Simon Fraser University
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Exchange and Study Abroad to SFU

Exchange and Study Abroad to SFU / Academic Information / Restrictions and Considerations

Restrictions and Considerations

The following describes the different types of course sections that are available at SFU. A course section broadly refers to the delivery mode of a course, i.e., how a course is offered. When you are searching for classes in goSFU, you may see that a single course can have multiple course sections/offerings that you may choose from. Certain types of courses, offered in various disciplines, may be restricted to exchange/study abroad students, or require additional steps to access.

Course Section Types

Day Courses ("D" courses) All course components (lectures, labs, tutorials, etc) are in person, on one of our three campuses. Departments may restrict access to some of these courses. See the "Restrictions by Subject' section below.
Evening Courses ("E" courses) All course components (lectures, labs, tutorials, etc) are in person, on one of our three campuses. Departments may restrict access to some of these courses. See the "Restrictions by Subject' section below.
SFU NOW Courses ("J" courses) SFU's Nights or Weekends (NOW) program was developed to allow students to complete their degrees by taking only evening and weekend classes. Exchange and study abroad students do not have priority access to SFU NOW courses. Students may access these courses during the 4th week of the enrollment period (during "open enrollment") if space is available. During the priority enrollment period, exchange students may be added to the wait list for a maximum of 2 courses. 
French Course Sections ("F" courses) The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences offers a B.A. in Public and International Affairs, taught primarily in French. This is a specialized program also known as the French Cohort Program, which may accept incoming exchange / study abroad students on an individual basis. Courses within this program in Political Science, History and French are instructed in French. Additionally, elective courses taught in French may be offered in other departments or faculties from time-to-time, denoted by F100. For more information, please contact fcpmgr@sfu.ca and cc exchange@sfu.ca. 
Distance Education Courses ("C" or "OL" courses) Exchange and study abroad students are not normally permitted to access courses offered by distance education. When viewing class schedules in the Student Information System, such courses will have a section number beginning with the letter "C" or "OL", instead of the usual "D" (eg "C100" or "OL01" instead of "D100"). Further, Distance Education courses also carry supplementary charges that are not covered by the exchange tuition waiver.
Blended Courses ("B" courses) B courses have a combination of in-person and online components, with the online components being asynchronous. We recommend exchange and study abroad students to consult with their home universities about being allowed to take these courses while on exchange.

Writing, Quantitative and Breadth Courses (WQB courses)

Some courses at SFU are designated as Writing, Quantitative, or Breadth. Degree-seeking students at SFU require a certain number of "WQB" courses in order to complete their degree. 

Writing Intensive Courses ("W" courses) Courses that have a "W" in their number (eg CMNS 253W) are considered "writing intensive" courses. Exchange and study abroad students may have access to "W" courses, but need to demonstrate proof of prior academic English work (above and beyond the basic English language requirements for admission to SFU). For more information please contact exchange@sfu.ca.
Quantitative Courses ("Q" courses) Some courses at SFU are designated as Quantitative ("Q" courses); they will have the "Quantative"/"Q" notation in the course descripton and in the course catalog. Exchange and study abroad students may have access to "Q" courses, but need to demonstrate prior academic quantitative work. For more information please contact exchange@sfu.ca. 
Breadth Courses (E.g., B-Hum/Soc/Sci) The significance of Breadth courses mostly apply to degree-seeking students at SFU as students are required to complete a certain number of Breadth courses taken outside the student's major to complete their degree. If a course is designated as a Breadth course, it will be indicated in the course description and in the course catalog. Departmental restrictions may apply to exchange and study abroad students; see the "Restrictions by Subject" section below.

Other Restrictions

Auditing Courses Students admitted as undergraduate exchange students to SFU are not permitted to audit courses during their exchange terms.
First Year Programs Some academic departments offer specialized programs for first year university students. These programs are not open to exchange and study abroad students.

Restrictions by Subject

Due to demand and space restrictions, some courses and academic programs are restricted or have limited access for exchange/study abroad students. 

Definitions:

Restricted: Exchange/study abroad students will not have access to courses denoted as restricted.

Limited Access: Exchange/study abroad students will not receive priority enrollment for courses with limited access. Students may access these courses during the 4th week of the enrollment period (during "open enrollment") if space is available. Many courses at SFU fill up quickly and classes will likely be full when exchange / study abroad students are permitted to access these course during open enrollment. As such, students should also select additional back-up courses as alternatives when requesting courses with limited access. During the priority enrollment period, students may be added to the wait list for a maximum of 2 courses. 

The following restrictions are subject to change.

Actuarial Mathematics (ACMA)

[ Faculty of Science ]

Exchange / study abroad students cannot be admitted to SFU as graduate level ACMA students.

Restricted (No Access)

300 and 400 level ACMA courses*

*unless students are Actuarial majors at their home university.

Asia-Canada (ASC)

[ Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences ]

Restricted (No Access) Limited Access
ASC 401 400-level ASC courses

Biology (BISC) 

[ Faculty of Science ]

Limited Access
All BISC courses

All BISC courses, subject to meeting requisites and space availability after the third week of the enrollment period.

Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology (BPK)

[ Faculty of Science ]

Certain courses within the Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology require students to obtain (and pay for) a Criminal Records Check in order to access the course. Please see the list of affected courses, and if you wish to take one of these courses, email <exchange@sfu.ca> as early as possible for information: sfu.ca/students/criminalrecords/check.html

If you wish to request access to BPK courses with pre-requisites, please follow these steps:

  • First, look at the pre-requisites for the courses you will be requesting listed in the calendar web site: BPK Courses.
  • Second, look up the pre-requisite course descriptions and identify from your home university transcript which course or courses you have taken and feel could be used to meet those pre-requisites. Please send us a list that relates the transcript to the pre-requisites. If the course has a minimum number of units required, you must also show you meet the equivalent at your home university.
  • Third, you must provide a course outline for each of those pre-requisite courses.  This should not be just a 3 line course description but an actual course outline of the topics covered.  If necessary this should be translated in English.  A link to the original university website course page for that specific course containing the course outline may be used for this.

These courses outlines will be evaluated to make certain the student's background is sufficient for them to be well prepared for the course. Please contact International Services for Students exchange@sfu.ca in regards to access to BPK courses. Please include your full name, email address and SFU student number so your email can be linked to your exchange/study abroad application.

Restricted (No Access) Limited Access

BPK 301

BPK 304W

BPK 326

BPK 407

 All 200-400 level BPK courses

Business (BUS)

[ Faculty of Business ]

Due to demand and space restrictions, courses offered through the Beedie School of Business at SFU, (BUS courses), are only open to exchange / study abroad students who are from institutions with specific business exchange / study abroad agreements with SFU, and who are completing a major in business at their home institution. To find out if your home institution has an exchange / study abroad agreement with the SFU Beedie School of Business at SFU, please check the SFU Beedie School of Business Partners list.

Exchange / study abroad students who are from institutions with specific business exchange / study abroad agreements and who are completing a major in business at their home institution are required to take a minimum of 3 courses from the SFU Beedie School of Business. 

Exchange / study abroad students (not from SFU Beedie School of Business Partners) may access the below courses if space is available. 

Priority Enrollment Access 

  • BUS 221 - Personal Finance
  • BUS 233 - Introduction to Commercial Law & Business Ethics
  • BUS 238 - Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  • BUS 314 - Resourcing New Ventures
  • BUS 318 - Management of Equity and Fixed Income Investments
  • BUS 338 - Foundations of Innovation 
  • BUS 406 - Managing Emerging Opportunities 
  • BUS 450- Managing Emerging Opportunities
  • BUS 453-  Sustainable Innovation
  • BUS 477 - Startup Experience 

Non-Priority Access (Course enrollment will take place on the first day of classes if space is available.)

  • BUS 237 - Introduction to Business Technology Management
  • BUS 240 - Introduction to Innovation
  • BUS 251 - Financial Accounting I
  • BUS 272 - Behaviour in Organizations
  • BUS 275 - Business in a Sustainable Society

Exchange / study abroad students who are in their final year of study should be warned that enrollment in courses is NOT guaranteed.

If you are interested in courses in the Department of Economics, please click here to view ECON course restrictions. 

All exchange / study abroad students (including Business students from SFU Beedie School of Business Partners) cannot access graduate level BUS courses. This restriction includes courses in the MSc Finance , the full and part time MBA, the MOT MBA, Executive MBA programs and GDBA.

Restricted Access (Applies to all students, including Business students from SFU Beedie School of Business Partners) 

BUS 100 (= BUS 203 as of Fall 2024)

BUS 200

BUS 201

BUS 202

BUS 216

BUS 217W

BUS 300

BUS 318

BUS 360W

BUS 478 - Access and enrollment to BUS 478 - Strategy will be considered on a case by case basis. Students wishing to access BUS 478 may be required to provide supporting documents to ensure all necessary pre-requisites are met before their enrolment date. BUS 478 is intended for students in their final semester of study or masters level students and due to high demand enrollment may be limited. Enrolment in any of SFU Beedie’s courses are not guaranteed, please contact your Study Abroad Advisor at studyabroad_bsb@sfu.ca for questions.

BUS 496

The following Accounting courses. The Accounting Concentration is a specialized program.

BUS 320

BUS 321

BUS 322

BUS 329

BUS 420

BUS 421

BUS 424

BUS 426

BUS 427

BUS 428

The following Business Minor courses. The Business Minor is a specialized program.*

BUS 311

BUS 340

BUS 341

BUS 401

*The SFU Beedie School of Business has an unique agreement with the Indian Institutes of Technology for access to Business Minor courses. If you are an IIT student, please contact studyabroad_bsb@sfu.ca for more information. 

Communication (CMNS) 

[ Faculty of Communication, Art, and Technology ]

Restricted Access (No Access)

CMNS 201

For the Fall term only, D100 Lecture and associated Tutorial sections for CMNS 110 and CMNS 130.

Computing Science (CMPT) 

[ Faculty of Applied Sciences ]

CMPT courses are only accessible to exchange / study abroad students who are Computing Science majors at their home university, and who will be taking the CMPT courses to work towards their home degree requirements. This must be demonstrated by a letter from their home institution.

Students who are admitted to SFU as graduate students will not be eligible to take undergraduate CMPT courses.  

Course access is limited and subject to availability. If you wish to take CMPT courses (including MACM 101), please contact exchange@sfu.ca as soon as possible for further instructions.

Exchange/ study abroad students will only be able to request access to a maximum of 5 CMPT courses. It is very important that you complete the necessary forms and submit documents on time. These instructions are outlined briefly below:

You will be enrolled in a maximum of 3 courses depending on availability and home university requirements.

  1. You MUST provide a letter from your home University that demonstrates you are studying a CMPT major at your home university and that the courses you are requesting apply towards your home degree requirements.
  2. Check that you are eligible to take your requested CMPT course(s). Have you completed a course at your home university that satisfies the SFU course prerequisites? Please check the prerequisite/enrollment requirements here. 
  3. Check the description of the SFU prerequisite course(s). Are the topics covered equivalent to a course you have completed? Take a look at the course outline here.
  4. Find your relevant home course outlines. The appropriate home course outlines should be a detailed outline/syllabus of the topics covered in course(s) you have completed at your home university (shown on your transcript). A short 3 line course description is not sufficient. If applicable, please translate the course outline(s) into English. A link to the original university website course page containing the course outline may be submitted. Please include any textbooks that you may have studied in the course(s).

Contemporary Arts (CA) 

[ Faculty of Communication, Art, and Technology ]

Due to demand and space restrictions, exchange / study abroad students may only access the following courses:

  • CA 104
  • CA 117 
  • CA 118 
  • CA 120 
  • CA 135
  • CA 136
  • CA 137
  • CA 140
  • CA 142
  • CA 149Q*
  • CA 216*
  • CA 217* 
  • CA 316* 
  • CA 341* 
  • CA 386

*please note some courses have pre-requisite requirements.  

Criminology (CRIM) 

[ Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences ]

 Restricted (No Access)

CRIM 485

CRIM 486

CRIM 487

CRIM 488

CRIM 489

CRIM 490

CRIM 491

CRIM 499

Earth Sciences (EASC)

[ Faculty of Science ]

Please note there are mandatory supplemental course fees for select EASC courses. These fees are only refundable up until the last day of the first week of classes. All field trips are mandatory. It is your responsibility to ensure you have proper immigration documents to travel for mandatory field trips. 

Restricted (No Access) Limited Access

EASC 491

EASC 492

EASC 493  

 

EASC 206

EASC 306

EASC 308

Please note the field school/camp days for these 3 courses may not fall within the regular SFU term dates. 

Economics (ECON)

[ Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences ]

If you wish to request access to Economics courses, with pre-requisites, please follow these steps:

First, look at the pre-requisites for the courses you will be requesting listed in the calendar web site: ECON courses.

Second, look up the pre-requisite course descriptions and identify from your home university transcript which course or courses you have taken and feel could be used to meet those pre-requisites. Please send us a list that relates the transcript to the pre-requisites. If the course has a minimum number of units required, you must also show you meet the equivalent at your home university.

Third, you must provide a course outline for each of those pre-requisite courses.  This should not be just a 3 line course description but an actual course outline of the topics covered.  If necessary this should be translated in English.  A link to the original university website course page for that specific course containing the course outline may be used for this.

These courses outlines will be evaluated to make certain the student's background is sufficient for them to be well prepared for the course.

Please contact International Services for Students exchange@sfu.ca in regards to access to ECON courses. Please include your full name, email address and SFU student number so your email can be linked to your exchange/study abroad application.

Restricted (No Access) Limited Access

ECON 220W
ECON 402
ECON 403
ECON 435
ECON 494
ECON 499

Exceptions are possible, but require special permission from the course instructors or the Economics Undergraduate Chair to make certain the student's background is sufficient for them to be well prepared.

 All 300-400 level ECON courses.

Education (EDUC) 

[ Faculty of Education ]

Certain courses within the Faculty of Education require students to obtain (and pay for) a Criminal Records Check in order to access the course. Please see the list of affected courses, and if you wish to take one of these courses, email exchange@sfu.ca as early as possible for information: students.sfu.ca/criminalrecords/check.html

Restricted (No Access) Limited Access
All Professional Development Program (PDP) courses.

EDUC 323 

EDUC 324  

EDUC 328  

EDUC 423

EDUC 424

EDUC 452

English (ENGL) 

[ Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences ]

Limited Access
400-level ENGL courses

Engineering Science (ENSC) 

[ Faculty of Applied Sciences ]

If you wish to take ENSC courses, please contact exchange@sfu.ca as soon as possible for further instructions. It is very important that you complete the necessary forms and submit documents on time. These instructions are outlined briefly below:

  1. Check that you are eligible to take your requested ENSC course(s). Have you completed a course at your home university that satisfies the SFU course prerequisites? Please check the prerequisite/enrollment requirements here. Please note some courses are linked so that taking one course requires co-registration in a second course.  A typical example is ENSC 100W which is linked to ENSC 105W where both courses must be taken at the same time.
  2. Check the description of the SFU prerequisite course(s). Are the topics covered equivalent to a course you have completed? Take a look at the course outline here.
  3. Find your relevant home course outlines. The appropriate home course outlines should be a detailed outline/syllabus of the topics covered in course(s) you have completed at your home university (shown on your transcript). A short 3 line course description is not sufficient. If applicable, please translate the course outline(s) into English. A link to the original university website course page containing the course outline may be submitted. Please include any textbooks that you may have studied in the course(s).
Restricted (No Access) Limited Access

ENSC 370

ENSC 405W

ENSC 440

ENSC 225

ENSC 251

ENSC 252

ENSC 254

ENSC 324

ENSC 452

ENSC 461

ENSC 470

ENSC 475

ENSC 481

ENSC 489

ENSC 495

Environment (ENV) 

[ Faculty of Environment ]

Restricted Access (No Access)

ENV 197

ENV 198

ENV 319

ENV 391

ENV 491

ENV 495

Environmental Science (EVSC) 

[ Faculty of Environment ]

Limited Access

EVSC 201W

EVSC 300

EVSC 305

EVSC 400

Explorations (EXPL) 

[ Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences ]

This is a specialized program where only one course, EXPL 235, is open to incoming exchange/study abroad students. All other Explorations (EXPL) courses are restricted.

Foundations Courses: FAL X99 and FAN X99

These two courses are not open to exchange and study abroad students.

Health Sciences (HSCI) 

[ Faculty of Health Sciences ]

Exchange / study abroad students may not receive enrollment priority for HSCI courses.

History (HIST)

[ Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences ]

Restricted Access (No Access) Limited Access

HIST 400

HIST 494

 HIST 300

Humanities (HUM)

[ Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences ]

Restricted Access (No Access) Limited Access
HUM 390 All 400-level HUM courses. 

Interactive Arts and Technology (IAT)

[ Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology ]

If you wish to request access to IAT courses with pre-requisites, please follow these steps:

First, look at the pre-requisites for the courses you will be requesting listed in the calendar web site: IAT courses.

Second, look up the pre-requisite course descriptions and identify from your home university transcript which course or courses you have taken and feel could be used to meet those pre-requisites. Please send us a list that relates the transcript to the pre-requisites. If the course has a minimum number of units required, you must also show you meet the equivalent at your home university.

Third, you must provide a course outline for each of those pre-requisite courses.  This should not be just a 3 line course description but an actual course outline of the topics covered.  If necessary this should be translated in English.  A link to the original university website course page for that specific course containing the course outline may be used for this.

International Studies (IS) 

[ School for International Studies ]

Limited Access

IS 300

IS 350W

IS 451

Students can access these courses only during open enrollment period.  They can be placed on the waitlist once enrollment begins but they should be aware that their waitlisted position may change, depending on demand from IS students who need these courses for their degree completion.

Labour Studies (LBST)

[ Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences ]

Limited Access
LBST 301W

Linguistics (LING) 

[ Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences ]

To request access to LING courses:

First, look at the pre-requisites for the courses you will be requesting listed in the calendar web site: LING courses.

Second, look up the pre-requisite course descriptions and identify from your home university transcript which course or courses you have taken and feel could be used to meet those pre-requisites. Please send us a list that relates the transcript to the pre-requisites. If the course has a minimum number of units required, you must also show you meet the equivalent at your home university.

Third, you must provide a course outline for each of those pre-requisite courses.  This should not be just a 3 line course description but an actual course outline of the topics covered.  If necessary this should be translated in English.  A link to the original university website course page for that specific course containing the course outline may be used for this.

These courses outlines will be evaluated to make certain the student's background is sufficient for them to be well prepared for the course.

Please contact International Services for Students exchange@sfu.ca in regards to access to LING courses. Please include your full name, email address and SFU student number so your email can be linked to your exchange/study abroad application.

Restricted (No Access) Limited Access
LING 363 LING 362

Mathematics (MATH)

[ Faculty of Science ]

For information about MACM 101, please check the Computing Science (CMPT) section of this page. 

Restricted (No Access) Limited Access

MATH 498

MATH 499W

MATH 301

MATH 302

MATH 303

MATH 304

MACM 316

Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (MBB) 

[Faculty of Science]

Limited Access

MBB 308

MBB 309W

MBB 432

Mechatronic Systems Engineering (MSE) 

[ Faculty of Applied Sciences ]

Due to demand and space restrictions, access and space for MSE courses is limited for exchange / study abroad students.

If you wish to take MSE courses, please contact exchange@sfu.ca as soon as possible for further instructions. It is very important that you complete the necessary forms and submit documents on time. These instructions are outlined briefly below:

  1. Check that you are eligible to take your requested course(s). Have you completed a course at your home university that satisfies the SFU course prerequisites? Please check the prerequisite/enrollment requirements for MSE courses.
  2. Check the description of the SFU prerequisite course(s). Are the topics covered equivalent to a course you have completed? Take a look at the course outlines for MSE courses.
  3. Find your relevant home course outlines. The appropriate home course outlines should be a detailed outline/syllabus of the topics covered in course(s) you have completed at your home university (shown on your transcript). A short 3 line course description is not sufficient. If applicable, please translate the course outline(s) into English. A link to the original university website course page containing the course outline may be submitted. Please include any textbooks that you may have studied in the course(s).

Philosophy (PHIL)

 [Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences ]

Limited Access

PHIL 150

All 200-300 level courses

Physics (PHYS) 

[ Faculty of Science ]

Limited Access

PHYS 140

PHYS 141

PHYS 233

PHYS 234

PHYS 326

PHYS 332

PHYS 431

PHYS 432

Planning (PLAN)

[ Faculty of Environment ]

Restricted (No Access) Limited Access

PLAN 302

PLAN 402

PLAN 495

PLAN 300

PLAN 400

PLAN 443

Political Science (POL)

 [Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences] 

Restricted (No Access) Limited Access

POL 490

POL 496

POL 498

POL 499

All 300-400 level POL courses

 

 

Psychology (PSYC)

[ Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences ]

Exchange / study abroad students cannot be admitted to SFU as graduate level PSYC students.

Restricted Access (No Access) Limited Access

PSYC 457

PSYC 459

PSYC 490

PSYC 499

 All 300-400 level PSYC courses, unless students are Psychology majors at their home university. 

Publishing (PUB)

[ Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology ]

Restricted Access (No Access)

PUB 355W

PUB 477

Resource and Environmental Management (REM)

[ Faculty of Environment ]

Restricted (No Access) Limited Access
Undergraduate Students:

REM 452

REM 491

REM 495

REM 499

REM 211

REM 202W

REM 221

REM 225

REM 311

REM 431
Graduate Students:

REM 602

REM 611

REM 621

REM 664

REM 665

REM 690

REM 691

REM 697

REM 698

REM 699

REM 801

REM 898

REM 899

REM 601

REM 631

REM 641

REM 642

REM 643

REM 644

Students must obtain permission from the instructor to access REM 650 and REM 658.

Sociology and Anthropology (SA)

[ Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences ]

Certain courses in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology require students to obtain (and pay for) a Criminal Records Check in order to access the course. For a list of all these courses and more information, click here. If you wish to access one of these courses, email exchange@sfu.ca as early as possible. 

Limited Access

SA 301

SA 350

SA 355

SA 356W

Statistics and Actuarial Science (STAT)

[ Faculty of Science ]

Restricted (No Access)
All 400-level courses unless the student is an Acturial Science major at their home university.

Sustainable Development (SD)

[ Faculty of Environment ]

Restricted (No Access) Limited Access

SD 491

SD 494

SD 381

SD 401

SD 481

Sustainable Energy Engineering (SEE)

[ Faculty of Applied Sciences ]

Due to demand and space restrictions, access and space for MSE courses is limited for exchange / study abroad students.

If you wish to take SEE courses, please contact exchange@sfu.ca as soon as possible for further instructions. It is very important that you complete the necessary forms and submit documents on time. These instructions are outlined briefly below:

  1. Check that you are eligible to take your requested course(s). Have you completed a course at your home university that satisfies the SFU course prerequisites? Please check the prerequisite/enrollment requirements for SEE courses.
  2. Check the description of the SFU prerequisite course(s). Are the topics covered equivalent to a course you have completed? Take a look at the course outlines for SEE courses.
  3. Find your relevant home course outlines. The appropriate home course outlines should be a detailed outline/syllabus of the topics covered in course(s) you have completed at your home university (shown on your transcript). A short 3 line course description is not sufficient. If applicable, please translate the course outline(s) into English. A link to the original university website course page containing the course outline may be submitted. Please include any textbooks that you may have studied in the course(s).

Urban Studies, Masters Program (URB)

[ Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences ]

Restricted (No Access)

URB 670

URB 693

URB 694

URB 696

URB 697

URB 699