Simon Fraser University
A mountaintop university in Metro Vancouver with co-op open to every undergraduate and three campuses across the region.
- Students
- 33,000
- International
- 20%
- of students
- Tuition
- CA$38,944
- 2026-27
- Founded
- 1965
About SFU
Simon Fraser University opened in 1965 on the summit of Burnaby Mountain, about 15 km east of downtown Vancouver, in a concrete campus designed by Arthur Erickson and Geoffrey Massey. Named after the fur trader and explorer Simon Fraser, it now has three campuses, in Burnaby, Surrey and downtown Vancouver, more than 33,000 students (over 6,600 of them international, from 130+ countries) and more than 200,000 alumni.
SFU offers 368 undergraduate programs across faculties including Applied Sciences, Arts and Social Sciences, the Beedie School of Business, Communication, Art and Technology, Environment, Health Sciences and Science, and it recently opened the Stephens Family School of Medicine, B.C.'s first new medical school in nearly 60 years. Students choose a first- and second-choice program when they apply, and SFU highlights flexible internal transfer between programs once students arrive.
The university is known for experiential learning: its co-op program is open to all undergraduates and connects to more than 2,800 employers, and more than 60 research centres take undergraduate researchers. Admission averages run from the low 80s for Arts and Environment to the high 80s and low 90s for Computing Science. SFU suits independent students who want a flexible, interdisciplinary degree with real work experience in one of North America's most liveable regions.
Nous sommes prêts
“We are ready” — university motto
Why students choose SFU
Maclean's ranks SFU the top comprehensive university in Canada (2026), and SFU says it has held that spot for 17 of the past 18 years.
Co-op is open to every undergraduate, with a network of more than 2,800 organisations; 90% of co-op students said their work term helped define their career goals.
The Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship awards Canadian and international high school applicants between CA$20,000 and CA$140,000.
First-year students entering from high school in the fall are guaranteed residence if they are eligible and accept their offer by May 1, 2027.
Admissions
Fall 2027 entry (classes start September 7, 2027)
Selectivity
SFU does not publish an overall admit rate. Its historical admission grade ranges (past three years) for high school applicants are: most Arts and Social Sciences programs and Environment in the low 80s (mid 80s for international students in Arts); Engineering Science mid 80s; Health Sciences and Science mid 80s (high 80s for international students); Computing Science and Software Systems high 80s to low 90s. Beedie School of Business requires grades in the 80s plus a supplemental application.
Typical entry requirements
| Canadian high school (admission average) | Low 80s (most Arts, Environment, Communication) to mid 80s (Engineering, Health Sciences, Science) and high 80s to low 90s (Computing Science, Software Systems) |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | Minimum 26 points for consideration, including at least 3 HL courses; competitive minimum varies by program; a completed Diploma earns up to 30 units of transfer credit |
| US high school | At least 3 senior-level academic courses including English (70% final grade), plus a junior or senior math course at C-/60% or above; SAT/ACT optional |
| China | Senior Middle School Graduation Diploma with admission calculated on Senior Year 3 subjects, at least 70% in Senior Year 2 or 3 Mathematics, and Gaokao results as a condition of the offer |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 88 IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0 (One Skill Retake not accepted). TOEFL iBT: 88 with no part below 20 for tests before January 21, 2026; 4.5 overall with no part below 4.0 on the new scale. PTE 65 (60 in each skill); Duolingo 125. Alternatively, 70% in senior-level English after three years of secondary school in English in an English-speaking country, or IB English A at grade 3. |
Deadlines
- Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship (USES) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~2 monthsDecember 15, 2026
Scholarship application for Fall 2027 high school applicants; supporting documents due January 31, 2027.
- Fall 2027 application deadline (high school applicants) Non-binding In ~4 monthsJanuary 31, 2027
Applications open October 1, 2026 on EducationPlannerBC. B.C. applicants must also submit the Student Transcript Service form by January 31.
- Beedie Business and Contemporary Arts supplemental items Non-binding In ~4 monthsFebruary 7, 2027
Beedie applicants must complete their To-Do List items; Contemporary Arts applicants (except Art, Performance and Cinema Studies and Performance Production and Design) must complete their audition, interview or portfolio.
- Document submission deadline Non-binding In ~5 monthsFebruary 28, 2027
Admission documents for all high school applicants. Most decisions are made on a rolling basis from January to late April, and most students must accept their offer by May 1, 2027.
Dates are from SFU's Fall 2027 high school dates and deadlines page (checked 29 September 2026). SFU also admits students for Spring and Summer 2027 terms, with separate deadlines.
How to apply
Apply through EducationPlannerBC, choosing a first- and second-choice faculty and program; the application fee is CA$86 for domestic and CA$130 for international applicants. Some programs add a supplemental application: Beedie School of Business, and auditions, interviews or portfolios for the School for the Contemporary Arts. International students can apply concurrently to Fraser International College, SFU's on-campus pathway partner.
What admissions looks for
- Strong grades in academic senior-level courses, measured against each program's historical admission range.
- Program prerequisites, such as senior math for Computing Science, Business and Interactive Arts, and math, chemistry and physics for Engineering.
- English language competence in listening, reading, speaking and writing, shown by school study in English or a test.
- For Beedie School of Business and Contemporary Arts, a broad-based supplemental application, audition, interview or portfolio.
Tips for applying to SFU
- 1 Use your second-choice program wisely: SFU considers a first and second choice, and internal transfers and double majors are common.
- 2 Apply for the Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship by December 15, 2026; it rewards academics and community involvement with CA$20,000 to CA$140,000.
- 3 Accept your offer and apply for residence by May 1, 2027 to qualify for the first-year housing guarantee.
- 4 If your grades are just below the range for direct entry, apply to Fraser International College at the same time as a pathway into SFU.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CAD
High school applicants can apply for the Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship (CA$20,000 to CA$140,000, open to Canadian and international students) and the Uggla Family Scholarship (ten awards a year for students facing significant financial barriers). SFU also offers entrance awards, bursaries for Canadian and international students with financial need, and a Work-Study program; domestic students can apply for government loans and grants.
- CA$25,452
- Estimated first-year total, Canadian student in residence (2026/27)
- CA$57,303
- Estimated first-year total, international student in residence (2026/27)
- CA$20,000 to CA$140,000
- Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship
Academics
Academic calendar: Trimesters (Fall, Spring and Summer terms)
Computing Science
SFU's most competitive high school entry (high 80s to low 90s), with a dual-degree option with Zhejiang University.
Business Administration (Beedie School of Business)
Admission combines grades in the 80s with a broad-based supplemental application; concentrations range from finance to management information systems.
Sustainable Energy Engineering
Taught at the Surrey campus in collaborative, hands-on spaces; admission averages in the mid 80s.
Interactive Arts and Technology
A Surrey-campus program in the Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology; applicants need senior-level math.
Accelerated Law (SFU-Exeter)
An accelerated law pathway offered with the University of Exeter, admitting high school students with averages in the mid 80s.
School for the Contemporary Arts
Performing arts programs in the Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology; most applicants complete an audition, interview or portfolio by February 7.
Research
- SFU reports CA$150 million in research income in 2023 and more than 60 research centres and institutes open to undergraduate researchers.
- The Charles Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship offers courses, mentors and startup funding; SFU ranks 1st in Canada (37th in the world) for university-based entrepreneurial projects in the World University Rankings for Innovation 2026.
- The Stephens Family School of Medicine is British Columbia's first new medical school in nearly 60 years.
- SFU was ranked 14th in the world and 1st in Canada in the World University Rankings for Innovation 2026.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Applied Sciences
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- Beedie School of Business
- Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Environment
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Faculty of Science
- SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine
In SFU co-op evaluations from spring 2022 to spring 2026, 97% of co-op students rated their employer good to excellent and 90% said the work term helped define their career goals.
Student life
More than 2,100 students live in residence on the Burnaby campus and can eat at Dining Commons, a 28,000-square-foot all-you-care-to-eat hall. The campus sits on top of Burnaby Mountain beside the UniverCity neighbourhood, with recreation facilities, an observatory and a new art museum. There are more than 230 active student clubs, from chess to rocketry. SFU was the first Canadian university admitted to the NCAA (2009), and in November 2025 announced a move to U Sports.
- More than 230 active student clubs, from chess to rocketry.
- More than 2,100 students live in residence on the Burnaby campus, with a first-year housing guarantee.
- The Red Leafs varsity teams, the first Canadian program admitted to the NCAA.
- Study abroad and field schools through partnerships with more than 120 universities.
Housing. Residence costs CA$7,507-8,607 per term including a meal plan (Fall 2026 estimates), and first-year students from high school are guaranteed a place if eligible and they accept their offer by May 1, 2027.
Location
SFU's main campus sits on Burnaby Mountain in Metro Vancouver, overlooking Burrard Inlet, with the Surrey campus in a fast-growing city centre on rapid transit and the Vancouver campus downtown. Metro Vancouver combines ocean, mountains and city life. Tuition and fees include a transit pass.
Nearest airport: Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Notable alumni
- TF Terry FoxAthlete whose 1980 Marathon of Hope launched fundraising of over C$1 billion for cancer research; ran and played basketball for SFU
- MB Mahamudu BawumiaVice President of Ghana (2017-2025) and former central banker; PhD in economics from SFU
- DI Daniel IgaliOlympic gold medallist in wrestling (2000); studied criminology at SFU
- CC Christy ClarkPremier of British Columbia (2011-2017); attended SFU
- DM Don MattrickCo-founder of Distinctive Software, later head of Microsoft's Xbox business and CEO of Zynga; studied business at SFU
- NN Nathan NunnEconomist known for research on the long-term effects of the slave trade on Africa; BA in economics from SFU
- PM Pakalitha MosisiliPrime Minister of Lesotho; Master of Education from SFU (1982)
- MS Mehdi Sadaghdar (ElectroBOOM)Electrical engineer and YouTube educator; Master of Applied Science from SFU
Frequently asked questions
What average do you need to get into SFU?
Historical ranges run from the low 80s for most Arts and Environment programs to the mid 80s for Engineering, Health Sciences and Science and the high 80s to low 90s for Computing Science. International students often need a few points more.
When is the SFU application deadline for Fall 2027?
High school applications open on EducationPlannerBC on October 1, 2026 and close on January 31, 2027. The entrance scholarship (USES) closes on December 15, 2026.
How much is SFU tuition for international students?
SFU estimates CA$38,944 in tuition and fees for a typical Arts or Science year in 2026/27, or about CA$57,303 including residence, meals, books and insurance.
Does SFU require the SAT?
No. SAT and ACT scores are optional for US-curriculum applicants, and not submitting one is not a disadvantage.
What IELTS score does SFU require?
IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0. SFU also accepts TOEFL iBT, PTE (65), Duolingo (125) and qualifying English-medium schooling.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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