SFU Data Science (BSc) admission requirements: Faculty of Science entry, mid 80s range, MHF4U and two 4U math or sciences

Data Science sits in SFU's Faculty of Science, so Ontario students use the Faculty of Science list. In Grade 11 you need ENG3U, MCF3M or MCR3U, SCH3U and SPH3U. In Grade 12 you need ENG4U with at least 70%, MHF4U, two of 4U/M math or science, and two more courses from List A or B.

SFU's math list includes MHF4U, MCV4U and MDM4U. For data science, MCV4U and MDM4U are both useful choices for your two extra courses, since first year includes calculus and statistics.

BC students need English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12, Pre-Calculus 12, and at least two of Anatomy and Physiology 12, Calculus 12, Chemistry 12 or Physics 12. Plan your Grade 12 timetable with our high school course planner.

SFU publishes ranges by faculty, not by major. For the Faculty of Science, all programs, the range over the past three years was the mid 80s for Canadian and permanent resident students and the high 80s for students on a student visa.

SFU says meeting these ranges does not guarantee an offer. It reviews all your approved Grade 11 and 12 courses, with more weight on List A courses for Ontario students.

Use our Top 6 average calculator to see where you stand. A mid 80s average or higher is the realistic target.

SFU's Data Science FAQ says students can apply directly into the program from high school. The calendar adds that students formally apply to be admitted into the program, and that applications are considered for new and current students.

If you start in another SFU program and switch later, the bar is different. You need at least six required Data Science courses done at SFU, a 2.7 DATA GPA, and at least a B- in one required CMPT, STAT, MATH or MACM, and BUS course. Applying directly is the simpler route.

There is no essay or portfolio for admission. The optional Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship has its own 500-word essay.

Applications open October 1, 2026 on Education Planner BC. The deadline to apply for Fall 2027 is January 31, 2027. The document deadline for all high school applicants is February 28.

SFU makes most high school decisions from January to late April, on a rolling basis. Most students must accept by May 1. You must finish your high school courses by June 30 to meet the conditions of your offer.

Compare these dates with your other schools on our Canadian university deadlines page.

The major is 120 units, with 44 in upper division courses. Lower division courses include CMPT 120 and CMPT 125 (Introduction to Computing Science and Programming I and II), CMPT 225, MACM 101 Discrete Mathematics I, MACM 201, calculus, linear algebra, DATA 180, DATA 260 Introductory R for Data Science and STAT 240 Introduction to Data Science.

Upper division adds business (BUS 343, BUS 360W, BUS 439, BUS 445), computing (CMPT 307, CMPT 310, CMPT 353, CMPT 354) and upper level math and statistics. DATA 180 is a one-unit seminar offered only in the fall, with guest speakers.

You need a 2.4 GPA across DATA program courses to stay in the major and graduate. SFU also offers Data Science honours with statistics, mathematics or open concentrations. SFU's admission page says you can start the program at the Surrey campus.

Co-op is optional for data science. The Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science runs a Science Co-op for statistics, data science and actuarial science students. Finish at least three work terms to earn the co-op designation with your BSc.

SFU says to apply two terms before your first work term. During a work term you are enrolled in the Co-op Practicum course and keep full-time status. The Fall 2026 domestic co-op work term tuition is $932.08 per term, and SFU charges a one-time co-op application fee.

SFU's Fall 2026 calendar lists $220.61 per unit for Canadian students. Data science takes premium-rate courses in later years: $294.15 per unit for 200 to 400 level Beedie business courses and $231.64 per unit for 200 to 400 level computing science courses.

Our estimate for a first year of 30 units at the basic rate is about $6,618 in tuition. Later years cost more because of the business and computing premiums. This is our estimate from SFU's posted rates, not an SFU figure. Student activity fees, the transit pass, housing and books are extra.

SFU's main entrance scholarship is the Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship (USES). You need at least a 90% average in the courses required for your program. The Fall 2027 window is October 1 to December 15, 2026, and references and admission items are due January 31, 2027.

Domestic USES awards range from $20,000 (Surrey Close to Home, 8 x $2,500) to $60,000 (8 x $7,500). The main Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship is $40,000. The application includes up to five activities and a 500-word essay.

Computing Science at SFU is a separate program in the Faculty of Applied Sciences. SFU's ranges page lists Computing Science at the high 80s to low 90s for Canadian students, higher than the mid 80s for Faculty of Science programs. Computing Science also asks Ontario students for one of SBI4U, SCH4U or SPH4U, while Data Science asks for SCH3U and SPH3U in Grade 11 and two 4U/M math or science courses in Grade 12.

Data Science adds business and statistics to programming. If you want pure computing, read our SFU Computing Science guide.

Admission runs through the Faculty of Science, where recent ranges were in the mid 80s. Applying directly from high school avoids the harder internal transfer rules.

Tuition starts at $220.61 per unit in 2026-27, with premium rates for upper level business and computing courses. Read our SFU university guide for campus and housing context.