Capilano University
With class sizes averaging around 25, students at Capilano University benefit from individualized attention from their instructors. Many faculty members continue to work in their fields and can offer students access to up-to-date, practical instruction and industry connections. Capilano’s main campus is located at the foot of the North Shore Mountains, about 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver. CapU Lonsdale, located on North Van’s waterfront, offers continuing education classes, while a regional campus in Sechelt serves the Squamish-Whistler area. A new Squamish campus opened last September. Degree programs tend to be career-oriented in areas such as kinesiology, music therapy and legal studies, but broader programs, such as the bachelor of business administration and bachelor of arts in liberal studies, are also available. Capilano has some post-baccalaureate diplomas and a wide range of certificate and diploma offerings. Capilano developed the Indigenous Digital Accelerator to provide resources such as mentorship to Indigenous students launching their own businesses. Meanwhile, a new Centre for Childhood Studies will open this spring, which will house classrooms and a childcare centre. “From the first moment our new students engage in learning at CapU, they feel supported and know their education truly matters,” says president Paul Dangerfield. “We are unified in providing exceptional experiences for students and ensuring the well-being of everyone in our campus community.”
Campus Buzz: The first on-campus student housing complex is now open on the main campus: a six-storey, 362-bed facility (including 12 accessible units) with a 250-seat dining hall, a common space and laundry facility.
Quick facts
Tuition (includes compulsory ancillary fees)
$6,340
Minimum Entering Grades
Arts: 63-66% | Science: 63-66% | Commerce, Engineering: high school diploma with select course minimums
Student Body
Undergraduates: Full-time: 8,439 | Part-time: 1,747
International Students: First-year: 68%
Housing Facts
Residence Spaces: 633 (first come, first served)
Cost of double room with meals: $4,876 to $5,370
Cost of single room with meals: $5,681 to $6,262
Standout programs
Environment and Society: Students choose an environmental studies or environmental sciences pathway, taking specialty topic modules in their upper years. The program offers a regional-specific education with opportunities for experiential learning and place-based practice.
Kinesiology: Students develop knowledge of how to assess, design and implement programs to facilitate health behaviour change, leading to improved lifestyles and prevention of chronic diseases.
Early Childhood Care and Education: This program offers theory, practice and research; it includes a focus on leadership and advocacy. Students explore how to create a learning environment for children that considers social justice and equity.
Capilano offers a range of degree, diploma and certificate programs and is profiled in both the Maclean’s Universities Guidebook and the Maclean’s Colleges Guide. To learn more about the school’s diploma programs, see the Capilano University college profile.
