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Cape Breton University

PO Box 5300, 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6L2
Telephone: 902-539-5300
Toll-free: 888-959-9995

Profile

Cape Breton University (CBU) is a postsecondary education leader in Atlantic Canada, with a growing national and international focus. Cape Breton University education, training and discovery models have helped shape the economic progress of this region and its people for more than 30 years.

Located near Sydney, on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Cape Breton University serves more than 3,400 full-time and part-time students from the local area, other parts of Canada and international students from more than 40 countries.

Personalized education is key at Cape Breton University focusing on academic and research excellence, student services, a vibrant campus life and technology tools to support undergraduate education.

The university is deeply involved in community development, providing outstanding applied research opportunities for students and technical assistance to business, industry and community organizations. Over the past few years, CBU has welcomed three Canada Research Chairs. As well, the university is known as Atlantic Canada’s leader in Aboriginal postsecondary education.

Virtually all Cape Breton University degree, diploma and certificate programs offer a strong transition-to-work component through co-op education, work placements, internships and work-study programs. Agreements and partnerships with other institutions further expand learning and exchange opportunities for students, as do extensive distance education programs.

Combined with strong Celtic roots and breathtaking scenery, an education at Cape Breton University provides a multi-faceted experience.

Cape Breton University values accessibility and a strong campus life experience, featuring facilities that are as important to the community as they are to students: art galleries, a theatre, gymnasium, outdoor stage and courtyard, conference facilities and library, as well as student residences. A strong and active students’ union facilitates many activities, clubs and societies – from ethnic associations to debating, philosophy and music.

History
Year of foundation: 1974
Former names of the institution: Xavier Junior College (1951-1964); Xavier College (1964-1968); Nova Scotia Eastern Institute of Technology (1968-1974); College of Cape Breton (1974-1982); University College of Cape Breton (1982-2005).

Student fees

Canadian student fees  2009 - 2010 *
Undergraduate tuition fees: $4,638 - $5,660
Graduate tuition fees: $10,818 - $11,840

International student fees  2009 - 2010 *
Undergraduate tuition fees: $11,320
Graduate tuition fees: $17,500

* Source: Statistics Canada. Fees for general programs in arts and humanities.

Note: In addition to tuition fees, universities generally charge fees for goods and services supplied to students. This includes areas such as student associations, sports and health. These additional fees vary widely per university and per student and can run from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. Check with the university for details.

Student enrolment

2009 rounded preliminary fall enrolment *
Full-time (undergraduates): 2,360
Full-time (graduates): 170
Part-time (undergraduates): 580

* Source: Association of Atlantic Universities

Programs and degrees

Note: The program information is compiled by AUCC staff in cooperation with staff at member institutions. The programs are classified according to the Classification of Instructional Programs 2000. To search for the programs offered by this institution, please consult the Directory of Canadian Universities’ programs database online at http://www.aucc.ca/can_uni/search/index_e.html.

Student facilities and services

Personal support services
Art galleries, athletics, bookstore, chaplaincy, counselling services, early childhood centre, financial aid, fitness centre, gay/lesbian student association, health services, international student adviser, Mi’kmaq resource centre and services, multimedia educational services, off-campus housing, on-campus parking, residence life programming, services to disabled students, sports facilities, student employment, student newspaper, student radio, student societies, students’ union, employment and entrepreneurial services, theatre, walksafe programs, wellness centre, women’s centre and more.

Academic support services
Aboriginal student programming, academic advisors, career services, free peer tutoring services, international student adviser, Mi’kmaq resource centre and services, multimedia educational services, services for disabled students, undergraduate research opportunities.

First-year student programs
Elmitek (a transition program for Aboriginal students), MathCAD (a computerized tutorial for mathematics students), first-week orientation (including activities and campus tours), Science and Technology Bridge (an innovative first-year curriculum designed to address non-traditional students’ needs in the areas of mathematics and core sciences). Academic advising and free peer tutoring offered to all students.

Housing
On-campus: The university provides accommodation to approximately 460 students. Housing includes a traditional-style residence with furnished single and double rooms as well as a furnished apartment-style complex comprised of four-bedroom units and two bathrooms per apartment. The newest residence features a combination of dorm-style rooms and apartment units. Approximately 50 percent of spaces are reserved for first-time students. Spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Annual costs: traditional-style room, $3,360 - $4,640; mandatory meal plan, $1,280 - $3,050; apartment-style room (no meal plan), $4,640 although meal plans are available ranging from $1,350 - $1,550 annually.

Off-campus: Average prices off campus: room and board, $100/month+; one-bedroom apartment, $400/month; two-bedroom apartment, $450/month+; three-bedroom house, $700/month+. Cape Breton Transit runs bus service to/from campus and surrounding communities.

Student assistance
Undergraduate: A total of more than $1 million is available for entrance, in-course and graduation scholarships and awards. More than 700 in-course bursaries and scholarships are offered by the university in addition to prestigious awards ranging from $2,500 to $24,000 for high school graduates. There are five levels of major scholarships now available to students: the Chancellor’s Scholarships valued at $24,000 ($6,000 per year); President’s Scholarships valued at $20,000 ($5,000 per year); Marquis Scholarships valued at $12,000 ($3,000 per year); Deans' Scholarships valued at $10,000 ($2,500 per year); and Rossetti Scholarships valued at $8,000 ($2,000 per year). Visit http://www.cbu.ca/scholarships/ for more information.

Graduate: There is $10,000 in scholarships available for MBA students.

University research

Cape Breton University recognizes research and innovation as essential components of advanced education, with scholarship contributing significantly to excellence in teaching and learning. The university faculties are active participants in programs sponsored by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council.

Our researchers also participate in the Canadian Foundation for Innovation and the Canada Research Chairs program. Research is a key component of the institution’s mandate to advance the frontiers of knowledge and to facilitate “opening opportunities” nationally and globally.

Faculty work closely with undergraduate students and industry in a wide variety of research settings. Undergraduate students at CBU often have access to research opportunities normally reserved for graduate students at other institutions.

International education

Cape Breton University is committed to developing its international exchange partnerships with respected overseas educational institutions. Cape Breton University works through the National Student Exchange, which links more than 170 colleges and universities across Canada and the United States. It also gives students access to many of the international programs of member institutions.

Cape Breton University also has direct agreements with institutions in countries including China, Egypt, France, Iceland, Japan, Sweden, Scotland, Ireland and the U.S.

CBU students can live and study abroad for one or two semesters while taking classes at an exchange partner university and receive transfer credits for courses completed.

Contact
Ms. Diane Toomey, Coordinator
Study Abroad Program
Telephone: 902-563-1278
E-mail: diane_toomey@cbu.ca
Website: www.cbu.ca/studyabroad

Affiliated institution

Canadian Coast Guard College
Sydney, Nova Scotia