i Please note:
To view the current calendar, go to
General Studies (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences) Major
Starting fall 2010, the bachelor of general studies (BGS) degree will be available only as a graduation option for Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences students. Students who are interested in this option must meet with a faculty advisor in Arts Central (AQ 3020) and will be required to complete an application form in order to seek formal approval from the associate dean in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Major Requirements
For all bachelor of arts (BA) programs (except the honours program), students complete 120 units, which includes
- at least 60 units that must be completed at 間眅埶AV
- at least 45 upper division units, of which at least 30 upper division units must be completed at 間眅埶AV
- at least 65 units (including 21 upper division units) in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses
- satisfaction of the writing, quantitative, and breadth requirements
- an overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and upper division CGPA of at least 2.0, and a program (major, joint major, extended minor, minor) CGPA and upper division CGPA of at least 2.0
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to 間眅埶AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
Requirement |
Units |
Notes | |
W - Writing |
6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at 間眅埶AV within the student’s major subject | |
Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division | |
B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth | Must be outside the student’s major subject, and may be lower or upper division 6 units Social Sciences: B-Soc 6 units Humanities: B-Hum 6 units Sciences: B-Sci |
6 |
Additional Breadth | 6 units outside the student’s major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements) |
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
The University’s residency requirement stipulates that, in most cases, total transfer and course challenge credit may not exceed 60 units, and may not include more than 15 as upper division work.
Course Duplication
University regulations governing the duplication of courses are rigorously applied in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. No more than five course duplications will be allowed.
Integrated Studies Program
間眅埶AV to this program has ceased. The program will be discontinued in 2013.
Integrated studies programs within the bachelor of general studies degree are highly structured cohort-based programs that meet the educational needs of specific student groups. Such programs integrate liberal studies with knowledge and skills associated with a particular field of practice, or with a background common to its students. Students may undertake this degree option only through special admission to an individual program.
Integrated studies programs are designed and structured in consultation with external agencies or employers and may have special locations, admission requirements and fee structures.
Because these programs may require and build upon varying levels of previous post-secondary education, related employment experience, and demonstrated intellectual maturity, the required number of units may be less than the normal 120 units. All such programs will require a minimum of 60 units in designated 間眅埶AV courses offered within the program, to include at least 45 upper division units.
Each integrated studies program will be governed by an academic steering committee. The curriculum, including both designated courses and total units, admission criteria, and any other special conditions for each individual integrated studies program will be approved in advance by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences curriculum committee.
Information is available at and from the director of the Integrated Studies Program, Continuing Studies, at Vancouver campus.
For calendar technical problems or errors, contact calendar-sfu@sfu.ca | Calendar Changes and Corrections