Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Student Services

Study Abroad

Visiting Field School Student Guidelines

If you are not a current SFU student, you must complete both the Field School Program Application and the Visiting Student Application embedded within the program application.

  1. The Field School Program Application is for the specific program you are applying to. See instructions here.
  2. The Visiting Student for SFU Field School Application facilitates admission into SFU, circumventing regular processes.
    • It is due by the same day as your Field School Program Application.
    • If accepted, you will be admitted to SFU only for specific courses and term of the Field School program. This is processed a few weeks following Field School program acceptance.

See below to determine which visiting student application applies to you, and information for if you travel to Canada as part of your program. 

Transfer Credit and Letter of Permission

  • As a visiting student to SFU, you are strongly advised to consult with your home university department/academic advisor prior to applying to an SFU Field School.
  • SFU advises all visiting students to obtain a Letter of Permission or equivalent from their home institution to help in facilitating transfer credit. You are however not required to submit your Letter of Permission to SFU.
  • It is your responsibility to obtain course syllabi from Field School courses and order an official transcript from SFU following program completion (nominal issuance fee applies). These are generally required to facilitate transfer credit.

Application and Admission Process

No fees are due unless you are offered and choose to confirm participation in a program (i.e., there is no application fee).
Please see your desired program's webpage for detailed fee information and payment deadlines.

Visiting Undergraduate Students

If you are an undergraduate student at an institution other than SFU, you must complete:
  1. Field School Program Application.
  2. Visiting Undergraduate Student for SFU Field School Application, embedded within the program application.
    • Do not apply through Education Planner BC to SFU. 

Fee information:

Visiting Graduate Students

If you are a current graduate student at an institution other than SFU, you must complete:

  1. Field School Program Application.
  2. Visiting Graduate Student for SFU Field School Application, embedded within the program application.
    • Do not apply as a Graduate Visiting Research Student.

What is required varies, see below sections.

Graduate Students attending Canadian Institutions 

Graduate students from select Canadian institutions are eligible for Western Dean's Agreement (WDA) admission. This allows for paying tuition to your home university rather than SFU. 

  1. If your institution is listed on this page, see WDA below.
  2. If your institution is not listed, see Non-Degree below.

If unsure of the criteria you meet, contact fieldschools@sfu.ca

Graduate Students attending Canadian WDA Institutions

This only applies if your institution is a WDA member. If not listed, see Non-Degree below.

You will need the WDA Application Form signed by your home institution—signatures 1 and 2—but not SFU. Once obtained, upload into the Visiting Graduate Student for SFU Field School Application—not directly to SFU Graduate Studies. 

Fee information:

  • Tuition is paid to your home institution—please discuss arrangements with them prior to applying. 
  • The nominal Off-Campus Student Activity and Student Services fees, along with the Field School Program and Administration fees are due to SFU. 

Graduate Students at non-Canadian or non-WDA Institutions: Non-Degree

This option applies if you have either: 

  1. Been admitted to, or are currently enrolled in a Master’s program;
  2. Completed a Master’s degree;
  3. Applied to, or are currently applying to a graduate program; or 
  4. Not yet been awarded your undergraduate degree, but been approved by the Field School Director to be admitted as a graduate student.

You would receive graduate-level credit for the program, but please note credits through this admission pathway cannot be used towards any future SFU program. We advise you check with your home program—or programs you may be considering—prior to applying whether the credits can be transferred.    

If you are accepted into the Field School, you will be prompted to apply to SFU through the regular Graduate student application portal. More instructions would be provided then.

Fee information:

  1. A processing fee is due after acceptance, along with a deposit payable towards tuition fees.
  2. Tuition is paid to SFU at the graduate basic rate or the rate for the subject area if higher. The nominal Off-Campus Student Activity and Student Services fees, along with the Field School Program and Administration Fee are also due to SFU. 
    1. Please discuss arrangements with your home institution prior to applying. 

Funding and Travel Information

Financial Assistance

Domestic Visiting Students are generally eligible for BC/Canadian Student Loans if enrolled in a full-time Field School. American citizens may apply for U.S. Direct Loans. Other international citizenship holders should inquire with their home institution.

Please note: Visiting Students are not eligible for SFU-administered financial aid, including the Suite of Study Abroad Awards; and SFU Awards, Scholarships, and Bursaries. 

Find more details here.

Mandatory Health Insurance

It is your responsibility to purchase sufficient levels of travel medical insurance when participating in an SFU Field School. You will need to upload a signed copy of the Field Schools: Confirmation of Alternative Travel Medical Coverage Form, embedded in the application.

Immigration Requirements for Field School Destination

Students are responsible for researching and obtaining/paying for the proper immigration documents to the country(ies)/region(s) in which the Field School is located. Please consult the Consulate/Embassy of your citizenship for requirements.

Ensure to check if an interview is required and if so, secure a time. You may also be required to submit your visa application in-person (e.g. in Ottawa/Montreal, or at the Embassy of the Field School's country located in your home country).

For students located outside of the Vancouver area: Accommodations & Transportation 

If you will be travelling to SFU as part of your program, see the following options for housing:

The public transportation system in Greater Vancouver is convenient, safe and reliable. Find out more about how to get around the city without a car in our Arriving in Vancouver and Transportation guide. Please note, the U-pass is not included in Tuition or Field School Program Fees.

If you will be driving to SFU Burnaby campus, parking passes are available on a daily, 10x discounted pass, or monthly basis. There are moreoever Alternative Transportation Options.

If you are Visiting SFU from an International Location: Immigration & Insurance Information 

Primary Medical Insurance 

SFU has Guard.me@SFU as a primary medical insurance option for international visitors. You may choose to use this and/or travel medical insurance from your own health provider. Please review policy details online to ensure this coverage is appropriate for your needs (eg. prescription medications, pre-existing conditions etc.).

Immigration into Canada

See the following links for reference.

Other Resources