At a glance
Simon Fraser University is a public research university with campuses on Burnaby Mountain, in Surrey and in downtown Vancouver. It’s known for co-operative education, which lets students alternate study terms with paid work terms.
Costs for 2026/27
SFU estimates that a typical international undergraduate in Arts and Social Sciences or Science pays about $38,944 a year in tuition and fees for 2026/27. Its sample budget for a first-year student living in residence adds:
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Residence with meal plan | $15,014 |
| Textbooks and supplies | $2,400 |
| Medical insurance | $945 |
| Total with tuition | about $57,300 |
Programs such as engineering and business can cost more. Use SFU’s own estimate for your program when you prepare your proof of funds.
English language requirements
SFU’s undergraduate minimums include:
- IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall, no part below 6.0
- TOEFL iBT: for tests from January 21, 2026 (new 1–6 scale), 4.5 overall with no part below 4.0; for older tests, 88 overall with no part below 20
- Duolingo English Test: 125 overall
Some students meet the requirement through their secondary school English grades instead of a test.
PAL and study permits
Undergraduate students need a Provincial Attestation Letter, which SFU issues after you accept your offer. Master’s and doctoral students at SFU don’t need one for applications received from January 1, 2026.
Living in Burnaby and Surrey
Both Burnaby and Surrey are part of Metro Vancouver, so rent is high but usually a little lower than in central Vancouver. Students pay for the U-Pass BC transit pass ($47.85 a month from September 2026), which covers buses, SkyTrain and SeaBus. See the Vancouver city guide.