Field School Application Guidelines
See the process of how to apply to a Field School below, and register for our Info Session which will cover the process and more!
- Date: Jan. 14, 2025
- Time: 5:30 - 7:00pm (PT)
- Format: virtual (Zoom)
If you are a visiting, non-SFU student, please confirm the program you are applying for is accepting Visiting Students and review the Visiting Student Guidelines.
If you need support after reviewing the guidelines, please contact fieldschools@sfu.ca.
The application is entirely online in the Study Abroad System. No fees are due unless you are offered and choose to confirm participation in a program (i.e., there is no application fee).
If you haven't yet, register for an account, then login using "Student Login".
- To begin a new application: see available programs here; click "Apply" button at the bottom of the page.
- Please only click this once. Doing so again creates a new, blank application.
- To continue an existing application: Click “My Application” in the top bar to see all active applications.
- Please withdraw any blank duplicates from here.
Each program's page lists referee requirements. Certain programs may not require an academic reference or may allow for a personal reference.
If your field school requires or you choose to submit a reference
Reach out to prospective referees promptly, as their response is due by the program's application deadline. Your referee can submit their reponses after you've submitted your application, but it will not be considered complete until your referee has submitted.
A reference letter beyond what is requested in the online form is not required, unless noted.
Your referee can be either a:
- University professor/instructor who has taught or supervised you in a capacity such as research
- Graduate-level TA/lab instructor
- Non-family member, only if the program allows for personal/professional references
Your referee will be emailed a fillable online form, asking:
- How long they have known you and in what capacity
- The relevance of the Field School to your career
- Areas of weakness
- Adaptability to new cultures
- An overall rating (potential, motivation, adaptability, maturity) of your suitability for a Field School
We recommend selecting an instructor from a class you did fairly well in. Also consider how well they know you. Did you speak in class? Was it a large lecture, or small class? Did you attend their office hours? How long ago was the class? How many classes have you had with them? Are they an advocate of study abroad or international research?
When reaching out to a prospective referee, we suggest including:
- Your current transcript
- Your resume
- A brief statement outlining your interest in the Field School
- That it is a brief, entirely online form emailed to them
- Their response is due by [the program's application deadline].
Once your referee agrees, you will input their contact information in your Study Abroad System application to request their reference. You will receive an email upon their submission, and the request will show as complete in your application.
See How to ask for a reference letter for more advice.
If your field school does NOT require a reference
Please list the Field Schools Program Assistant's contact details as your reference only if the program does not require one:
- Email: fieldschools@sfu.ca
- First Name: Field
- Last Name: Schools
Step 2: Submit Academic and Program Documents1. Transcript
Transcript requirements vary based on your status. Click the applicable heading for information.
Current SFU Students
If you are a current SFU student, upload your current SFU advising transcript using term view.
- SFU co-op, official, and unofficial transcripts are not accepted.
- For a December application deadline, your transcript must contain your Summer grades and list of Fall courses. For a January application deadline, your transcript must contain your Fall courses and grades.
- If you have transferred credits from other post-secondary institutions, it is recommended you include unofficial transcripts from them (merged into one PDF).
visiting undergraduate Students
If you are applying as a Visiting Undergraduate Student, upload a digital copy or scan of your current official transcript.
- Ensure the grade scale is included—usually the back page of a physical transcript.
visiting graduate Students
If you are applying as a non-SFU Visiting Graduate Student, upload a current unofficial transcript.
- We also recommend including your undergraduate degree's official transcript, and/or any unofficial transcripts from previously-attended institutions, all merged into one PDF.
Note: A sealed or digital official transcript directly from your home institution is required around January - March if accepting an offer.
2. Field School Student Acknowledgment & Field School Program Fee Refund Policy Forms
The Field School Student Acknowledgment Form and Field School Program Fee Refund Policy Form are legal documents, which outline the terms of your participation in the program. Keep the original for your records.
The form must be read, signed by hand/drawn by cursor or an esignature (e.g. Adobe e-Sign), and have all pages merged into one PDF. If you are under the age of 19 at the time of signing, your parent or guardian must also sign.
- Field School Student Acknowledgment Form
- Program Fee Refund Policy (ensure to fill out the correct program's form).
3. Field School Assumption of Risks Agreement or Informed Child Consent
The respective form must be signed by an adult witness who sees you fill it out, and completed by the program's application deadline.
If you are 19 years of age or older at the time of signing, please complete the SFU Field School Assumption of Risks Agreement (AOR), otherwise please have your parent/guardian complete the SFU Field School Informed Child Consent Agreement (ICC).
A copy of the form, including the Submission Code required to submit your application, will be emailed to you or your parent/guardian following submission. Please keep this for your records.
1. Resume
Upload your standard 1-2 page resume, including education, employment history, volunteer experience and interests.
If you do not have a resume or have one you’d like to update, we suggest you attend a workshop or connect with an advisor from SFU Career Services.
2. Passport Scan
Upload a scanned copy of the photo page of your valid passport. Your passport must be valid for the time period covering the Field School and for the subsequent six months.
If you need to renew or obtain a new passport, we strongly recommend applying as soon as possible. Your application can be considered complete without one.
It is your responsibility to ensure your passport will be valid for the appropriate duration.
3. Photograph
Upload a headshot photo of yourself, with a light-coloured background and full-face view (no hats/sunglasses). Smiling and selfies are accepted.
Supported file formats: .jpeg, .gif, .png, or similar photo file. Please do not submit a .pdf, .doc, or .HEIC (iPhone) file.
4. Medical Insurance
1. Confirmation of primary medical insurance. You must indicate you have and will maintain primary medical insurance such as BC's Medical Services Plan (MSP) for the full duration of the Field School.
2. Confirmation of secondary medical insurance. You must indicate whether you are covered as the SFSS Undergraduate Health / Dental or the GSS Benefit Plan for the current academic year (September 1st - August 31st). If you have already opted out of the respective plan or are a Visiting Student, please submit a signed copy of the Field Schools: Confirmation of Alternate Travel Medical Coverage form.
5. Emergency Contact & Consent to Disclose Information
Submit contact information for at least one person reachable (ideally English-speaking) for the Field School's duration in case of an emergency.
If you would like a family member, friend, or representative to have access to your Field School information, ISS requires your permission to release personal details. We recommend designating at least one person in Vancouver during your field school. Note: this is separate from the goSFU Designate.
If you need to change any of the above after the application deadline, email fieldschools@sfu.ca.
Respond to the following questions in the application system.
1. Why have you decided to apply for this Field School program?
- Include how this experience would benefit your degree and support your future academic, career and/or personal goals. (Up to 250 words)
2. 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 Field School program—either internationally or locally—include these as examples.
Input referral information about how you heard about the Field School and whether you have been in contact with us.
Your responses do not impact your eligibility nor factor into selection to the Field School.
Visit SFU Study Abroad's Financial Aid page for more information.
Suite of Study Abroad Awards (current SFU students only)
Degree-seeking SFU students applying for a full-time Field School program may apply to the Suite of Study Abroad Awards within their program application.
SFU Financial Aid (current SFU students only)
Degree-seeking SFU students: may apply for SFU Financial Aid and Awards (FAA) if they meet outlined unit requirements.
Visiting Students: not eligible SFU Scholarships, Awards, nor Bursaries. While welcome to connect with SFU FAA, please inquire with your home instution for options.
Student Loans
Domestic students are generally eligible to apply for student loans, and American citizens may apply for U.S. Direct Loans. Other international citizenship holders should inquire with their home institution/country.
Non-SFU degree seeking students only: Please refer to the Visiting Field School Student Guidelines for additional information.
If you are not a current SFU student, you must complete both the Field School Program Application and the applicable Visiting Student Application, embedded within the Study Abroad System program application.
Please do not apply to SFU through the regular application process.