Language Requirements
The majority of programs at Cape Breton University are taught in English. Students need strong English communication, listening, comprehension, reading and writing skills to be successful.
Cape Breton University has strong relationships with several English language partners including Cape Breton Language Centre (CBLC), English School of Canada (ESC), EC English Language School and ILAC. If your first language is not English, you will need to provide documentation to show that CBU’s English language proficiency requirements have been met. See the requirements below.
Please note that some programs have different language requirements other than the requirements noted below. Please refer to the program page of the specific program you are applying for to confirm language requirements.
English Language Scores
Official Testing Scores
Please arrange to have test results sent to Cape Breton University from one of the following agencies or upload your official results to your CBU Future Student account:
- TOEFL iBT (and iBT Home Edition): minimum overall score of 80 with no score below 20. www.ets.org
- IELTS Academic (and IELTS Indicator): minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band below 6.0. www.ielts.org
- CAEL: minimum score of 60. www.cael.ca
- MELAB: minimum score of 85. www.melab.ca
- Pearson PTE (Academic): minimum overall score of 59 with no score below 50. www.pearsonpte.com
- CanTEST: minimum score of 4.5 (reading & listening) and 4.0 (writing): www.cantest.ca
- Duolingo English Test: minimum score of 120 with no score below 105 for undergraduate programs, diplomas and certificates. Minimum score of 125 with no score below 110 for Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Education and Post-baccalaureate diplomas. www.englishtest.duolingo.com
Official test scores should be included with your application or sent to InternationalAdmissions@cbu.ca directly from the testing language body.
English Proficiency Exemption
If you have completed at least two years in a secondary school (as recognized by CBU) or have completed at least 30 credit hours (or equivalent) at a post-secondary institution (as recognized by CBU) where English is the primary language of instruction, you are not required to submit a language score. Official documentation such as an official Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter from your previous institution will be required to confirm this period of study was in English.
Please note: If you meet the English Proficiency Exemption and you submit a language score anyway, your score will be assessed against the minimum score requirements listed above. If you meet the English Proficiency Exemption and have submitted a score that falls below the minimum score requirements above, your application will be deemed inadmissible. To be considered for re-admission, an official test score must be submitted demonstrating the minimum scores are met.
In all cases, Cape Breton University reserves the right to require proof of language proficiency before permission will be granted to register in academic courses.
Country Specific Requirements
There are minimum credential requirements by country.
