Nestled in the pristine forests of North Vancouver, British Columbia, lies a public university that doesn’t chase rankings but is renowned for its hands-on education—Capilano University. Founded in 1968 and officially elevated to university status in 2008, this institution has become one of the institutions with the highest employment rates in British Columbia thanks to its “small but excellent” educational model. Apply yourself to earn a Canadian university diploma
Program Highlights:
- Film, Animation, and Digital Media: A flagship program on Canada’s West Coast, closely collaborating with Vancouver’s film and television industry; a high percentage of graduates secure positions at Pixar, Ubisoft, and Netflix
- Jazz Studies: Ranked among the best in Canada, with an outstanding reputation in the North American music scene
- Outdoor Leadership and Tourism Management: Leveraging the resources of the Rocky Mountains, the curriculum includes wilderness leader training and ski guide certification
- Business and Athletic Therapy: Offers paid co-op internship opportunities, with clear career pathways for graduates
However, some students note: “The university does not participate in the Maclean’s rankings, so you may need to explain this further if pursuing a career back home. However, within British Columbia, the program enjoys high recognition within the industry.”
Pros:
- The location is amazing! Located in North Vancouver, the campus is surrounded by forests. Many classrooms offer views of snow-capped mountains and forests, and you can head straight out for a hike after class. Compared to those “concrete box” campuses in the city center, studying here is incredibly relaxing.
- Highly practical: Their Motion Picture Arts program is renowned on Canada’s west coast, and graduates go straight into Vancouver’s film and television industry (many Marvel movies are post-produced right here in BC!). Business programs also offer co-op opportunities; one of my classmates interned at a local tech company
- Small Class Sizes: I’ve taken specialized courses with just 20 students—the professors actually know everyone by name! It’s also much easier for international students to get recommendation letters from professors
- Value for Money: Tuition per credit for local students is nearly 30% cheaper than at UBC or SFU. For international students, it starts at around 20,000 CAD per year (depending on the program), which is very reasonable for the Vancouver area
Key Living Expenses: Rent in North Vancouver is slightly cheaper than downtown; you can get by with a shared apartment for 1,300–1,600 CAD, but grocery prices are high! We recommend learning to stock up at Costco
Hidden Perks: The school offers a free ski bus to Cypress Mountain! Ski lessons are ridiculously cheap—outdoor enthusiasts should definitely go for it
Application and Admission
The acceptance rate is approximately 85%, making it a welcoming environment for international students. Language requirements are an IELTS score of 6.5 (with no band below 6.0) or a TOEFL iBT score of 83. A high school GPA of 75 or higher is recommended. Classes begin in January, May, and September.
Choosing Capilano University means choosing a practice-oriented, small-class, and outstanding value-for-money Canadian public institution. Here, you’ll gain not only professional knowledge but also the connections and portfolio that can directly open doors to the industry.
Real Student Experiences
Capilano University is a pretty good school in Canada! Tuition and living costs are also a bit cheaper than at some other universities. The application process is relatively straightforward—you just need to prepare your transcripts and letters of recommendation. In terms of programs, their business and arts majors are quite popular. The university offers many unique programs, such as outdoor activities in the surrounding mountains and internship opportunities. Although its rankings may not match those of some other universities, the quality of education is still quite good. Overall, choosing Capilano University is a pretty good choice!
