One of Canada’s oldest and most prestigious universities, St. Francis Xavier is consistently ranked the best undergraduate university in Canada.
The first university in Canada to have a formal Service Learning program, StFX values community development, social justice and global awareness. They 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.
Their close-knit residence environment is at the heart of the StFX experience. Students live and learn together in a thriving academic environment. They have a wide variety of fascinating programs to choose from in the faculties of Arts, Science and Education, and within the Gerald Schwartz School of Business.
Their 45,000 worldwide alumni are a strong and engaged community, and provide a valuable network for graduating students.
At StFX, they are excited about where they are, and where they are headed. Today’s StFX is one of Canada’s very best universities; known for their exceptional academic programs, focus on leadership development and commitment to social justice and community development.
But they also like to remember where they came from.
Founded in 1853, St. Francis Xavier has a long and proud tradition as one of Canada’s oldest universities. For almost 165 years, they have cultivated their strong and resilient spirit, dedication to intellectual rigour, and commitment to engaging students who aspire to be community-minded citizens of the world. Their motto Quaecumque Sunt Vera, or “Whatsoever Things are True” perfectly captures their values of integrity, dignity, truth, and respect for all.
StFX attracts about half of its student population from outside the Atlantic region, which allows them to benefit from a community that reflects nearly every corner of the world. They also have alumni in 140 countries who strengthen and enrich the StFX experience.
StFX was founded in 1853. During the first half of the 19th century, close to a million farmers, labourers and tradesmen came from the British Isles to the shores of Nova Scotia to seek a better life, joining the Acadians and Aboriginal peoples already settled here. Scottish Highlanders made up 67% of the StFX constituency, while Acadians, Irish, English and Aboriginal made up the rest. StFX offered the only university-level education in the region at that time and, partnered with the Roman Catholic diocese, maintained strict academic standards in order to provide the best education possible.
StFX got its name from a German priest named John Schulte who was sent to Canada to be the first Principal. The priest had never been to North America and so considered Nova Scotia a missionary area. Since St. Francis Xavier was patron saint of the missions, it seemed appropriate the new college should be named in his honour.
