Advanced Credit Recognition for International Baccalaureate (IB) Students
Purpose:
To recognize the academic rigor and global standards of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, Cape Breton University offers transfer credit to students who have completed the International Baccalaureate diploma upon admission. This policy supports students success by facilitating timely progression through degree programs, reducing duplication of learning, and acknowledging prior achievement in higher-level secondary education.
With the completion of an International Baccalaureate Diploma, students are eligible to receive credit, to a maximum of 30 credits, for IB coursework for which they have received a minimum grade of 5. These credits may include:
- a maximum of 30 credits for IB courses completed at the Higher Level (HL) level; or
- a maximum of 18 credits for IB courses completed at the Standard Level (SL) level.
With the completion of an IB Certificate, students are eligible to receive credit, to a maximum of 18 credits, for IB coursework (HL and/or SL) for which they have received a minimum grade of 5.
Individual IB courses with a minimum grade of 5 will be reviewed on a course by course basis.
Students have the option to forgo these credits.
Additional Information:
- The degree requirements of a student's program may impact the maximum transfer credits available.
- The following programs have a limited maximum available transfer credits from International Baccalaureate (IB) courses.
- BScN (Direct Entry): 9-credits (3-credits of English and 6-credits of Electives)
- BScN (Advanced Standing): 6-credits (Electives)
- BScN (LPN): 3-credits (English)
- BEng: PENDING Engineering review
- For more information on available transfer credits for specific programs, you can contact transfer_credits@cbu.ca.
The CBU equivalency chart for all approved IB courses:
| IB Course | Equivalency (Credits) |
|---|---|
| Business Management | MGMT-1601 (3) MGMT-1001 (3) |
| Biology | BIOL-1000 (6) |
| Economics | ECON-1101 (3) ECON-1103 (3) |
| English A: Literature | ENGL-1106 (3) ENGL-1108 (3) |
| English A: Language and Literature | ENGL-1000 (6) |
| Environmental Systems and Societies | ENVS-1101 (3) ENVS-1001 (3) |
| French | FRNC-1102 (6) |
| Global Politics | POLS-1020 (6) |
| German | MODL-1000 (6) |
| Film | ENGL-1000 (6) |
| History | HIST-1103 (3) |
| IB Course | Equivalency (Credits) |
|---|---|
| Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations | MATH-1105 (3) MATH-1001 (3) |
| Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches | MATH-1105 (3) MATH-1001 (3) |
| Music | MUSI-1001 (3) MUSI-1005 (3) |
| Philosophy | PHIL-1000 (6) |
| Physics | PHYS-1000 (6) |
| Psychology | PSYC-1000 (6) |
| Social and Cultural Anthropology | ANTH-1104 (3) |
| Spanish | SPAN-1000 (6) |
| Theory of Knowledge | PHIL-1000 (6) |
| Visual Arts | ARTT-1100 (6) |
IB Program in Math
Students who complete an IB course in mathematics with a minimum score of 5 shall be exempt from the Calculus Readiness test.
OR
Completion of a Grade 12 honours course with a mark of 85% or higher and successful completion of an Outstanding Entry Student Examination. This examination is prepared and graded by an instructor in the discipline. Success in the examination means that the department and the dean are confident that the student's knowledge is equivalent to that of a student who has successfully completed the introductory level of that course at CBU.
Advanced Credit Recognition for French Immersion Students
Students who have graduated from a French immersion program, French/Francophone schools, advanced French as part of the International Baccalaureate program, or completed an accredited immersion program while a student at CBU, may be granted maximum of 6 credits of French.
The CBU equivalency for the French immersion credits will be determined by a member of the French faculty in consultation with the student, Department Chair, and Registrar’s Office.
This assessment will take into consideration, if appropriate, the academic level of instruction and classroom contact hours, student’s transcript or other exit credential, and/or cultural content of the immersion experience.
Based on the recommendation of a French faculty member and the student’s degree requirements, the CBU equivalency for the French immersion credits may be used by the student in any appropriate area of the degree.
