First-Year Experience in Arts and Social Sciences
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Surrey offers four pathways for students to start their university studies: Explorations in Arts and Social Sciences, Crim One and two First-Year Learning Communities (FLCs): Global Issues and Social and Behavioural Sciences.
All four first-year pathways provide students with the opportunity to take core courses together in a dynamic teaching environment of discussion and discovery, all the while connecting with peers, faculty and the Surrey campus community. Students entering these pathways enter the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in a two-term (Fall-Spring) program. In each term, they are required to take core courses at 間眅埶AV Surrey. A list of courses offered in these pathways is published in the fall for future fall and spring terms. For details about each FYE option and course planning, see
間眅埶AV requirements for these pathways are the same as those of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Explorations in Arts and Social Sciences is an interdisciplinary program which introduces first-year students to arts and social science perspectives on select contemporary issues. The program helps students advance university-level academic skills, and to question, research, and think independently. Students are encouraged to develop communication and reasoning skills that will serve them well in and beyond the university. Explorations courses in the first term focus on contemporary issues, examined from interdisciplinary perspectives. Courses in the second term introduce approaches to research and to academic writing.
Students register in two Explorations courses in the fall term, and one in the spring. In each term students also select at least one elective offered by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Surrey. Students may add other electives as they wish. For more information on Explorations, see
Crim One is an interdisciplinary program that provides students interested in Criminology with a starting point to begin their studies in Criminology at Surrey. Details at
First-Year Learning Communities (FLCs) provide students with an opportunity to take core courses together over two terms in combination with weekly FLC meetings led by a Peer Mentor to address first-year academic, personal, career and social development. FLCs give students the opportunity to complete some of their lower division required courses for their majors and/or minors along with Breadth courses:
Global Issues First-Year Learning Community (GI FLC) combines courses in World Literature, International Studies, History, Humanities, Political Science and Asia-Canada Studies.
Social and Behavioural Sciences First-Year Learning Community (SBS FLC) combines courses in Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy and Cognitive Science.
Please note that FLC disciplines are subject to change on an annual basis. Additional details at
From First-Year University to a Major Program
Students are encouraged to meet with the advisor to discuss the majors or minors they are considering, and to plan how to meet the requirements for entry into them. Some programs have enrolment limitations with competitive entry standards that are based on academic performance. Students who are unable to gain admission to such programs should consult the advisor regarding other options.