As soon as I started my classes in the music program at Burman, I felt a sense of community. The smaller class sizes made the department feel like a close family. All of the professors really cared about each student and my fellow students were a support for each other through the program. I will always be thankful for my time at Burman.
Burman University
About
Burman University is accredited by the Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA) offering Campus Alberta Quality Council (CAQC) approved bachelor's degree programs. We offer over 35 major or track choices in bachelor's degree programs in our Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and our Faculty of Science. We are one of 13 Adventist universities in North America, sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada (SDACC).
Burman University
Burman University is accredited by the Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA) offering Campus Alberta Quality Council (CAQC) approved bachelor's degree programs. We offer over 35 major or track choices in bachelor's degree programs in our Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (including the School of Business and School of Education) and our Faculty of Science. We are one of 13 Adventist universities in North America, but we are the only Seventh-day Adventist university in Canada. We are sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada (SDACC).
Burman University acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory—the traditional and ancestral territory of the Cree, Dene, Blackfoot, Saulteaux and Nakota Sioux. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Métis Settlements and the Métis Nation of Alberta, Regions 2, 3 and 4 within the historical Northwest Métis Homeland. We are grateful for the traditional Knowledge Keepers and Elders who are still with us today and those who have gone before us. We make this acknowledgement as an act of reconciliation and gratitude to those whose territory we reside on or are visiting.
With a smaller student body population than most universities, Burman University boasts an 11:1 student-to-professor ratio. Our 35 full-time faculty professors are committed to providing quality education for all of our students. Their commitment and passion for education create an unforgettable experience for students. With such talented and experienced individuals, Burman University is confident that our students receive the best education, acquiring the knowledge and tools they need to be the best in their chosen fields.
With over 37 countries represented on campus, Burman University is proud of our diverse student body population coming from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds. We strive to celebrate the differences, encouraging our campus family to learn from one another and grow with each other. Our diversity has prompted the creation of over 30 clubs on campus that focus on different cultures, hobbies, and interests.
Hope Fink
Azalea Lehndorff
There are three key aspects of my experience at CUC (now Burman) that I would like to highlight. One of the key moments in my learning can be distilled down to one session in which one of the professors invited students from Univ. of Alberta to come to our campus and discuss the origins of life on earth with us. That discussion challenged my thinking and provided me with a platform from which to evaluate my beliefs through the lens of critical thought. Today, I still consider that one of the most important turning points in my life. Secondly, while on campus, I had the opportunity to be part of the community. When in a small community, one does not have to look far for mentors and individuals who can work to make improvements. Two examples of this are the trail run that we started with Bill Nielsen who was a community running legend who gave countless volunteer hours building and maintaining Lacombe’s trails. The second was the work that I became involved in contributing to the global community. While a student I learned about the need for education in Afghanistan, especially for girls, and luckily I did not have to look far for an organization to work with—as A Better World provided an incredible leadership opportunity by which I was able to immediately launch this meaningful work, even as a student. The campus at Burman, including the faculty in the biology program and the members of the College Heights Church, have all been supportive and it has been exactly the right place to launch new ideas. Burman’s tagline is Think. Believe. Act. Part of learning on an Adventist campus is having the opportunity to think critically, to mature in your beliefs, and to act in a way that contributes to the local and global community.
- 94% of students feel welcome on campus.
- 90% of students said their expectations of the university were met or exceeded.
- 70% of new students receive scholarships.
- 11:1 student-to-professor ratio
- 37 countries represented in the student body
- 30+ registered student clubs
- 35 programs & degrees to choose from
- 54 career paths & opportunities
Campus & Community
Searching for your path is never easy. It takes time, commitment, and dedication. As part of a caring community, we'll help you find your direction—not just for your career, but for your life.
Campus Ministries
Campus Ministries (CM) is a student-led organization, coordinated by the University Chaplains. Campus Ministries seeks to provide opportunities in five key areas:
- Personal Spiritual Growth - helping the Burman Community discover and develop a vibrant, personal relationship with God.
- Corporate Spiritual Awareness - increasing the awareness of God's presence and action in the Burman Community through corporate spiritual experiences in both small and large group gatherings.
- Corporate Social Interaction - developing a greater appreciation for and sharing experiences among the variety of cultural and sub-cultural expressions within the Burman Community.
- Experience in Service - providing opportunities to discover, develop, and exercise a passion for service through social interaction, volunteerism, community service, and Christian witnessing opportunities, both on-campus and in local, regional, and international communities.
- Experience in Leadership - working with students to discover and develop skills in Christian leadership that will continue to serve them beyond their time on campus.
Campus Ministries provides ministry opportunities, programs, and events in four core areas:
- On-campus ministries: Providing ministry, spiritual guidance, and encouragement to others in the Burman Community.
- Off-campus ministries: Providing the support, encouragement, and opportunities to share the Gospel of Christ and the message of Adventism with others beyond the Burman Community.
- Worship ministries: Coming together as a campus community, to express our love to God, remember and celebrate His loving acts, grow in our knowledge of Him, and offer Him our adoration and praise.
- Missions: Connecting Christian volunteers with national and international mission opportunities ranging from short-term mission trips (a weekend to 2-10 weeks) to mission positions that can last from one to several years.
Clubs & Organizations
Burman University encourages student participation in a variety of clubs and organizations that provide numerous opportunities to trigger intellectual, physical, social, spiritual, and leadership development.
- Academic Clubs
- Athletic Teams (the Bobcats)
- Student Government
- Touring/Performing Organizations
- Special Interest Clubs
Athletics & Intramurals
Men and women can join our athletics teams and compete in professional leagues, the Burman University Bobcats.
Campus Events
There is always something going on around campus for students and the community.
Dorm Residence
Residence Halls comprise three residences: Lakeview Hall, Maple Hall, and Riverton Hall. Each environment promotes studious activities, spiritual growth, social interactions, safety, and healthy living.
Lakeview Hall is a co-ed residence for first and second-year students only. It is located on the southwest end of the campus. It has four floors and is divided into north and south wings. The south wing of the dorm will house female students only. The north wing will house male students only. Rooms are set up to house two people with a bed, closet, desk/dresser, and shelf area for each person. The rooms are fully furnished with the exception of linens and toiletries.
Maple Hall is the co-ed residence for third and fourth-year students. It is located on the east side of the Administration building. Rooms on the south of the building are single occupancy rooms with a communal bathroom on the far south of each floor. Rooms in the north wing are double occupancy with two rooms sharing one bathroom, potentially 4 people per bathroom.
Riverton Hall offers a unique apartment-style living community. It is located a block directly east of the Facility Maintenance / Transportation building. Residence Halls manages 2, 3, and 4 floors. Suites vary from bachelor to 4-bedroom units and are fully furnished with the exception of linens and toiletries. Floors are gender specific. Males and females are only allowed on their designated floors. These suites are reserved for single students 21-30 years of age.
In a Seventh-day Adventist Christian environment such as ours, residents strive to uphold the principles of the dorm and an appropriate standard for cooperative living.
Besides the obvious reasons—top-notch faculty, amazing students, and a stunning campus—the greatest advantage of choosing Burman is the promise that here, you'll become the person you'll imagine yourself to be.
Burman University has a non-competitive admission policy. Students who meet the following criteria can expect to gain admission to Burman University.
- Completion of high school
- English 30-1 or equivalent with a minimum grade of 60%
- Four (4) additional grade 12 courses, three (3) of which must be academic courses
- An overall average of 60%, with no grade below 55%
Some programs have specific prerequisites requirements.
International Admission Requirements
US Students
Students who complete high school in the United States are admitted based on high school transcripts. SAT and ACT scores are not required for admission, though strongly encouraged. Students must have completed high school and have at least a C in all courses used for admission into their program.
Burman University's SAT college code is 0914. Burman University's ACT college code is 5208.
International Students
All other international students are evaluated based on their secondary school or post-secondary transcripts. Please contact Burman University's Admissions team for more detailed information regarding admission requirements for your country.
English Proficiency Requirements
The primary language of instruction at Burman University is English and, because Burman University does not offer English as a Second Language training, students wishing to enroll at Burman University must meet one of the English language proficiency requirements outlined below.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.5
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 83 (internet-based) or 560 (paper-based). The Institutional Code for TOEFL is 0914-01.
- Canadian Academic English Assessment (CAEL) with a minimum score of 70.
- Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency with a minimum score of 176
- Pearson English Language Test (PTE Academic) with a minimum score of 58
- Duolingo English test with a minimum score of 110.
- Official transcripts showing successful completion of English 30-1, or its equivalent from another Canadian province, with a minimum grade of 60%.
- Official transcripts from an accredited Canadian, American, British, or Australian post-secondary institution showing successful completion of an English literature course with a grade of C or higher.
- Transcripts showing successful completion of one year of full-time study at an accredited secondary or post-secondary institution where the language of instruction is English with a cumulative percentage of 60% or a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. The accredited institution must be located in one of the following English-speaking countries: American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Belize, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Monserrat, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, Uganda, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, US Virgin Islands, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Please note: Bachelor of Education After-Degree applicants must meet the Alberta Education certification requirements for English proficiency.
International Post-Secondary Transfer
International students wishing to have their prior post-secondary learning recognized for credit may be required to undergo extra evaluation. Transcripts may need to be evaluated by World Education Services (WES). This evaluation must be the course-by-course ICAP evaluation. After you've completed your application, Burman University's admissions officer will let you know if your credentials will require additional evaluation.
Mature Students
Students who have not received a high school diploma, who are 21 years of age or older, and who have been out of high school for at least two years may be considered for admission if they present one of the following:
- Completion of English 30-1 or equivalent with a minimum grade of 60%; or
- A GED (General Equivalency Diploma) with an average score of 150, with no individual score below 145.
Mature students must still meet program-specific prerequisites and may be required to complete upgrade courses for admission into their program of choice.
Home-Schooled Students
Home-schooled students are encouraged to apply to Burman University. Students home-schooled through an unaccredited program are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may be required to submit additional documentation to verify the validity of their scores.
Students who have completed their home school programming through an accredited program resulting in a provincially issued high school diploma are evaluated the same as incoming students graduating from a traditional high school program.
Home schooled students may also present standardized test scores (Alberta diploma exams, SAT's, ACT's, etc.) or a GED for admission consideration.
Entrance Scholarships
- President’s Award for Outstanding Athleticism (renewable) - This award recognizes athletic excellence, achievement, and participation in the Burman athletic program. Award amounts are $1250 for the first year of participation. The award may be received and renewed for up to 4 academic years (For a 4-year degree). Award amounts can increase each subsequent year up to a maximum of $2000 based on skill, team commitment, and a recommendation from a Burman team coach. Tryout for and participate each fall and winter term in an official on-campus sports team with verification from the Athletic Director and/or coach. Exceptions may be made to single-term sports however the season must be completed with the team and verified by the coach. Official Burman University teams include Acronaires, Basketball, Soccer and Volleyball. This does not include the intramural program, mini-tournaments, or clubs.
- Early Admission Tuition Scholarship (EATS) (non-renewable) - This $1000 scholarship rewards those new applicants who complete their application (including submission of all required supporting documents) by February 1, of the upcoming school year. Applicable to the September intake for the upcoming school year. Register for and complete a minimum 80% course load per semester (12 credits excluding PLAR and Audit Credit) during the school year.
- President's Award for Outstanding Musicianship (renewable) - This award recognizes musical excellence, achievement, and participation in the Burman music program. Award amounts are $1250 for the first year of participation. The award may be received and renewed for up to 4 academic years (for a 4-year degree). Award amounts may be increased each subsequent year up to a maximum of $2000 based on skill, commitment, and a recommendation from a Burman music director. Audition for and register each fall and winter term for either credit or audit in the Music Department's Choral Union, Chambers, Band, or Orchestra or for participation in Ubuntu with verification from the Music Department.
- Burman University Orchestral Scholarship - The Burman University Orchestral Scholarship is designed to help students wanting to study music while specializing in an orchestral instrument. This scholarship is funded by donations. Submit a video recording of yourself playing one of the approved pieces using an orchestral instrument. Your submission will be adjudicated by the professors of the Burman University Music Department who will then select the winner of the scholarship.
- School of Business Scholarship (non-renewable) - This scholarship is a $3,000 one-time non-renewable award. There are limited awards available to new students beginning their first year at Burman University in the School of Business. Awards are applied in a 50/50 split between Fall and Winter terms.
- Leadership & Service Scholarship (non-renewable) - Available to students returning in 24/25 who have not previously received a renewable Leadership scholarship. This award recognizes those students who hold leadership positions or participate in significant service activities on the Burman campus or in their local church or community during the current September to April school year.
