to universities. Extra Formula Grants take into consideration unique characteristics such as size; french-language instruction; part-time students; isolation (distance from Halifax). ^[25]
• Enrolment of undergraduate students in Nova Scotia universities is noteworthy as it impacts the funding formula. Nova Scotia has a disproportionate number of out of province students, more than any other province in the country. The calculation that is based on a per-capita basis does not include out-of-province students, thereby bringing no provincial support from their home province. ^[26]
• In 2003, university funding provided by the provincial government was $205 million, which continues to be lower than the transfer of $211 million provided in 1992. The Missing Pieces Report suggests that government grants cover only 41.9% of operating costs in 2001-02, the lowest proportion of any Canadian province.
• The Memorandum of Understanding between the government and the universities were negotiated for 2004-08 and from 2008-2011 based on this funding model.

Tuition

• Tuition at Nova Scotia postsecondary institutions are set by the individual institutions, in consultation with government.

[edit] Students

• Nova Scotia Student Loan Program
• Nova Scotia Graduate Tax Credit
• Provincial Scholarships, Awards and Grants

[edit] Research Funding

• The Atlantic Innovation Fund was launched in 2001 to provide an additional $300 million for investment in the region's infrastructure. It was expected that a large proportion of the funds aimed at Research and Development would go towards the province's universities. ^[27]
• According to the Economic Impact report for Atlantic Canada, the Higher Education sector in Nova Scotia represents 60% of the R&D conducted in the province, a contribution which is twice the national average.

[edit] Terminology

Term	Definition
Access	The level of ease to gain admission to an institution, including fees, admission requirements, geographical location.
Admission	The acceptance to enroll at an institution.
Block Transfer	Refers to the transfer of a semester, a year, a certificate, or a diploma. The transfer typically occurs from a college to a university.
Certificate	Award in recognition of academic program completion at a college.
Confederation	The amalgamation of territories and colonies; Canadian Confederation was the process by which the federal Dominion of Canada was formed beginning 1 July 1867 from the provinces, colonies and territories of British North America. source: Wikipedia
Convocation	Formal ceremony where degrees are officially conferred to graduands.
Dean	Administrative head of an academic unit; in Canada, it usually refers to the head of a faculty or college within the university system.
Degree	Award in recognition of academic program completion; often referred to as a parchment, the first material it was made of in the European universities.
Faculty	Can denote either an academic unit within a university or a member of the tenured academic staff.
Graduate Student	Student studying at the Master's or Doctoral level at a university.
Higher Education	Education provided by universities, vocational universities, community colleges, liberal arts colleges, technical colleges, and other collegian institutions that award academic degrees, such as career colleges. source: Wikipedia
Instructor	Teacher - can be either hired sessionally or tenured by the institution.
International Student	Student who does not have residency or landed immigrant status.
Maritimes	Region in Canada consisting of the following eastern provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island
Parchment	see degree
Participation	The act of studying at an institution
Post-secondary Education	see Higher Education
Principal	Academic head of unit used universally at all levels in the Canadian education system.
Private Institution	Institution that receives no funding from either the provincial and federal government.
Professor	In Canada, the title professor is used as a form of address for teachers at a university. There are three ranks of professorship - assistant, associate and full professor, the latter being the highest level of achievement.
Provost	Senior academic administrator of a university. Although the role may vary amongst institutions, in Canada the Provost usually reports to the Vice-Chancellor or President, and is responsible for overseeing the academic units of a university.
Public Institution	Institution that receives funding from either the provincial and federal government.
Regalia	The academic dress or costume worn by members of a university or college. Material, colour, hood, gown style and headwear denote the rank of the wearer.
Registered	In Canada, private institutions must be registered or licensed, as applicable, under provincial or territorial legislation.
Senate	Governing body of a university.
Tenure	In Canada, tenure is a lifetime appointment until retirement, except for dismissal with "due cause". The reason for the existence of such a privileged position is the principle of academic freedom, which holds that it is beneficial for state, society and academe in the long run if learned persons are free to examine, hold, and advance controversial views without fear of losing their jobs. source: Wikipedia
Transfer Credit	Acknowledgment of course work completed at an institution other than a student's home institution. In Canada, it is not unusual for students to attend a Community College or University College for two academic years and then transfer to a university to complete a bachelor's degree.
Undergraduate Student	Student studying at the bachelor's level at a university.
University Ranking	Listings of universities and liberal arts colleges in an order determined by any combination of factors. Rankings can be based on subjectively perceived "quality," on some combination of empirical statistics, or on surveys of educators, scholars, students, prospective students, or others. Rankings are often consulted by prospective students and their parents in the university and college admissions process. source: Wikipedia
Weighted Enrolment	Involves determining the relative costs of different programs, usually measured on a per student basis, resulting from structural differences. Lowest cost programs are then assigned a "weight" of one, and all others are assigned weights as multiples of the basic unit. source: Cameron.

[edit] References

Harris, Robin S. (1976) A History of Higher Education in Canada 1663-1960. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

International Association of Universities. Canada (Nova Scotia / Nouvelle-Ecosse) – Education System. Retrieved October 13, 2007, from http://www.unesco.org/iau/onlinedatabases/systems_data/ca07.rtf

Jones, G.(Ed.) (1997). Higher Education in Canada: Different Systems, Different Perspectives. New York: Garland Publishing.

Nova Scotia Department of Education. Educational Accountability Report, 2006-07. Retrieved May 5, 2008, from http://www.ednet.ns.ca/pdfdocs/businessplan/accountability-report-2006-2007.pdf

Nova Scotia Department of Education. Department of Education Operational Units. Retrieved May 5, 2008, from http://www.ednet.ns.ca/pdfdocs/businessplan/op2003-04.pdf

Office of the Legislative Counsel, Nova Scotia House of Assembly. Degree Granting Act. Retrieved May 5, 2008, from http://www.gov.ns.ca/legislature/legc/statutes/degree.htm.

Province of Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia. Department of Education; Government Administrative Histories Online – Authority Record – Nova Scotia Archives & Records. Retrieved May 12, 2008, from http://www.gov.ns.ca/nsarm/gaho/authority.asp?ID=31

Province of Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia Advisory Board on College and Universities; Government Administrative Histories Online – Authority Record – Nova Scotia Archives & Records. Retrieved May 12, 2008, from http://www.gov.ns.ca/nsarm/gaho/authority.asp?ID=66

[edit] See also

• List of universities in Canada
• List of colleges in Canada

[edit] Related Associations

• Association of Atlantic Universities

Established in 1964, the AAU is a voluntary association of the 17 universities in the Atlantic region and in the West Indies which offer programmes leading to a degree or have degree-granting status.

• Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials. Quality Assurance Practices for Postsecondary Institutions in Nova Scotia

The CICIC was established as an information and referral office after Canada ratified the UNESCO Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees concerning Higher Education. Activities include collecting information, advice and referrals, networking at the national and international level, advocacy and reporting.

• Council of Maritime Premiers

Established in 1972, the goal of the Council is to ensure maximum coordination of the activities of the governments of the three Maritime provinces, and their agencies.

• Nova Scotia Department of Education

Provides department information describing services and programs, publications, news releases, learning resources, and provincial education policy.

• Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission

Established in 1974, the MPHEC services higher education in the Maritimes by providing quality assurance, data and information, cooperative action, and regional programmes, as well as providing specific services to one or more provinces or institutions as agreed to by the Ministers of Education.

• Nova Scotia Education

Provides information on the province, its high schools, colleges and universities, along with dedicated information for International students.

• Private Colleges Association of Nova Scotia

A list of the private colleges in the province

• Springboard

Atlantic Canada's network to support the commercialization of university research