Bachelor of Arts in Music and Sound at Simon Fraser University (SFU) - Program overview

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2025-12-03

Program overview

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Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Music and Sound at Simon Fraser University is a unique program that emphasizes innovative and experimental approaches to music creation. It is designed for students who are eager to explore new ways of making and imagining music and sound. The program fosters a supportive community where students can take risks and channel their unique visions. With a diverse array of musical backgrounds, students create a vibrant scene that encourages collaboration and the mixing of different practices. The curriculum is tailored to help students develop a personalized toolkit that evolves throughout their studies, allowing them to explore various creative possibilities.

Program Structure

The Bachelor of Arts in Music and Sound program is structured to provide an intensive educational experience. The program length is four years, during which students engage in a variety of collaborative and interdisciplinary projects. Key features of the program include:

Major in Music & Sound (BFA)
Extended Minor in Music & Sound
Opportunities for internships with local arts groups and institutions in Greater Vancouver
Field schools, including the Contemporary Arts Berlin Field School

Students are encouraged to immerse themselves in collective spaces that challenge their growth, regularly engaging with peers' work-in-progress. The program emphasizes the importance of collaboration across different artistic disciplines, allowing students to work alongside filmmakers, dancers, and visual artists.

Featured Experiences

The Bachelor of Arts in Music and Sound program offers a range of unique experiences that enhance students' learning and artistic development:

Regular opportunities to compose for guest professional musicians
A rotating Ensemble in Residence that provides practical experience
Interdisciplinary studio classes that foster collaboration with students from other art forms
Creative Sound Series featuring guest lectures integrated into the curriculum
Participation in the Music + Sound Festival, showcasing original student works each term

Career Options

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Music and Sound program have a wide array of career options available to them in Canada. Some potential job roles include:

Composer: Create original music for various media, including film, theater, and live performances.
Sound Designer: Work on soundscapes for films, video games, and installations, enhancing the auditory experience.
Music Producer: Oversee the production of music recordings, collaborating with artists to shape their sound.
Interdisciplinary Artist: Engage in collaborative projects that blend music with other art forms, such as dance and visual arts.
Music Educator: Teach music composition and sound practices at various educational institutions or through private lessons.

These roles allow graduates to apply their artistic and critical thinking skills in diverse settings, making them flexible artists capable of adapting to various creative industries.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Visit Simon Fraser University (SFU) official website

Last updated on 2025-12-03

Program overview

Academic Requirements

For students interested in the Bachelor of Arts in Music and Sound program, the following Academic Requirements must be met:

Minimum GPA: A minimum of 6/10 in Senior Mathematics is required for admission (based on a 50% pass scale).
General Academic Requirements:
- Applicants must submit a transcript that includes interim marks for their senior year. Admission is calculated based on senior level academic subjects.
Faculty/Program-Specific Requirements:
- For the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, which includes the Bachelor of Arts in Music and Sound, applicants must meet the general requirements with no additional faculty/program course prerequisites.

Transcripts may be required to be evaluated by WES in some cases.

Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure they meet all necessary deadlines. For any clarification or support, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Language Requirements

English is the language of instruction at SFU. All applicants, regardless of country of origin or citizenship status, will be required to have demonstrated competence in the English language prior to admission. Competence is required in all four of the following skills: listening, reading, speaking, and writing.

As an applicant to undergraduate studies, you must demonstrate English language competence through one of the options below:

Completion of the last three (3) years of full-time secondary school education in English in Canada
- Minimum requirement: 70% in a senior level English
Completion of the last three (3) years of full-time secondary school education in English, in a country in which the principal language of instruction is English
- Minimum requirement: 70% in a senior level English
Completion of the last four (4) years of full-time secondary school education in English at a recognized international school in a country in which the principal language of instruction is not English
- Minimum requirement: 70% in a senior level English
Completion of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program including English A (HL/SL) or English Literature and Performance (SL)
- Minimum requirement: Grade of a 3
Completion of a three unit English (ENGL) course or a certified W (writing intensive) course for which SFU grants transfer credit
- Minimum requirement: Grade of a C- (C minus)
GCSE O-Level English (or GCSE English Language B)
- Minimum requirement: Grade of a 4 (or C)

Alternatively, you may complete a Language Proficiency Exam:

International English Language Testing System (IELTS - Academic)
- Minimum score: Overall 6.5 with no part less than 6.0
Cambridge English Qualifications
- B2 First
- C1 Advanced
- C2 Proficiency
- Minimum score: Overall score 176 with no part less than 169
Test of English as a Foreign Language internet based test (TOEFL iBT)
- Minimum score: Overall score 88 with no part less than 20
Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL)
- Minimum score: Overall score of 70, with no part less than 60
Pearson Test of English (PTE)
- Minimum score: Overall score of 65, and a minimum score of 60 in the Communicative Skills, including: Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing
Duolingo English Test (DET)
- Minimum score: Overall score of 125

Enrolment in first-year writing intensive courses requires higher grades than admission grades. Students must meet the University’s literacy requirements in addition to the English language Requirement.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!

Last updated on 2025-12-12

Program overview