Arts and Social Sciences: International Year One (Direct Entry)

Picture yourself walking into university-level classes in criminology, linguistics or international studies during your first week in Canada. Direct Entry into the Arts and Social Sciences programme of International Year One (UTP Stage II) makes that possible, with lectures and seminars on SFU’s Burnaby campus. The whole programme runs across three terms, or about twelve months, and can begin in January, May or September.

The curriculum reflects a genuine SFU first year. You select a writing course such as ENGL113 Literature and Performance or PSYC109 Brain, Mind and Society, add one quantitative course, then take at least five courses from the Arts and Social Sciences list, which spans economics, philosophy, political science, psychology, Indigenous studies and gender studies. During term one, ILS101 Integrated Learning Skills and ALC101 Academic Literacy Course are also required unless you are exempt.

Because SFU designs the courses and approves every FIC instructor, the credits you earn count directly toward your degree. A cumulative GPA of 2.50 across ten courses and thirty units secures a guaranteed move into year two of SFU’s BA, where majors include economics, English and political science. After you move across, SFU co-op lets you add paid work terms to your studies.

The degree opens doors to careers as a public relations specialist, government policy officer, market research analyst, social science researcher, teacher (after further education training) or media specialist. Direct Entry is the right fit when your English already meets FIC’s full standard and you want the quickest route into second year at SFU, with no extra language term in the way.