Dalhousie UniversityStudent Guide

Academic dates, campus language, housing, and student-life references for Dalhousie University. Core organization is free for students.

Unknown University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Operating on a semester system.

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University

Institution Type

18

Housing Buildings

Student guide · Fall Term 2026 - Full Term

The semester, explained for Dalhousie University

Dates from the active academic calendar, plus the campus language and local details students actually need. Every entry comes from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Relevant term
Fall Term 2026 - Full Term
Campus terms
38
Local details
28

Academic calendar

Fall Term 2026 - Full Term runs Sep 8, 2026 – Dec 9, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.

17 entries
  1. Fall Term 2026 - Full TermRelevant now
  2. Full Year Class 2026-2027Multi-Term Courses 2026-2027
  3. Winter Term 2027 - Full Term
  4. Summer Term 2027 - A1Summer Term A1 2027
  5. Summer Term 2027 - ASummer Term A 2027
  6. Summer Term 2027 - Full Term
  7. Summer Term 2027 - A2Summer Term A2 2027
  8. Summer Term 2027 - B1Summer Term B1 2027
  9. Summer Term 2027 - BSummer Term B 2027
  10. Summer Term 2027 - B2Summer Term B2 2027

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Campus language

Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.

38 terms

C

Carleton
The campus dedicated to Health, Medicine, and Dentistry.
CKDU
The campus and community radio station (88.1 FM) based in the SUB.

D

D-Level
The basement level of the Killam Library, known for its silent, intense study atmosphere and lack of windows.
DAGS
Dalhousie Association of Graduate Students, representing the interests of post-graduate students.
Dal
The universal shorthand for Dalhousie University itself.
DASSS
Dalhousie Arts and Social Science Society, the faculty level student society.
DESS
Dalhousie Engineering Student Society, based on the Sexton campus.
DKS
Dalhousie King's Student Union, representing students in the joint Dal/King's programs.
DMCRT
Dalhousie Medical Campus Response Team, student volunteers providing first aid at campus events.
DSS
Dalhousie Science Society, representing students within the Faculty of Science.
DSU
Dalhousie Student Union, the representative body for all students.

G

Gerard
Gerard Hall, the primary residence for students living on the Sexton Campus.

H

HoCo
Homecoming, typically referring to the weekend of football games and associated large street parties.
Howe
Howe Hall, the largest residence on campus, often divided into 'houses' like Bronson or Fountain.

K

King's
The University of King's College, a separate but affiliated institution located on the Dalhousie campus.

L

LMP
LeMarchant Place, a modern mixed-use building containing residence suites and student services.

M

Meal Hall
The general term for the buffet-style dining halls located in Howe Hall, Shirreff Hall, or Risley Hall.
Mini Res
The smaller, house-style residences located on the Studley campus.

O

O-Week
Orientation Week, the series of events held for incoming first-year students.

P

Pete's
Pete's ToGoGo, a popular quick-service food outlet located in the SUB.

R

Risley
Risley Hall, a traditional residence known for having individual rooms for all students.

S

Sexton
The downtown campus housing the faculties of Engineering, Architecture, and Planning.
Shirreff
Shirreff Hall, a historic residence often associated with a quieter atmosphere and its own dining hall.
Studley
The main Dalhousie campus where most undergraduate arts and science classes are held.

T

The Bistro
The dining outlet located in the Life Sciences Centre (LSC).
The Bubble
The air-supported seasonal dome at Dalplex used for indoor sports.
The Graveyard
Camp Hill Cemetery, which many students use as a scenic shortcut between Studley and Sexton campuses.
The Grawood
The primary campus pub located in the Student Union Building (SUB).
The Ladle
The Loaded Ladle, a student-run food cooperative providing free plant-based meals in the SUB.
The Link
The indoor walkway connecting the Killam Library to the Student Union Building.
The Loaded Ladle
A student-run food cooperative in the SUB that provides free or low-cost vegan meals to students.
The Maze
A common nickname for the Life Sciences Centre (LSC) due to its complex and repetitive layout.
The Pete's
Refers to the Pete's ToGoGo outlet formerly or currently associated with campus food options.
The Quad
The central green space on the Studley campus, often used for events or lounging.
The Reef
Shirreff Hall, a large residence known for its traditional style and social atmosphere.
The Stacks
The quiet, book-filled upper floors of the Killam Library used for intense studying.
The SUB
The food court area in the Student Union Building featuring various commercial vendors.
The T-Room
The campus pub located on the Sexton Campus, popular for trivia nights.

Places and practicalities

Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.

28 details
Brightspace
The learning management system where professors post course materials and assignments.
Dal Alert
The emergency notification system that sends texts/emails regarding campus closures or safety issues.
Dal Online
The administrative portal used for course registration, tuition payments, and official records.
DalCard
The official student ID card used for building access, meal plans, and library services.
DalOnline
The web portal used for course registration, checking grades, and financial accounts.
Dalplex
The university's primary fitness and recreational facility.
DalSafe
The official campus security app for emergency alerts and safety services like TigerPatrol.
howe_hall_dining_hall
Howe Hall Dining Hall
jenkins_dining_hall
Jenkins Dining Hall
LSC
Life Sciences Centre, a massive, labyrinthine building housing biology, psychology, and oceanography.
o_brien_dining_hall
O'Brien Dining Hall
risley_dining_hall
Risley Dining Hall
Sexton
Refers collectively to the buildings on the downtown Sexton Campus (Engineering, Architecture, Planning).
shirreff_dining_hall
Shirreff Dining Hall
Studley
The main Dalhousie campus where the majority of undergraduate programs and student services are located.
The CHEB
Collaborative Health Education Building, used by various health profession faculties.
The Killam
The Killam Memorial Library, the main and largest library on the Studley campus.
The Link
The physical walkway connecting the LSC to the Chemistry building and other parts of campus.
The LSC
The Life Sciences Centre, a large and notoriously confusing complex housing science departments.
The McCain
Marion McCain Arts and Social Sciences Building, the primary hub for humanities classes.
The Plex
Dalplex, the university's primary fitness and recreational sports facility.
The Rowe
Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building, home to the Faculty of Management.
The SUB
The Student Union Building, the central hub for student life and services.
The Tupper
Sir Charles Tupper Medical Building, the main tower on the Carleton (medical) campus.
Tiger Patrol
A free campus shuttle and walk-home service provided for student safety after dark.
TigerPaws
The online portal for Dalplex services, including gym bookings and intramural registration.
U-Pass
The universal transit pass included in student fees, allowing unlimited use of Halifax Transit.
WMLC
Wallace McCain Learning Commons, a popular study space connected to the Life Sciences Centre.

Quick answers

Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.

What academic term is relevant now?
Fall Term 2026 - Full Term runs Sep 8, 2026 – Dec 9, 2026.
How much campus context is included?
38 approved campus terms and 28 local details are included in full.
Are all approved campus terms included?
Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
Where does this guide come from?
Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Class of 2030 · Dalhousie University

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What we’ll email you about

  • Jun 23

    First-year course registration opens

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  • Aug 29

    Residence Move-in Day

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Find a few communities to try at Dalhousie University

These are things we discovered from public campus sources. We are constantly looking for more.

Tell us what we missed

66 mapped items from 23 public sources

Interest filters
  • Major-aligned clubs, pre-professional groups, and research communities.
  • Performing arts, visual arts, student publications, film, and music.
  • Cultural orgs, identity communities, and faith-based groups.
  • Volunteer groups, civic engagement, mutual aid, and student government.
  • Outdoor clubs, intramural sports, club sports, and rec center programs.
  • Entrepreneurship, hackathon teams, makerspaces, and engineering project teams.
  • Casual hangouts, interest groups, and open events without applications.

Worth a look

Dalhousie Baseball Club

A Tier 1 competitive club representing Dalhousie in regional, provincial, and national competitions.

Tryout required

Source: daltigers.ca · Verified 2 months ago

Dalhousie Marine Conservation Society (DMC)

Aims to cultivate interest in marine conservation science among undergraduate students through engagement with research, NGOs, and fieldwork opportunities.

Open to all

Dalhousie Student Union (DSU)

The official student government representing all students at Dalhousie. The DSU advocates for student rights, provides services, and supports over 300 student societies.

Regular commitment

Dalhousie Undergraduate Engineering Society (DUES)

A student-run society that coordinates campus life, recreational, social, and charitable activities for all undergraduate engineering students.

Open to all

Source: dues.ca · Verified 4 months ago

DSU Council

The highest governing body of the DSU, comprised of executive officers, faculty representatives, and community representatives who oversee the union's operations.

Regular commitment

Campus rituals

Academic Orientation Day

A key part of O-Week where new students meet faculty, learn about their specific programs, and receive important academic information.

Drop in any time

Source: dsu.ca · Verified 1 month ago

Resources & spaces

Bissett Student Success Centre

Provides career advising, resume and cover letter help, interview preparation, and job search strategies for students and recent alumni.

Open to all

Dalhousie Writing Centre

Offers free one-on-one tutoring and workshops to help students with all aspects of the writing process, from brainstorming to final revisions, for any subject.

Open to all

Using DormWay at Dalhousie University

What the product handles for students.

Syllabus to schedule

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Workload planning

Balance your courseload with helpful workload distribution

Free student access

Core organization is free for Dalhousie University students. Optional Pro tools are in development.

Dalhousie University on DormWay

Current DormWay activity for this campus

64

Active Students

71

Syllabi Analyzed

51

Courses on DormWay

Browse all courses →

Popular Courses

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[BIOL 2020 Cell Bio] Test 1Calculus for the Life & Social SciencesConcepts in Chemistry: Structure and ReactivityEthics in ScienceIntegrated Introductory Biology IPrinciples of Biology Part IPrinciples of MicroeconomicsPsychology 1011

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Brightspace

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Life in Halifax for Dalhousie University Students

Everything you need to know about living and studying in Halifax.

Timezone

America/Halifax

Median Rent

$1,800

Cost of Living Index

111

Student Population

55,000

City Transportation

Walkability

62

Bikeability

64

Public Transit

Halifax Transit bus network, Halifax Transit ferry service

Nearest Airports

Halifax Stanfield International Airport

Climate Averages

Climate

Humid continental

Avg Annual Temp

45.5°F

Avg Snowfall

71.4 in

Campus Operations Snapshot

Parking and Transit

Rosina Lot

surface_lot • 111 spaces

Sexton Campus; permits managed via HotSpot.

McCain Parkade

garage • 92 spaces

Studley Campus; Reserved spots available via waiting list.

Risley Hall Parkade

garage • 64 spaces

At capacity with waiting list; permits for residents only.

Campus News

Latest updates from Dalhousie University

Dal researcher Dr. Rita Orji named Fellow of the International Science Council

Computer scientist Dr. Rita Orji has been recognized as a global leader in responsible and human-centred AI, receiving international fellowship honors.

Oct 22, 2026

Read More

After the rupture: What comes next for Canada in a changing world order?

The 2026 Stanfield Conversations examined how Canada can respond to a changing international order and democratic resilience.

Oct 22, 2026

Read More

Dalhousie places third in Canada in 2027 Maclean's rankings of mid-sized universities

Dalhousie achieved top national scores in faculty awards, research impact, and reputation in the newly revamped Maclean's ranking framework.

Oct 16, 2026

Read More

Taking the case for menopause support to Parliament

A Dalhousie expert is advocating for better support, education, and research for menopause at the national policy level.

Oct 16, 2026

Read More

Upcoming Events

What's happening at Dalhousie University

Poetry, Place, and the Sea: Sue Goyette Reads from Ocean

October 27, 2026

Halifax (Under the whale skeleton)

Acclaimed poetry collection read by author Sue Goyette and others under the whale skeleton.

Free Two-Part Workshop: Make a Poppy Pin for Remembrance Day

October 28, 2026

Ko'jua Okuom (1st floor, Killam Memorial Library)

A hands-on workshop led by Michelle McDonald to create poppy pins in preparation for Remembrance Day.

International Opportunities Fair

October 28, 2026

Not specified

Explore exchange and study abroad opportunities for the 2027/2028 academic year.

Celebrate Halloween at the Beaty Centre

October 31, 2026

Beaty Centre

A spooky Halloween weekend celebration at the Beaty Centre from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

DSU Annual General Meeting (AGM)

November 3, 2026

Not specified

A yearly gathering of Dalhousie students to discuss and make decisions on important matters affecting the student body.

Raine Maida & Chantal Kreviazuk - I'm Going to Break Your Heart Tour

November 6, 2026

Rebecca Cohn Auditorium

A performance by one of Canada's most influential musical couples, presented by Sonic Concerts.

Dorms & On-Campus Housing at Dalhousie University

Various dorm and housing options are available for students.

17 known dorm and housing options. Every known option is shown below.

Chapman House

Capacity: 123

Room types: single, super single, double

Eliza Ritchie Hall

Capacity: 92

Room types: single, double

Fraser House

Capacity: 116

Room types: single, super single, double

Gerard Hall

Capacity: 241

Room types: single, double

Glengary Apartments

Capacity: 40

Room types: furnished bachelor, 3-bedroom apartment

Grad House

Room types: single

Graduate House

Capacity: 13

Room types: single

Halifax campus residences

Room types: single, double, suite, apartment-style

Howe Hall

Capacity: 717

Room types: single, double

LeMarchant Place

Capacity: 326

Room types: single, two-bedroom suite, three-bedroom suite, four-bedroom suite

Mini Res

Capacity: 45

Room types: single

non-traditional residence buildings on Halifax campuses

Room types: suite, apartment-style

Peter Green Hall

Room types: apartment

Residence Houses

Capacity: 21

Room types: single

Risley Hall

Capacity: 490

Room types: single

Shirreff Hall

Capacity: 456

Room types: single, double

Trueman House

Capacity: 73

Room types: single, super single, double

Campus Details

Academic System

Semester

Control

Unknown

Email Domain

@dal.ca

Official Website

Visit Website →

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