Academic Planning
Academic planning is more than just choosing the courses you'll need to complete your degree. It's about the network of support and resources that'll help you get there.
Good planning takes into account different aspects of university life and understanding how your choices will affect your student experience at SFU and your professional career after you graduate. So instead of asking how long (or how quickly) it’ll take you to complete your undergraduate degree, start thinking about how you can reach your personal milestones along the way.
With the right resources and supports from SFU, you'll be able to reach those milestones on your own terms!
Plan your courses towards degree completion
Find information and resources to guide you in exploring different options, managing your expectations and making informed decisions towards completing your degree, whether you’re on your first or final year.
Course Loads
Learn and understand how choosing your course load each term is essential to academic planning.
Resources & Supports
Connect with the right Advisor and discover resources for your academic planning needs.
Mindfully planning your course load each term will go a long way towards successful degree completion. The key to managing your course load is to be prepared, flexible and realistic!
Read through each section to learn what a course load is and understand:
- What different course loads can mean for you
- Various considerations when deciding courses for your term or year
- Your financial situation, and times when SFU can help fund your tuition
- Learning opportunities to help you complete your degree
SFU provides resources and support throughout your undergraduate studies to guide you through successful degree completion. Success is different for everyone—how you define your academic success will be up to you! Here’s how you can learn to manage your course loads, be empowered in your decisions around academic planning and enrich your student experience while at SFU.
Academic Advising
If you’re a new or undeclared student, ask questions to support you in academic planning and degree completion. An Academic Advisor can help you:
- Plan your path towards your degree and map out program requirements.
- Plan your next steps if you're facing academic difficulty at any point.
Career Advising
No matter how far along you are on your undergraduate journey, it’s never too late—or too early—to meet with a Career Advisor and plan your path to graduation and what comes after.
If you plan on doing Co-Op, reach out to discuss how it may affect your course load and the time it takes for degree completion.
International Student Advising
Your enrolment at SFU affects your eligibility to work, study and stay in Canada, while a study permit depends on reasonable and timely progress towards completing your degree.
Learn about specific enrolment requirements and discuss them with an International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist.
Financial Planning
You may need to make some important decisions about student finances. Tuition, fees and life expenses can quickly add up, which can influence your course load decisions in a given term or school year.
There are several options for financial aid, supports and opportunities to help you fund the cost of your degree and we'll help you find what works for you.
Scholarship & Award Eligibility
Many scholarships and awards are given to undergraduate students each year. There may be eligibility requirements around course loads in the term of application, as well as other considerations.
A Financial Aid and Awards Advisor can inform you about the minimum course loads to be eligible for undergraduate scholarships and awards.
NCAA student athletes
Student-athletes need to meet strict eligibility requirements to practice, compete and represent SFU in intercollegiate athletic competitions.
Speak with an NCAA Academic Advisor to discuss the minimum course load requirement each term, maximum number of terms of participation, and other essential steps toward degree completion.
Other resources to complement academic planning
If you’ve reached out to an Academic or Career Advisor and given financial planning a go, we also recommend exploring these additional channels to help you achieve your academic goals.
Health and well-being
Balancing your personal life with your studies and workload may feel overwhelming at different times in your educational journey. Learn how you can be proactive about your mental health and well-being, and seek various types of support services and channels when you need it.
Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL)
CAL advocates educational equity and diversity by providing disability-related services and accommodations for students at SFU. If you have a documented or suspected disability, visit the Centre to find support in planning your academic journey and exploring your personal educational opportunities.
Student Learning Commons (SLC)
Drop by the SLC at any SFU campus for academic guidance. The SLC has resources to help improve essential learning, reading, academic writing and study skills. Join workshops, peer learning sessions and collaborative discussions to help with writing your assignments and preparing for exams.