Does Simon Fraser University give transfer credit for IB French A: Language and Literature HL?
Burnaby, BC
Yes, Transfer Credit Available!
Minimum Grade Required
Credit Granted
SFU FREN 1XX (6), or SFU FREN 1XX (3) + WL 1XX (3), depending on result of placement test
Generic Credit: Counts as an elective, but may not replace a mandatory prerequisite for your major.
💡Expert's Take
You receive 6 units of credit regardless, but a placement test determines how those units are split on your transcript. SFU's official IB transfer credit table awards either FREN 1XX (6) or FREN 1XX (3) + WL 1XX (3) for IB French (Language A) HL, depending on the result of the SFU French placement test. The total is always 6 units, the placement test decides the allocation, not the amount.
What "WL" means. WL stands for World Literature, the course code used by SFU's Department of World Languages and Literatures within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. When the placement test results in the FREN 1XX (3) + WL 1XX (3) split, SFU is recognizing that IB French A: Language and Literature has both a language component and a literary analysis component. The WL 1XX portion reflects the literature side.
This is all generic (1XX) credit. Both FREN 1XX and WL 1XX are unassigned lower-division credit in their respective subject areas. As SFU's admissions office explains, 1XX credit counts toward your overall unit total and can serve as elective credit, but it does not automatically replace a named course in a prerequisite chain. The "Generic Credit" label on this transfer is accurate.
What to watch for:
- The placement test is mandatory for IB students. SFU's French Department explicitly requires IB students to complete the placement test before enrolling in any French course. This is not optional, the department lists "Francophone programme, IB and AP students" among those who must take it. Contact the French academic advisor (frenadv@sfu.ca) to arrange it.
- WQB designations are not guaranteed, but Q and B are possible. According to SFU's official WQB transfer credit policy, IB transfer credit may be eligible for Q and B designations but is not eligible for W designation. Because FREN 1XX and WL 1XX are unassigned credit, they typically will not carry a Breadth designation automatically. If you want these units to count toward your breadth requirements, you would need to submit a WQB designation review request to SFU's UCIL Office, a process specifically for requesting Q/B tags on existing transfer credit. Note that this is separate from a transfer credit appeal, which is for requesting that generic 1XX credit be reassessed as a specific SFU course equivalency. Always confirm the outcome on your SFU Advising Transcript or Transfer Credit Report.
- SFU's French lower-division sequence has recently changed. The department is revamping its programs: FREN 101 now replaces FREN 120/121, FREN 102 replaces FREN 122, FREN 201 replaces FREN 210, and FREN 202 replaces FREN 211. If you plan to continue in French, your placement test result will slot you into this new sequence, likely at the 200 level or above for a strong IB French A student.
If you plan to take more French at SFU: Complete the placement process early. The French department will use your test result both to determine your course starting point and to finalize how the IB credit split appears on your record. For IB French A: Language and Literature students, who balanced linguistic analysis with literary study, the placement test will likely position you at the intermediate-to-advanced tier (FREN 202 or above), which is where content-based French courses begin.
If you do not plan to take more French: The 6 units still count toward your 120-unit degree total as elective credit. Verify how the credit appears on your Transfer Credit Report after admission. If you need these units to pull double duty toward your Breadth–Humanities requirement, consider submitting a WQB designation review request to SFU's UCIL Office, especially for the WL 1XX portion, since many World Literature courses at SFU carry B-Hum designations.
A note on SFU's credit removal policy: SFU will remove IB/AP credit upon request if you have not yet enrolled in the equivalent course. This is only relevant if you have a specific reason to decline the credit, an uncommon scenario for French A: Language and Literature, where the transfer credit is purely additive.
Official award line (French, Language A, HL):
Minimum score: 4 (IB Diploma) / 5 (IB Certificate/Partial)
Credit granted: FREN 1XX (6), or FREN 1XX (3) + WL 1XX (3), depending on placement test, 6 units total
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, French A SL = FREN 1XX (3). SL credit is not available to IB Certificate students. See the full IB transfer credit table for details.
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Your Potential Savings
Credit Awarded
6
unit (1 course = 3 units)
British Columbia Resident
~$221-$294/unit
~$1,324 - $1,765
Potential Tuition Value
(basic rate to Beedie Business)
Out-of-Province
~$221-$294/unit
~$1,324 - $1,765
Potential Tuition Value
(basic rate to Beedie Business)
International
~$1,263-$1,492/unit
~$7,577 - $8,953
Potential Tuition Value
(varies by program)
*2026-27 tuition-only rates. Values assume the award replaces tuition you would otherwise pay. Actual cash savings can be $0 under flat-rate or full-time billing unless credit reduces a billed term or time to completion.
📊 Compare French A: Language and Literature HL at Other Universities
See how French A: Language and Literature HL transfer credits compare across Canadian universities. Click column headers to sort.
| University | Min Grade | Credit Granted | Tuition Value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carleton UniversityOttawa, ON | 5/7 | FREN 1XXX (1.0 credit) | View estimate | → | |
| Concordia UniversityMontreal, Quebec | 4/7 | 9 transfer credits toward the Extended Credit Prog… | View estimate | → | |
| Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, NS | 5/7 | ASSC 1999.06 (elective) | View estimate | → | |
| Lakehead UniversityThunder Bay, ON | 5/7 | French 1200 | View estimate | → | |
| McGill UniversityMontreal, QC | 5/7 | FREN 1XX (6 credits) | View estimate | → | |
| McMaster UniversityHamilton, ON | 5/7 | 6 units of unspecified Level 1 French | View estimate | → | |
| Memorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John's, NL | 4/7 | French 1501 + French 1502 | View estimate | → | |
| Queen's UniversityKingston, ON | 5/7 | FREN 150 (6.0 units) | View estimate | → | |
| Toronto Metropolitan UniversityToronto, ON | 5/7 | 2 Language LLS | View estimate | → | |
| University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB | 6/7 | FREN 100-level (3 units) + FREN 211 (3 units) | View estimate | → | |
| University of British ColumbiaVancouver, BC | 5/7 | FREN_V 401 + FREN_V 402 (6 credits) | View estimate | → | |
| University of CalgaryCalgary, Alberta | 5/7 | FREN 227 | View estimate | → | |
| University of GuelphGuelph, ON | 5/7 | HUMN 9110 (0.50 credits) | View estimate | → | |
| University of ManitobaWinnipeg, MB | 4/7 | FREN 1200: French 1 (6) | View estimate | → | |
| University of New BrunswickFredericton & Saint John, NB | 5/7 | FR 2124 & FR 2154 (Fredericton; not listed for Sai… | View estimate | → | |
| University of OttawaOttawa, ON | 5/7 | FRA 1710 + FRA 1720 (6 units) | View estimate | → | |
| University of SaskatchewanSaskatoon, SK | 5/7 | FREN 122.3 + FREN 125.3 = 6 credit units | View estimate | → | |
| University of TorontoToronto, ON | 5/7 | FRE1**Y (1.0 credit) | View estimate | → | |
| University of VictoriaVictoria, BC | 4/7 | FRAN 180 (3 units) | View estimate | → | |
| University of WaterlooWaterloo, ON | 5/7 | FR 1XX (0.5 units) — Elective credit | View estimate | → | |
| University of WindsorWindsor, ON | 5/7 | FREN-1410 (Introduction to Literary Studies) | View estimate | → | |
| Western UniversityLondon, ON | 5/7 | French 1910 (1.0 credit) | View estimate | → | |
| York UniversityToronto, ON | 5/7 | AP/FR 1*** 6.0 (6 credits, unspecified level 1) | View estimate | → | |
| Ontario Tech UniversityOshawa, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| University of ReginaRegina, SK | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → |
Tip: Open a university to compare same-province, out-of-province, and international tuition values. Flat-rate or full-time billing can make the immediate cash saving $0.
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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.
Last updated: March 2026
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