🍁Simon Fraser University

Burnaby, BC, Canada

QS World 2026 · #318

A distinctive mountaintop-campus university in Metro Vancouver, known for its co-op programme.

About SFU

SFU's main Burnaby campus sits atop Burnaby Mountain, a striking Arthur Erickson-designed brutalist campus overlooking Vancouver. It runs one of Canada's largest co-op programmes, giving students substantial paid work experience integrated into their degree.

Why students choose it

  • Striking Arthur Erickson-designed mountaintop campus
  • One of Canada's largest co-op programmes
  • Strong Computing Science reputation

🎓 Free application support for SFU

Submit a free enquiry and Tutopiya's admissions team will guide you through your application to SFU — personal statement, interview prep and deadlines — at no cost, no obligation. Application fees are typically waived through our university partnerships.

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Typical entry grades

ABB (A Level)  ·  IB 32

Solid tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

CA$25,000–CA$40,000/yr

mid tier for Canada — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

English

Campus

campus campus, Burnaby, BC

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or SFU's financial aid office.

Many Canadian universities offer automatic entrance scholarships for international students based on high-school grades — often no separate application needed beyond the standard admission application.

  • University international entrance scholarships: e.g. University of Toronto's Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, UBC's International Major Entrance Scholarship — merit-based, automatically considered for eligible applicants at many universities.
  • Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships: Federally funded, but for doctoral/research study, not undergraduate admission.

Coverage ranges from a one-off award to full tuition for the most competitive automatic scholarships — check each university's international scholarships page for exact criteria.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

Business

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Typical entry: Mathematics helps but usually isn't required recommended

Computer Science

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics

Engineering

⏱️ Typical duration: Often 4 years rather than the country's standard Bachelor's length, especially where the programme includes an integrated Master's (e.g. UK MEng) or an industry placement year

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics + Physics

Communications

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Health Sciences

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Typical entry: Requires two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths

Durations are typical for Canada — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
September (Fall), January (Winter, some programmes)
Typical deadline
Rolling from October, with most competitive programmes closing mid-January
Note
High-demand programmes (e.g. UofT Engineering, UBC) fill up fast — apply as soon as the portal opens for the best chance.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0)

TOEFL: 80–90 iBT

Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

See where SFU ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free Canada University Shortlist Builder to see whether SFU is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other Canada university that matches.

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More Canada universities

SFU FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to SFU as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into SFU?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, SFU expects around ABB at A Level or 32 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for SFU's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on SFU's own admissions page before applying.

How much does SFU cost for international students?

International tuition at SFU typically falls in the CA$25,000–CA$40,000/yr range (mid tier for Canada). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not SFU's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for SFU?

SFU follows Canada's typical intake calendar: September (Fall), January (Winter, some programmes), with applications generally due rolling from october, with most competitive programmes closing mid-january. High-demand programmes (e.g. UofT Engineering, UBC) fill up fast — apply as soon as the portal opens for the best chance. Always verify the exact date on SFU's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for SFU?

Canada universities, including SFU, typically ask international applicants for 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0). Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

What is SFU known for?

A distinctive mountaintop-campus university in Metro Vancouver, known for its co-op programme. SFU's main Burnaby campus sits atop Burnaby Mountain, a striking Arthur Erickson-designed brutalist campus overlooking Vancouver. It runs one of Canada's largest co-op programmes, giving students substantial paid work experience integrated into their degree.

Can I apply to SFU with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — SFU accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free Canada University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against SFU and every other Canada university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

Need help applying to SFU? Get free application support.

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