The transfer of credit refers to the acceptance of courses by CBU from another institution (external transfer) or from one CBU program to another program (internal transfer). All external credit arrangements are administered by the Office of the Registrar and Admissions, in consultation with the dean and the appropriate department. All internal credit arrangements are administered by the academic schools in consultation with the Office of the Registrar and Admissions.
Students seeking transfer credit assessments must submit the Application for Transfer Credit Assessment with the non-refundable application fee to the Office of the Registrar and Admissions. Applications are available at the Office of the Registrar and Admissions or at www.cbu.ca/student-services/forms. Transfer credits are not activated until registration. Applications received after August 1, cannot be guaranteed for processing for September registration.
Documents submitted in support of an application for admission cannot be returned. Neither the documents nor copies of the documents will be returned to the applicant. Further, neither the documents nor copies of the documents will be issued third parties.
Transfer credit assessments for new students at the Cape Breton University is coordinated by the Registrar’s Office. Course equivalencies are continuously reviewed by the Registrar’s Office or the Departments and are subject to change. Transfer credit is the recognition of previously completed coursework from another post-secondary institution or higher-level secondary curriculum through the granting of credit at Cape Breton University. Please contact transfer_credits@cbu.ca for more information about transfer credits.
Note: Transfer Credits will only be assessed once a student has applied and is accepted to CBU.
Credit Transfer Assessment Deadline: Last of July for a September/Fall Intake, Last day of October for a January/Winter Intake, Last Day of March for a May/Spring Summer Intake
External Transfer
All first- and second-year credit courses offered at all other Canadian universities will be considered for credit at CBU, with the following limitations:
- A minimum of 50% of the courses must be completed at CBU in a degree, diploma or certificate program, unless stated otherwise in the program descriptions. Some programs may not be eligible for any transfer credits.
- Credit transfer is distinct from admission and decisions with regard to admission remain the prerogative of CBU;
- The specific program requirements of CBU must be met. An otherwise acceptable transfer credit may not be usable in a particular program of study,
- Students must also meet any requirements with regard to grades. External credits will be treated identically with those of CBU students who move from one program to another within the institution. If a grade of 60% is required in a CBU prerequisite course, for example, then a 60% grade will also be required in a transfer course.
- Electronic scans of original (official) documents will be accepted in support of an application for admission for undergraduate programmes, or for an application for transfer credit assessment. Both sides of each document must be supplied. Cape Breton University reserves the right to request official documents at any time. Documents should be submitted to admissions_documents@cbu.ca
- Documents submitted in support of an application for admission cannot be returned. Neither the documents nor copies of the documents will be returned to the applicant. Further, neither the documents nor copies of the documents will be issued third parties.
A dean, in consultation with the Registrar and the department, may approve courses beyond the first and second year levels for credit transfer in degree, diploma and certificate programs, bearing in mind that at least 50% of courses must be completed at CBU.
CBU has entered into a variety of special agreements with other institutions and such agreements often provide for extended credit transfer arrangements within specific CBU programs. For general information on such arrangements, contact the Office of the Registrar and Admissions.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
Cape Breton University recognizes the value of both formal and informal learning and may grant academic credit for skills and knowledge gained outside traditional studies. Moreover, some kinds of knowledge may not be feasibly assessed through course challenges. In such cases, students may request a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). Because the learning evaluated in a PLA occurs outside the University, PLA credits do not count towards the University’s residency requirements. Note: PLA’s in Community Studies are restricted to COMS-1100, COMS-2101 and COMS-3101.
Students applying for PLA credit must submit a detailed portfolio outlining their relevant experience and demonstrating how it has led to knowledge equivalent to university credit. The Registrar’s Office will forward the portfolio to the relevant dean who will, in turn, send it to the academic department best able to evaluate it. The department will make a recommendation to the dean, and the dean will send his/her decision to the Office of the Registrar and Admissions.
If necessary, the department may ask the applicant for further information regarding the portfolio itself, formal credentials, or other details. The department may also request demonstration of skills, an interview with the applicant, or other reasonable means of assessing the application.
Students seeking assessment for PLA credits must submit the Application for Prior Learning Assessment and the non-refundable application fee. If credits are awarded, a fee equivalent to 50% of the tuition for those credits will be assessed. PLA credits are not activated until registration and required tuition is paid.
Applications are available at the Office of the Registrar and Admissions or at www.cbu.ca/student-services/forms. Please contact transfer_credits@cbu.ca or 902 563-1186 for additional information.
Procedure:
Assessment of prior learning will occur once:
1. The student requesting the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) has applied for admission to Cape Breton University and paid the application fee.
2. The Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) form is completely filled in and submitted to transfer_credits@cbu.ca.
3. The student requesting the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) has provided a detailed portfolio of prior learning. For further information about the PLA portfolio, please visit CBU.ca/Transfer.
Articulation Agreements with Colleges
Articulation agreements exist with many colleges, such as the Nova Scotia Community College, New Brunswick Community College and College of the North Atlantic (Newfoundland), whereby students can receive credit toward diplomas and degrees at CBU for courses and programs completed at these institutions. Details about specific program transfer arrangements are available from the Office of the Registrar and Admissions or the appropriate school dean at CBU. Students must apply for and be offered admission and register at CBU before transfer credits are granted.