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Key facts
- TypePublic
- International students3500
- Nationalities50
- Total programs127
- University rankingNot ranked
Study abroad at Cape Breton University
Cape Breton University (CBU) is an innovative Canadian institution situated in Sydney, a city in Canada’s breathtaking Nova Scotia province. The University is home to over 5,500 students.
CBU offers a comprehensive set of dynamic undergraduate and postgraduate programs across popular disciplines including liberal arts, science, business, and health - there’s something for every interest.
The University is surrounded by a breathtaking natural landscape, vibrant culture, and welcoming communities. The campus houses awesome facilities like a great library, fantastic learning spaces, and a host of brilliant student services.

Why study at Cape Breton University
- Small classes
Benefit from a personalized learning experience
- Affordability
Tuition and cost-of-living are lower than the Canadian average
- Work experience
There are plenty of placements available through CBU
Location
Cape Breton University
1250 Grand Lake Rd, Sydney, NS B1P 6L2, Canada
Sydney is a lovely place for international students to live and study. The city is bursting with excellent restaurants, nightlife spots, entertainment venues, green spaces, attractions, and shopping outlets to name a few.

Programs
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Fees and funding
Funding
Major Entrance Scholarships
- Chancellor’s
Total amount CAD$30,000 (CAD$7,500 yearly)
- President’s
Total amount CAD$20,000 (CAD$5,000 yearly)
- Deans’
Total amount CAD$10,000 (CAD$2,500 yearly)
- Fitzgerald
Total amount CAD$20,000 (CAD$5,000 yearly)
- Schwartz
Total amount CAD$14,000 (CAD$3,500 yearly)
- W.M. Reid
Total amount CAD$11,500 (CAD$4,000 and CAD$2,500 yearly)
Fee information
- Undergraduate tuition
CAD$21,933 per year
- Graduate tuition
CAD$24,645 per year

What is the cost of living near Cape Breton University?
| Category | Cost (in Canadian Dollar) |
|---|---|
| Rent, 1-bed apartment in city centre | $1,821 |
| Rent, 1-bed apartment outside centre | $1,599 |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, water, refuse) | $211 |
| Internet (60 Mbps unlimited) | $85 |
| Mobile phone plan (data + calls) | $60 |
| Monthly public transport pass | $103 |
| Monthly grocery basket | $350 |
| Coffee shop drink | $5 |
| Cinema or cultural event ticket | $16 |
| Gym membership | $58 |
Indicative monthly costs per person.
Data sourced from numbeo.com (Crowdsourced).
Visa requirements for Cape Breton University
Many international students will require a visa to study in Canada, and this is a vital step in your study abroad journey. Make sure you understand the requirements you may need to meet before applying.
Life at Cape Breton University
CBU attracts international students from all around the world - the student community is amazingly diverse. More than 50% of CBU's student population is from overseas and over 55 nationalities are represented on campus.
The University has a great team of international student advisors. They help students with visa applications, health insurance, and every aspect of integrating into life in Canada - there’s always someone to help you with anything you need.
There’s a wealth of activities and events available for international students to enjoy at CBU including sports tournaments, creative performances, discussion groups, wellbeing workshops, and so much more.

Facilities
- Basketball Courts
- Athletics Track
- Child Development Assessment & Immunization
- Campus Doctor
- Campus Pharmacy
- Antenatal Clinic
- Counselling & Mental Health Services
- Maternity Care
- Museum
- Individual Study Rooms
- Quiet Areas
- Computer labs
- Group Study Rooms
- Academic Tutoring & Support
- Peer & Buddy Program
- Student Tutoring & Support
- Sport facilities
- Natural Turf Soccer Pitches
- Bars
- Cafe’s
- Restaurants
- Fitness Classes
- Machines
- Free Weights
- Campus Wireless Connectivity
Student reviews for Cape Breton University
What Cape Breton University says
Joel InglisJoel Inglis says:Cape Breton, also known as the land of one hundred thousand welcomes, is known around the world as being a place that will welcome you with open arms. At CBU we embody that welcoming attitude with our small class sizes and friendly faculty and staff.
Students become a part of the community while learning from experts in their fields. Half of our student population is international and students find that they are able to feel welcome in a new place while also feeling at home at CBU.
CBU is the first university in North America to operate a completely carbon-neutral campus. This is also reflected in our programming and ethical approach to program delivery with majors and concentrations in environmental studies.
We provide excellent services for our international students completely free of charge. Our international student advisors help our students with their visa processing, PGWP applications, health insurance, and much much more. We provide excellent services for all our students with our math and science tutoring center, accessibility center, our health services center, and more. Because all of our programs at Cape Breton University offer experiential learning opportunities (co-ops, work placements, and applied research opportunities) students are able to transition into their industry quickly by transitioning their placements into industry connections and careers quite quickly.

