The Province is funding more seats for Nova Scotians who want to study to become doctors.
The Province is funding more first-year seats for Nova Scotians at Dalhousie Medical School. (Dalhousie University)
Starting this fall, there will be five more first-year seats reserved for Nova Scotia students in the doctor of medicine program at Dalhousie University in Halifax, with another five first-year seats in 2026-27.
"Our government is investing to train more doctors so Nova Scotians can get the care they need," said Brendan Maguire, Minister of Advanced Education. "Through investments in our post-secondary partners, we are training the doctors we need today and for tomorrow."
With the additional seats, there will be 99 first-year seats in the program at Dalhousie's Halifax campus and 30 first-year seats at the Cape Breton medical campus - a partnership with Dalhousie - at Cape Breton University in Sydney.
Of these seats, 114 are reserved for Nova Scotia students for entry in 2025. The remaining are designated for six Prince Edward Island residents and nine people from outside the Maritimes, including priority pathways (Indigenous admissions pathway, Black learners admissions pathway). If any of these designated seats remain unfilled, priority is given to Nova Scotian residents.
As part of the bilateral agreements between the Province and universities, admissions for Nova Scotian residents in undergraduate health programs are to be prioritized starting in 2026.
Quotes:
"We are focused on transforming Nova Scotia's healthcare system, and part of that is bringing more doctors to communities across the province. Adding more medical school seats is an important part of boosting the number of doctors available to work in the province. Nova Scotia is a great place to train and work as a doctor - we have great compensation for family doctors, strong financial incentives and we are renovating and building new facilities to create modern places to work."
Michelle Thompson, Minister of Health and Wellness
"Dalhousie Medical School proudly trains skilled physicians who deliver high-quality, sustainable health care in Nova Scotia. I am very pleased government is making this significant investment in undergraduate medical education and continuing to create more pathways for Nova Scotians choosing medicine as a career."
Dr. David Anderson, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University
"This is great news for Nova Scotians and for physicians. We look forward to welcoming and mentoring these new medical students into the system and increasing access to family medicine and specialist care for Nova Scotians."
Dr. Shelly McNeil, President, Doctors Nova Scotia
Quick Facts:
- the Province's total investment for 10 additional seats is just over $2.2 million
- the Cape Breton medical campus will welcome students this fall
Additional Resources:
- Dalhousie University's doctor of medicine program: https://medicine.dal.ca/programs/md-program.html
- Cape Breton medical campus: https://www.cbu.ca/current-students/student-services/health-wellness/cape-breton-medical-campus/
- News release - Funding, Plans for New Medical School Campus in Cape Breton: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2023/03/07/funding-plans-new-medical-school-campus-cape-breton
- News release - More Funding for Cape Breton Medical School Campus: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/04/30/more-funding-cape-breton-medical-school-campus
- Bilateral agreements with universities: https://novascotia.ca/lae/HigherEducation/documents.asp
