Acadia University

Founded in 1838, Acadia University is one of the oldest and most respected liberal arts universities in Canada. 

Acadia is an integral part of the quintessential college town of Wolfville, Nova Scotia and overlooks the Annapolis Valley and the Bay of Fundy. Just steps beyond campus visitors can explore a rich, natural environment that includes the world’s highest tides, vineyards, woodland trails, and rich farmlands. 

Every second person you meet in the vibrant downtown has a connection to Acadia.

On campus, students and the public alike can take advantage of research, dining, dancing, and conference facilities and enjoy lecture series, concert, and theatre events and catch the excitement of varsity athletics games. Acadia also has an Art Gallery, running tracks, swimming, and recreation facilities, and the beautiful Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens. 

Acadia’s 3,500 students come from nearly every province and nearly 60 countries to take advantage of strong academic programs, a curriculum that encourages personal development, and collaborative learning experiences led by award-winning professors.

Students are encouraged to become part of a scholarly community that encourages and inspires them. Community engagement, real-world opportunities, and meaningful research at the undergraduate level are pillars of an Acadia education. The University recognizes that learning means living every moment in and out of class. Working closely with their professors is something that can be transformative for both faculty and students, and often results in lifelong friendships.

In addition to the academic experience, co-curricular and campus life programs enhance learning opportunities and help students develop teamwork and leadership skills. Acadia has a long tradition of respecting diversity. Each member of the community has different experiences to share, enriching classroom and casual interactions.

The liberal arts curriculum, combined with the intangible Acadia spirit and sense of belonging, lays a strong foundation for students’ future aspirations – travel, post-graduate study, careers, and family. Ranked in the top five by Maclean’s magazine for more than 25 years, Acadia offers a university experience like nowhere else. 

Acadia Students’ Union

The Acadia Students’ Union (ASU) is a not-for-profit organization that provides services, events, societies, and advocacy work, along with much more, for the students of Acadia University. The ASU is led by students, for students.  

The ASU consists of over 100 employees and many more volunteers.  In addition to providing advocacy for the rights of students at Acadia the ASU offers many student services to help Acadia students have their best university experience, even during those stressful and tough times. 

These services include Off-Campus Housing Assistance, the Safety and Security Shuttle (which helps students get from place to place around campus and off in the evenings) and the Health and Dental Plan.  The ASU also hosts the clubs that operate through the ASU, as well as the internal organizations like the student-led campus newspaper, the Athenaeum; the campus radio station, Axe Radio, and the Acadia Women’s Centre.