Capilano University

General admission

Most programs require completion of B.C. secondary school (Grade 12) or equivalent (B.C. Adult Dogwood Graduation Diploma or General Education Diploma), with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 (60%) calculated on English Studies 12, English 12 or English First Peoples 12 plus two academic Grade 12 courses. Admission requirements vary by program and may include a portfolio, interview, resumé or audition. After admission, some applicants need the English Diagnostic Test (for English 100) or the Math Placement Test (for certain entry-level Math courses).

B.C. high school students

Optional provincial exams are not required for admission, but exams mandatory for the B.C. Graduation Program must have been written; where an optional exam is written, the higher of the school mark or the blended school and exam mark is used. Students with superior records may apply for concurrent admission to take one or two Arts and Sciences courses while still in secondary school (consent form co-signed by a parent or guardian, with comments from the principal).

AP and IB

AP courses can be combined with an approved high school curriculum for admission and are considered for transfer credit. AP scores convert to percentages: 5 = 96, 4 = 86, 3 = 80, 2 = 70. IB Diploma holders are eligible for admission; IB exam grades convert as 7 = 96, 6 = 90, 5 = 86, 4 = 76, 3 = 70. IB certificate courses can be used alongside another high school curriculum. Where an AP or IB course is repeated by the related high school course, the higher grade is used.

English language requirements (effective Fall 2027)

• IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall, no score below 6
• TOEFL: overall 4.5, no section below 4.0 (tests taken after January 21, 2026); 83 for earlier tests within the two-year validity period
• CAEL: 70
• PTE Academic: 61 (56 for Spring and Summer 2027 intakes)
• Duolingo English Test: overall 120, no sub-score below 110 (125 with no sub-score below 115 for Spring and Summer 2027 intakes)

Test results more than two years old are not accepted. Other ways to meet the requirement include English Studies 12, English 12 or English First Peoples 12 with C+ or higher; a three-credit CapU ENGL course at C- (60%) or higher; AP English Language and Composition or Literature and Composition with a mark of 3; IB English A (Literature, or Language and Literature, HL or SL) with a mark of 4; CapU EAP 100 and 101 with B+ (77%) in each; four or more consecutive years of full-time education in English in Canada or in a country where English is the principal language; or graduation from a recognised degree program taught in English in a listed English-speaking country (the list includes Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Liberia, the Gambia, Tanzania, South Africa, the UK, Ireland and the USA). Applicants from Quebec may be asked for proof. An English Language Waiver Form may be submitted to the Registrar's Office, and the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program prepares students for the EAP 100/101 level.

International applicants

International students are non-Canadian students without permanent resident status who need an IRCC study permit for programs longer than six months, and a Temporary Resident Visa or eTA depending on citizenship. International secondary school equivalencies are assessed against CapU's equivalencies list. Steps: choose a program and check its requirements; apply through EducationPlannerBC with a non-refundable application fee of C$135 (covers two programs) and upload transcripts as PDFs, with certified English translations where needed; complete any program-specific requirements such as a portfolio, interview or audition; receive a Letter of Offer and pay the tuition deposit; then receive the letter of acceptance (and Provincial Attestation Letter where applicable) for the study permit application. New international students pay a one-time $5,000 deposit, applied to international tuition once registered in courses.

Domestic applicants

Canadian citizens and permanent residents apply through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC) with an application fee of $50 for up to two programs, uploading transcripts and supporting documents; Grade 12 students request that the Ministry of Education send their transcript directly. Applicants with prior post-secondary study must send official transcripts to the Registrar's Office, Library Building LB152, 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver. Notarized copies are not accepted; certified copies and apostille documents are. Applicants receive a Student ID and a myCapU account after applying, which is also used to apply for entrance awards. Application deadlines vary by program and are shown on each program page.

Transfer, mature and returning students

Courses from other institutions, IB/AP courses and Prior Learning Assessment can count toward a CapU program; courses in the BC Transfer Guide are assessed automatically after the official transcript is received, and other courses are assessed from course outlines with a Request for Transfer Credit Form (six to eight weeks). Transfer credit request deadlines: Fall, second week of May; Spring, second week of October; Summer, second week of January. Programs are open to mature students, and academic upgrading courses can raise a high school GPA or meet English requirements. Returning students re-apply through EducationPlannerBC, and students changing programs submit a new application.

• North Vancouver Campus, 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver, B.C. V7J 3H5: the main 13-hectare campus, with the Library Building (opened 1993), the Bosa Centre for Film and Animation, the Centre for the Performing Arts, the Centre for Sport and Wellness, the Children's Centre, Indigenous Student Centre, bookstore, counselling, medical and dental services, learning support (Writing Centre, Math Learning Centre, Language Resource Centre), career development and student housing (CapU Residence, including the Treehouse residence).
• Squamish Campus, 3200 University Boulevard, Squamish, B.C. V8B 0N8: an 18-acre purpose-built campus that welcomed its first students in fall 2024, with teaching and learning spaces, student housing in three buildings, a dining area (Routes Eatery), a library and the Recreation Complex (RecPlex). Programs in arts, business, academic upgrading, early childhood education and tourism management are offered here. Facilities are opening in stages.
• Ts̓zil Learning Centre, Mount Currie: owned and operated by Líl̓wat Nation, it offers academic upgrading, trades and skills training and university-level programs, including the Líl̓wat Nation Language and Culture program in Ucwalmícwts.
• CapU Lonsdale: a satellite location on the second floor of The Shipyards building, 250 - 125 Victory Ship Way, Lower Lonsdale, North Vancouver, opened for classes in January 2020.