Simon Fraser University (SFU) is a public research university in British Columbia, Canada, with three campuses located in Burnaby, Surrey, and Vancouver. Established in 1965, SFU has grown to become one of Canada's leading comprehensive universities, known for its innovative teaching, research excellence, and community engagement. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across eight faculties, serving a diverse student body from over 145 countries.
| Acronym | SFU |
| Nickname | Red leafs |
| Motto / Slogan | We are ready |
| Colour | Light Red, Dark Red |
| Mascot | McFogg the Dog |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Undergraduate Programmes | |
| Postgraduate Programmes | 45 |
| Location | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Address | Harbour Centre 515 West Hastings Street Vancouver, B.C. Canada. V6B 5K3 |
Guided by our shared vision—to be a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and sustainable future—we are committed to meeting the changing needs of both the world around us and the people and communities we serve.
SFU aspires to be Canada's engaged university, defined by its dynamic integration of innovative education, cutting-edge research, and far-reaching community engagement.
Advance innovative research that benefits society
Provide students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences to thrive in a changing world
Foster a vibrant community that champions justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion
Engage in meaningful partnerships that enhance the social, economic, and cultural well-being of communities
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
Simon Fraser University offers an excellent environment for research and graduate studies. The institution is home to a variety of world-class research facilities, innovative programs, and world-renowned scholars.
We're here to help you develop your career path throughout your studies, by offering guidance and resources to prepare you for your professional journey beyond SFU. As a student, we'll provide career advising, connect you with job postings, invite you to workshops, information sessions, and career fairs, and much more.
We make it easier and accessible to maintain your health and well-being throughout your studies while you're on campus. You can plan visits to our modern recreational facilities around your class schedules each term. Once you begin your studies, be sure to try out fitness and martial arts programs, drop-in and intramural sports, our climbing gym, fitness and aquatic centres, and more.
SFU currently has over 60 research centres and institutes that contribute to our top position among Canada's universities in research impact. Research is what drives the experiential education of SFU students outside of the classroom, and what empowers students like Damon to make a positive contribution to the community.
Entry requirements vary by program. Check the admission program page for requirements.
English Language requirement
All applicants must meet the university's English Language Requirement. See details.
General admission requirements
Entry requirements vary by program. Check the admission program page for requirements.
General requirements:
The minimum university requirements for admission to a master's program are as follows:
a) a bachelor's degree from Simon Fraser University or its equivalent from a recognized institution;
b) a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0/4.33 (B),
or
a grade point average of at least 3.33/4.33 (B+) based on the last 60 units of undergraduate courses. Any graduate work is also considered. Individual graduate programs may set a higher admission grade point average;
c) submitted evidence, usually references from qualified referees, of the applicant's ability to undertake advanced study in the area of interest.
In exceptional circumstances, an applicant may be admitted with lower formal qualifications than in (a) or (b) when there is significant experience relevant to the proposed area of scholarship. Applicants being recommended through these exceptional circumstances would normally be admitted conditionally to the university.
Students must satisfy any further requirements set by the graduate program committee.
Email: [email protected],[email protected]
Phone : +1-778-782-6930, +1 778 782 3042
Library: Acknowledging the benefits of occupying this land, the Library commits to becoming a more welcoming space for Indigenous Peoples by centring Indigenous voices in our collections, services, and programs.
Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL)
Canadian University Society for Intercollegiate Debate (CUSID)
Universities Canada
Joy is widely respected in academic and research communities. Prior to her appointment as president, Joy served as SFU’s vice-president, research and international f... read more
Before joining SFU, Joy had a distinguished career in academics and research, completing her PhD in nursing at the University of Alberta before joining the University of British Columbia as a professor in the School of Nursing. Her commitment to research led her to take on the role of scientific director with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's Institute of Gender and Health, setting the institute’s strategy and building opportunities for researchers. Joy’s many accomplishments reflect her dedication to operational excellence and her ability to align institutional policy and priorities to achieve success.
Dr. Vrooman is a transformational leader renowned for her commitment to addressing economic inequaliti... read more
In her early career, she achieved significant success as B.C.’s Deputy Minister in both the Ministries of Finance and of Health, as Secretary to the Treasury Board, and as CEO of the Public Sector Employees Council.
In 2007, Dr. Vrooman was named President and CEO of Vancity, Canada’s largest community credit union. Over the next 13 years she transformed the business and service model, delivering record profitability and doubling assets while implementing a successful new vision for value-based banking.
Under her leadership, Vancity became the largest private-sector living wage employer in Canada and the first carbon-neutral financial institution in North America. As well, Dr. Vrooman championed a broad range of collaborative, inclusive and community-focused initiatives including the 2014 Walk for Reconciliation, the annual SFU Public Square Community Summit, and the Vancity Office of Community Engagement at SFU. Opened in 2010, the office today welcomes almost 10,000 people annually to its community programs and has done much to enhance the social fabric of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
Kitchen was educated at Magdalen College, Oxford, and the School of Slavonic and East European Studies at the University of London.
Now Professor Emeritus of history at Simon Fraser University, Kitchen started teaching in 1966. He also taught at the Cambridge Group for Population Studies (Cambridge University). Throughout his career, Kitchen has served in several editorial boards such as the International History Review, the Canadian Journal of History / Annales canadiennes d'histoire and International Affairs. Kitchen's work has been translated into French, German, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish and Chinese.
From a variety of sites, the chancellor recommended the top of Burnaby Mountain, with its magnificent views of Burrard Inlet, the Coast Mountains, the Fraser River and Vancouver harbour – the unceded, traditiona... read more
The Vancouver firm of Erickson/Massey won the design competition, but the four runner-up architects each designed at least one building within the overall plan. Construction began in the spring of 1964 and 18 months later on September 9, 1965, SFU opened to 2,500 charter students.
Since then, the university expanded to downtown Vancouver and the Surrey Central district. The Vancouver campus has grown from a modest storefront offering night school classes in the early ‘80s to the largest post-secondary institution downtown. SFU Vancouver’s nine sites offer degree and continuing studies opportunities for students and include several galleries, innovation centres, a student residence and the internationally renowned Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue. SFU’s Vancouver campus celebrated 30 years of learning, research and community engagement in 2019.
Since 2002, SFU’s Surrey campus has helped define and shape Surrey’s city centre. The campus offers a diverse number of undergraduate, graduate and continuing studies courses and is home to world-class, leading edge research in health, energy and creative technologies. The Surrey campus also supports a thriving entrepreneurial learning environment. The campus currently occupies a stunning facility designed by renowned architect Bing Thom. In the fall of 2019, SFU’s Surrey campus opened its newest 160,000 square foot building, the last project designed by the late Thom. The building houses SFU’s new School of Sustainable Energy Engineering featuring innovative labs and a 400-seat lecture theatre for both academic and community use.
Simon Fraser University has been characterized by its adventurous spirit, openness, willingness to embrace bold initiatives and its commitment to reconciliation. SFU’s unique educational programs, inspired research and vibrant community relations set it apart from other universities — in B.C. and in Canada.
SFU respectfully acknowledges that its three campuses reside on the traditional, unceded territories of the S?wx?wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), s?l?ilw??ta?? (Tsleil-Waututh), x?m??k??y??m (Musqueam), k?ik?????m (Kwikwetlem), Kwantlen, q?íc??y? (Katzie), Qayqayt, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen peoples.