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We’re excited that you’re interested in studying at Cape Breton University! Before you create your Future Student Account and submit your application, please take a few minutes to review the application information and guidelines listed below.

For more information on CBU’s response to COVID-19, visit cbu.ca/covid19.

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1.) CHOOSE YOUR PROGRAM & REVIEW DEADLINES

i.) What program is right for you? Browse our Academic Programs to learn more about our current offerings or connect with one of our CBU Recruiters to talk about program options.

ii.) Once you find a program that is right for you, review the specific admissions requirements on that program of study page.

Coming from outside of Canada? Review the Country-Specific Requirements and Language Requirements.

iii.) Have you studied at a post-secondary institution already? Make sure to visit our Transfer Hub to learn more about the supplemental items including a transfer credit assessment you will be required to provide when you apply.

iv.) Familiarize yourself with CBU’s application deadlines:

General
– June 15th for Fall (September) intake.
– October 15th for Winter (January) intake.
– February 15th for Spring/Summer (May) intake.

Bachelor of Education
– Applications open October 28, 2021. The application deadline is January 15, 2022.

Bachelor of Science, Nursing
– Applications open September 30, 2021. The application deadline is December 31, 2021 for Spring/Summer (May) intake & Fall (September) intake.

Master of Education in Sustainability, Creativity and Innovation
– Applications open on September 1, 2021. The application deadline is January 15, 2022.

Bookmark our Important Dates Calendar to stay informed about important deadlines.

2.) FINANCE YOUR EDUCATION

i.) Review CBU’s Tuition and Fees to help guide your financial planning, and familiarize yourself with CBU’s payment deadlines and accepted payment options.

ii.) CBU offers $2.5 million in Scholarships & Bursaries each year. View our current applications here.

iii.) Explore your Financial Aid options and opportunities.

3.) PREPARE TO APPLY

i.) You will need to create a CBU Future Student Account. You will submit your application via this platform.

ii.) Gather your documentation. You’ll need items like your transcripts, certificates and language scores (if applicable). Your Future Student Account will prompt you for all required documentation, as well as all supplemental documentation (Letter of Intent or References, if applicable).

iii.) You will need a credit card to apply. CBU currently accepts Visa or Mastercard as payment.

iv.) Ready to proceed? Head to the next step: How to Apply.

4.) IMPORTANT AGENT INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

If you are an International student using an Agent to help you apply to CBU, at some point you may need to change your agent.

i.) International students can apply to change their agent by completing the Change of Agent form. This form can be submitted to the email indicated on the form.

Please note that it is not possible to request a change of agent after commission has been paid.

5.) IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR RETURNING CBU STUDENTS

Are you a returning CBU student who graduated from a previous program, or took an extended leave of studies from a current program?

i.) Returning students must have their accounts reactivated at CBU. Rather than follow the traditional process to apply to CBU, returning students should:

Complete the Reactivation for Returning Students form;
Submit the completed form to admissions@cbu.ca, along with official transcripts from any post-secondary institutions you may have attended since your previous CBU studies.
Once your application for reactivation has been reviewed, CBU Admissions will be in touch via your personal email to confirm your next steps.

6.) IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS

i.) Any student wishing to transfer to CBU must first apply and be accepted by CBU. CBU will only process transfer credit applications for accepted students. Please visit CBU.ca/Transfer for more information.

ii.) Ready to proceed? Head to the next step: How to Apply.

1.) CREATE A FUTURE STUDENT ACCOUNT & FILL OUT THE APPLICATION

i.) You will need to create a CBU Future Student Account to submit your application. Once created, please fill out all the required information within the application. All fields marked with a red asterisk(*) need to be filled out in order to submit your application.

2.) SUBMIT THE APPLICATION & PAY THE APPLICATION FEE

i.) CBU accepts Visa and Mastercard as payment for our entrance application.

Please note application fees:
Canadian applicants/permanent residents: $40 CAD
International applicants: $80 CAD

All application fees are non-refundable.

ii.) Once you’ve submitted the application, a link will appear on the submission page. Click the link to be redirected back to your Future Student Account. Here, you’ll see an Action Required status next to your application, under “My Applications”. Click “View” to be taken to the next step: uploading your documents.

3.) UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENTS

i.) You will need to access your application to upload your documents. In your CBU Future Student Account, navigate to “My Applications”. Check your application Status to determine the supplemental items and documents you need to submit such as transcripts, language scores, Letter of Intent, etc. Click the application or select “Edit”.

ii.) You will submit your items under the Supplemental Items and Documents tab. Click the ‘Choose File’ button to select your document. Your file name will appear next to the ‘Choose File’ button. Next, you must select ‘Upload.’ Once you have selected ‘Upload’, your Submission status will change from ‘Not Received’ to ‘Received.’ Your item has now been successfully uploaded.

iii.) Repeat the above process for all remaining supplemental items or documents.

4.) COMPLETE REFERENCE REQUEST SECTION (IF APPLICABLE)

i.)BEd and MBA applicants are required to complete the Reference Request section. All other students may skip this step.

5.) CHECK FOR UPDATES

i.) Check the email you used to sign up for your CBU Future Student Account frequently. Notifications from your Future Student account will be sent to this email address. You can track your application process and receive decision letters in your Future Student account.

Ready? Apply to Cape Breton University!

Once you click I’m ready to apply below, you will be taken to a Create Account page. Creating a Future Student Account is the first step in your application for admission to CBU, and will direct you to our online application once complete.

WHAT'S NEXT?

1.) SET UP YOUR STUDENT ACCOUNTS

i.) CBU Email and Office 365
Keep checking the personal email you used to sign up for your Future Student account. Several days after your acceptance, you will receive an email at this address from CBU IT Services (helpdesk@cbu.ca) outlining your new CBU email information.

Once you have your CBU email set up, you can also set up your Office 365 account to get access to premium productivity tools.

ii.) Compass Student System
The Compass Student System is CBUs student portal. It provides student access to self-service functionality related to admissions, registration, timetables and exam schedules, tracking financials and more.

Instructions for how to access your Compass account can be found at cbu.ca/your-accounts.

2.) DOWNLOAD PROOF OF PAYMENT & APPLY FOR VISA (IF APPLICABLE)

This step only applies to International students. Canadian students should skip this step.

i.) Your proof of payment will be available for download through your Compass student account within approximately 5-7 business days after your payment is made. Check out the How-To CBU YouTube series for helpful videos.

ii.) Now that you have all of the required documents from CBU, apply for your visa. For more information on this process, click here.

You should also check out International Student Services for information relating to study permits, health plans and more.

3.) BOOK YOUR ADVISING APPOINTMENT

i.) As a new CBU student, it is mandatory that you book an advising appointment. The team at theFirst Year Advising Centre (FYAC)will help define your academic goals, create a schedule that works for you, register your classes and everything else that’s needed in order to prepare for university.

Students can book their first Advising appointment in their Compass account. Additional instructions to book an appointment can be found here.

4.) REGISTER FOR YOUR COURSES

i.) Once you’ve been advised, you can register for your courses via your Compass account. CBU encourages students to register as soon as possible after advising, as courses are limited. Browse the Compass student system and watch the How-to-CBU YouTube series to ensure your registration goes as planned. Registration FAQs can be found here.

5.) PLAN YOUR ACCOMMODATION

i.) On Campus Housing
If you require housing, our on-campus residence will be a big part of your university experience. It’s true when they say CBU residence will be your new home away from home. You can apply for on-campus housing once you have been issued your CBU email address by visiting cbu.ca/residence. Please note, once you receive an offer of accommodation letter, you must submit a confirmation deposit of $700.

ii.) Off Campus Housing
CBU is surrounded by close-knit communities that offer amenities like grocery stores, fitness centres, urgent care centres and pharmacies. These communities are home to local residents and students like yourself. Visit cbu.ca/off-campus-living to learn more about housing options.

6.) MEET YOUR CLASSMATES

i.) Join the CBU Student Facebook Group to meet your classmates, stay up to date on important dates and exciting upcoming events.

7.) BOOKMARK IMPORTANT DATES & GET READY FOR WEEK OF WELCOME!

i.) Make sure you are informed about important deadlines regarding registration, finances and more. Visit cbu.ca/important-dates.

ii.) Week of Welcome (WOW) is held at the beginning of each semester. New students are strongly encouraged to get involved and attend WOW events. Keep an eye on your CBU email account so you don’t miss important information about this fun filled week or visit cbu.ca/wow.

8.) NEED TO DEFER YOUR ADMISSIONS START DATE?

i.) International students can defer their admission to any of the dates listed under Alternate Start Dates, on their Notice of Acceptance. If the date to which you wish to defer is not listed on your letter, please contact internationaladmissions@cbu.ca for more information.

To request a deferral, international students must complete the International Deferral Request form. You can email this form to internationaladmissions@cbu.ca.

ii.) Canadian students should email admissions@cbu.ca to request a deferral.

iii.) When your deferral request has been processed, an email will be sent to your CBU email address. Please note that this process can take up to two weeks.

Please note that deferrals may not be granted (for either Canadian or International students) for programs with limited seats.

Applying to CBU: Important Information

Applying to Bachelor of Education

Applications for CBU’s 2022 BEd intake will open October 28, 2021. The application deadline is January 15, 2022.

Applications must be completed online through the application portal and must be accompanied by the following items:

1.) A supplementary application.

2.) A resume detailing your previous work and volunteer experience. *Experience working with school aged children/youth is an asset (coaching, tutoring, etc.).

3.) An essay (maximum 500 words) indicating your philosophy of teaching, vision of education, and reasons for wishing to enter this profession.

4.) An academic and non-academic reference form to be sent directly from the referee to bed@cbu.ca. Select a non-academic reference that can speak strongly to your leadership, communication and decision-making skills. References from friends or family are not suitable.

If you’ve been out of school for 5+ years, two non-academic references are acceptable.

5.) Proof of English language proficiency.

6.) All official post-secondary transcripts to be sent to:

Enrolment Services

Cape Breton University

PO Box 5300, 1250 Grand Lake Road

Sydney, NS B1P 6L2

Applying to Bachelor of Science, Nursing

Applications for CBU’s May 2022 and September 2022 BScN intake will open September 30, 2021. The application deadline is December 31, 2021.

The deadline for receipt of applications to the BScN program is December 31, 2021. Please review the program admission requirements and submit the online application. After completion of the online application, please ensure all required documentation is sent to nursing_admissions@cbu.ca.

Please Note: Students must write the CASPer test and have their results forwarded to Cape Breton University to be considered for admission. CASPer test must be written by the application deadline. Please visit https://takecasper.com/ for test dates.

Applying to Master of Business Administration in Community Economic Development

1.) Applications for CBU’s MBA in CED must be completed online, and require the following supportive items to be uploaded to the Future Student Application Portal:

Your resume
Your Personal Statement
- A 2-page essay outlining your background and interests, and why you are interested in joining the CBU MBA program – what it will do for your career, your organization, and/or your community. For a non-traditional applicant (someone without a degree credential), a longer statement is recommended, 3-4 pages, adding how your experience and background may contribute to the learning experience of other students in the class.
All official post-secondary transcripts
GMAT results
- This is not required at the time of application. If the admissions committee requires a GMAT, your acceptance will be conditional upon satisfactory scores on the GMAT.
IELTS or TOEFL results
- This is not required at the time of application. If the admissions committee requires an EFL test, your acceptance will be conditional upon satisfactory scores on the IELTS/TOEFL (click here for required scores as well as alternative accepted tests).

2.) Please email mba@cbu.ca to notify us that you have submitted an MBA application and submitted the required documentation, and we will review your application for completeness.

3.) Please have three referees submit a Reference Form and a Supporting Letter on your behalf. The form and letter should be emailed to mba@cbu.ca

Your referees should be academic and/or professional. To assist your referees with writing their reference letters, direct them to the four questions listed at the end of the Reference Form.

For more information about applying to CBU, please watch our “How To Apply” video.

Applying to Master of Education in Sustainability, Creativity and Innovation

Applications for CBU’s 2022 MEd SCI program will open on September 1, 2021. The application deadline is January 15, 2022.

Applications for CBU’s MEd in SCI program must be completed online, but need to be accompanied by the following items:

Statement of Intent (which includes the identification of both academic and professional referees)
Letter of Recommendation Forms (one academic and one professional) to be sent directly from the referee to teachered@cbu.ca
All official post-secondary transcripts are to be uploaded to the application portal or sent to:

Enrolment Services
Cape Breton University
PO Box 5300, 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2

Returning to CBU

If you’ve attended or applied to CBU in the past, but wish to make changes to your application (including changing your program), please email admissions@cbu.ca.

Have you previously attended any other postsecondary institutions? You may be eligible for transfer credit.

Please note: If you’ve been away from CBU for more than one academic year, you’ll need to complete a reactivation form. Once completed, you can submit it to admissions@cbu.ca.

Visiting CBU

Please create a Future Student Account and submit the online application. When indicating the program you’re applying for, please choose “Visiting Status.”

Visiting students do not need to submit transcripts, but must provide a Letter of Permission from their home institution in order to register for courses. Letters of Permission can be sent to admissions@cbu.ca.