FAQ
General requirements by country
To see the specific general requirements for your country, please click here.
What are the PhD Program Requirements?
Our minimum requirements for the Phd Program are:
- A Master's degree
- A CGPA of at least 3.5
- Letters from referees attesting to the ability of the applicant to undertake substantial original research.
For additional information, please see our admissions page.
What are the MSc program requirements?
MSc Statistics Program:
Our minimum requirements for the MSc Statistics Program are:
- a Bachelor's degree
- a CGPA of at least 3.0
- letters from referees attesting to the ability of the applicant to undertake advanced quantitative work.
MSc Actuarial Science Program:
Our minimum requirements for the MSc Actuarial Science Program are
- a Bachelor's degree
- a CGPA of at least 3.0
- letters from referees attesting to the ability of the applicant to undertake advanced quantitative work.
For additional information, please see our admissions page.
What should I include in my statement of aims? How long should it be?
Students could include (but not limited to) the following in the statement of aims:
- Introduce yourself and your academic interests.
- Why you are pursuing a MSc or PhD?
- Why you are interested in Statistics/Actuarial Science?
- How you have prepared yourself academically for the graduate study in Statistics/Actuarial Science?
- Your future career goals and how our program will help you achieve them.
There is no minimum length for the statement of aims.
What are the tuition fees for the program?
For tuition fees, per our graduate tuition fee calculator, it is estimated that your fees will be $2,066.11 per term specifically for tuition. In terms of the added costs of student activity fees, dental/ health benefits, housing and meal plans, (since those can vary greatly depending on the individual’s living situation) please see the graduate tuition fee page.
Do I need work experience?
No, work experience is not required for our masters program.
Do I need to take the GMAT/ GRE exam?
GMAT & GRE test results are neither required nor considered.
I have a 3 year undergraduate degree, can I still apply?
3-year degrees are an acceptable basis of admission if:
The applicant’s overall standing in degree is 1st Class/Division, AND The awarding institutions have been accredited by India’s National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with a grade of A or better http://www.naac.gov.in/ OR
The awarding institution is designated an Institution of National Importance.
Do I need to have a supervisor before applying?
You can have a few intended supervisors in mind, however, you do not need to be in contact with them before applying. Here are a few questions to consider before accepting your offer, after applying for the program.
Are there scholarships/ funding available?
There will be funding available for graduate students, please see our financial support page here.
I don't have a background in science, can I still apply?
For admission to the Statistics M.Sc. or Ph.D. program, students normally must have completed a B.Sc. or M.Sc. degree, respectively, in Statistics. For admission to the Actuarial Science M.Sc. program, students must have completed a B.Sc. program, ideally in actuarial science. Students with degrees in other areas who have a strong quantitative background and have completed advanced coursework in statistics will also be considered. We evaluate students' overall academic ability and potential to succeed in the program, prioritizing a background in statistics or actuarial science, communication, and programming skills.
The department does not accept qualifying students, non-degree students or part-time students into the graduate program, nor does it offer a post-bachelor diploma or certificate; however, it does offer second undergraduate degrees. Please contact the Statistics and Actuarial Science Advisor for further details about a second undergraduate degree in Statistics, Actuarial Science, or Data Science.
To increase your chances of admission to an M.Sc. program, you may wish to complete advanced coursework for undergraduate majors in Statistics or Actuarial Science. Such coursework can help you to meet admission GPA requirements and to establish a solid background in your field of interest. For further details, please contact the Statistics and Actuarial Science Advisor.
When is your intake period?
We have one intake period each year (starting in the Fall) and our admissions cycle runs from from mid-October to mid-January. We are currently accepting applications, up until January 20th, 2024.
Can I get an application fee waiver?
Please email gradap@sfu.ca to request an application fee waiver.
Can I send you my transcript/ other documents to ensure my eligibility before I apply to the program?
Our graduate program assistant will not be able to complete a profile review before you officially submit an application. In order to uphold a fair admissions process, all documentation from potential graduate candidates must be solely considered through what they upload to the application portal.
Can I get an IELTS waiver?
Please email Caitlin (statgrad@sfu.ca) for an IELTS waiver form.The department will deem if you are eligible, and if so, a waiver will be granted.