FAQs

Capilano University offers a variety of programs in fields like Arts, Business, Science, Tourism, Film and more.

We also have transfer agreements with major Canadian universities, allowing students to complete their first two years at CapU before transferring.

Admission requirements vary by program but generally include meeting academic prerequisites and demonstrating English language proficiency.

Capilano University accepts a variety of English proficiency tests, such as IELTS and TOEFL, among others. Please note that standardized tests like SAT or ACT are not required for admission.

Some programs may require additional materials, such as a portfolio or other components.

Be sure to check the specific requirements for each program can be found on our website or discussed with an advisor.

Application deadlines vary depending on the intake (Fall, Spring, or Summer).

We recommend applying early, as some programs have limited seats and may close once they are full.

Be sure to check the specific program page on our website for the most up-to-date deadline information.

Yes, deferrals are possible for some programs.

Requests must be made before the term starts to avoid any financial penalties.

No program requires an additional language, though it can be considered an asset.

Yes, we recognize international curricula like IB, AP, and A-Levels. Advanced credits may be awarded for certain courses.

Diplomas are usually two-year programs focusing on practical skills.

Degrees are four-year programs offering broader academic and professional knowledge.

Most classes at Capilano University have 25-35 students, allowing for personalized attention.

We also offer comprehensive academic support, including advising, one-on-one instruction, learning centers (e.g., Writing and Math), and mentorship programs.

Our Accessibility Services department provides various supports, such as exam accommodations, note-taking assistance, academic coaching and more.

There are a variety of funding options available to explore, such as scholarships, bursaries, and awards, student loans, external awards, student line of credit and RESPs.

Entrance Awards are available for new students starting in the Fall term.

While studying at CapU, current and returning students can apply for term-based scholarships, bursaries and awards every term that they are studying at CapU.

Applications for the new academic year, starting in the Fall term, open in June.

Domestic students can apply for full-time or part-time student loans and need to submit a separate application for each term.

Students are automatically assessed for grants when applying for student loans.

See our student loans and grants webpage for more information on how to apply.

Use our tuition estimator tool to calculate your program's tuition and learn about any other associated fees.

Note: Fees are estimates based on the current academic year and can change at any time. 

Some programs have fees for supplies and equipment that aren't included in the estimate.

Please see the eligibility criteria for domestic students on our Fee Deferral webpage.

International students can apply using the Fee Deferral-Other form and submit it to the Student Financial Accounts office.

Yes, there are scholarships and awards available every term. See our Funding for International students webpage.

However, Capilano bursaries (awards that have demonstrated financial need as eligibility criteria) are only open to domestic students.

Yes, the Adult Upgrading Grant is available for those with financial need.

For more information on the eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit our Adult Upgrading Grants webpage.

Talk to your RESP provider. After registering in courses, students can print an enrolment verification form from their myCapU account, which shows the course registration for the term.

For questions on tuition fee payments, see the How to Pay webpage.

In-person and virtual appointments are available for students to book through their myCapU account on our Financial Aid & Awards webpage, which also shows our advising schedule.

Yes, Capilano University offers student housing at both the North Vancouver and Squamish campuses.

The North Vancouver residence is located a short distance from campus and provides fully furnished rooms, meal plans, and student support services.

The Squamish campus features on-campus housing with modern amenities.

A new on-campus residence at the North Vancouver campus is also under construction and expected to open in 2026.

For more information, please visit our Info for Parents webpage.

CapU Housing includes a mandatory, declining‑balance meal plan that loads $2,350-2,600 per term at the North Vancouver residence and roughly $2,600-2,800 per term at Squamish onto your CapU card.

You tap the card like a debit card for chef‑prepared breakfast, lunch and dinner served seven days a week, plus grill items, baked goods, beverages and rotating themed events.

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten‑free and other dietary needs are accommodated, and you can dine in the residence hall, grab food to go (small container fee). Top‑ups are available any time, so you never have to worry about cooking or cleaning while living in residence.

Living in residence at Capilano University offers far more than just a place to stay – it's a vibrant, supportive community full of ways for students to get involved, grow, and thrive.

From the moment students arrive, they're welcomed through Residence Orientation, designed to help them settle in, meet new people, and feel at home right away.

Throughout the year, our team runs over 90 programs and events – from social gatherings and cultural celebrations to workshops focused on wellness, academics, and personal development.

For students looking to take on a leadership role, there are several opportunities to get involved more deeply:

• House Council: Volunteer your time and voice to help shape the community. Council members represent resident interests and lead community-building initiatives and events.
• Residence Advisor (RA): Student staff who live in the community and support fellow residents, helping to create a safe, inclusive, and engaging living environment.
• Student Ambassador: Represent CapU at events, support residence operations, and welcome new students and guests as a front-line leader.

Whether attending events, volunteering, or working as part of our residence team, students have endless opportunities to build leadership skills, make connections, and create unforgettable memories.

CapU student fees include a U-Pass, giving students unlimited access to TransLink bus, rail and ferry services.

To get between campus and residence, students catch the #212 OR #215 bus to Phibbs Exchange and change to the #245 bus to CapU. The total trip takes about 20 minutes. The #212 bus provides service every 30 minutes, and the #245 bus provides service every 10 to 12 minutes.

Visit Translink Mobile Services to access information on your mobile phone.

Due to privacy laws (FIPPA), we are unable to release any student-specific information – including grades or academic performance – without the student's written consent on Third Party Authorization form.

Your student can complete a Third Party Authorization Form through the Registrar's Office. This allows us to share specific details as permitted by the student.

No, we do not notify families of academic or personal challenges unless the student has authorized us to do so.

We encourage open communication between students and their supporters.

While we cannot disclose student whereabouts, we can attempt to contact the student on your behalf if there's an urgent concern.

Please contact the Registrar's Office or Student Affairs Departments.

Academic advisors can only discuss a student's records or progress if the student has provided written consent through Third Party Authorization Form. We recommend students attend advising appointments themselves or invite you to join them with permission.

No, all official university communication is sent directly to the student's CapU email.

We encourage students to keep their supporters informed by sharing key updates and deadlines.

You can stay informed through this webpage, parent newsletters, orientation sessions, and by having regular, open conversations with your student.

In emergency situations, CapU will use the emergency contact information provided by the student.

We strongly encourage students to list their parents or guardians as emergency contacts in their MyCapU accounts.

Only if the student has provided a signed third party authorization. Without it, financial records are considered private and cannot be disclosed.

No. Even if a student is under the age of 19, once they are enrolled in post-secondary education, their privacy rights are fully protected under BC's FIPPA. All the same rules around consent apply.

No. Faculty and staff are not permitted to contact parents or supporters about student performance.

We encourage you to keep communication open with your student and support them in seeking help when needed.

If it's an emergency, call 911.

For non-urgent concerns, contact the university's Student Affairs or Safety & Security team, who can perform a wellness check or provide guidance based on the situation.

We can share general information about university policies, deadlines, services, and resources. However, anything related to your student's file – academic, financial, or personal – requires their written consent through Third Party Authorization Form.

Encouraging independence is key. Help your student keep track of deadlines, suggest they connect with advisors, and ask them to share important updates with you directly.

We provide orientation events, activities, workshops and peer mentorship programs to help students navigate university life.

The student culture is welcoming, inclusive and community-oriented.

There are many ways to make friends and get involved, such as joining a club, attending events, staying active through CapU rec activities, cheering on the Blues varsity teams, relaxing in student spaces, or connecting with peers through leadership and volunteer opportunities.

Yes! We offer free counselling services, Your Early Support (YES), peer support programs, and referrals to community-based resources such as Here2Talk.

Capilano University is well connected by public transit, and students receive a U-Pass, allowing unlimited access, buses, SkyTrain and SeaBus.

CapU combines the personal feel of a small campus with big opportunities.

You'll find small class sizes, close connections with instructors, and a strong focus on experiential learning – through field schools, community projects, or creative collaborations.

Yes! We have exchange partnerships with universities worldwide, allowing students to study abroad for a semester or summer exchange.

Many programs offer undergraduate research projects, providing students with hands-on research projects that connect them with faculty, industry partners, and community organizations.

Capilano University welcomes students from over 80 countries and from all stages of life, creating a vibrant community enriched by diverse cultures, experiences, and perspectives.

There are several dedicated spaces on campus, including:

• Kéxwusm-áyakn Student Centre (for Indigenous students);
• the Queer Resource Centre (2SLGBTQIA+);
• the Women's Centre; and
• the Black Resource Centre. 

These spaces, based at the North Vancouver Campus, provide resources and a place to connect with their community.

Capilano University provides safe campuses with 24/7 security, emergency phones and student safety programs.