Individual courses are normally graded as follows.
Please refer to the course syllabus for specific course requirements. For more information about grading systems and policies, please refer to SFU’s page:
LETTER GRADE
Grading Practices
SFU guidelines stipulate that graduate students must have a minimum 3.50 CGPA to be eligible for most awards, and must maintain a minimum 3.0 CGPA to remain in the program and to graduate. The former equates to a letter grade between an A- and B+, while the latter equates to a B grade.
| A+ | 4.33 points |
| A | 4.00 points |
| A- | 3.67 points |
| B+ | 3.33 points |
| B | 3.00 points |
| B- | 2.67 points |
| C+ | 2.33 points |
| C | 2.00 points |
| F | 0 points |
The cumulative grade point average (CGPA) is the cumulative average of the grade points earned in the Simon Fraser University graduate courses completed towards a credential. Each letter grade is assigned a numerical equivalent, which is then multiplied by the unit value assigned to the course to produce the grade point. Grades without a numerical equivalent are not included in the calculation of the grade point average.
Term grade point average (GPA) is computed by dividing the total grade points earned by the total units completed in the term to the second decimal place.
Under no circumstances will a student, whose CGPA is below 3.0, be awarded a graduate degree.
Failure to meet the minimum CGPA is evidence of unsatisfactory progress and the matter will be considered by the graduate program committee as required under the Procedure for the Review of Unsatisfactory Progress.
To calculate your term GPA and CGPA based on your anticipated grades, you are able to use the following SFU GPA calculator.
Certain courses require a minimum grade (refer to your course syllabus) to move forward to the next course. In the case where a student does not meet this minimum, their progress will be reviewed to see if they are permitted to continue in the program.
Unsatisfactory Performance
Unsatisfactory progress means the students’ progress through the program milestones/requirements is unsatisfactory. This should be reviewed through 1.8.2. A written report will be sent to the student.
Process
- Student appears in front of the graduate program committee. The student is allowed to bring a support person and any documents to explain why they would like to appeal their grade.
- The committee reviews and makes one of these 3 decisions:
- If the student’s progress is assessed satisfactory despite the supervisory committee’s report, inform the student of satisfactory progress with a letter, and meet with the supervisory committee to review the areas of concern. This option is unavailable if the student’s CGPA is below the University minimum.
- If the student’s progress is assessed unsatisfactory, and/or if the student’s CGPA is below the University minimum, inform the student with a letter that includes a remediation plan to attain University minima within three terms.
- If the student’s progress is assessed unsatisfactory, inform the student with a letter that requires the student to withdraw from the University.
- Once the decision is made, the letter of the decision is sent to the student, dean of Graduate Studies, and Associate Director, Graduate Admissions, Records and Registration.
- If the student is unhappy with the results, they can appeal the committee decision by submitting this form: https://www.sfu.ca/content/dam/sfu/gradstudies/GraduateStudents/forms/UnsatisfactoryProgressAppeal.pdf.
Any decision of the graduate program committee may be appealed to the appeals subcommittee of the senate graduate studies committee, by submission of an appeal to the dean of graduate studies. The decision of the appeals subcommittee shall be final.
In the event there are allegations of academic dishonesty, falsified documents, or misconduct, the graduate program committee may not withdraw a student from their program under this policy. A separate process must be followed as outlined in Policy S10 (Academic Honesty and Student Conduct).
View your Grade
Your grades will be available at the end of each term.
Within goSFU:
- Under the Academics section, click on the “View My Grades” link.
- Selecta term.
- Click Continue.
For information on how to request official and unofficial transcripts, please refer to the link below. Please note that there are associated costs when requesting for an official transcript.
Auditing
Students may audit graduate courses, with permission of the instructor, supervisor and graduate program chair of the student’s academic unit.
Prior to enrollment, the student and instructor must agree on the requirements for auditing the class. These requirements must include regular attendance at class meetings, completion of readings and participation in class activities. Such audits are recorded as AU on the student’s transcript. If a student does not meet the requirements agreed upon the student will receive an AN. The AN will not count towards the student’s CGPA.
Audited courses will not count toward degree requirements.
A student may change enrollment status in a course from audit to regular enrollment, or from regular enrollment to audit until the end of week two of the term. Normally, no further change in enrollment status will be permitted after that date.
Please refer to SFU’s website for the most up-to date grading policies: https://www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2025/summer/fees-and-regulations/grading-policy/grad-grading-policy.html
Courses outside of CDM
Any courses outside of the student’s graduate program must be approved by the supervisory committee, the graduate program chair, and the managing director (if applicable) prior to registering. Students can contact Student Services to discuss additional requirements and about the process.
Students are responsible for any additional course or registration fees associated with courses outside the professional master’s program.
Undergraduate level courses (400 level and below) will not count towards degree requirements.
Graduate level courses (500 and above) are eligible to count towards degree requirements and satisfy the elective requirement of the program. Simon Fraser University graduate course will be graded based on the course syllabus. Graduate courses outside of Simon Fraser University will be graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis.
Transcripts
For information on how to request official and unofficial transcripts, please refer to the link below. Please note that there are associated costs when requesting for an official transcript.