SFU launches its first medical school in nearly 60 years, accepting 2026 applicants and announcing a new Surrey campus with hands-on training.
SFU School of Medicine Welcomes First Applicants
Exciting news for aspiring doctors in British Columbia! Simon Fraser University (SFU) has officially opened applications for its brand-new School of Medicine. This marks Western Canada’s first medical school launch in almost six decades, and it comes with big plans for a permanent home in Surrey.
SFU and the Province of British Columbia confirmed that the school has received preliminary accreditation from the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS). The announcement not only opens doors for students but also signals a new era for healthcare and medical education in the region.
“SFU is dedicated to making a tangible difference for B.C. through education and research,” said SFU President Joy Johnson. “Our new School of Medicine will train physicians who deliver community-focused, culturally sensitive, and socially accountable healthcare.”
Hands-On Training Starts Early
The program promises a unique approach: students will begin clinical training just one month into their studies. They’ll gain practical experience in community offices, clinics, and hospitals across B.C., ensuring that learning is grounded in real-world care from the very beginning.
When completed, the permanent Surrey campus will include an outpatient clinic, offering both a learning site for students and a healthcare resource for residents.
First Class and Growth Plans
The inaugural cohort will start in August 2026 at SFU’s interim Surrey campus, consisting of 48 medical students. By 2035, the school aims to expand cohorts to 120 students annually.
Dr. David Price, founding dean of SFU’s School of Medicine, emphasized the school’s mission: “We’re looking for future physicians passionate about community-based medicine—those who want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of British Columbians. Students trained near home are more likely to serve their communities in the long term.”
A State-of-the-Art Permanent Home
SFU’s permanent medical school will be located in the Centre Block development in Surrey City Centre, right next to the SFU Surrey campus and Surrey Central SkyTrain Station. The custom-built facility will span eight floors of a 12-storey building, featuring:
- Classrooms and clinical skills labs
- Research laboratories
- Administrative offices
- A 49-space child care center
- An outpatient clinic serving both students and the community
The school is a collaborative effort among the Province, SFU, the City of Surrey, the First Nations Health Authority, Fraser Health, Divisions of Family Practice, and the broader medical community.
Building the Future of B.C. Healthcare
“These milestones bring us closer to training the next generation of family doctors in Surrey, where they are urgently needed,” said Premier David Eby. “The new SFU Medical School, alongside the Surrey Hospital and B.C. Cancer Centre, will make Surrey a hub for high-quality, innovative healthcare.”
Prospective students are already excited about the opportunity. SFU undergraduate Owen Gudmundson shared, “The opening of SFU’s medical school provides students like me a greater chance to pursue our dream of becoming doctors while also helping B.C. gain more physicians.”
Timeline and Investment
Construction of the permanent facility is expected to start in late 2026, with doors opening in Fall 2030. The project carries an estimated capital cost of $520 million, jointly funded by the Province and SFU.
With hands-on training, a community-centered approach, and a state-of-the-art campus, SFU’s School of Medicine is set to reshape healthcare education and access in British Columbia.
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