Graduate Admissions

THE APPLICATION AND DOCUMENT DEADLINE FOR THE PhD PROGRAM IS DECEMBER 1ST, 2023, FOR THE MSc PROGRAM IS JANUARY 7TH, 2024

For application to either the MSc or PhD program for admission in September 2024, please read the following information carefully.  

  • We will begin accepting applications on Monday, October 1st, 2023.
  • The deadline to submit your application and all documents for the PhD Program, is December 1st, 2023.  This deadline is firm. Applications that are incomplete at that time will not be considered.
  • The deadline to submit your application and all documents for the MSc Program, is January 7th, 2024.  This deadline is firm. Applications that are incomplete at that time will not be considered.
  • Please read the minimum requirements for admission to a UBC graduate program, as set by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
  • Please read the information posted on the Statistics Department site, including the additional requirements, as set by the Statistics Department, described below.  
  • Successful applicants must show evidence of their genuine interest in our discipline and have excellent grades in relevant courses and strong reference letters.  We receive over 350 applications each year and can only admit a small proportion of these.

Please also note that we only admit students for September enrollment. We do not offer a January start date, nor do we offer part-time programs.

After reading the information on this page, and the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies information, if you have questions please contact the Graduate Admissions Officer.   

MSc Applicants

Our MSc in Statistics program has two distinct options or areas of concentration, Statistics and Biostatistics, each with its own set of program requirements. In your on-line application, please clearly indicate  if you are applying to the Statistics option or to the Biostatistics option. If admitted, you will not be able to switch between options.

Academic Background for the MSc

In addition to the minimum admission requirements enforced by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, the department's Admissions Committee has outlined the following requirements, along with other desired courses and skills. Note that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Note also that an applicant missing a course or two but with other strong attributes, such as work experience as a statistician, will be seriously considered.

MATHEMATICS COURSES

  • required: calculus (differentiation, integration, multivariable calculus) as obtained in UBC MATH 100, 200, 253
  • required:  linear algebra, as obtained in UBC MATH 221.

In addition, the student should have some ability in constructing proofs, for instance concerning continuity and limits, such as acquired in UBC MATH 200.  

PROBABILITY COURSES

  • required: an introductory course including axioms of probability, various common distributions, multivariate distributions and some limit theorems, as obtained through UBC MATH/STAT 302 or via the text Introduction to Probability and Its Applications, 2nd edition, by R.L. Scheaffer.
  • recommended but not required: stochastic processes, as obtained through UBC MATH 303.

COMPUTING SKILLS

  • required:  familiarity with R
  • recommended but not required: experience in coding such as C/C+ or Python.

STATISTICS COURSES

  • required: an introductory course in statistical methods, such as UBC STAT 200 or via the text Statistics Data and Models, Pearson Canada, 2015, by De Veaux Velleman and Bock
  • required: a course in statistical inference/mathematical statistics: theory of estimation and hypothesis testing, such as UBC STAT 305 or via the text Mathematical Statistics and Data Analysis, Wadsworth & Brooks/Cole, 1988, by John Rice
  • required: either a course in regression analysis or a course in the design of experiments/ANOVA.  The regression course should cover the material in UBC STAT 306, with text Applied Linear Regression, Wiley, by S. Weisberg. The design/ANOVA course should cover the material in UBC STAT 404, with text Design and Analysis of Experiments, Wiley, latest edition, by D. Montgomery.

PhD Applicants

Background for the PhD

Successful PhD applicants typically have an MSc in Statistics or an MSc or PhD in Mathematics with strong evidence of interest in statistics.  A student with only a Bachelor's degree cannot usually be admitted to our PhD program, but rather must first enter the MSc program, either first completing the MSc or applying for transfer to the PhD after one year.  If you have only had a few courses in statistics, your application to the PhD program will not be successful.

For admission to the PhD program, the Admissions committee requires the following, in addition to the requirements for admission to the MSc program.

  • a course in advanced statistical inference
  • courses in rigorous mathematics
  • at least 3 of the following courses at the graduate level: stochastic processes, advanced probability, mathematical statistics, linear models.

The above requirements are in addition to the minimum admission requirements of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Please note that meeting our admission requirements does not guarantee admission.

The following background will strengthen the application:

  • courses in real analysis, and possibly measure theory, advanced probability (limit theorems, sigma fields);
  • a broad range of courses in statistical methods (e.g., some topics among statistical computing, Bayesian statistics, generalized linear models, time series, multivariate statistics);
  • undergraduate or graduate computer science courses;
  • research or work experience relevant to statistics;
  • solid programming experience (e.g., C, C++, Fortran, Python, R, SAS, Matlab).

Application Procedures

The application deadline for the PhD program is December 1st, 2023. The application deadline for the MSc program is January 7th, 2024.

Before you begin your application: Please read all instructions and procedures thoroughly and carefully. If your application is incomplete or incorrect at the time of the deadline, you will not be considered for admission. Extensions to the deadline will not be granted for any reason, and failure to follow instructions or submit material on time will result in your application being disqualified.

1. Detailed application instructions can be found on the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies webpage. Please consult their webpage, and read our Frequently Asked Questions, before beginning your application.

2. Fill out and submit the online application form (interactive application, pay by credit card).

3. References: Ask three referees to upload reference letters through the online application system. We are not always able to receive reference letters in the mail.  Detailed information regarding reference requirements and instructions can be found on the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies webpage. 
 
4.Transcripts: Scan and upload copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online system. Note that these must be scans of an official transcript. Transcripts downloaded from your university's student portal are not acceptable. These uploaded copies of your documents will be used for initial evaluation of the applicant. Conditional admission offers may be made based on documents uploaded to the application system. You are not required to submit hard copies of your transcripts unless you are made an offer of admission. Admission offers will not be finalized and applicants will not be allowed to register in a graduate program until one set of all required official academic records are received and validated by the University.

            If you are a domestic applicant, read and follow the instructions supplied by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
            If you are an International applicant, read and follow the instructions supplied by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

5. Request an English Proficiency Test score to be sent to UBC if applicable. Do not have your score sent directly to the Department. Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. You can find a great deal of information regarding whether you need to submit a score by visiting our FAQ page. Please note that scores expire two years after the test date. We are unable to accept expired scores.
    TOEFL: minimum score of 600 (paper version), 250 (computer version), or 100 (internet version). Institution code: 0965
    IELTS: minimum overall band score of 7.5 with no component score less than 6.5.

When ordering your score, please specify the following details:
Name of institution: University of British Columbia
Institution code: 0965
Name of person/department: Graduate School Admissions
Address: 170-6371 Crescent Road, Vancouver, B.C.  V6T 1Z2
 
6. Upload your CV and research proposal/personal statement onto the application system. Your statement may be a maximum one page for MSc. applicants, two pages for PhD applicants, minimum 9 point font. Please put your name on your statement. Your personal statement may include information on your areas of interest in the field, career goals, academic motivation, and any relevant information that is not covered in the online application or your CV.

7. Please do not send or upload any bank or financial documents. We do not require a GRE score. Please note that we are unable to print any extra material (e.g., writing samples, certificates) for your file, however you may supply a link to such documents in your CV. There is no additional application for funding. All applicants are considered for funding.

The mailing address for the Department is:

Graduate Admissions Officer

Department of Statistics

3182 Earth Sciences Building, 2207 Main Mall

University of British Columbia

Vancouver, BC, Canada  V6T 1Z4

 

Applications cannot be processed until all the required documentation has been received. 

Please direct any questions to the Graduate Admissions Officer: admiss@stat.ubc.ca.

Application Tips

  • Please note that we are unable to provide pre-application evaluations/screening, either in person or via email or phone. Applicants are responsible for determining their eligibility.
  • From our experience, it can take up to six weeks from the time you order for your TOEFL score to arrive from ETS. Your score must be received by the deadliine, so make sure you order it as soon as possible.
  • Make sure you give your referees plenty of warning and time to supply you with a reference. Referees need time in order to supply you with a detailed and effective letter. And remember that they are probably writing reference letters for many other students! We won't accept late reference letters, so make sure that you follow up with your letter writers as the deadline approaches. This is your responsibility!
  • You can monitor the status of your application and documents online. Because of the volume of applications we receive, we are not able to monitor each application for completeness, and doing so is the responsibility of the applicant. The earlier you submit your application and materials, the more favorably it reflects upon you as a potential graduate student.
  • The Graduate Committee occasionally begins reviewing applications before the deadline, so completing your application early is in your best interest. We are unable to provide updates as to the status of your application. We will make every effort to inform applicants about the results of the evaluation as soon as possible, but please allow several weeks for the evaluation process to take place.

Application and Admission Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can you evaluate my background/transcripts and tell me if I am eligible or qualified to apply for your program, or what my chances of acceptance are?
A:  We receive approximately 400 applications each year. We do not have the resources to provide pre-application evaluations. It is the responsibility of the applicant to determine eligibility. In order to determine basic eligibility for graduate programs, (ie. GPA and program) you should refer to the Faculty of Graduate Studies webpage. Please see the recommended and required background checklist for MSc. and PhD applicants, and browse through our graduate courses. If you do not have a sufficiently strong background in Statistics, we cannot recommend that you apply.
 
Q: How many applications do you receive every year, and how many are accepted into the program?
A: Last year we received over 400 applications, and were able to admit approximately five percent of these applicants.
 
Q: Can I start the program in January instead of in September?
A: No. We do not have a January start date. We only offer a September intake.

Q: Do you offer part time MSc. or PhD program?
A: No, we do not offer any of our programs on a part time basis. Our programs are intensive and immersive, and we do not offer a part time option at this time.


Q: How much is tuition? Do you offer any funding? How do I apply for financial assistance?
A: Please see our web page on Funding for information on tuition and funding. All admitted applicants are considered for funding, and a separate application is not required.

Q: The Co-op Program looks perfect for me! How do I apply?
A: If you are accepted into our MSc program, you will then be able to apply for the Co-op Program during your first semester of study.
 

Q: Do I need to find a supervisor before I apply? Will it increase my chance of admission?
A: No, you do not need to find a supervisor before you apply - you will have plenty of opportunities to decide during the first year of your program.  Admissions are decided by the Graduate Admissions Committee, not by individual faculty members.  Indeed, most faculty members expect that the Graduate Admissions Committee will handle all admissions decisions without consultation.  However, if you have a research or career plan that aligns well with a specific faculty member, you may contact that faculty member to discuss.  Be sure to give specific details of your interest, not a generic email.
 
Q: My undergraduate degree is not in Statistics. Can I still apply to the program?
A: Yes. We sometimes admit students from different backgrounds. However, you must have the minimum required Statistical background to be considered.
 
Q: I have only taken an introductory course in Statistics, but I am really interested in the subject, and want to do my MSc. in your department. Can I be admitted, and make up the required background during my first year?
A: No. If you do not have a sufficiently strong background in Statistics, and do not at least meet the minimum recommended background, we will not be able to admit you to the program. Our MSc. program is rigorous, and requires a strong knowledge of Statistics. Courses are advanced, and there is no room for review or introductory material. However, if you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree in Statistics, you may take the recommended courses as a non-degree student, or pursue a second degree in Statistics, and then apply to the program.
 
Q: On your website, there is no mention of the minimum GPA requirement. Can you tell me the minimum required GPA?
A: All information regarding minimum requirements for domestic and international students can be found on the UBC Faculty of Graduate and Post Doctoral Studies webpage. Please note that this is the minimum standard required for your application to be accepted for review. Our program is extremely competitive, and applicants must exceed the minimum requirements to be successful.
 
Q: The application deadline is January 15th, but I will not finish my degree until April. Can I still apply?
A: Absolutely! You must provide us with your most current transcripts. If you are accepted, you will be asked to send us your final transcripts once they become available.

Q: Can I send extra supporting materials such as a writing sample, publications etc.?
A: There is no need to send a writing sample.  If you like, you can send links to relevant material such as statistics publications.  However, please note that the admissions committee does not always have time to review supporting material other than what is required on the on-line application.  So please do not ask the committee to consider material that is not directly relevant to the program.
 
Q: I noticed that you do not require applicants to submit a GRE score. If I write the test and submit a score, will it increase my chances of acceptance?
A: The admissions committee does not review GRE scores, and sending your score will not increase your chances of admission.
 
Q: I am not a native English speaker, but I received a degree from a Canadian or American university. Do I still need to submit a TOEFL score?
A: No. If you COMPLETED a degree at a recognized university in Canada or the United States, or a university where English is the language of instruction, you are not required to submit a TOEFL score. If in doubt, please contact the admissions officer for more information.

Q: English was the language of instruction for my degree, however, my university is in a country where English is NOT the native language. Do I still need to submit a TOEFL score?
A: If the language of instruction at your university was English, then you are not required to submit a TOEFL score. However, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide proof of instruction in English. This proof must be supplied in the form of an official sealed and endorsed letter from the university registrar confirming that English is the language of instruction. In such a case, it must be clear that English was the language of instruction for your ENTIRE degree, not just for a few courses.
 
Q:  My TOEFL score is lower than the required minimum stated on your webpage. Can I still apply?
A: You may still apply. However, please remember that admission to our program is very competitive, and a score that is below the minimum will make your application less competitive.
 
Q: I am registered to take the TOEFL test in February, and the score will not be available until after the deadline. Can you evaluate my application without the score, or offer me conditional admission?
A: No. Your TOEFL score is an important part of your application, as it allows us to evaluate your language skills. Your application will be considered incomplete until we receive your official score from ETS. Please ensure you have scheduled your test early enough that the score will reach us before the deadline.

Q: What is the Institution code I need for ordering my test scores from ETS?
A: The Institution code is 0965.
 
Q:  Can I send my transcripts by email?
A: No. We do not accept email copies of transcripts. Transcripts must be uploaded onto the online application system.
 
Q: My referee does not want to submit her reference letter online. Can she send it via email? Or through the mail?
A: The UBC Faculty of Graduate Studies has specific policies regarding reference letters. We do not accept references via email. Your referee is welcome to send the reference by mail, but the letter must arrive in an envelope that is signed and sealed by the referee. Referees may use the provided reference form, or a free form letter.

Q: My referee does not have a university email address, only Gmail. Can she still submit a reference letter for me online?

A: The application system has a strong firewall, and will only accept reference letters from institutional email addresses. If your referee does not have an institutional email address, you will need to have her submit her reference letter by mail, keeping the application deadline in mind.
 
Q: I have submitted my online application, but I want to edit it, and add more information. How can I do this?
A: Once you have submitted your online application, you cannot make any changes. Please read through your application carefully, and make sure all information is correct before submitting.
 
Q: I want to apply for some scholarships in my country. Can you evaluate my application early, and make a decision before the deadline?
A: No. In order to be fair to all applicants, we are unable to review applications and inform applicants of decisions until after the application deadline.
 
Q: When will I find out if I am accepted into the program?
A: We will do our best to evaluate applications and notify applicants as quickly as possible. Every effort will be made to notify applicants by the beginning of March. Notification is sent via email.

If you cannot find the answer to your question on this page or the application pages, please send an email with the subject line re:GRAD QUERY to the graduate coordinator, Ms. Mairéad Roche at admiss@stat.ubc.ca