What grade do I need in IB Economics HL for Simon Fraser University?

You need a minimum grade of 5/7 in IB Economics HL to receive transfer credit at Simon Fraser University.

How much can I save with IB Economics HL at Simon Fraser University?

By transferring IB Economics HL credits to Simon Fraser University, you can save approximately $1864 CAD in tuition costs (8 credits at ~$233/credit).

Does Simon Fraser University give transfer credit for IB Economics HL?

Burnaby, BC

Faculty: General Transfer Credit

Yes, Transfer Credit Available!

Minimum Grade Required

4(Diploma)/5(Certificate)

Credit Granted

SFU ECON 103 (4), Q/B-Soc; SFU ECON 105 (4), Q/B-Soc

💡Expert's Take

A major head start — 8 units of introductory economics cleared in one shot — but Beedie-bound students need to read the fine print. SFU awards ECON 103 (4) + ECON 105 (4) for IB Economics HL, covering both Principles of Microeconomics and Principles of Macroeconomics. IB Diploma holders need a score of 4 or higher; students completing a partial IB or IB Certificate need 5 or higher on the HL exam.

WQB double duty. Both ECON 103 and ECON 105 carry Quantitative (Q) and Breadth–Social Sciences (B-Soc) designations. Under SFU's WQB rules, a single course can satisfy both a Q and a B requirement — but only if the B-Soc credit falls outside your declared major. So if you major in Economics, ECON 103/105 will count toward your Q requirement but not toward your breadth. For students in any other major, these 8 units pull double duty, ticking off both Q and B-Soc boxes at once.

What to watch for:

Beedie internal-transfer letter-grade rule. If you plan to transfer into the Beedie School of Business from another SFU faculty, Beedie requires final, standard letter grades in each of its required admission courses — including ECON 103 and ECON 105. IB transfer credit appears on your SFU record as transfer credit, not as a letter grade. This means IB credit for ECON 103/105 may not satisfy Beedie's internal-transfer admission evaluation. Confirm this directly with Beedie advising before relying on IB credit for that pathway.
No early access to upper-division ECON. SFU's Economics department allows students who earn an A− or higher at SFU in both ECON 103 and 105 to skip straight into ECON 301/305 after 30 units. Transfer credit carries no letter grade, so this accelerated route is unavailable to students who accepted IB credit.
Course exclusions still apply. ECON 103 and ECON 200 are mutually exclusive, as are ECON 105 and ECON 205. If you hold IB credit for ECON 103/105, you cannot later take the corresponding alternative for additional credit.

Calculus is the real bottleneck. The natural next step for Economics students is ECON 201 (Intermediate Microeconomics), which requires ECON 103, ECON 105, and one of MATH 150, 151, 154, or 157 — all with a minimum C−. Your IB credit handles the econ prerequisites; your priority in first year should be locking in that calculus course.

Thinking about Beedie? If internal transfer into the Beedie BBA is even a possibility, weigh the trade-off carefully. SFU will remove IB/AP transfer credit upon request — but only if you have not yet enrolled in the equivalent course. Deciding early keeps both doors open. Students entering SFU directly through Beedie from high school face a different admission pathway and should consult Beedie's BBA program requirements separately.

For everyone else — Arts, Science, Environment, Health Sciences, Communication — accepting the credit is a clear win: 8 fewer units of coursework, two Q-designated courses checked off, and the intro econ sequence behind you before classes even start.

Official award line (Economics HL):
Minimum score: 4 (IB Diploma) / 5 (IB Certificate/Partial)
Credit granted: ECON 103 (4), ECON 105 (4) — 8 units total
ECON 103 ECON 105

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, Economics SL = ECON 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 Economics HL?

📖 Economics IA Step-by-Step Guide 💡 Free IB Economics Resources

Your Potential Savings

Units Earned

Domestic

~$216-$288/unit

~$1,728 - $2,304

Est. Savings

International

~$1,214-$1,435/unit

~$9,712 - $11,480

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.

Est. Savings

$1,440

View Full Details

Tip: Different provinces have different tuition rates. Use these comparisons to find the best value for your residency status.

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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.

✓Official University Website

Last updated: December 2025

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