The SFU experience
Each student's experience of SFU is unique. Your undergraduate student will define his or her own experience -- and there are so many possibilities! This section highlights a few of those possibilities, including some of the services and organizations that will help ensure your student makes the most out of their time at SFU. If you are asking the question "Does SFU have x for my student?" — chances are we do!
Newly admitted students
Newly admitted students are encouraged to visit our website for New Students, describing everything they need to do to prepare for their first term.
We recommend new students register for Orientation -- students who attend Orientation have a smoother transition to SFU, and 91% of Orientation attendees say they met most of their SFU friends through the Orientation program!
Learning
Academic Programs
SFU's academic programs, the core of the SFU experience, are offered through our eight faculties:
- Applied Sciences
- Arts & Social Sciences
- Beedie School of Business
- Communication, Art and Technology
- Education
- Environment
- Health Sciences
- Science
Academic Advisors can help students understand their choices and program requirements.
Learning Support
There are numerous services and campus resources designed to help students make the most of their academic experience.
- The Student Learning Commons (SLC) is an academic learning centre providing friendly and knowledgeable assistance with a wide range of academic topics and skills.
- Student Services supports students from admission to graduation.
- Student Central is an online gateway to many of the services at SFU.
- International students can find additional resources and support through SFU International.
- Our Indigenous Student Centre offers culturally-relevant, responsive, holistic student support services and programs to self-identified Aboriginal students (First Nations, Métis, Inuit).
- Our Centre for Students with Disabilities fosters student success and retention of students with a disability.
Living
Students who are engaged with campus life are more likely to be successful, academically and personally. SFU offers numerous opportunities for students to get involved.
Residence and Housing allows students to live on the SFU Burnaby campus -- only a quick transit trip away from our Surrey and Vancouver campuses.
SFU's Health & Counselling Services provides all SFU students with access to basic medical services, physiotherapy, personal counselling, health promotion programming and advising.
SFU Recreation offers full recreational facilities, plus classes, programs, camps and clinics.
Students looking to get involved in university life should visit our ULife website -- with an interactive events calendar, information on student clubs and organizations, varsity games, on-campus entertainment and much, much more!
SFU security is set up to keep our campuses safe, twenty-four hours a day, all year round. SFU security is much more than well trained first-aid certified security officers; it also offers several programs to keep students safe and raise awareness about personal security issues.
We advise students to be aware that SFU is not entirely secluded and that they need to take normal precautions to keep themselves and their belongings safe while studying at SFU, including:
For a full listing of services and programs provided by SFU security, please see: http://www.sfu.ca/security.
SFU has many excellent food choices on the Burnaby campus, including Dining Services, food services provided by the Student Society, and our new Cornerstone Building.
The SFU Tech Shop provides discounted rates on software and equipment for SFU students, as well as a full post office.
The SFU Bookstore is the place to go for textbooks, school supplies, SFU gear, and gifts. Quad Books offers textbook buyback, faxing and copying services, as well as a wide selection of school supplies and stationery.
The Cornerstone Building offers a market, dry cleaners, a bank branch, a dentist, an optometrist, and more!
Students at our Surrey and Vancouver campuses benefit from being in the middle of thriving retail centres in Surrey's Central City and downtown Vancouver.
If you are an SFU student who is also a parent, you are an important part of our community, too. We encourage you to attend the SFU Orientation program to find out about some of the resources available on campus for student families.
Some resources that may be of interest to you include:
Summer and school break camp programs for children are offered through SFU recreation, SFU Surrey and our Science Alive program.
Finances
- SFU Awards and Financial Aid can assist students with financial planning, applying for scholarships, student loans and the SFU work study program. Students can review the website or meet with a financial advisor for more information.
- SFU Career Services - Students seeking on or off campus employment can start their search at SFU Career Services .
- Emergencies - We also have support for students in crisis, including emergency loans and the SFU Food Bank
Work, Volunteer and Travel
At SFU, we believe in Thinking of the World — we encourage our students to gain life and learning experiences outside of the classroom.
- SFU Exchange programs allow our students to study abroad, and bring students from all over the world to study at SFU.
- Our world-renowned Co-op program and Career Services help students put their learning into practice, and prepare for their future professions, as does SFU Volunteer Services.
- Leadership programming and Leadership opportunities on campus help students develop a passion for citizenship and community involvement.
Beyond SFU
The SFU undergraduate experience is just the beginning -- we offer numerous services for students as they enter the next phase of their lives.
- SFU Convocation celebrates the achievements of our students. The graduation ceremonies include the conferring of academic degrees as well as honorary degrees and feature the visually stunning procession of graduands, faculty and dignitaries across the reflecting pond and down the grand staircase to Convocation Mall.
- Career Services helps new graduates make the transition from backpack to briefcase, and gain valuable work experience.
- SFU Alumni is a valuable network for new graduates, and offers numerous benefits and resources.
- SFU offers excellent Graduate programs and Continuing Studies programs for students to continue their educational journeys.
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