For each institution you are listing as your preference(s) please be sure to:

1. check the specific eligibility requirements on each host institution's webpage
   
   
2. check the Exchange Terms Available document to see if terms are available at the host institutions you want to select.
   
   
3. list them in order of preference (you will only be selected for one institution, per application) 

If you are applying for two separate institutions for two separate exchange terms, please complete and submit two separate applications. 

Institution Preference Comments (Optional)
Use this space in your application if you have any comments regarding your institution preferences or preference order, or if you were recommended to do so by a Study Abroad Officer (for example if you don't have a preference and are equally happy with any of the 3 institutions). 

A reference form or written letter of reference is not required for the SFU Exchange Application. 

However, you will need to pre-arrange at least one SFU professor/instructor who would serve as your reference if ultimately required for your host institution. Referees should be willing to submit a reference letter at a later date, if needed. The timeline and requirement will vary, and will be communicated to you following your nomination. Host application requirements are subject to change.

• Check if your host institution requires academic reference. If required, it will be noted under Eligibility > Application Notes section, "Academic Reference Required", with additional reference requirements if applicable (e.g., number of rerferences needed, format of reference, who can be reference, etc.).
• In the application, check the box to confirm you have spoken to at least one SFU professor/instructor who has taught you at SFU. 

Upload your most recent SFU Advising transcript (it is called "Transcript: Advising"). Select it to be sorted by "Both", ie. it will show your academic record by term and subject. Steps on how to download an SFU advising transcript are here. Co-op, official, and unofficial transcripts are not accepted.

January deadline applicants: Upload SFU transcript after Fall grades have been posted.

May deadline applicants: Upload SFU transcript after Spring grades have been posted.

Do you have transfer credit from other post-secondary institutions (not including IB or AP credits from high school or test credits)?

If yes, we strongly recommend that you upload a copy of an unofficial transcript for each institution from which you have received transfer credit at SFU, to show your full academic history, especially if you have completed few terms or units at SFU.

Note: If you are nominated for exchange, you will be asked for an official transcript for each institution. We suggest that you request these now as they can take some time to be processed.

Zip files are not accepted.

Your Academic Advisor can be found on your Advisor Link Success Team. If you’re an undeclared student and you do not see your departmental academic advisor for your intended program, contact the advisor from this list. If you are a Business student, please book an appointment through Advisor Link with the Beedie Study Abroad Advisor. 

A Study Abroad Officer at ISS or Student Services Academic Advisors are not able to assist with these forms.

Undergraduates: Complete the advisor discussion worksheet with your intended or declared departmental academic advisor for the academic program most relevant to your exchange. It is recommended that you complete additional copies of this form for each of your declared or intended programs (major(s), minor(s), etc.). Provide your advisor(s) with this form via email in advance of your discussion(s). 

Please click to download/edit using Adobe Acrobat Reader prior to starting, to save the content you type into the fillable fields. The digital signature field will not appear if you open the file in a web browser, due to security features. 

If your academic advisor is not able to complete the e-signature you may upload an email confirmation from the advisor noting they completed the Advisor Discussion Worksheet with you, along with your completed Advisor Discussion Worksheet.

Download the Advisor Discussion Worksheet (Undergraduate) 

Zip files are not accepted.

Graduates: Connect with your Graduate Supervisor (or Faculty Advisor) and Graduate Program Chair to complete this form. 

Download the Advisor Discussion Worksheet (Graduate) 
Zip files are not accepted.

Your Proposed Study Plan will likely take the most time to research and complete, so we recommend starting this early.

In your exchange application you will be able to select up to 3 institutions. Complete a Proposed Study Plan for each institution you would like to be considered for, by researching available classes on their website. If you are applying for a two-term exchange, complete a Proposed Study Plan for each term.

If you are applying for a full-time exchange, complete a minimum of six classes for each of your preferred host institutions.

If you are applying for a short-term summer program, complete a minimum of two classes for each of your preferred host institutions. Select classes:

• That are available for exchange students (review restricted subjects/classes)
  
• That are taught in-person or online, depending on if you are applying for exchange or virtual exchange
• That are normally offered in the term you plan to go on exchange
• For which you anticipate meeting pre-requisite requirements
  

Tip: Check out the Exchange Credit History in the host institution profile.

Download the Proposed Study Plan:
Please click to download/edit using Adobe Acrobat Reader prior to starting, to save the content you type into the fillable fields.

• Full-time Exchange and Virtual Exchange Proposed Study Plan 
• Short-Term Summer Program Proposed Study Plan 
  

Zip files are not accepted.

In your application, you will be asked to respond to the following questions. Your answers will be typed directly into the Study Abroad System, no additional document is needed.

1: Why have you decided to apply for the exchange program?
Include how this experience would benefit your degree and support your future academic, career and/or personal goals. (Up to 200 words)

2: Why have you selected your first preference institution?
(Up to 100 words)

3: Why have you selected your second preference institution?
If you do not have a second preference institution, write "n/a". (Up to 100 words)

4: Why have you selected your third preference institution?
If you do not have a third preference institution, write "n/a". (Up to 100 words)

5: How do you prepare for, and adapt to, new and challenging situations?
If you have had experiences that you think are relevant to your participation in the exchange program (either internationally or locally) or virtual exchange program (an online context) include these as examples. (Up to 200 words total).

If there are extenuating circumstances you would like to share with the selection committee, please include them under the "Additional Documents" section.

Upload a colour passport-style photo of just yourself. Please do not upload a scan of the photo in your passport. Selfies are accepted as long as they meet the criteria listed (see image below).

Supported file formats: .jpeg, .gif, .png, or similar photo file (please do not submit a .pdf, .doc file, .heic, .heif or zip file)

Exchange:
Upload the photo identification page of your current passport or travel document. For your exchange term, your passport or travel document may need to be valid up to 6 months past your expected date of return to Canada. It is your responsibility to ensure that your passport or travel document is valid for the appropriate duration.

If you need to renew your passport or apply for a new passport, check the passport processing times and apply as early as possible to allow time for other process, such as visa applications, to take place if needed. 

Virtual Exchange:
As virtual exchanges do not involve travel, students who are ONLY applying for virtual exchange are not required to submit passport information. Instead upload a blank pdf or word document.

Applying for either a virtual exchange or in-person exchange:
You must submit a scan of your passport or travel document.

This section is not used to assess language proficiency for the host institution. 

If you have a background in the languages of any of the host countries to which you are applying -- even if you plan on taking courses in English -- there is space in the application to comment on this. Include how you learned the language (eg. spoke it growing up, learned formally in a classroom, etc.), and your approximate level of fluency. 

If you do not have a background in the languages of any of the host countries to which you are applying, leave blank. Language background is not expected for most destinations.

NOTE: For Successful Applicants

Some institutions may request a language assessment or exam to assess your language proficiency before or after acceptance into the program.  If you intend on taking courses that are taught in a language other than English, you may be required to provide proof of your language proficiency, please check the program page for requirements. More information will be provided upon nomination. 

You may use the Language Proficiency Form   if your host institution doesn't require another specific form. This can be completed by a language instructor, or SFU faculty/staff member who speaks the appropriate language as a first language. Not sure who to contact? You may connect with the SFU Department of World Languages and Literatures to meet with an instructor of one of the languages they offer. As some of SFU staff and faculty members are working remotely, please discuss with them how they would prefer to complete the form with you (e.g. email, phone, or video call).

Note, this document must be downloaded and saved prior to starting, in order to save the content you type into the fillable fields.

The SFU Outbound Exchange Student Acknowledgment Form outlines the terms of participation for SFU's exchange program. Students will be required to submit this form by the application deadline. 

• Please make sure your Acknowledgment follows these points to be considered complete:
• Complete the one applicable to your first preference institution
• Read
• Signed by hand or esignature (if using e-signature complete the "SFU Outbound Exchange Student Acknowledgment Form Signature Date" field below)
• Scanned (if signing a hard copy)
• ALL pages are merged, in order, into ONE PDF (Zip files are not accepted)

If you are under the age of 19 at the time of signing, your parent or guardian also has to sign the form.

The 2025-2026 Acknowledgment forms are available to download below:

 Outbound Undergraduate Exchange Student Acknowledgment (2025-2026)

The Outbound Virtual Exchange and Graduate Exchange Student Acknowledgement forms will be available soon. Please contact studyabroad@sfu.ca if you are a graduate student applying for exchange. 

Please click to download and save using Adobe Acrobat Reader prior to editing, to save the content you type into the fillable fields. The digital signature field will not appear if you open the file in a web browser, due to security features.

In Person Exchanges:

Please complete the SFU Outbound Exchange Student Waiver and Release form. This form is a release of liability, waiver of claims, assumptions of risks and indemnity agreement which must be completed electronically by the applicable application deadline.

If you are 19 years of age or older at the time of signing, you will be directed to Adult Consent Form which you must have all sections completed (e.g., your full legal name; SFU student number; SFU email address; current address; all fields checked off; signed; and the witness was signed by an adult who saw you complete the form) by the application deadline.

If you are under the age of 19 at the time of signing, you will be directed to Child Consent Form which requries your parent/guardian to complete. The form must have all sections completed (i.e. student's full legal name; SFU student number; parent/guardian's full legal name and address; all fields checked off; signed by parent/guardian; signed; and the witness was signed by an adult who saw the parent/guardian complete the form) by the application deadline. 

Virtual Exchanges: 
Students who are nominated to a virtual exchange do not complete an SFU Outbound Exchange Student Waiver and Release form.