Place of Residence

Entrance to the MPAS Program is currently 24 students annually. Nova Scotia residents will be prioritized during the application process. If all 24 seats are not filled by Nova Scotian candidates, Maritime Canadian applicants will be considered. 

Applicants from outside of the Maritime Provinces, and those who are not permanent residents, will not be considered.

Residency Policy

For the purpose of applying to the Dalhousie MPAS Program, you are considered a resident of Nova Scotia if you meet the following:

You are a Canadian citizen or a Canadian permanent resident (valid and non-expired) at the time of application AND you meet the criteria in 1 of the 3 categories below:

1. You are an independent student** (see definition below) and have resided continuously in Nova Scotia for one period of twelve consecutive months immediately prior to the final (Section 2) application submission deadline, excluding time spent as a full-time student at a post- secondary institution.
2. You are a dependent student** (see definition below) and your parents, or guardian resided in Nova Scotia for one period of twelve consecutive months immediately prior final (Section 2) application submission deadline.
3. You have completed 6 consecutive years of post-secondary education in Nova Scotia immediately prior to the final (Section 2) application submission deadline.

Please note the terms defined below: **

• For the purposes of this policy, independent or dependent student status is determined by an individual's status at the time of the start of the academic medical program for which they are applying. For example, if you are applying for entry into MD Program which begins in August 2024 and graduated high school in 2020 or earlier, you are an INDEPENDENT student.
• "Independent student" means you meet, at minimum, one of the following conditions:
  • have been out of high school for four years have been in the work force for two periods of 12 consecutive months and were not a full-time student during this period
  • are or were married or common-law
  • have a dependent living with you 
  • have no legal guardian or parents are deceased
  • are a permanent ward of a child and family services agency
• "Dependent student" means you are considered to be financially dependent on parent(s) or guardian(s) AND do not meet the criteria of an independent student 
• "Full-time student" means you are enrolled in a post-secondary education program for at least 60% of the regular course load, or 40% if you are disabled, including internships and practicums.

Applicants are required to give complete information on their residency status and residency history in their application.