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Simon Fraser University

Canada Canada

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THE World Ranking: 251

Overview

Overview

Students will be living and studying in one of the most beautiful cities in the world when they attend Simon Fraser University. Founded in 1965 in Vancouver, SFU has since become one of the best universities in Greater Vancouver (which is also consistently ranked one of the nicest places to live in all of Canada). SFU students will enjoy great teaching from talented tutors and lecturers, but they’ll also enjoy the amazing location every day that they’re living and studying at SFU.

 

With over 300 courses offered through eight faculties, students are sure to find the right programmes of study to meet their goals. Subjects taught at SFU range from the sciences to education to the arts to business, and employment prospects after graduation are great. In fact, 83 per cent of graduates across the whole university are employed within two years of leaving Simon Fraser.

 

SFU is really active, with over 1,000 staff and 35,000 students spread over three campuses around Greater Vancouver. The main site for SFU is on top of Burnaby Mountain, surrounded by woods but just 12 miles from downtown Vancouver. The other two campus locations are in central Vancouver and Surrey, so between all three there’s an opportunity to enjoy every aspect of Canadian life, from city to country.

 

International students will feel right at home at SFU because 21 per cent of current students are from an international background, and the city of Vancouver, just like SFU, is very diverse and welcoming. Plus, there are lots of support services offered to international students, including dedicated staff contacts, social events and access to the Global Student Centre. There are also some great awards and scholarships, giving students of all backgrounds a chance to succeed.

 

At SFU, there are a total of 63 research centres, and students can use modern, high-quality research and study equipment to raise the standard of their education to an even higher level. For any international student who dreams of making positive research contributions in a supported academic space, SFU is ideal.

 

Discover more about studying at SFU:

 

Teaching quality

Entry requirements

Scholarships & funding

University structure

Facilities

Student support

Graduate outcomes

 

Teaching Quality

SFU has strong visions and principles, and one of these principles is the importance of always delivering high-quality teaching across every one of the eight faculties. In 2022, the Times Higher Education magazine named SFU as one of the 250 best universities in the world and the eighth best in Canada, and this was in part thanks to SFU’s great teaching quality and high student satisfaction rate.

 

Real Impact rankings named SFU as the number one university in Canada for innovation and industrial application, and number one in the world for entrepreneurial spirit. These are some impressive ratings and rankings, but they’re just the beginning of SFU’s successes.

 

Faculty and alumni at SFU have achieved a lot over the years. There’s a Pulitzer Prize winner, three Rhodes Scholars and 43 Royal Society of Canada Fellows in the SFU family, and many are on the faculty. Staff regularly publish their academic work in the world’s top journals, partnering with important organisations such as the United Nations and collaborating internationally on research.

 

This means students at SFU have the chance to receive quality teaching from real experts, in the classroom and in the research laboratory. Plus, with 34.4 students per staff member, every person at SFU can be sure that they’ll get the attention they need to succeed.

 

Major fields of research for the university include public health and climate action, which are both important sectors for the conditions of the changing world. SFU prides itself on engaging with current issues and pressing concerns, ensuring students are learning important and up-to-date information (as they would in a professional working environment).

 

Entry Requirements

SFU welcomes applicants from domestic and international backgrounds. To make sure applicants can meet the standards set at SFU, the university assesses them all against some general university entry requirements.

 

At a minimum, international undergraduate applicants must meet SFU’s entry requirements for English language and quantitative and analytical skills. As a guide, a minimum grade of three in suitable IB courses for both English language and mathematics will meet these university requirements. Applicants must also have graduated from a suitable programme at a senior high school and should provide a transcript of their grades to SFU.

 

Postgraduate applicants need a recognised BA at the least, and they will need to share evidence of their university qualifications as undergraduates do with high school transcripts/the equivalent. Plus, anyone applying for a graduate certificate or diploma will need to have a GPA of at least 2.5, while anyone hoping to apply to an MA programme will need a GPA of at least 3. Prospective students also need to provide references and evidence of English Language proficiency.

 

SFU gives detailed admissions guidance to applicants from many different countries on its website so that every student can find their relevant equivalent qualifications. Plus, the university advises that certain courses have additional or different entry requirements to the general university requirements explained above, and careful research is needed before an application is made.

 

If students can’t meet these requirements but really want to come to SFU, there’s still a possibility. The university offers a pathway programme through Fraser International College. This has lower entry requirements and will prepare students for higher education in Canada. After completing their studies at Fraser International College, students will then be able to start an undergraduate degree at SFU.

 

English Score Required

Courses at Simon Fraser are delivered in English, so some international students will need to prove their ability to speak and understand English for entry, even if it’s their first language. Most often, a test of English will be required if an applicant has spent the last four years (or longer) of their education in a country where English isn’t the primary language.

 

If needed, there are several English language proficiency tests that SFU will use to assess English skills. These include the following:

 

  • Completion of the last three years of full-time secondary education in English in Canada (with a minimum grade of 70 per cent)
  • Completion of the last three years of full-time secondary education in English in a country in which the principal language is English (with a minimum grade of 70 per cent)
  • Completion of the last four years of full-time secondary education in English at a recognised international school (with a minimum grade of 70 per cent)
  • Completion of an IB Diploma Programme including English A (HL/SL) or English Literature and Performance (SL) (with a minimum grade of three)
  • Completion of a three-unit English (ENGL) course or a certified W (writing intensive) course (with a minimum grade of C)
  • Completion of SFU’s English Language and Culture (ELC) Low Advanced Level (with a minimum grade of 80 per cent
  • Completion of GCSE 0-Level English (with a minimum grade of four (or C))
  • A satisfactory score in one of several accepted English tests (like an IELTS overall band score of at least 6.5 with no individual bands below 6 for undergraduates or an IELTS overall band score of at least 7 with no individual bands below 6.5 for postgraduates)

 

Admission

The undergraduate university admission process begins with potential students applying for up to two programmes. Once they have selected their programmes, they will have to create an account with EducationPlannerBC and give some details, including their grades and the programmes they’re interested in. Once completed, they will have to pay a fee (CAD 81 in 2022) to complete their application for student admission.

 

SFU will contact students for any documents they need once they receive an application. These may include transcripts, a CV, a passport, and a letter of recommendation. After getting all the documents required together and sharing them with the university, SFU will officially consider an application. If they give an offer of admission, the student will need to accept this offer and pay a deposit (CAD 750 in 2022).

 

Applicants for graduate programmes can use SFU’s application website to get started. Different programmes need different documents, but all applicants will need transcripts and references/letters of recommendation. In 2022, SFU’s postgraduate application fee is CAD 90.

 

The tuition fee a student has to pay will depend on their programme. International undergraduate students starting in 2022 can expect to pay at least CAD 1,059.15 per unit on their course. Graduate students will have to pay at least CAD 2,025.60 per term for tuition.

 

Scholarships & Funding

Scholarships are available to reduce tuition fees for eligible students at SFU. There are university scholarships open to Canadian students and international students, and the only eligibility requirements for basic consideration are:

 

  • 12 completed units of standard graded courses at SFU
  • Enrolment in at least 12 current units of standard graded courses at SFU
  • A minimum CGPA of 3.5 at SFU

 

If a student meets the requirements to apply for funding support in the form of this scholarship, they will need to:

 

  1. Check application deadlines.
  2. Review the full list of available scholarships to determine which one to apply for.
  3. Complete an application online by logging into the student information system.
  4. Set up a direct deposit to receive refunds students may be eligible to receive.

 

A full list of available scholarships and awards can be found on SFU’s website. One great example, though, is the McCall MacBain Scholarship. This was announced in 2019 for postgraduate MA students, and it covers:

 

  • Tuition and fees
  • A living allowance of CAD 2,000 per month during academic terms
  • A full programme of interdisciplinary learning, access to a global community and mentorship

 

Prospective students should note that SFU does not administer external scholarships, awards, and bursaries (which is why they’re not included in the database). If a student would rather apply for a bursary, they’re available to Canadian and international students under certain circumstances.

 

As with scholarships, to apply for a bursary, students should go online and log in to the student information system. A bursary will not be awarded every term, and due to a large volume of applications, payments will be processed in the middle of the term. For students curious about whether they meet the requirements to apply for a bursary, they must be:

 

  • In financial need
  • Enrolled in at least nine units of standard graded courses
  • In good academic standing with a CGPA at SFU of at least 2

 

University Structure

At SFU, students will be living and studying in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, according to the 2022 report completed by the UK-based Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). Lectures will take place over three campuses, and students will learn from experienced tutors. The three campuses are:

 

  • Burnaby Campus, in a beautiful location, it encourages interdisciplinary collaboration between students and researchers
  • Vancouver Campus, home to nine different facilities, it’s the largest university presence in downtown Vancouver
  • Surrey Campus, home to Innovation Boulevard (a partnership between SFU, the city of Surrey, and the Fraser Health Authority)

 

Across these campuses, there are eight core faculties and endless opportunities within them. They are:

 

  • The Faculty of Applied Sciences
  • The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
  • The Faculty of Education
  • The Beedie School of Business
  • The Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology
  • The Faculty of Environment
  • The Faculty of Health Sciences
  • The Faculty of Science

 

Facilities

After hours in the lecture theatre, good student activity centres and student life centres are essential on campus for relaxing and socialising, and there are lots at SFU. There are some great dining options, from the Diamond Alumni Centre and Burnaby Catering Services to conveniently placed Starbucks and Tim Hortons locations.

 

There are also lots of sports activities available in a range of student recreation centres across the three campus locations, like an aquatics centre complete with fitness spaces, dance studios and yoga studios. Or, if students would prefer to exercise outside, the Burnaby Mountain Trails offer some amazing breaths of clean, fresh air.

 

For an interesting and educational after-class trip, SFU’s Indigenous Art Centre is full of beautiful pieces waiting to be appreciated. Here, students will discover many different practices and artists at work, combining the traditions of their ancestors with international art practices to create amazing results. Overall, there is no chance of boredom at SFU. From study sessions in the library to coffees on campus, there’s nothing out of reach at Simon Fraser.

 

Accommodation

Once they’ve been accepted to study at SFU, international students usually want to get their accommodation sorted as soon as possible. SFU wants to help make the process as simple and easy to understand as possible, so there’s a lot of information about student accommodation on the institution’s website. To summarise, undergraduates can stay in:

 

  • The North Towers
  • The East/West Towers
  • Shell House
  • McTaggart-Cowan Hall
  • The Townhouses

 

Postgraduates have housing options in the Charles Chang Innovation Centre and Hamilton Hall, and there’s also family housing available through SFU, too. The cost of a student’s chosen university accommodation will vary depending on the option they select. The current fees for autumn 2022 are between CAD 3,272 and CAD 5,488 per term. Other fees to consider include:

 

  • A non-refundable accommodation application fee of CAD 50
  • A non-refundable confirmation payment of CAD 700
  • Membership to the Residential Hall Association (all accommodation except the Innovation Centre) costing CAD 13
  • Residence Life membership for Fraser International College students costing CAD 150
  • Parking costs of between CAD 185 and 235 per term
  • A lost key/lock change fee of CAD 170
  • A lost fob fee of CAD 20
  • Cleaning and damage fees of CAD 125
  • Improper checkout fees of CAD 80 per day
  • A lost temporary badge key (East and West Towers) fee of CAD 75

 

Student Support

There is a range of student support services at SFU. These services aim to help students from the moment they start at the institution. The student support on offer begins with the Centre for Accessible Learning, also known as CAL. It’s designed for students who have a documented or suspected disability, and it’s a place where they can discuss requirements and arrange accommodation.

 

On top of this, further student services include health and counselling services. Students are able to receive help, through SFU, with their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. On top of this, students can join a student support programme, which includes workshops on topics like mindfulness, meditation and self-compassion.

 

There is a dedicated International Services for Students team available. They can provide advice, support and resources to make the international student experience at SFU as good as it possibly can be. There’s also an SFU multifaith centre to turn to and connect with students from similar (and different) spiritual backgrounds.

 

Graduate Outcomes

SFU focuses on teaching students how to succeed beyond graduation. Through its great career services and its strong co-op education programme, SFU has allowed over 8,500 students to get jobs with major international companies. Courses offer chances for collaboration, giving learners the room to build even more skills.

 

Students can also get practical experience through field schools, volunteer activities, work placements and leadership training to help expand their career options after graduation. This means that students from SFU are highly employable and preferred by businesses in the area for their practical skills and high standards. Job prospects are strong and always getting stronger.

 

There are lots of career exploration tools available to students at SFU, as well as career-focused workshops and events. Other employment services available include online portals where students can see recently listed job opportunities and digital help packets and career guides covering things like creating a good CV and making a good impression in an interview.

 

 

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Key facts and figures at Simon Fraser University

Rankings

Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
Source: THE

251

OVERALL SCORE

53.1%

TEACHING

28.7%

INTERNATIONAL OUTLOOK

92.9%

INDUSTRY INCOME

83.1%

RESEARCH

36.7%

CITATIONS

84.2%
QS World University Rankings 2024
Source: QS

318

Academic Ranking of World Universities 2023
Source: ARWU

301

Student life in numbers

COSTS PER YEAR
LIVING COSTS

CAD$11,000

AVERAGE PRIVATE RENT

CAD$5,250

AVERAGE TUITION FEE PER YEAR

POSTGRADUATE

CAD$53,770

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