Simon Fraser University

Simon Fraser University (SFU) was established in 1965 in British Columbia. It enrols nearly 30,000 students across eight faculties and is consistently ranked among the best universities in Canada. Burnaby campus was designed by noted Canadian architects Arthur Erikson and Geoffrey Massey to specifically foster interdisciplinary contact between students and researchers.

Academic Highlights

SFU is rated highly worldwide for its economics and business schools and for its research and teaching in social science. It’s also noted for natural sciences, engineering, computing science, education, health studies and humanities. Its alumni include Rhodes Scholars, a Pulitzer Prize winner and several Olympic gold medallists.

Location

All of SFU’s three campuses are located in the Greater Vancouver area and are accessible by public transport. The main campus, Burnaby, is located on Burnaby Mountain, about 20km from Vancouver. There is also a campus in downtown Vancouver while the Surrey Campus is located in high tech Central City.

Did you know?

SFU is named for Simon Fraser, a fur trader and explorer in Canada’s north-west. The original name for the University, Fraser University, was changed because the initials FU “evoked a profane phrase”.

Handbook/Catalogue

Note that credits at SFU are known as units, the units are called courses and the handbook is referred to as the Academic Calendar. Check the Restricted Subject and Courses page when preparing your study plan.

Full-time Credit Load Equivalents

Credit load was adjusted in July 2019.

Academic Calendar

SFU ‘Fall’ trimester (Monash Semester 2): early September to mid-December
SFU ‘Spring’ trimester (Monash Semester 1): early January to late April
SFU ‘Summer’ trimester (Monash Semesters 1 & 2): early May to mid-August

SFU operates on a trimester system, comprised of 3 equal full-time terms per year. Exchange students are welcome in any of the three terms but the fall and spring trimesters match most easily to the Monash timetable.

See SFU's Academic Calendar here.

Note

• The listed disciplines are not necessarily exhaustive and other fields of study might also be available at the institution.
• Approval to study particular subjects at any institution is always at the discretion of the departmental/discipline and faculty advisers in your managing faculty(ies) and subject to available places at the host.

Accommodation

SFU’s on-campus residence is located at the Burnaby Campus. It is 5-15 minutes walking distance to most buildings on the Burnaby Campus and approximately 45-60 minutes by public transportation to the Surrey and Vancouver campuses.

SFU offers advice on accommodation here. SFU also has off-campus housing is also an option.

Visas

As a general rule, Australian citizens do not need a study permit if they plan to participate in a university exchange program in Canada that lasts no more than six months. Every Australian citizen entering Canada for less than six months, however, will still require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) which can be purchased online.  For more information on visas, please refer to the website of the High Commission of Canada in Australia.

SFU also provide advice on visas, which can be found here.

Health and insurance

All international students must subscribe to the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) which is provided by the University.

When travelling on a Monash Abroad approved program, you are automatically covered under the Monash University Student Travel Insurance policy. This will provide cover to and from your exchange.

Orientation and extra-curricular 

SFU operates an orientation program every term, comprised of several different sessions. The Exchange Orientation session is mandatory.

The purchase of a U-Pass, a public transport card, is mandatory for all eligible students including those on exchange.

Cost of living

SFU has provided an online calculator to help students understand their costs and build a budget, including links out to sites which list some of the costs. In the meantime, the cost of the UHIP (insurance) and the U-Pass, mandatory even for exchange students, can be found here.

Funding

For information about funding available to support study on exchange overseas, see the Financial Information page on the Monash Abroad website.

To begin your application and study plan, click the button below.

Apply here

Have you been to Simon Fraser University and want to share your experience? 
Let us know about your exchange via this survey form and your testimonial could be shown here!

Sally Tregear
Bachelor of Arts (Global)Semester 2, 2017
Studied: Arts units

Study Experience

I was able to do 4th level subjects and had 4 hour classes which I enjoyed! I completed studies in Gender and the Middle East which was fascinating.

Culture

Driving on the other side of the road, living off campus in a large share house, becoming more independent. Vancouver is quite similar to Melbourne, however it is forecast to snow on the weekend, and there is way more outdoor activities at your doorstep.

Benefits of going on exchange

Exchange has changed my life completely, I am more independent, self-aware, and want to build a life for myself in this country.

Career Benefits

It has made me develop as a person, becoming more independent and trusting in myself.

Money and Budgeting

Buy everything second hand, shop at opportunity shops, pack your own lunch and coffee from home every day, work your butt off, sky scanner for cheaper flights. Money spent over here is worth much more than money spent back home on silly stuff.

Top tips

• Cook at home
• Live off campus (best decision for me personally)
• Couch-surfing / social networking groups help make friends