Does Simon Fraser University give transfer credit for IB French B 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 B 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. A score of 4 or higher is required for IB Diploma holders; Certificate students need a 5.
What "WL" means, and why it appears for a language acquisition course. WL stands for World Languages and Literatures, the department 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, the WL 1XX portion is an administrative allocation by SFU based on your placement result; it does not mean your IB French B course was a literature course. IB French B is a language acquisition program focused on communicative skills, reading comprehension, and cultural awareness. The WL credit simply reflects how SFU chooses to distribute the 6 units across its internal subject codes.
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.
French B vs. French A: same credit, different placement expectations. SFU's IB transfer credit table awards the same 6 units for French B HL as for French A HL. However, French B is designed for non-native speakers who learned French as an additional language, while French A is for students who studied French at a near-native or native level. This distinction doesn't affect the amount of credit you receive, but it may affect where the placement test slots you in SFU's French course sequence.
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. French B HL students, depending on their proficiency, may place anywhere from the 100 level to the 200 level.
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. Because French B is a second-language acquisition course, your placement outcome will depend heavily on how much French you've maintained since completing the IB exam. If there's been a gap, consider reviewing your French before taking the placement test; it directly affects which level you can register in.
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 a Breadth requirement, consider submitting a WQB designation review request to SFU's UCIL Office.
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 B, where the transfer credit is purely additive.
Official award line (French B, 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 B 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
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 B HL at Other Universities
See how French B HL transfer credits compare across Canadian universities. Click column headers to sort.
| University | Min Grade | Credit Granted | Est. Savings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McGill UniversityMontreal, QC | 5/7 | FRSL 1XX (6 credits) | $2,520 | → | |
| Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, NS | 5/7 | FREN 1999.06 = 6 credit hours | $2,052 | → | |
| University of SaskatchewanSaskatoon, SK | 5/7 | FREN Jr.6 = 6 credit units | $1,554 | → | |
| York UniversityToronto, ON | 5/7 | FR 1*** 6.0 (6 credits, unspecified level 1) | $1,458 | → | |
| Western UniversityLondon, ON | 5/7 | French 1020 TRN, 1.0 credit (generic transfer cred… | $1,440 | → | |
| Queen's UniversityKingston, ON | 5/7 | FREN 150 (6.0 units) | $1,398 | → | |
| Carleton UniversityOttawa, ON | 5/7 | FREN 1XXX (1.0) | $1,365 | → | |
| Memorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John's, NL | 4/7 | FREN 1501 + FREN 1502 | $1,350 | → | |
| University of OttawaOttawa, ON | 5/7 | FLS 1XXX (6 units) | $1,320 | → | |
| University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB | 6/7 | FREN 100-level (6 units) | $1,302 | → | |
| McMaster UniversityHamilton, ON | 5/7 | 6 units of unspecified Level 1 French | $1,200 | → | |
| University of TorontoToronto, ON | 5/7 | FSL1**Y / FRE1**Y / FREA**Y (1.0 FCE) — varies by … | $659 | → | |
| University of CalgaryCalgary, Alberta | 5/7 | FREN 213 | $597 | → | |
| University of VictoriaVictoria, BC | 4/7 | FRAN 180 (3 units) | $555 | → | |
| University of WaterlooWaterloo, ON | 5/7 | FR 1XX (0.5 units) — Elective credit | $450 | → | |
| University of GuelphGuelph, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → |
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.
Last updated: December 2025
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