Does Simon Fraser University give transfer credit for IB Chemistry HL?
Burnaby, BC
Yes, Transfer Credit Available!
Minimum Grade Required
Credit Granted
SFU CHEM 122 (2), Q; SFU CHEM 121 (4), Q/B-Sci
💡Expert's Take
Six units of general chemistry credit, and a clear path into organic chemistry. IB Chemistry HL earns you CHEM 121 (4 units) + CHEM 122 (2 units), covering SFU's General Chemistry I lecture-plus-lab and General Chemistry II lecture courses. A score of 4 or higher is required for IB Diploma holders; Certificate students need a 5.
Because SFU charges tuition per unit, skipping 6 units translates to real savings, roughly $1,300 for domestic students or $7,290 for international students (based on Spring 2026 normal fee rates), provided you don't simply replace them with additional electives. Actual rates are published each term in the SFU Calendar fee schedule and are subject to change.
The credit carries SFU's Quantitative (Q) designation on both courses, and Breadth-Science (B-Sci) on CHEM 121, which count toward the university's general education requirements. IB transfer credit can qualify for Q and B designations, but not the Writing (W) designation, so you'll need to complete a W course separately.
What to watch for:
- Your next course is likely CHEM 281 (Organic Chemistry I). Its prerequisite is CHEM 121 with a minimum C-, and it lists CHEM 122 as a corequisite; both of which your IB transfer credit satisfies. CHEM 281 includes its own lab component and focuses on structure, bonding, spectroscopy, and reaction mechanisms. If your IB preparation leaned more toward calculation and memorization than mechanistic reasoning, the shift toward concepts like resonance, hybridization, and curved-arrow notation may require some adjustment.
- This credit does not include CHEM 126 (General Chemistry Laboratory II). CHEM 121 includes an integrated lab, so your transfer credit covers that component. However, CHEM 126, the standalone lab course that complements CHEM 122, is not part of the IB award. This matters primarily for chemistry majors and honours students, because CHEM 126 is a prerequisite for upper-year laboratory courses including CHEM 216 (Analytical Chemistry Lab) and CHEM 236W (Inorganic Chemistry Lab). If your degree plan requires those courses, you will need to take CHEM 126 separately. For students in programs like biological sciences, kinesiology, or health sciences, check your specific degree requirements, many do not require CHEM 126.
- Credit removal is one-way. SFU will remove IB credit upon request if you haven't yet enrolled in the equivalent course, but they will not restore it after removal. This makes the decision to decline credit permanent, so consider your options carefully before requesting removal.
Take the credit. Six units is a meaningful head start, the tuition savings are concrete, and the prerequisite chain into CHEM 281 and upper-division chemistry is preserved. The main consideration is whether your degree plan eventually requires CHEM 126, if so, plan to take it in your first year alongside your other chemistry courses, since it lists CHEM 121 (which you have credit for) as a prerequisite and CHEM 122 as a corequisite. If you're heading into organic chemistry and want to feel fully prepared, reviewing your IB organic chemistry material, particularly functional groups, bonding theory, and nucleophile/electrophile concepts, before your first term will help smooth the transition.
Official award line (IB Chemistry HL):
Minimum score: 4 (IB Diploma) / 5 (IB Certificate)
Credit granted: CHEM 121 (4), CHEM 122 (2), 6 units total, Q + B-Sci
Standard Level (Diploma holders only): CHEM 1XX (3) general credit
SFU Undergraduate Admission, International Baccalaureate transfer credit table
What about Standard Level (SL)? IB Diploma holders are also awarded three units of general credit for transferable SL courses; for example, Chemistry SL = CHEM 1XX (3). SL credit is not available to IB Certificate students. See the full IB transfer credit table for details.
Need help preparing for IB Chemistry HL?
Your Potential Savings
Units Earned
6
International
~$1,214-$1,435/unit
~$7,284 - $8,610
Est. Savings
Premium Rate: Up to $288/unit
- Applies to: Upper-division (200+) courses in Business, Engineering, and Computing Science.
- Note: Since most IB credits replace 100-level courses, your savings will usually be at the $216 rate, but using the range covers all possibilities.
Tuition rates are for 2025. Always verify with SFU's official sources before making decisions.
📊 Compare Chemistry HL at Other Universities
See how Chemistry HL transfer credits compare across Canadian universities. Click column headers to sort.
| University | Min Grade | Credit Granted | Est. Savings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McGill UniversityMontreal, QC | 5/7 | CHEM 110 + CHEM 120 (8 credits) | $3,360 | → | |
| Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, NS | 5/7 | CHEM 1011.03/1012.03 or 1021.03/1022.03 or 1041.03… | $2,052 | → | |
| University of SaskatchewanSaskatoon, SK | 5/7 | CHEM 112.3 + CHEM Jr.3 = 6 credit units | $1,554 | → | |
| York UniversityToronto, ON | 5/7 | SC/CHEM 1000 3.0 + SC/CHEM 1001 3.0 (6 credits) | $1,458 | → | |
| Western UniversityLondon, ON | 5/7 | Chemistry 1301A (0.5 cr) + Chemistry 1302B (0.5 cr… | $1,440 | → | |
| Queen's UniversityKingston, ON | 5/7 | CHEM 112 (6.0 units) | $1,398 | → | |
| Carleton UniversityOttawa, ON | 5/7 | CHEM 1001 + CHEM 1002 (1.0 credit) | $1,365 | → | |
| McMaster UniversityHamilton, ON | 5/7 | CHEM 1A03 + CHEM 1AA3 (up to 6 units) | $1,200 | → | |
| University of CalgaryCalgary, Alberta | 5/7 | Chemistry 201/203 or 209 (Engineering only) | $1,194 | → | |
| University of WaterlooWaterloo, ON | 5/7 | CHEM 120 + 120L + 123 + 123L (1.5 units ≈ 3 course… | $900 | → | |
| University of British ColumbiaVancouver, BC | 6/7 | CHEM_V 121 (4 credits) | $828 | → | |
| University of GuelphGuelph, ON | 5/7 | CHEM 1040 (0.50 credits) | $720 | → | |
| Memorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John's, NL | 4/7 | CHEM 1010 (St. John's) or CHEM 1810 (Grenfell) at … | $675 | → | |
| University of OttawaOttawa, ON | 5/7 | CHM 1711 (3 units) | $660 | → | |
| University of TorontoToronto, ON | 5/7 | CHM1**Y (1.0 credit) | $659 | → | |
| University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB | 6/7 | CHEM 101 (★3) — Engineering: CHEM 103 (★4.3) | $651 | → | |
| University of VictoriaVictoria, BC | 5/7 | CHEM 101 (1.5 units) and CHEM 102 (1.5 units) | $555 | → |
Tip: Different provinces have different tuition rates. Use these comparisons to find the best value for your residency status.
Other IB Subjects at Simon Fraser University
Related subjects you might be interested in at Simon Fraser University
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation HL
Computer Science HL
Physics HL
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL
Biology HL
Data Disclaimer
This information is compiled from Simon Fraser University official sources and verified community reports. It is NOT a substitute for official academic advising. Always confirm with your advisor before making decisions.
Last updated: December 2025
Save Your Transfer Plan
Download a PDF of this transfer credit information for Chemistry HL at Simon Fraser University.