Simon Fraser University Graduate Studies Admission and Programs Guide 2026

SFU Graduate Studies Overview

Simon Fraser University stands as one of Canada’s most community-engaged research universities, internationally recognized and consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world. Founded in 1965, SFU operates three thriving urban campuses across British Columbia — the architecturally significant Burnaby Mountain campus, the downtown Vancouver campus, and the Surrey campus — providing graduate students with exceptional access to diverse urban environments and research communities.

The Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) office, led by Dean and Associate Provost Dr. Jeff Derksen, oversees a vibrant community of approximately 5,000 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows from over 100 countries. This remarkable diversity creates a global learning environment where perspectives from every continent enrich research collaborations, seminar discussions, and the broader academic experience. Located in the Maggie Benston Student Services Centre on the Burnaby campus, GPS serves as the administrative hub for all graduate programs.

SFU acknowledges that its campuses are located on the unceded, traditional, and ancestral territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples — a recognition that shapes the university’s commitment to Indigenous engagement and reconciliation across its graduate programs and research initiatives. For prospective students evaluating Canadian graduate education options, SFU offers a compelling combination of research excellence, community engagement, and the natural beauty of British Columbia’s west coast. Similar to how SFU’s innovation programs bridge research and industry, the graduate school connects academic training with real-world impact.

Graduate Admission Requirements and Types

Simon Fraser University offers three distinct pathways into graduate studies, each designed to accommodate different academic backgrounds and preparation levels. Understanding these admission types is essential for planning a successful application and managing expectations about your first terms at SFU.

Regular Admission applies to students who have met all university minimum requirements, completed all prerequisites for direct admission, and submitted all required supporting documentation including official transcripts and test scores. This is the most straightforward path, enabling immediate enrollment in graduate-level courses from the first term.

Conditional Admission is offered to students who may not have submitted all supporting documentation at the time of the admission decision, or who have been given specific requirements to fulfill within their first two terms. These conditions might include completing specific graduate courses or achieving a defined grade point average. Once all conditions are satisfied, admission automatically converts to regular status. It is important to note that required documents should be sent to GPS directly from the issuing institution or testing agency.

Qualifying Admission requires students to complete specific undergraduate courses and achieve a defined GPA, typically within one year of studies. Key restrictions apply: undergraduate courses must be taken at SFU, cannot count toward the graduate degree, and qualifying students cannot enroll in graduate courses until they meet all requirements. If qualifications are not met by the specified deadline, students must reapply to the program entirely.

All admission offers are valid for 21 days from the date of the offer unless otherwise specified. Students who applied to multiple SFU programs may only accept one offer. A non-refundable admission deposit is required to hold your place in the program, which is later applied toward first-term tuition. By accepting admission, students agree to allow SFU to verify all application documents through agencies such as the World Education Service — and any fraudulent documents will result in revocation regardless of time spent in the program.

Degree Programs at SFU Graduate School

SFU’s graduate school offers a comprehensive range of degree types across its eight faculties, providing pathways suited to both research-focused scholars and professionals seeking advanced credentials. The main degree categories include Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, Master’s degrees, and Doctoral (PhD) programs, each with distinct structures and requirements.

Master’s programs at SFU include research-intensive degrees such as the Master of Applied Science (MASc), which is common in engineering disciplines and requires a thesis, as well as coursework-oriented professional degrees like the Master of Engineering (MEng). The choice between thesis-based and coursework-based master’s programs has significant implications for funding eligibility, completion timelines, and career outcomes, making it an important decision point for prospective students.

Doctoral programs represent the highest level of academic achievement at SFU, requiring original research contributions to the field culminating in a thesis that is publicly defended. PhD students typically work closely with a supervisor and supervisory committee, and may have the option to transfer directly from a master’s program without completing the master’s degree — though this affects time limit calculations. Graduate Certificates and Diplomas offer focused professional development in specialized areas, with time limits of 9 terms each.

One of the distinctive features of graduate education at SFU is the Western Canadian Deans Agreement, which allows graduate students to take courses at the University of British Columbia (UBC), the University of Victoria (UVic), and the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). This arrangement must be made at least six weeks before the term begins and significantly expands the academic resources available to SFU students. Additionally, with supervisor and departmental permission, students may enroll in courses outside their home department, fostering the interdisciplinary approach that characterizes SFU’s academic culture.

SFU Graduate Tuition Fees and Financial Planning

Understanding SFU’s graduate tuition structure is crucial for financial planning. The university operates two distinct fee models: term fees, which are a flat amount charged each term regardless of course load, and credit fees, which are calculated per unit for each enrolled course. The student information system automatically calculates tuition and fees each term after enrollment, and additional charges may apply for courses taken outside a student’s program of study.

All students who are members of the Student Union are required to pay the U-Pass BC Transit Fee of $164 per term, which provides unlimited access to Metro Vancouver’s entire public transit network including TransLink buses, SkyTrain, and SeaBus across all zones, plus discounted fares on the West Coast Express. Students studying outside Metro Vancouver can apply for an exemption from this fee. Detailed fee schedules are published on the SFU Calendar website and updated each term.

Prospective students comparing options across institutions, such as the financial structures outlined in the University of Reading MSc guide, will find SFU’s pricing competitive for a top Canadian research university. For financial planning purposes, prospective students should account for tuition, the transit pass, student union fees, health and dental benefit premiums, and living expenses in the greater Vancouver area. The Student Accounts office handles all payment processing and can arrange payment plans for students who need flexibility. It is worth noting that certain fees are non-refundable even in cases of extenuating circumstances that lead to withdrawal, so students should understand the financial implications of enrollment decisions before each term begins.

SFU Graduate Funding Scholarships and Assistantships

SFU provides a robust funding ecosystem for graduate students, with multiple streams of financial support that can be combined to create a comprehensive funding package. The university’s Senate regulations establish an annual maximum of $50,000 from university-administered awards and scholarships, which includes external agency awards administered through SFU from bodies such as CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC.

Funding offers at SFU are tied to the specific academic term of admission and are valid for 21 days. Most offers are structured annually, though per-term amounts may vary depending on the funding sources involved. Typical packages combine multiple streams including Teaching Assistantships (TA), Research Assistantships (RA), and merit-based awards. An important provision for students who receive external agency funding from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC: the total funding package (external plus SFU sources) will exceed the original offer, meaning external awards add to rather than replace institutional support.

Major entrance awards include the GDES, BCGS, and GIES scholarships. All recipients of these awards are required to apply each year for external funding from national agencies — failure to do so results in forfeiture of remaining SFU funding. To maintain award eligibility, students must be registered full-time, maintain good academic standing with a minimum CGPA of 3.50, and demonstrate satisfactory progress in their program. Awards are prorated upon early completion or withdrawal, and original funding offers are no longer valid if a student withdraws and later seeks readmission.

Research Assistantships are funded through contract research or grant funds and may involve work related to the student’s own research area. RA values can vary by term and depend on the supervisor’s available funding. Teaching Assistantships and Tutor Marker positions are posted eight weeks before each term for a two-week application window, and are governed by the collective agreement between SFU and TSSU. Programs like these are what distinguish comprehensive research universities like SFU from institutions focused solely on coursework, similar to the funding structures at Durham University’s MSc programs.

SFU Graduate Supervision and Academic Progress

The supervisory relationship is perhaps the single most important factor in a successful graduate experience at SFU. All graduate students have some form of faculty supervision, and in research-based programs, this includes both a primary supervisor and a supervisory committee. The graduate program chair serves as the faculty advisor until a permanent supervisor is appointed, which should happen no later than the beginning of the second term.

SFU encourages students to be thoughtful and proactive in selecting their supervisor. Key factors to consider include the fit between the supervisor’s research program and the student’s own interests, the supervisor’s ability to provide financial support, their availability throughout the expected duration of the program, and their demonstrated track record of successfully supervising students through to degree completion. The university provides guidelines and agreement templates to help students and supervisors establish clear expectations from the outset.

Changes to supervisory committees are possible but require a formal process: a written request from either the student or a committee member must be submitted to the department’s graduate program committee with written reasons, and if approved, forwarded to GPS for final authorization. Students should be aware that switching supervisors may result in loss of an RA position offered by the original supervisor, which can have significant financial implications. Maintaining open communication with your supervisor and committee is essential for steady academic progress and timely completion of your degree.

SFU Graduate Program Time Limits and Completion

SFU establishes clear time limits for graduate program completion to encourage timely progress, prevent unnecessary delays, and ensure that research remains current and relevant. These limits are designed to account for extenuating circumstances and are not intended as normal completion times — most students complete well within these boundaries.

Individual programs may specify their own expected normal completion times, which are typically shorter than the maximum limits shown above. Students who approach their time limits should proactively communicate with their supervisors and GPS to discuss options, which may include extension requests under certain circumstances. The SFU Calendar’s Graduate General Regulations (GGR) provide comprehensive details on all aspects of program progression, including enrollment requirements, grading policies, examination procedures, and thesis publication requirements.

SFU Graduate Student Services and Campus Life

Simon Fraser University offers extensive support services designed to enhance the graduate student experience across all three campuses. Graduate residence is available at Hamilton Hall on the Burnaby Mountain campus and in downtown Vancouver, providing convenient and affordable housing options for students who prefer to live on or near campus. The proximity to major urban centres means students also have abundant off-campus housing options, though the Vancouver housing market requires early and proactive searching.

The U-Pass BC program is a standout benefit for SFU graduate students, providing unlimited access to Metro Vancouver’s comprehensive public transit system for $164 per term. This includes all TransLink services — buses, SkyTrain rapid transit, and SeaBus — across all zones, with additional discounts on West Coast Express commuter rail. For students commuting between campuses or exploring the greater Vancouver area, this pass represents significant value and convenience.

Graduate students benefit from health and dental coverage through the Graduate Student Society (GSS), academic support through the SFU Library system, career development services, and dedicated support for international students through SFU International Services for Students. International students with study permits are particularly encouraged to consult with International Services before making decisions about leaves of absence or enrollment changes, as these can affect immigration status. The GPS office maintains regular office hours Monday through Friday and can be reached through their helpdesk, email, or phone for any questions about graduate policies and procedures.

SFU Graduate Leave Policies and Enrollment

Graduate students at SFU are required to maintain continuous enrollment throughout their program. This means registering for courses or maintaining approved status every term from admission through graduation. Failure to enroll or obtain approved leave by the end of the sixth week of classes results in automatic discontinuation from the program — a serious consequence that underscores the importance of proactive enrollment management.

SFU recognizes that life circumstances sometimes require breaks from academic study and offers four types of approved leave: Personal Leave, Parental Leave, Medical/Compassionate Leave, and Academic Break. All leaves must be formally requested and approved in advance. Parental, medical, and compassionate leaves require supporting documentation. During any approved leave, award payments are suspended and must be re-initiated upon return with GPS approval.

Students who are discontinued due to failure to enroll may apply for reactivation within the same term, after which they must maintain continuous enrollment going forward. Those who do not apply for reactivation must go through the full readmission process, which follows the regular admission pathway. Importantly, time away from the program continues to count toward the overall time limit, and readmitted students retain their original start date, time limit, and program requirements. Retroactive withdrawals are not normally approved, though students may withdraw from courses for any reason up to the ninth week of the term. After the ninth week, a Withdraw Under Extenuating Circumstance application is required.

How to Apply to SFU Graduate Programs

The application process for SFU graduate programs begins at go.sfu.ca, where prospective students create a ‘GA’ account to submit their application, upload supporting documents, and track the status of their admission decision. Each program has specific requirements and deadlines, so applicants should first consult the website of their target department or program to understand what materials are needed beyond the standard university requirements.

Standard application materials typically include official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, letters of reference, a statement of purpose or research proposal, standardized test scores (where required), and proof of English language proficiency for international applicants. Some programs may also require a CV, writing samples, or portfolio submissions. All official documents should be sent directly from the issuing institution to ensure authenticity.

Approximately two months before your first term, you will receive an email with your SFU computing ID and activation instructions. This computing ID — distinct from both your student number and GA account — provides access to the SFU email system, student information system, course enrollment, and all campus digital services. You are strongly advised to enroll in courses prior to the term start to secure your preferred course selections, ensure access to online course content, and facilitate timely award disbursements. For detailed information about specific programs, funding opportunities, and application timelines, visit sfu.ca/grad or contact the graduate program assistant in your department of interest.