Does Simon Fraser University accept 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.
Need help preparing for IB French A: Language and Literature 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 French A: Language and Literature HL at Other Universities
See how French A: Language and Literature HL transfer credits compare across Canadian universities. Each school has different grade requirements and savings potential.
McGill University
Montreal, QC
Min Grade
5/7
Credit Granted
FREN 1XX (6 credits)
(6 credits)
Est. Savings
$2,520
Queen's University
Kingston, ON
Min Grade
5/7
Credit Granted
FREN 150 (6.0 units)
(6 credits)
Est. Savings
$1,398
University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB
Min Grade
6/7
Credit Granted
FREN 100-level (3 units) + FREN 211 (3 u...
(6 credits)
Est. Savings
$1,302
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC
Min Grade
5/7
Credit Granted
FREN_V 401 + FREN_V 402 (6 credits)
(6 credits)
Est. Savings
$1,242
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON
Min Grade
5/7
Credit Granted
FR 1XX (0.5 units) — Elective credit
(1 credit)
Est. Savings
$450
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
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 French A: Language and Literature HL at Simon Fraser University.