SFU named after explorer Simon Fraser was established in September 1965. In less than 40 years, SFU has gained an international reputation for its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences, as well as for its innovative interdisciplinary and professional programs. Simon Fraser consistently ranks as one of the top institutions in the Maclean's magazine annual survey of Canadian universities.

The University has three campuses: the main Burnaby campus, the Harbour Centre campus in downtown Vancouver, and Surrey campus in Surrey. Considered a mid-sized comprehensive Canadian university, SFU has approximately 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students. There are a wide variety of courses offered in over 100 programs in 5 faculties: Applied Science, Arts, Business, Education and Science.

Language of instruction: English

Course restrictions: No SoC students. For FoE, only ECE students accepted. Exchange students are restricted from the following schools: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences/French Cohort Program, School of the Contemporary Arts, School of Communication (Publishing), School of Computing Science, School of Criminology, School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Education, Explorations, Centre for Sustainable Community Development. For more information, please refer to http://students.sfu.ca/international/exchange/prospective/restricted_courses.html.  

Course description: http://www3.reg.sfu.ca/Tango/course_outlines/course_outlines.taf?function=form

Academic calendar:

• Fall Semester: Early September to Mid December
• Spring Semester: Early January to Mid April

Application deadlines:
Please obtain information on deadlines and application procedures from your faculty's Student Exchange Programme (SEP) Administrator/Coordinator.

SFU is not able to guarantee on-campus housing for its exchange and study abroad students. If you are an exchange or study abroad student, you must apply on-line with the Residence Office by March 31 (for the Fall term beginning in September) to be placed on a priority list for available on-campus housing for the fall term. On-campus housing for the Spring term, beginning in January, is limited. We strongly encourage Spring term exchange and study abroad applicants to consider off-campus housing options. Spring term applicants who wish to also apply for on-campus housing, in case space becomes available, must apply on-line with the Residence Office by September 1. Exchange and study abroad students are responsible for ensuring that you have made all of your own housing arrangements, whether on or off campus.

On-campus:
Student could choose among single student housing, female-only traditional residence, co-ed traditional style or family housing. All residences have kitchen areas, but there is no meal plan. Students can buy a debit card for campus cafeterias at the beginning of each semester, and meals will be charged to that lump sum.  For a complete descriptions of on-campus housing options and price, visit http://students.sfu.ca/residences.

Off-campus:

Useful links:

• University Homepage : http://www.sfu.ca/
• SFU International: https://www.sfu.ca/international/
• Student Services: http://www.reg.sfu.ca/
• Pre-Arrival Guide: http://students.sfu.ca/international/pdf/Pre_Arrival_Guide2007.pdf

Health insurance:
All students who attend Canadian universities on exchange are required to purchase the health insurance recommended by their host university as part of the registration process. In addition, they can also purchase additional optional insurance from a private insurer for their term of study overseas. These short term optional insurance plans cover events such as personal accident, accidental medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation etc. If you will be in Canada for less than 6 months, you will not be eligible for the BC Medical Services Plan. You must ensure that you have private temporary coverage for your entire stay in Canada.

Please visit http://students.sfu.ca/international/pdf/advising_handouts/health.pdf for further information.

Estimated cost of living:

Note: Exchange rate as of Jul 17, 2008: CAN$1 = S$1.348