Admissions

Two (2) academic letters of reference. The letters of reference should comment specifically on the student's academic preparation and ability to undertake graduate coursework. Applicants to the PhD program should also ask the referees to comment on their ability to undertake research and on their prospects to successfully complete a doctoral thesis.

The referees will be emailed a link to upload their reference letters after the applicant has submitted an online application.

The application system requires uploading unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. 

Official transcripts are required only after an offer of admission is made and accepted. Detailed requirements about official transcript requirements after an offer is accepted can be found at www.sfu.ca/gradstudies/apply/applying/requirements.html#transcript

Applicants who have completed or are currently completing their post-secondary studies at an institution outside of Canada and the United States are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test. A copy of unofficial GRE scores is required (the application checklist usually updates later when official scores have been received). There is no formal minimum score requirement. GMAT cannot be substituted for the GRE.

Applicants should self-report their GRE scores on their goGRAD Application Portal and also upload their GRE Score Report . For instructions on how to upload documents and self-report test scores please refer to this video: https://www.sfu.ca/gradstudies/apply/applying/gograd.html#step3

Please note: GREs will not be waived. GRE scores must not be older than 2 years.

Applicants whose primary language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) if they have completed their degree at an institution where the language of instruction and examination is not English or in a country where English is not the primary language. A copy of unofficial scores is required (the application checklist usually updates later when official scores have been received). Please refer to the Dean of Graduate Studies website for the minimum university requirements for TOEFL and IELTS and for the list of exempt countries. Please send the official test results to Simon Fraser University using Institution Code 0999 and Department Code 84.

Detailed information regarding GRE and TOEFL may be obtained from ETS.

Please note: TOEFL/IELTS scores must not be older than 2 years. In order to satisfy the requirement, scores must be achieved in a single test. Please refer to the Graduate Studies page for more details on submitting test scores. 

Applicants are asked to prepare a carefully written Statement of Interest that must be uploaded with your application. There is no strict word limit, but succinct writing is valued. Applicants should provide a sense of their academic background and interests, but also a sense of their academic interests and the types of research projects that they would like to work on. Prospective supervisors want to see that you have a sense of what makes a good graduate level research topic, both intellectually and in terms of scope. While a sense of research interest is important, applicants also need to be flexible as research is frequently grant-funded which drive research outcomes and expectations.

Only PhD applicants are required to submit a CV and writing sample (no page limit) as part of their application.

All applicants must complete the Additional Coursework form below outlining the most advanced core courses you have taken in Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Econometrics and Applied.

We do not offer application waivers at this time.

You do not need to select a supervisor during the application process. 

Should you receive and accept an offer of admission at Simon Fraser University, there are other funding options that may interest you. International students (including those from the United States) can access most forms of financial assistance administered by the University, including scholarships, awards, bursaries, and the Work-Study program. Links to these sources of funding are listed under 'Graduate Resources' on the right-hand side of the following webpage: www.sfu.ca/students/financialaid/international.html

Full-time graduate students at SFU with valid study permits may accept part-time employment on any of our three campuses without obtaining a work permit. International students may also be eligible to work part-time off-campus and to apply for co-op work permits. For more information on work permits, please see the Citizenship & Immigration Canada website: www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work.asp. Detailed handouts are also available on the SFU International Services for Students website www.sfu.ca/students/isap/resources.html.

The MA program has a strict start in September only. Occasionally, a PhD student may be allowed to begin in January (Spring term).