We invite you to get to know us! Explore our campuses, our history and our news and events.
A few facts
Capilano University (then a college) was founded in 1968. In 1973, we opened our permanent campus in North Vancouver. Four years later, we opened kálax-ay the Sunshine Coast campus in Sechelt and CapU Lonsdale opened in 2020.
CapU enrols approximately 12,700 students each year, 9,000 in for-credit programs, nearly 1,200 in non-credit courses and 2,500 international students.
The University is named after Chief Joe Capilano, an important leader of the Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh) Nation of the Coast Salish people. Our campuses are located on the traditional and ancestral territory of the Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, Musqueam, Lil'wat and Sechelt (shíshálh) Nations.
In 2008, the provincial government changed our designation to Capilano University.
To learn more about where we came from and how CapU has continued growing over the last 52 years, check out Our History
Our Vision: A University Inspired by Imagination
Capilano University transforms the lives of learners, employees and communities with experiences and engagement opportunities to actualize their passion and potential.
We are a dynamic and accountable place of thought and action that inspires imagination, prioritizes health and well-being and positively contributes to people and the planet.
Learn more about our plans for the future of CapU and how we're taking on the unique challenges post-secondaries are facing in the next decade on our Envisioning 2030 page.
Our campuses
CapU's main campus is in North Vancouver, with kálax-ay the Sunshine Coast campus located in Sechelt; CapU Lonsdale, an extension of our main campus, operating in the Lower Lonsdale neighbourhood of North Vancouver; and CapU Squamish, our newest location, surrounded by mountains in the District of Squamish.
To learn more about getting here, parking, carpooling, public transit, or getting around campus, visit Our Campuses.
News, events and Capsule stories
There is a lot going on at CapU every day. Check the latest News, find out what's happening in our Events calendar and take a deeper look at the people and stories who make up the CapU community in Capsule.