Admissions·Canada· 9 min read

Simon Fraser University (SFU) Admission Guide (Official Process)

How international students apply to Simon Fraser University: EducationPlannerBC, the English Studies 12 / 70% requirement, five Grade 12 courses, English options and the apply-submit-decide steps.

Last updated 3 July 2026

Key facts

University: Simon Fraser University (SFU), Burnaby / Vancouver / Surrey, British Columbia
How to apply: Through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), the shared British Columbia application service; select SFU and your program/intake
Core academic base: Five approved academic Grade 12 courses including English Studies 12 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 70% — plus program-specific requirements
Application fee: Set by SFU for international applicants — confirm the current fee on sfu.ca; do not rely on third-party figures
English proficiency: SFU's English Language Requirement met via approved tests or equivalents; thresholds on the official page
Offer window: Offers to high-school applicants are typically made across the winter–spring of the entry year; verify on sfu.ca

Who SFU is

Simon Fraser University is a public research university in British Columbia, with campuses in Burnaby, Vancouver and Surrey. It is known for its co-operative education (co-op) programs and a broad range of degrees across arts, science, business, communication, computing, engineering and health.

SFU has its own large intake and its own admission process — it is worth learning that process on its own terms rather than assuming it mirrors other BC universities. This guide covers the official route for international undergraduate applicants and defers all changeable numbers (grades, fees, deadlines, any ranking) to SFU's own pages.

Public research university in British Columbia (Burnaby / Vancouver / Surrey)
Well known for co-operative education (co-op)
Broad undergraduate offering across most faculties

How you apply: EducationPlannerBC

All applications to public post-secondary institutions in British Columbia — including SFU — are submitted through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), the province's shared application service. You create an account, select SFU and your specific program and intake (Fall, Spring or Summer), and pay the application fee.

International applicants generally have two options: apply directly to SFU (recommended for students with strong academic standing), or enter through Fraser International College (FIC), SFU's on-campus pathway partner, which prepares international students for later transfer into SFU. Choose based on your grades and how ready you feel for direct-entry study.

Apply via EducationPlannerBC (EPBC) — select SFU + program + intake
Direct entry to SFU for strong applicants
Fraser International College (FIC) pathway as an alternative route in

Academic requirements: English Studies 12 and the five-course base

SFU's general admission base is a minimum of five approved academic Grade 12 courses (or their equivalents for your school system), which must include English Studies 12 — or an approved equivalent — with a minimum grade of 70%. This English requirement is separate from, and in addition to, SFU's English Language Requirement for applicants whose schooling was not in English.

On top of that base, most programs have their own specific course prerequisites (for example, particular math or science courses for science, computing or engineering). SFU also publishes historical admission grade ranges by program; treat these as guidance only — the actual competitive level varies each year, so confirm current requirements on the program page.

Five approved academic Grade 12 courses (or equivalents)
English Studies 12 (or equivalent), minimum 70%
Program-specific prerequisites on top of the general base
Historical grade ranges are guidance, not a guarantee

English language proficiency

If your first language is not English or your prior education was not in English, you must satisfy SFU's English Language Requirement in addition to the English Studies 12 grade above. SFU accepts approved tests and equivalents, with minimum scores set by the university — check the official English Language Requirement page for the accepted tests and current thresholds.

If your test score is below the required level, the Fraser International College pathway or SFU's own English options may give you a route in. Do not rely on a third-party figure for the minimum score; scores and accepted tests change, so verify them on sfu.ca.

SFU English Language Requirement is separate from the English Studies 12 grade
Approved tests and equivalents accepted — thresholds set by SFU
FIC / SFU English options if you fall short

The three-step application flow

The process is straightforward once you know the shape of it. First, apply: create your EducationPlannerBC account, select SFU and your program/intake, and pay the fee. Second, submit your documents: upload interim or final transcripts, English-test results and any program-required items through your SFU applicant portal — doing this promptly helps you be considered early.

Third, receive your decision: SFU assesses your file and communicates offers through your applicant account. For international high-school applicants, offers are generally made across the winter and spring of the entry year, so a decision may take some weeks — plan for that rather than expecting an instant answer. Confirm the current cycle's timing on sfu.ca.

Step 1 — Apply via EPBC (select SFU, program, intake; pay fee)
Step 2 — Submit transcripts, English scores and program items to your SFU portal
Step 3 — Receive the decision via your applicant account (winter–spring for high-school applicants)

After an offer: the study-permit step

An SFU admission offer and a Canadian study permit are two separate things — an offer alone does not let you enter or study in Canada. Once you accept your offer, arrange your finances and begin your study-permit application with IRCC (canada.ca).

SFU is a Designated Learning Institution, and your official acceptance is a core document for the study permit; British Columbia's Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) process may also apply. Rules here change, so follow the official IRCC instructions and treat our Canada study-permit guides as orientation, not a substitute for the government source.

Admission and study permit are separate steps
SFU is a Designated Learning Institution (DLI); its acceptance is key for the permit
A Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) may be required — verify on IRCC

Frequently asked questions

How do international students apply to SFU?

Through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), British Columbia's shared application service — create an account, select SFU and your program and intake, and pay the fee, then upload documents to your SFU applicant portal. Strong applicants apply directly; others may use the Fraser International College pathway. Confirm details on sfu.ca.

What is the English Studies 12 requirement at SFU?

SFU's general base requires five approved academic Grade 12 courses including English Studies 12 (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum grade of 70%. This is separate from SFU's English Language Requirement for students whose prior education was not in English. Verify current requirements on the official SFU page.

What English test scores does SFU accept?

SFU accepts approved English tests and equivalents to meet its English Language Requirement, with minimum scores set by the university. Because accepted tests and thresholds change, check SFU's official English Language Requirement page rather than a third-party summary, and consider the FIC pathway if you fall short.

When will I hear back from SFU?

For international high-school applicants, SFU generally makes offers across the winter and spring of the entry year, communicated through your applicant account. Submitting your documents promptly helps you be considered early. Exact timing varies by cycle and program — confirm on sfu.ca.

What is Fraser International College (FIC)?

FIC is SFU's on-campus pathway partner for international students. It offers a route into SFU for applicants who do not yet meet direct-entry academic or English requirements, preparing them to transfer into an SFU degree. Direct entry is recommended for students with strong academic standing.

Does an SFU offer let me study in Canada straight away?

No — an admission offer and a Canadian study permit are separate. After accepting, you apply for a study permit through IRCC (canada.ca), using SFU's acceptance letter and, where applicable, a Provincial Attestation Letter. This is general information, not immigration advice; verify current rules on the official source and consider an RCIC or lawyer for your case.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: SFU — Apply to SFU (Undergraduate Admission); SFU — International high school students; SFU — English language requirement; IRCC — Study permit (Government of Canada).

Last verified: 3 July 2026.