All applications are processed online. Applications open in late October/early November and the  deadline to apply is mid-January each year.

Please note: it may take up to 5 business days for payments to go through. If you leave payment of your application fee close to the deadline there is a chance it will not be processed in enough time to allow you to upload all your documents

Before applying, please review the information below and the overview of the application progress: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/future/application_process.html

Direct login to the application system: https://sims.sfu.ca/psp/csprd_newwin/SFUGAAPP/SA/c/SFU_ADMISSIONS.SFU_GA_APPLICATION.GBL

On the on-line system, you will need to submit:

• The information asked for by the system, including your prepared statement of intent.
• Electronic copies of your transcript (preferably copies of your official transcript)
• A writing sample (normally a 10-15 page paper plus references)
• TOEFL or IELTS scores if required (see http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/future/international-applicants/english-language-requirements.html)

SFU does not require GRE scores.

You will also need to ask 3 referees to submit confidential letters of reference.

Incomplete files cannot be considered. You are welcome to send directly to the Department any additional material that you think is relevant, but note that we do not have the staff to make it possible for us to monitor each application and acknowledge receipt of materials or notify applicants when the application is complete. If an offer is extended and accepted, official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions (1 copy only per institution) should be sent directly to the SFU Graduate Studies office.  Email:  gradap@sfu.ca; regular mail:  Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Simon Fraser University, Maggie Benston Student Services Centre 1100, Burnaby, B.C. Canada V5A 1S6

Information for Thesis and Non-Thesis applicants:

You do NOT need to decide between the Thesis and Non-Thesis MA stream at the time of application. It is also neither necessary, nor even advisable, to have your Supervisor arranged before you arrive. The vast majority of graduate students in philosophy (not just in our department) do not get a Senior Supervisor until most of their coursework is completed and they begin to research for their thesis, dissertation, or Professional Paper.

Information for Specialized MA applicants:

If you are thinking of applying for our Specialized MA, you need to establish contact with the faculty member you wish to work with well in advance of applying. At the time of application you need his or her agreement to supervise your work as well as a solid outline of your proposed project and course of study.

Department Contact Information

Please note that at this time, transcripts should be sent directly to Graduate Studies at Simon Fraser University, not to the Philosophy Department.

Department of Philosophy, Graduate Admissions
4610 West Mall Centre, Simon Fraser University
8888 University Drive, Burnaby , BC V5A 1S6, Canada

Tel: 778.782.6859

Strictly procedural questions should be addressed to the Graduate Secretary: philsec@sfu.ca

Substantive questions about the program and applying to it should be addressed to the Graduate Chair:  philgrad@sfu.ca