What makes this program different?
Dalhousie distinguishes its Commerce degree through mandatory co-operative education. Students alternate academic learning with three paid work terms that may be completed locally, elsewhere in Canada, or internationally.
Seven majors are available: Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Finance, International Business, Managing People and Organizations, Marketing, and Supply Chain and Logistics Management. Students can also keep the degree broad.
Dal Commerce is designed for students who want work-integrated learning to be a required part of their degree rather than an optional add-on.
Understand the academic threshold.
Dalhousie currently lists a minimum overall average plus Grade 12 English, Grade 12 mathematics, and additional academic subjects. Competitive admission means meeting the minimum does not guarantee entry.
- Secondary schoolComplete Grade 12 or the equivalent for your curriculum.
- Overall averageMeet the program’s current minimum; Dalhousie presently publishes 75% as the minimum overall average.
- EnglishComplete an accepted academic Grade 12 English course.
- MathematicsComplete an accepted academic Grade 12 mathematics course.
- Additional subjectsPresent three additional approved academic subjects.
Requirements and competitiveness can change. Use Dalhousie’s course-equivalency tool for your province or curriculum before applying.
Apply through Dalhousie’s admissions system.
Applicants select Commerce, submit the application, arrange transcripts and supporting items, and monitor the application portal for decisions or requests.
- Dalhousie application
- Required Grade 12 courses
- Transcripts and grade updates
- English-language evidence if required
- Confirm provincial course equivalents
- Budget for study and work-term sequencing
- Research Halifax housing early
- Understand the mandatory co-op model
A mandatory co-op structure is valuable only if it matches how you want to learn. Consider whether alternating between school and work feels energizing and whether you are ready to apply broadly for roles.
Foundation first. Direction next.
Academic terms build business knowledge while three required work terms create repeated opportunities to apply it.
Business foundations
Begin global business, economics, communication, quantitative work, and other core studies.
Study + paid work
Alternate functional business courses with approved co-op terms.
Integrate and specialize
Complete advanced strategy and major or elective requirements.
The official program describes three paid co-op work terms.
Certificates and a business minor can provide additional ways to shape the degree, subject to current academic rules.
Work experience is part of the degree, not an extra.
Approved paid terms may be completed locally, nationally, or internationally.
Past settings include banks, accounting firms, marketing agencies, government, and non-profits.
The city offers a distinct East Coast student and business environment.
Faculty societies, case activities, and campus organizations add experience beyond co-op.
Mandatory co-op does not mean a specific role is guaranteed. Students must meet requirements and compete through applications and interviews.
Turn the degree into a direction.
The broad core and seven majors can support accounting, finance, marketing, consulting, HR, entrepreneurship, management, and supply-chain careers.
Use each work term to test a different function, industry, or workplace when possible.
Students pursuing CPA or another designation should confirm current prerequisite coverage directly.
Budget the complete experience.
Use Dalhousie’s fee estimates and include Halifax housing, food, books, transportation, and costs that arise across alternating academic and work terms.
Co-op terms generate employment income, but earnings and expenses vary. Never assume wages will cover the full cost of the degree.
Who might thrive here?
- Want mandatory work-integrated learning
- Are comfortable applying for jobs repeatedly
- Want an East Coast university experience
- Prefer several major choices
- Learn well by alternating theory and practice
- Want summers structured differently
- Expect a guaranteed preferred placement
- Do not want Halifax relocation
- Prefer a purely classroom-based degree
- Have not budgeted across co-op terms
Dalhousie Commerce makes paid work experience central to the undergraduate journey. That clarity is its biggest strength—and an important fit question for every applicant.
Verify before you apply.
Every factual claim was checked against official university material. Requirements, dates, fees, curricula, and outcomes can change.