Simon Fraser University has opened applications for the first cohort of its new medical school — the first new program of its kind in Western Canada in nearly six decades.
The school will begin instruction in August 2026 at an interim location at SFU’s Surrey campus, welcoming an initial class of 48 students. The program is designed to directly address British Columbia’s shortage of family doctors by focusing on community-based, primary-care training.
Students will begin hands-on clinical experience just two months into the program, working in community clinics, hospitals, and offices across B.C. A permanent home for the school is under development in Surrey City Centre, with construction expected to begin in late 2026. The state-of-the-art 12-storey facility will include classrooms, clinical labs, research space, and an outpatient clinic serving local residents.
The school will expand annually, aiming to reach 120 students per year by 2035.
Premier David Eby says the school is part of a broader effort to improve health care access in B.C., especially in fast-growing areas like Surrey. The initiative is a collaboration between the Province, SFU, the City of Surrey, First Nations Health Authority, Fraser Health, and the medical community.
The estimated $520 million capital cost will be shared between the Province and SFU. The permanent facility is expected to open by fall 2030.
Prospective students can apply now through the SFU School of Medicine website: sfu.ca/medicine.
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