Cape Breton University

Surrounded by pristine natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and welcoming communities, Cape Breton University (CBU) is home to nearly 7,000 students from more than 70 countries worldwide.

The university is committed to the future of Cape Breton Island through innovative economic development initiatives, sustainability programmes, and leadership in Indigenous learning.

CBU offers a comprehensive range of liberal arts, science, business, health, and professional programmes. Dedicated to excellence in teaching and learning, the university provides students with strong experiential learning and undergraduate research opportunities within a supportive academic environment.

Across its diverse fields of study, CBU's programmes consistently perform above national averages for faculty–student interaction and service learning.

The university's people, cultures, and strong sense of community contribute to making Cape Breton University a distinctive and welcoming place to study.

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 the following five academic schools:

• School of Arts and Social Sciences
• School of Education and Health
• School of Science and Technology
• School of Nursing
• 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.

Cape Breton University offers a modern, student-focused campus designed for learning, wellness, and innovation.

Residences such as Cabot, Alumni, Harriss, and MacDonald provide comfortable living options with lounges, kitchens, and apartment-style units. Recreational spaces include the Sullivan Field House with multi-sport courts, the Canada Games Complex featuring a hockey rink and fitness studios, and the Health & Recreation Complex ("The Dome") with a full fitness centre and indoor courts. Outdoors, students enjoy a scenic 18-hole disc golf course and walking trails.

The Cape Breton Medical Campus, launched in partnership with Dalhousie, trains future rural physicians in advanced simulation labs and collaborative spaces. The Nancy Dingwall Health & Counselling Centre offers comprehensive health services, including medical care, mental health counselling, physiotherapy, and wellness programs. At the heart of research and sustainability, the Centre for Discovery and Innovation is a cutting-edge, net-zero facility housing state-of-the-art labs, active-learning classrooms, and community innovation hubs.

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

Funding schemes include the Chancellor's, President's and Deans' awards, alongside a wide range of donor-funded scholarships and bursaries. Dedicated financial support is also available for Indigenous students and African Nova Scotian students, reflecting the university's commitment to equity and inclusion.

International students who graduate from Nova Scotia high schools may be eligible for specialised bursaries, including renewable and non-renewable awards that offset their international tuition fees.

Entrance and in-course bursaries are also available to international students who demonstrate financial need. 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, with awards ranging from CAD 300 to CAD 500 depending on course intensity. There is no application required for these scholarships.

• Canada Games Complex Expansion: Currently underway, this upgraded facility will include conference/event spaces, studios for yoga, spin, and dance, a walking track, theatre-style presentation rooms, and is being branded as Canada's Home of Female Hockey.
• Campus Daycare Facility: A new daycare is being built next to the medical campus, expanding childcare capacity from 35 to 104 spaces—supporting students, staff, and faculty—with construction expected to be completed within a year.
• Nancy Dingwall Health & Counselling Centre: This centre offers confidential medical care, mental-health counselling, physiotherapy, and expanded wellness services for CBU students and their families.
• Cape Breton Medical Campus (CBMC): A new rural-family medicine campus, in partnership with Dalhousie University, opened to its first cohort in August 2025. It includes state-of-the-art simulation labs and a mandate to train 30 physicians annually for rural Nova Scotia.
• Centre for Discovery and Innovation (CDI): A net-zero, energy-efficient facility funded by a CAD 84 million investment and additional federal support. It features research labs, active-learning classrooms, and innovation hubs. Construction is currently underway.