On the radar
A look at five primarily undergraduate universities reveals the variety of post-secondary options across the country
The main campus building, University Hall, was designed by world-renowned architect Arthur Erickson and sits nestled in the coulees of the Oldman River. The campus features a state-of-the-art library, a top-notch athletics centre, and the largest university art collection in Canada: its 13,000 objects include works by everyone from Nicholas de Grandmaison to Warhol and Picasso.
Bishop’s University
Bishop’s is a picturesque—and anglophone—liberal arts university in Lennoxville, a suburb of Sherbrooke, Que. With less than 2,000 full-time students, the school has fostered a close-knit atmosphere inside and outside the classroom. Small class sizes and an enviable 16:1 student-faculty ratio mean students can connect easily with professors. That, along with more student awards and a higher score on reputation, contributed to Bishop’s improving its ranked position more than any other school this year, coming in 11th in the Primarily Undergraduate category.
Bishop’s offers students diverse programs in business, education, arts and sciences. Teacher education has been a tradition at the university for more than a century, and places special emphasis on the needs of English schools in Quebec. Nearly a quarter of students are enrolled in the Williams School of Business, which offers a co-op program.
A focus on student recruitment in the past 18 months has seen a seven per cent increase in full-time enrolment this fall.
Mount Saint Vincent University
Founded as a women’s academy by the Sisters of Charity in 1873, Mount Saint Vincent University has a long-standing commitment to the education and advancement of women. Although it began accepting male students in 1967, women still outnumber men on campus four to one. Core values of community involvement and social responsibility manifest at the Mount through a commitment to access for non-traditional students, including working mothers. A full slate of evening classes, personalized schedules and distance learning provide the flexibility essential to students, many working full-time jobs.
Situated in vibrant Halifax, it’s a short walk downtown from the campus. Art galleries, shopping and a thriving nightlife are just some of the attractions. Close proximity to the ocean is another perk.
- Sally Brown
page 1 page 2
