statistics phd in canada

• Doctor of Philosophy in Statistics (PhD)
• Graduate School
• Prospective Students
• Graduate Degree Programs

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Established in 1983, the Department of Statistics at UBC is internationally renowned for its excellence in research and the high calibre of its faculty members. Our programs offers students different options for pursuing their interests and professional goals. Students completing our PhD program will be well-prepared for a job in industry, government or academia. During their program our students develop important professional skills that include: effective communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences, creativity and originality, and grant writing skills, among others. They also acquire a broad knowledge of modern statistical methods, including computing and data management.

NEW PhD Track Admission Stream!. More information can be found here  https://www.stat.ubc.ca/new-phd-track-admission-stream . 

For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website

What makes the program unique?

The Department is renowned in Canada for its research excellence and its leadership in the research community. Students are engaged through both courses and research, and develop a strong set of skills, both applied and theoretical. The Department has always valued data driven research, consulting and collaboration, and has long held communication and computing skills as crucial for success. Graduate students participate actively in our research, teaching and consulting activities, and enjoy a wide variety of opportunities for interaction with other researchers and students on- and off-campus. In addition, our graduate students run their own statistical consulting service, which provides them with professional (paid) experience even before they finish their program.

We have recently introduced a highly innovative qualifying process – instead of writing an exam, first year PhD students register in a reading and research course where they work on research papers proposed by individual faculty members.

We also just recently introduced a new PhD Track stream. Effective now, we offer this stream for strong undergraduate students expecting to graduate in Spring 2025 interested in a PhD in Statistics. Admission under this new stream is in a MSc program but with guaranteed transition to PhD at the end of year one subject to satisfying program requirements. This track is intended for exceptional undergraduate students with demonstrated research potential. Students interested in the PhD track should identify one or more faculty members as potential research supervisors. You can find more information about this on our admissions page here  https://www.stat.ubc.ca/graduate-admissions .

UBC is one of a few Canadian universities that has a dedicated statistics department, which means that we cover an impressive range of statistics-related research. UBC's offering of vast selection of different theoretical and applied topics in both research and coursework was an important attracting factor.

Quick Facts

Program enquiries, admission information & requirements, 1) check eligibility, minimum academic requirements.

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:

• Canada or the United States
• International countries other than the United States

Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.

English Language Test

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. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based

Overall score requirement : 100

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Overall score requirement : 7.5

Other Test Scores

Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:

The GRE is not required.

Prior degree, course and other requirements

Course requirements.

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 Bachelors 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).

Document Requirements

We require a 2 page (maximum) statement of interest/research proposal, as well as a CV.

2) Meet Deadlines

3) prepare application, transcripts.

All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.

Letters of Reference

A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.

Statement of Interest

Many programs require a statement of interest , sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.

• Supervision

Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor. Please follow the instructions provided by each program whether applicants should contact faculty members.

Instructions regarding thesis supervisor contact for Doctor of Philosophy in Statistics (PhD)

Citizenship verification.

Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.

4) Apply Online

All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.

Research Information

Research focus.

Faculty are conducting research in a variety of applied an theoretical areas, such as Bayesian Statistics, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Environmental and Spatial Statistics, Forest Products Stochastic Modeling, Modern multivariate and time series analysis, robust statistics, and Statistical learning. Further details can be found on our website: https://www.stat.ubc.ca/research-areas

Program Components

During the first year of the program, students will complete Stat 548, the Qualifying Course. This directed reading course consists of reading and reporting on five papers under the supervision of different faculty members. This unique course allows students the opportunity to explore a diverse range of Statistical topics and work with different faculty members before committing to a supervisor and thesis research topic. The PhD Comprehensive Exam will take place by the end of the second year in the program. This exam lays the groundwork for the PhD thesis, which consists of independent original research. Students are expected to have completed all required courses before the Comprehensive Exam. Near the end of thesis completion, students present their work at the Department Seminar.

Tuition & Financial Support

Financial support.

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based (i.e. based on your academic performance) and need-based (i.e. based on your financial situation) opportunities.

Program Funding Packages

PhD students in the Department of Statistics receive a minimum funding package of $24,000 for the first four years of the program. This funding comes in the form of teaching and/or research assistantships. Motivated students can often find additional sources of funding. Domestic students are expected to apply for NSERC PGSD scholarships. 

Average Funding

• 17 students received Teaching Assistantships. Average TA funding based on 17 students was $13,833.
• 26 students received Research Assistantships. Average RA funding based on 26 students was $17,379.
• 10 students received Academic Assistantships. Average AA funding based on 10 students was $2,356.
• 28 students received internal awards. Average internal award funding based on 28 students was $13,003.
• 4 students received external awards. Average external award funding based on 4 students was $28,323.

Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)

All applicants are encouraged to review the awards listing to identify potential opportunities to fund their graduate education. The database lists merit-based scholarships and awards and allows for filtering by various criteria, such as domestic vs. international or degree level.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)

Many professors are able to provide Research Assistantships (GRA) from their research grants to support full-time graduate students studying under their supervision. The duties constitute part of the student's graduate degree requirements. A Graduate Research Assistantship is considered a form of fellowship for a period of graduate study and is therefore not covered by a collective agreement. Stipends vary widely, and are dependent on the field of study and the type of research grant from which the assistantship is being funded.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)

Graduate programs may have Teaching Assistantships available for registered full-time graduate students. Full teaching assistantships involve 12 hours work per week in preparation, lecturing, or laboratory instruction although many graduate programs offer partial TA appointments at less than 12 hours per week. Teaching assistantship rates are set by collective bargaining between the University and the Teaching Assistants' Union .

Graduate Academic Assistantships (GAA)

Academic Assistantships are employment opportunities to perform work that is relevant to the university or to an individual faculty member, but not to support the student’s graduate research and thesis. Wages are considered regular earnings and when paid monthly, include vacation pay.

Financial aid (need-based funding)

Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans .

All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.

Foreign government scholarships

Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.

Working while studying

The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.

International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.

A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement .

Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals

Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.

Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.

Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.

Cost Estimator

Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.

Career Outcomes

31 students graduated between 2005 and 2013. Of these, career information was obtained for 29 alumni (based on research conducted between Feb-May 2016):

Sample Employers in Higher Education

Sample employers outside higher education, sample job titles outside higher education, phd career outcome survey, career options.

Our students are prepared for a successful career in industry, academia or the public sector. Former students looking for a job after graduation have been promptly offered employment in many different industries, universities and government agencies. Please view a list of alumni and their first positions after graduation on our website.

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

These statistics show data for the Doctor of Philosophy in Statistics (PhD). Data are separated for each degree program combination. You may view data for other degree options in the respective program profile.

ENROLMENT DATA

Completion rates & times, upcoming doctoral exams, monday, 20 january 2025 - 4:00pm - room 203.

• Research Supervisors

This list shows faculty members with full supervisory privileges who are affiliated with this program. It is not a comprehensive list of all potential supervisors as faculty from other programs or faculty members without full supervisory privileges can request approvals to supervise graduate students in this program.

• Auger-Methe, Marie (Fisheries sciences; Statistics; Zoology; Animal movement; Polar ecology; Statistical Ecology)
• Bloem-Reddy, Benjamin (developing methods for evolving networks whose history is unobserved; distributional limits of preferential attachment networks; uses of symmetry in statistics, computation, and machine learning)
• Bouchard-Cote, Alexandre (machine/statistical learning; mathematical side of the subject as well as in applications in linguistics and biology)
• Campbell, Trevor (automated, scalable Bayesian inference algorithms; Bayesian nonparametrics; streaming data; Bayesian theory; Probabilistic Inference; computational statistics; large-scale data)
• Chen, Jiahua (Statistical theory and modeling; empirical likelihood; finite mixture model; sample survey; asymptotic theory; imputation)
• Cohen Freue, Gabriela (statistical genomics (focus in proteomics), robust estimation and inference, linear models with endogeneity )
• Gao, Lucy (Statistics; Selective Inference; Inference x Unsupervised Learning; Statistics x Optimization)
• Gustafson, Paul (Statistics; meta-analysis; Parametric and Non-Parametric Inference; Theoretical Statistics; Pharmacoepidemiology; Bayesian statistical methods; Biostatistics and Epidemiology; Causal inference; Evidence synthesis; Partial Identification)
• Joe, Harry Sue Wah (Statistics; Statistics and Probabilities; copula construction; dependence modelling; extreme value inference; non-normal time series; parsimonous high-dimensional dependence)
• Korthauer, Keegan (Bioinformatics; Genomics; Statistics; Epigenomics; Single-cell analysis; Statistical genomics)
• McDonald, Daniel (High dimensional data analysis; Computational methods in statistics; Statistical theory and modeling; Machine learning; Epidemiology (except nutritional and veterinary epidemiology); Methods and models for epidemiological forecasting; Estimation and quantification of prediction risk; Evaluating the predictive abilities of complex dependent data; Application of statistical learning techniques to time series prediction problems; Investigations of cross-validation and the bootstrap for risk estimation)
• Nolde, Natalia (Statistics; Statistics and Probabilities; Applications in finance, insurance, geosciences; Multivariate extreme value theory; Risk assessment)
• Park, Yongjin (Other basic medicine and life sciences; High dimensional data analysis; Biostatistical methods; Bioinformatics; single-cell genomics; Computational Biology; Causal inference; Bayesian machine learning)
• Pleiss, Geoffrey (Statistical theory and modeling; Machine learning; Computational methods in statistics; Spatial statistics; Numerical analysis; Machine Learning; neural networks; Gaussian processes; Bayesian optimization; reliable deep learning)
• Salibian-Barrera, Matias (S-regression estimationg, robust statistics, functional principal component analysis, bootstrap estimators, rgam, clustering algorithm)
• Welch, William (Computational methods in statistics; Computer experiments; Design and analysis of experiments; Statistical machine learning; Environmental modellign)
• Wu, Lang (Biostatistical methods; Longitudinal data analysis, mixed effects models, missing data, hypothesis testing, biostatistics)

Doctoral Citations

Sample thesis submissions.

• Hidden at the root : statistical methods for population size estimation on trees
• Modelling complex biologging data with hidden Markov models
• Automatic massively parallel Markov chain Monte Carlo with quantifiable error
• Extreme value modelling with application to reverse stress testing
• Dependence modeling in high dimensions with latent variables
• Bayesian causal inference for discrete data
• Interpretable latent variable models for high-dimensional biological data analysis
• Margin-closed and regime-switching multivariate time series models
• Conditional inferences and predictions based on copula models
• Bayesian models for hierarchical clustering of network data

Related Programs

Same specialization.

• Master of Science in Statistics (MSc)

Further Information

Specialization.

Research interests of the faculty include biostatistics, environmetrics, mathematical modelling of biological systems, computational statistics, data mining, machine learning, theory of statistical inference, asymptotics, multivariate analysis, robustness, nonparametrics, design of experiments, smoothing, Bayesian methods, computational molecular biology, gene expression, and microarrays.

UBC Calendar

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PhD Admission Requirements

Please submit your online application for our Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program through the School of Graduate Studies Online Application Portal between September 22 and November 22  each year.

Successful candidates have a strong background in mathematics, statistics, or a related field. Outstanding performance in their course work, outstanding letters of recommendations and well-thought-out statements of intent are an asset. Prior research experience is also valuable.

You must meet all admissions requirements to be considered for entry into the program. In addition to our admissions requirements for each program, please familiarize yourself with the minimum requirements, rules, and regulations of the School of Graduate School Studies .

Please also review the School of Graduate Studies Admission & Application Requirements .

We receive many outstanding applications, and admission to our program is competitive. Unfortunately, we cannot offer admission to all qualified applicants.

Students can be accepted through one of two routes:

Previous Degree (PhD)

You hold an appropriate master’s degree in statistics from a recognized university with at least a B+ average standing . A standing that is equivalent to at least B+ (U of T 77 ‐ 79% or 3.3/4.0) in the final year of study.

We also consider applicants with graduate degrees in biostatistics, computer science, economics, engineering, mathematics, physics, or any discipline where there is a significant quantitative component.

Previous Degree (Direct-Entry PhD)

You hold a bachelor’s degree in statistics from a recognized university with at least an A- average standing . A standing that is equivalent to at least A- (U of T 80 ‐ 84% or 3.7/4.0) in the final year of study.

For more information on admissions to our PhD program and program requirements, visit the School of Graduate Studies calendar .

Your Application Package

Please note that we do not accept any hard copies of your application or hard copies of supporting documents.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Please send a summary of your experiences in education, work, travel, volunteering, and other relevant areas. The maximum length is two pages, single-spaced.

Statement of Intent

As part of your application, please submit a letter of intent or personal statement outlining your goals for your graduate studies. The letter can be uploaded in the applicant status portal after the application form has been submitted.

Transcripts

Electronic copies of transcripts are required at the time you apply online. Only if you are successful at gaining admissions will we require official copies to be submitted to the department.

Due to COVID we are currently only accepting official e-transcripts. We will notify admitted candidates once the receipt of mail-in paper transcripts will be accepted. International transcripts: Please use International Degree Equivalencies Tool to ensure that you meet the minimum admissions requirements.

We do not require a credential evaluation assessment by a third-party, such as WES.

Letters of Recommendation

You will need three letters of recommendation , to be submitted online by your referees through the online application system prior to the supporting documentation deadline.

The MSc and PhD programs requires at least one academic reference letter per application.

Note:  The online application system will automatically email an electronic reference request to each referee  when the application form is submitted. Referees will have until the deadline to upload supporting documentation to submit their reference letter . It is highly recommended that applicants contact their referees ahead of time to inform them of the supporting documents deadline and confirm both their availability and their preferred institutional email address.

English-Language Proficiency Testing (if applicable)

As English is the primary language of instruction and communication at the University of Toronto, applicants must demonstrate an adequate level of proficiency in English, regardless of their citizenship status or country of origin. It is important that these students follow SGS policies on ELP testing requirements and take one of the required tests for admission to a graduate program.

Applicants from universities outside Canada where English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of their application.

Please submit official copies of your English proficiency scores (Institution Code: 0982). You can include unofficial copies with your application while waiting for the official ones to arrive.

Learn more about ELP Testing here .

Please do not send the results to our department. Students must arrange for their score to be reported electronically to the University of Toronto (Enrolment Services) by the testing agency. Please check SGS ELP Testing website above for more detail.

Application Fee

The non-refundable application fee is currently CAD $125 per application.

Note: You may apply to more than one program. Each program will require a separate application and application fee. Applicants will not be considered for a program that they did not apply for.

Supervision & MDoc

PhD applicants will be able to select up to three potential supervisors at the time of their application. Supervisors of successful applicants are matched based on research areas of interest.

Learn more about our faculty .

Applicants will also indicate their interest in applying to the Multi-Disciplinary Doctoral Training Program (MDoc) through the cover sheet.

Interested in multi-disciplinary research? Learn more about the MDoc .

Start your application today

Having trouble?

Please review the School of Graduate Studies Admissions Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) .

Want to know more?

If you have additional questions that have not been answered by the above information, please book an appointment during Prospective Student Office Hours to speak with a member of the Graduate Team or send us an email .

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Graduate studies | Our programs | Doctor of Philosophy

Program Details

Phd in actuarial science, who is this program for.

This program is for students who have completed a Master’s or Bachelor's degree in statistics, actuarial science, mathematics, or other quantitative discipline and would like to pursue research in actuarial science. Graduates from this program typically enter academia or work in the private sector after graduation.

What does it take to get in?

A Master's degree in statistics, actuarial science, mathematics, or other quantitative discipline completed or expected with a cumulative GPA of at least 78% from a Canadian university ( or its equivalent ). A demonstrated ability to conduct high level research is helpful but not required. 

Students with a four-year Bachelor's degree are invited to apply directly to the PhD program. The admissions committee will review each applicant's background for suitability and may recommend admission to our Master's program instead. 

When should I apply?

Priority application deadline: December 15th. Applications must be completed by this date with all documents uploaded to be considered for early admission, invitation to our Grad Visit Day, and entrance awards. 

Final application deadline: January 15 th  for fall admissions (there are no Winter or Spring admissions). 

PhD in Biostatistics

This program is for students who have completed a Master’s or Bachelor's degree in statistics, actuarial science, mathematics, or other quantitative discipline that are looking to develop research skills to address a wide range of challenges arising in health, biology, and the environment. Demand for biostatisticians in Canada and internationally is high and graduates typically find employment in areas such as pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, regional or national centers for health research, academic centers, and public health agencies.

PhD in Statistics

This program is for students who have completed a Master’s or Bachelor's degree in statistics, actuarial science, mathematics, or other quantitative discipline. The PhD will build on this background with the goal of training first-class independent researchers. Graduates from this program find career opportunities in academia, research, and private industry.

Research Areas

Actuarial science.

• Capital allocation
• Portfolio optimization
• Pricing and hedging of investment-linked products
• Risk management
• Ruin theory
• Stochastic modelling 
• Monte Carlo and quasi-Monte Carlo

Biostatistics

• Analysis of life history data
• Causal inference
• Clustered data
• Design and analysis of clinical trials
• Epidemiological methods
• Event history analysis
• Generalized linear models
• Longitudinal data analysis
• Methods for dealing with incomplete data and measurement error
• Stochastic processes
• Statistical computing
• Studies of biological systems
• Artificial intelligence
• Business and industrial statistics
• Computational statistics
• Data science
• Exploratory data analysis
• Machine learning
• Non-parametric methods
• Probability theory
• Statistical modeling and inference
• Statistical geometry
• Survey methods
• Survival analysis
• Time series

Additional Information

• Admission and degree requirements
• Course listings
• Actuarial Science faculty members
• Biostatistics faculty members
• Statistics faculty members

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University of Manitoba

University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, R3T 2N2

Statistics (PhD)

As our society becomes increasingly dependent on data and the sea of data becomes more complex, statisticians will be even more sought after. The University of Manitoba provides graduate students with excellent research opportunities in statistics and probability while teaching you a variety of relevant applied theoretical courses that can be used in the modern world. Our programs offer students many useful options for pursuing their interests and professional goals.

Program details

Admission requirements.

• Faculty of Graduate Studies • Faculty of Science

• Doctor of Philosophy

Expected duration

• 4-6 years

Study with us

The Department of Statistics is one of the oldest and largest in Canada. Our courses are accredited by the Statistical Society of Canada toward the Associate Statistician (AStat) designation.

We have a high academic staff-to-student ratio, giving our students greater personal attention and more opportunities to tailor their educational experiences.

Explore the research in Statistics

Research areas

We offer training opportunities on the development of new methodologies and the use of computational and statistical methods in understanding data.

Our research areas include:

• Bayesian methods
• Biostatistics
• Data science
• Environmental and ecological statistics
• Financial statistics, time series and econometrics
• Multivariate and high dimensional data analysis
• Nonparametric statistics
• Probability and stochastic processes
• Sampling and experimental design
• Statistical genetics
• Statistics in education
• Statistical machine learning and computational statistics
• Statistics in sports

Take a closer look at our research opportunities .

Open the door with career opportunities

Statisticians contribute to scientific inquiry by applying their mathematical and statistical expertise to the design of surveys and experiments; to the collection, processing, and analysis of data; and to the interpretation of the results. They may apply their knowledge of statistical methods to a variety of subject areas, including:

• agriculture
• biological sciences such as genetics, botany, zoology, and ecology
• engineering
• environmental science
• forensic science
• public health

The Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Faculty of Science offer a program of study leading to a Statistics (PhD).

Expected duration: 4 years

Tuition and fees:  Tuition fees are charged for terms one and two and terms four and five. A continuing fee is paid for term three, term six and each subsequent term. (Refer to Graduate tuition and fees .)

In addition to the minimum course requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section , students must:

• Complete minimum of 12 credit hours of coursework at the 7000 level
• Make at least one public seminar presentation in the area of their PhD research
• Pass a candidacy examination
• Complete a doctoral thesis

Sample course offerings

Here are some examples of the courses offered for this program:

• STAT 7060: Advanced Theory of Probability
• STAT 7080: Advanced Statistical Inference
• STAT 7100: Analysis of Discrete Data
• STAT 7140: Linear Models
• STAT 7200: Multivariate Analysis 1
• STAT 7260: Time Series
• STAT 7270: Bayesian Inference
• STAT 7290: Statistical Consulting

For a full list of courses and descriptions of each, please visit the  Academic Calendar .

The following are minimum requirements to be considered for entry into the Statistics (PhD) program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

To be considered for admission into the Statistics (PhD) program, you must have:

• A Master's degree (or equivalent) in Statistics with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the last two years of full-time university study.

In addition to the admission requirements described here, all applicants must meet the minimum admission and English language proficiency requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies .

How to apply

The Statistics (PhD) program accepts applications for Fall entry only. Applications must be completed online and include several parts:

• Application fee (non-refundable)
• Statement of intent
• Two letters of recommendation (must be requested within the application)
• Research statement (please include prior research experience, list of publications and a plan for PhD research)

Please read the  Faculty of Graduate Studies online application instructions  before beginning your application.

Choose a supervisor before you apply

Statistics MSc and PhD programs are research-intensive and because of this, applicants are requested to select one of our faculty members to be their supervisor and preside over an applicant’s program. See  Applying for graduate studies  for full details.

Application deadlines

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Architecture reviews applications in March.

Applications open up to 18 months prior to start term.

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated.

Start or continue your application

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for City Planning reviews applications in March.

Winter applications are accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Design and Planning reviews applications in March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Interior Design reviews applications in March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Landscape Architecture reviews applications in March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Anthropology reviews applications in March/April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . Please contact the department for admission committee review timelines.

Applications open September 1 of year prior to start term.

Applications open   up to 18 months prior  to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for History reviews applications in February.

Applications are reviewed on a  rolling basis .

Applications open July 1 of year prior to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a  Committee basis . The Committee for German and Slavic Studies reviews applications in February/March.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis .

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Management reviews applications in February / March.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Physical Therapy reviews applications in April / May.

Applications open  August 1 of the year prior to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . Please contact the department for admission committee review timelines.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Orthodontics reviews applications in August/September and holds interviews in September/October.

Program currently undergoing review, applications will not be opening at this time.

Select Preventive Dental Science in the Program drop-down on the application form.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Educational Administration, Foundations and Psychology reviews applications in March / April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Education reviews applications in February / March.

Applications are reviewed after the deadline, with decisions issued in March - April.

Currently not accepting applications to this program.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . Please contact the department for admission committee review timelines.

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated. Applications received by the March 1 deadline for a September start-date will receive first consideration for any available funding. Late applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis for any available funding, please contact the department for further information.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Human Rights reviews applications in January - March.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Law reviews applications in January - March.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Nursing (MN) reviews applications in April / May.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Nursing PhD reviews applications in February / March.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee reviews applications as per the timelines noted below each table.

Winter applications reviewed in October Summer applications reviewed in February Fall applications reviewed in June

Winter applications reviewed in June Summer applications reviewed in October Fall applications reviewed in February

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated. This includes having the support of a faculty supervisor before you apply.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Natural Resources Management reviews applications in March - June.

After the annual application deadline (see below), applications are reviewed on a committee basis by the Faculty of Social Work internal admissions committee. Once this process is complete, decisions are sent to all applicants in March / April. 

Applications open  July 1 of year prior to start term.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Social Work reviews applications in March / April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Music reviews Fall term applications in December / January, and Winter term applications in July.

Canadian and US applicants

International applicants.

Starting with the Winter 2026 intake, the application deadlines are changing to:

Canadian, US, and International applicants

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Occupational Therapy reviews applications in May / June.

Master of Occupational Therapy regular program  applications open September 15 of the year prior to deadline .

Master of Occupational Therapy accelerated program  applications open October 1  of the year prior to deadline .

The name of your confirmed supervisor is required at the time of application. To identify a prospective thesis research supervisor on your application, please  contact Immunology Faculty members .

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Community Health Sciences reviews applications in March / April.

Canadian, US and International applicants

The name of your preferred supervisor is required at time of application.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . Students selected for in-person interview will be notified in February.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Physician Assistant Studies reviews applications in April.

Offers of admission will be released to successful applicants on May 17, 2024 from the University of Manitoba Master of Physician Assistant Studies, the same day as the University of Toronto BScPA Program and McMaster University Physician Assistant Education Program. The three institutions are pleased to provide applicants their offers on the same day to help with the decision-making process.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Pharmacology and Therapeutics reviews applications one month after the application deadline.

Applications for Pathology MSc are reviewed on a  rolling basis .

Applications for Pathologist Assistant are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Pathologist Assistant reviews applications in April / May. 

The Pathologist Assistant program only admits Canadian and US students every two years. The next intake is tentatively scheduled for Fall 2026.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Statistics reviews applications in March / April.

Applications are reviewed on a  committee basis . The Admissions committee for Biological Sciences reviews applications one month after deadline.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions committee for Indigenous Studies reviews applications in February and June.

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated. For those who wish to be considered for scholarships, applications must be received by January 15 of the year in which you're seeking admission.

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis . The Admissions Committee for Applied Human Nutrition reviews applications in February.

Les demandes d’admission sont évaluées par un comité . Le comité d’admission évalu les demandes durant les mois de Mars et Avril.  

Les demandes peut être surmise jusqu’à concurrence de 18 mois avant le début de premier trimestre.

Toute demande d’admission en ligne doit être déposée, avec documents à l’appui, au plus tard aux dates indiquées.

Soumettre ou continuer votre application

The Department of Statistics

Founded in 1967, the Department of Statistics has a long and rich history. We currently have over 20 full-time academic staff and offer research expertise in diverse areas of statistics and probability.

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There are a variety of awards and funding options available to help you pay for school as a graduate student at UM.

Tuition and fees

Learn about the tuition and fee requirements associated with graduate studies at UM.

Explore program requirements and detailed descriptions of required and elective courses offered in the Statistics (PhD) program.

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With over 140 graduate programs across multiple faculties, schools and colleges, the University of Manitoba offers more learning, teaching and research opportunities than any other post-secondary institution in the province.

• Biological Sciences (PhD)
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Join the students and researchers who come here from every corner of the world.

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Experience a world-class education in the heart of Canada.

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We offer state of the art facilities with 140 years of history.

Admission and application inquiries

Faculty of Graduate Studies Room 500 UMSU University Centre 65 Chancellors Circle University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus) Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

[email protected]  

Phone: 204-474-9377

Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Program inquiries

Department of Statistics 206 Biological Sciences University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2M5 Canada

[email protected] Phone: 204-474-9826

Statistics (PhD)

Your PhD will represent a significant achievement in statistics. You’ll receive mentorship from our faculty as you undertake coursework and prepare for candidacy exams, advance the field of statistics and finish your PhD with an original, publishable dissertation.

Quick facts

Graduates with a PhD in Statistics will be able to: 

• pursue a career in academia
• conduct research into the mathematical basis of the science of statistics
• develop statistical methodology and advise on the practical application of statistical methodology
• develop and apply statistical theory and methods to provide information in fields such as biological and agricultural science, business and economics, physical sciences, and engineering and the social sciences
• apply mathematical models to forecast and calculate the probable future costs of insurance and pension benefits
• design life, health and property insurance policies, and calculate premiums, contributions and benefits for insurance policies, and pension and superannuation plans
• use complex software to extract meaningful information from data

Find a supervisor

All graduate students have a faculty member who serves as their academic supervisor. You do not need to find your own supervisor, but will be allocated one when you are accepted into the program.

However, it may improve your chances of being accepted to contact potential supervisors in advance to introduce yourself, explain your interests and determine whether they will be accepting new students in the near future.

To find a supervisor, review the faculty contacts. When you have found a faculty member whose research complements your own, contact them by email.

Program details

Providing you accurate admission requirements, application deadlines, tuition fee estimates and scholarships depends on your situation. Tell us about yourself:

I am a Canadian citizen or permanent resident International student

Show program details

Application deadlines

September – May 31 January – September 30

If you are seeking funding, you must submit your application earlier: September – January 31 January – May 31

Admission requirements

Program specific requirements.

You must hold a master’s degree (or equivalent) in mathematics or statistics.

As part of your application, you must submit:

• a personal statement
• a current résumé
• two reference names and their email addresses
• post-secondary transcripts

You may submit other supporting material, such as certificates, academic papers or your master’s thesis.

You must display excellent research potential, which can be demonstrated in your master’s thesis or in your letters of recommendation.

We strongly encourage you to submit your scores in the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and its Mathematics Subject Test .

Completion requirements

View the minimum course requirements for this program.

Funding & aid

Tuition & fees.

Estimated minimum program cost*

* Based on an average program length. For a per term fee breakdown view the tuition fee estimator .

Estimated values determined by the tuition fee estimator shall not be binding to the University of Victoria.

Ready to apply?

You can start your online application to UVic by creating a new profile or using an existing one.

Apply now     How to apply

Faculties & departments

• Faculty of Science
• Mathematics and Statistics

Contact Madeline Smith at [email protected] or 250-721-7468 .

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Master of Science (MSc) in Statistics

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Statistics

Description of Ph.D. Program (after M.Sc)

• Candidates with an MSc and sufficient background in statistics, actuarial science or financial modelling are eligible to apply for admission to the Statistics PhD program at the University of Western Ontario. Admission to the program is authorized by Western University's  School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) .

There is a standard university-wide application fee.

All application materials should be written personally by the applicant.

Program Requirements:

• At the discretion of the Department, an applicant may be required to complete a one-year program of approved coursework before being accepted as a candidate for the Ph.D. degree.
• In addition to fulfilling the thesis requirement, a candidate must have completed eight (8) half courses in the Department of Statistical and Actuarial Sciences at the graduate level. With the permission of the Graduate Chair, up to two (2) half course credits from a student's Masters coursework may be counted toward the PhD course requirement.  At the discretion of the student's supervisor and the Graduate Chair, permission may be granted to substitute at most two (2) research related course from other departments for the Statistical and Actuarial Sciences course. At the discretion of the Graduate Affairs Committee, up to three (3) half course credits may be counted toward the PhD course requirement based on the candidate 's comprehensive exam performance.

Progression Requirements:

• A candidate will be required to pass a qualifying examination . The qualifying examination is designed to assess the student's knowledge in basic probabilistic, theoretic, and applied statistics. Students will answer three questions chosen from the following five areas: Probability, Inference, Regression, Financial Modelling, and Actuarial Sciences. The three questions chosen from these topics depend on the student’s field of specialization. For example, a PhD student in the Statistics field would typically answer questions from the topics of Probability, Inference, and Regression. A candidate will be required to take and pass the examination normally during the first year of registration in the program. The examination will be held in early May each year.  A collection of questions from previous exams are available and will be emailed to admitted PhD students during their first academic year. At the discretion of the Graduate Affairs Committee, a candidate may be exempted from writing parts of the comprehensive exam based on related coursework performance.
• (ii) Fail - In this case a student may be allowed, at the discretion of the Department's Graduate Affairs Committee, to take the examination only one additional time, for a total of two attempts.
• A candidate will be required to pass a Ph.D. thesis proposal defence . This defence will be primarily concerned with the contents of the student's thesis but may include questions of a general nature relating to his or her field of specialization. Specific details may be obtained from the Department.
• Each candidate will be required to present his/her research in either a Department colloquium or in a national/international conference before the thesis defense. Please note that a presentation in the Graduate colloquium cannot be used to satisfy this requirement.
• A student must maintain a "B" average (70%+) in each term to continue in the program, with no grade less than 60%. If a student fails a course (obtains less than 60%) he or she will be required to withdraw.

Direct Entry - PhD

• Honors Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Actuarial Science, or Financial Modelling, with an average of at least 90% over the last two years of study
• Capability for advanced research
• At least two strong recommendation letters attesting to the applicant's research potential
• In addition to fulfilling the thesis requirement, a candidate shall complete satisfactorily a minimum of eight (8) half course from the Department of Statistical and Actuarial Sciences at the graduate level.  At the discretion of the student's supervisor and the Graduate Chair, permission may be granted to substitute certain research related courses from other departments for the Department of Statistical and Actuarial Sciences courses.
• Same requirements as for Ph.D. (after M.Sc.)

Milestones required for a terminal Master's:

• (i) a clear pass on the Ph.D. comprehensive exam
• (ii) completion of a M.Sc. project

Contact Information

Graduate Chair Dr. Jiandong Ren [email protected]  

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