Cape Breton University

Welcome to Cape Breton University (CBU). A place where students earn a world-class education on Canada's most beautiful island and build bonds for life. This is where students' futures take shape, and their passions are ignited.

Surrounded by pristine natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and welcoming communities, CBU is home to more than 7,000 students from more than 70 countries around the world.

CBU students are part of a diverse campus community, and are surrounded by global perspectives, unique experiences and a safe and inclusive learning environment. To help enrich the living and learning experience, CBU provides unmatched student supports to ensure students are set up for success.

CBU offers more than 20 academic programs, and 60 areas of study, including both undergraduate and graduate options. Students with previous post-secondary experience may be eligible for transfer credit, earning the ability to complete CBU programs in two years or less.

Programs are offered in diverse fields of study and consistently rank well above the national averages in faculty-student interaction and service learning. The university offers its students the opportunity to study outstanding courses across a number of areas, including business, engineering, health, hospitality and tourism, liberal arts, public administration, professional programs, supply chain management and more.

Cape Breton University is committed to excellence across teaching and learning, and offers students key advantages including a focus on meaningful, experiential learning, as well as undergraduate research opportunities and excellent academic support.

CBU's people, cultures and strong sense of community make the student experience an enriching one.

The mission at CBU is to develop the academic lives of students, while having a profound and positive effect on the communities with which it engages. High quality teaching, combined with innovative learning spaces and experimental opportunities, ensures that students' needs are met, while at the same time fostering a feeling of inclusion and belonging which expands and solidifies their perception of themselves within the world.

The learning experience at CBU is based around rigorous and conscientious research, centred around the concept of ‘transformation through inquiry', combined with the following three values.

Courage – (Mel kik no'ti in Mi'kmaq)

Thriving through creativity and leadership

Cooperation – (Maw lukitimk in Mi'kmaq)

Working together for the common good

Quality – (Mawi kelu'lk in Mi'kmaq)

Achieving excellence through continual improvement

The university lays out its principles very clearly through the Teaching and the Student Learning Experience, which provides a detailed breakdown of the academic structure the university implements. CBU has one of the smallest average class sizes in the country, meaning students receive more one-on-one contact time with their instructors and professors, ample access to university facilities and resources, and more hands-on and undergraduate research opportunities.

CBU is comprised of five academic schools: School of Arts and Social Sciences, School of Education and Health, School of Science and Technology, School of Nursing and the Shannon School of Business. Combined, these academic schools offer more than 20 programs and 60 areas of study at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

Each academic school fosters its own approach to learning, though academic integrity and quality of education are fundamental aspects which remain consistent across all fields of study. Small class sizes, taught by engaging and experienced faculty experts, offer students the opportunity to conduct research as soon as within their first year. Community-oriented engagement and an experimental approach to learning is encouraged and possible within almost all programs. Internships, work experience placements and exchanges encourage students to look outside the boundaries of the classroom and gain critical perspectives which will inform their own choices, both during and post university.

Entry requirements at CBU can vary based on the program of interest and any prior education a student may have. However, general undergraduate admissions require a 65 per cent average as well as proof of English language proficiency. On CBU's website, students will find an admissions requirement tool at the top of each academic program page.

Official English Language Testing Score Requirements

• TOEFL iBT (and iBT Home Edition): minimum overall score of 80 with no score below 20.
• IELTS Academic (and IELTS Indicator): minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band below 6.0.
• CAEL: minimum score of 60.
• MELAB: minimum score of 85.
• Pearson PTE (Academic): minimum overall score of 59 with no score below 50.
• CanTEST: minimum score of 4.5 (reading & listening) and 4.0 (writing).
• Duolingo English Test: minimum score of 120 with no score below 105 for undergraduate programs, diplomas and certificates. Minimum score of 125 with no score below 110 for Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Education and Post-baccalaureate Diplomas.

If students have completed at least two years in a secondary school (as recognized by CBU) or have completed at least 30 credit hours (or equivalent) at a post-secondary institution (as recognized by CBU) where English is the primary language of instruction, they are not required to submit a language score. Official documentation such as an official Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter from students' previous institution will be required to confirm this period of study was in English.

An international baccalaureate score of 24 or equivalent is required for international student entry, and students who have studied at another accredited post-secondary institution may be able to transfer earned credits into their CBU program. When applying, prospective students are required to submit official transcripts from all previous postsecondary institutions attended. These are typically sent directly from the institution to CBU.

CBU's campus sits upon a wonderfully landscaped site, with wide tree lined avenues and open green spaces throughout. The campus is surrounded by natural forests, offering beautiful scenery, seasonal views and miles of hiking trails. Only seven kilometers from the coast, sandy beaches are a short journey away for CBU students, as well as access to many other necessary amenities and recreational activities.

The campus contains a state-of-the-art sports facility, learning rooms, computer laboratories, cafes and many other amenities. For those wishing to look beyond the grounds of CBU, the city's bus service visits campus hourly, with routes running between downtown Sydney and Glace Bay where students will find restaurants, bars, cinemas and shopping centres.

There are three safe and secure residence options on campus, offering a variety of accommodation options from traditional single dorm rooms to shared apartment-style living. Living in residence is a big part of the university experience, and CBU ensures that there are options to suit everyone. The university website includes a map and virtual tour of the campus and its facilities.

Students looking to find accommodations off campus are encouraged to start their search early, as off-campus housing is limited.

CBU provides between CAD $2,500 - $10,000 in International Student Entrance Scholarships to undergraduate students based on academics.

All incoming students must submit an official transcript to be considered for an entrance scholarship.

In addition to these, there are a number of in-course scholarships and bursaries which require completion of one year of study at CBU, while maintaining an overall average grade of at least 80 per cent. There is no application required for these scholarships.

Investing in You

As a university committed to exceptional teaching and learning, CBU is investing in students through new space and campus upgrades, both in and outside of the classroom.

Some exciting expansions and upgrades include:

• Canada Games Complex
• Centre for Discovery and Innovation
• The Cape Breton Medical Campus

New CBU Programs

CBU is an innovative institution, adapting to the needs of the ever-changing world. Over the past number of years, CBU has launched more than five new academic programs, as well as several new areas of study. New programming is offered at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and includes diplomas and degrees. Some of the newest CBU programs available to students are:

• Bachelor of Arts and Science in Environment
• Post-baccalaureate Diploma in Business Analytics
• Post-baccalaureate Diploma in Business Management
• Post-baccalaureate Diploma in Supply Chain Management
• Bachelor of Social Work