Degree and Course Requirements

To be considered for admission to the SFU Physics MSc program, applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in Physics or a related subject. Students holding Bachelor of Science degrees in other disciplines may be considered if they have a very strong background (upper level undergraduate courses) in the following core Physics course areas:

• Quantum Mechanics
• Statistical Mechanics
• Electromagnetic Theory
  

Grade Point Average Requirements

Applicants to the MSc program must have completed 80% of a Bachelor's degree with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) equivalent to SFU 3.5 or higher. Information on equivalent academic requirements for international students is available here.

Qualifying Admission

Students who do not meet our minimum course requirements or who have insufficient background in the core Physics courses are welcome to apply to the SFU Physics graduate program. If they are assessed as having the potential for strong graduate performance, they may be recommended for qualifying admission. Please indicate on your application if you are interested in being admitted as a qualifying student.

A master's degree, or the equivalent is required. Applicants whose primary language is not English must submit English proficiency examination results that meet the University minimum requirements for graduate admission.

Students who have demonstrated strong academic and research performance may transfer directly from the Master's program to the Doctoral program, with the approval of the student's supervisory committee. See also the Graduate General Regulations on University transfer requirements.

Note that BSc degree-holders may not apply directly to the PhD program, but may apply for transfer to the PhD program without completing an MSc degree.

Please see SFU Graduate Studies English Language Requirements page for the minimum test scores.

Submitting Your Test Results

See SFU's Graduate Admissions page for information about how to submit English-language test scores.

English Language Requirement Exemptions

International applicants are exempt from providing English test scores if both of the following conditions are met:

1. They have completed a post-secondary degree at an institution where the language of instruction and examination was in English.
2. That the institution was located in a country where English is the primary language (including Canada). For a list of countries where English is the primary language, please click here.

If you do not have a degree from an institution in one of the countries linked above, you are required to submit English test scores demonstrating English language competency.