Accepting applications now!
| Term (Semester) |
Application Deadline (for students) |
|---|---|
| Fall (Sept - Dec) | May 31 |
| Spring (Jan - April) | October 15 |
| Summer (May - June or July - Aug or May - Aug) | February 15 |
We’re thrilled to meet you and support you in making your study abroad journey as a Visiting International Student Program (VISP) student at CapU exceptional.
If you would like to study at CapU as a VISP student, we invite you to apply. You could be a VISP student at CapU if you are:
- A non-Canadian student who does not have permanent resident status;
- Studying at a post-secondary institution that does not have an exchange partnership agreement with CapU and you wish to study with us for a term; or
- A recent international high school graduate interested in a gap year experience.
What you could study at CapU
Programs you can take as a VISP student include:
- Bachelor of Business and Administration
- Bachelor of Tourism Management
- Bachelor of Communication Studies
- Bachelor of Arts with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Bachelor of Science
- English for Academic Purposes (ESL)
You’re welcome to mix and match courses within above-listed programs. Specific courses outside these programs are limited and seats are subject to approval.
Most importantly, be sure to work with your home institution to ensure that your credits earned at CapU are transferrable back to your home institution. We strongly recommend that you do this before requesting course approvals and arriving in Canada.
Full-time status at CapU is a minimum of nine credits. This is why, as a VISP student, you must take a minimum of 9.0 credits (3 CapU courses) while at CapU. Most students at CapU take between 9.0 to 12.0 credits (3 to 4 courses) per term. Check with your home university for their requirements though, as these may be different.
Key dates
We are excited to receive your application. In addition to the application deadlines, take a note of our term, orientation and exam dates.
Term (Semester), Orientation and Exam Dates
| Term (Semester) | Term Dates* | Orientation Dates | Exam Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | Sept. 3 – Dec. 2 | Aug. 30 – Sept. 3 | Dec. 4 - 13 |
| Spring 2025 | Jan 6 – April 11 | Early Jan. | April 15 - 26 |
| Summer 2025 (Session I) | May 12 - June 27 | Early May | To be announced |
| Summer 2025 (Session II) | July 7 - Aug. 22 | Early May | To be announced |
| Summer 2025 (Full Term) | May 12 - Aug. 22 | Early May | To be announced |
*For more details on academic dates, please visit Academic Schedule and Important Dates.
How to apply
Here is the step-by-step process to apply to Capilano University as a VISP student.
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Choose an area of study
To begin your global adventure, explore our Student Services, stories, and Bachelor programs available to VISP students, which are listed at the top of this page.
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Learn about CapU's admission requirements
Most CapU programs need proof that you:
- Have completed or are in the process of completing secondary school. View our International Secondary School Equivalencies (pdf) for more information.
- Meet our English language proficiency requirement.
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Submit your application via EducationPlannerBC
In your application, include:
- A non-refundable application fee of C$135.
- Proof of English Language Proficiency based on regular English Language Requirements. If submitting DET or TOEFL, you must assign your report to CapU for verification purposes at DET – Duolingo English Test and TOEFL (CapU code: 0505).
International high school transcript and proof of graduation, including certified translation in English, where applicable. Scanned copies are acceptable before the term start.
- Post-secondary transcripts, including a certified translation in English, when applicable. Scanned copies are acceptable before the term start.
- Letter of Permission from your home institution (Post-secondary applicants only). This letter must state that the applicant is currently a student in good standing at the home institution and has been permitted to spend a semester abroad as VISP student at CapU; and indicate the program the applicant is approved to take at CapU and the term in which the program may be taken.
- Financial Guarantee Letter if you have one.
Note: If you noted more than one program choice on your application and have submitted a Financial Guarantee Letter, you will receive your Letter of Acceptance directly for your first program choice, provided your application is successful.
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Receive an acknowledgement letter
After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC, you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.
- This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
- Any missing application documents and instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
- All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
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Receive letter of offer
If you are accepted into a program, you will receive a letter of offer in your myCapU email inbox.
- You will need to confirm your acceptance into the program by paying a tuition deposit outlined in your letter of offer.
- This deposit will go towards your first semester tuition once you are registered for courses at CapU.
Note: If you submitted your Financial Guarantee Letter under Step 3, you will not receive your letter of offer. Instead, we will issue your letter of acceptance directly.
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Receive your letter of acceptance
Once your application is complete, you will receive a letter of acceptance in your myCapU inbox.
- This letter includes details such as course registration, accommodation, and orientation and may be used to apply for, or renew, a study permit.
- Depending on your citizenship and Government of Canada guidelines, you may also need to apply for an entry visa.
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Submit your VISP Student Course Approval Form
Email your Visiting Student Course Approval Form (pdf) to visp@capilanou.ca when you receive your letter of acceptance. Need info about course selection and approvals? Email visp@capilanou.ca.
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Get ready for your first day!
- Your first day will include a new student orientation as well as a dedicated incoming exchange and VISP student orientation.
- Our Study Abroad Team will support you with course approvals and questions related to accommodation, health insurance and student transportation pass.
- Questions? Email CapU’s Study Abroad Team: visp@capilanou.ca.
Visa and Study Permit
Before applying for your visa/study permit and/or planning to travel to Canada, find out if you need a study permit or visa.
Course registration
A CapU student registered with a minimum of 9.0 credits is considered a full-time student. Most CapU courses have 3.0 credits.
Prior to registering for CapU courses, all your courses must be pre-approved through the Visiting Student Course Approval Form (pdf), which you must email to visp@capilanou.ca upon receiving your letter of acceptance.
If you have any questions about your course selection and approvals, please email visp@capilanou.ca.
Following course approvals, you will register online on your own. See How to Register for more information.
Fees and payments
At CapU, fees are charged on a per term basis. Each term is four months in duration.
As a VISP student, you pay standard international student tuition fees directly to CapU. You also need to plan for books and supplies.
As a VISP student, you must be enrolled in guard.me health insurance, a private insurance company contracted by CapU.
This basic health insurance, costing approximately $2.00 per day, is mandatory and ensures you have adequate coverage for the duration of your stay, regardless of your individual extended health plans.
As a VISP student, you must pay for a subsidized student transportation pass called U-Pass BC, a mandatory fee which costs approximately $170 per term.
Accommodation
CapU offers Student Housing close to campus. You will receive information about application deadlines with your Letter of Acceptance.
You also have other options for accommodation: host family in a homestay environment or fully furnished shared housing with other students, which you may contact directly.
We strongly advise you to ensure you understand all conditions and refund policies of your accommodation before signing any contracts.
Study Abroad Ambassador (Buddy) Program
Upon arrival, you will be matched with a study abroad ambassador (buddy) who already experienced a term abroad at one of CapU’s partner institutions.
Our Study Abroad Ambassadors are a friendly and dedicated group of CapU students eager to extend their global adventure by introducing incoming visiting students to all the exciting aspects of living in North Vancouver and Canada and studying at CapU!
Transcript and Course Transfer
CapU uses a letter grade system to determine a student’s grade point average (GPA). Upon successful completion of your term, you may request your official transcript through your myCapU Account. For details, see Transcripts and Forms.
Our Study Abroad Team will also email a digital copy of the official transcript directly to your home institution.
Prior to arriving in Canada, be sure to work with your home institution to ensure the credits earned at CapU are transferrable back to your home institution.
Have a question? Contact the Study Abroad team
Our Study Abroad team is available by email, Zoom or MS Teams, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT.