SFU Refugee and Newcomer Programs
Welcome. At Simon Fraser University, we’re committed to building a campus where students from refugee and newcomer backgrounds feel welcome, supported, and empowered to thrive. Guided by our commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, we support refugee and newcomer students through student services, scholarships, pathways to higher education, research, and community partnerships in Canada and around the world.
Whether you’re a current student, hoping to study at SFU, or looking to get involved, we’re here to help.
How we can help
- Student Support
Individualized support to help current SFU students from refugee and newcomer backgrounds navigate university life and thrive. - Resources & Scholarships
Explore financial, academic, wellness and other resources, including the SFSS & WUSC Undergraduate Award. - Pathways to SFU
Learn about admission options for prospective students, including the Diverse Qualifications (DQ) pathway. - Get Involved
Volunteer, participate in events and help advance refugee education through the SFU WUSC Local Committee. - Questions? Email npr@sfu.ca.
Why this work matters
117.8 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced at the end of 2025, including 41.6 million refugees.
Only 11% of refugees were enrolled in higher education in 2025. UNHCR aims to increase refugee enrolment in higher education to 15% by 2030.
Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan sets annual targets of 49,300 permanent resident admissions under the combined Refugees and Protected Persons category, including resettled refugees and protected persons in Canada.
- Access to higher education can help students build knowledge, pursue meaningful careers and contribute to their communities. By expanding educational pathways and providing ongoing support, SFU works to make university more accessible to students from refugee and newcomer backgrounds.
Sources: UNHCR — Figures at a glance · UNHCR — Refugee higher education enrolment · Government of Canada — 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan
Who is a Refugee?
Under the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention and Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (section 96), a refugee is a person who, because of a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion:
- is outside their country of nationality and is unable or, because of that fear, unwilling to seek that country’s protection; or
- has no country of nationality, is outside their former country of habitual residence, and is unable or, because of that fear, unwilling to return there.
Learn more about the 1951 Refugee Convention (UNHCR).