Doctorate in Philosophy Mathematics and Statistics at University of Ottawa - Program overview

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

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Program overview

The Doctorate in Philosophy Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Ottawa offers a comprehensive academic environment for students to delve into advanced research in mathematics and statistics. This program is designed for those who aspire to contribute significantly to the field through original research. Students will work under the guidance of internationally recognized professors, gaining exposure to a wide range of research areas. The program is conducted in English and is structured to foster a collaborative learning atmosphere, particularly through its affiliation with the Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Mathematics and Statistics (OCIMS).

Program structure

The Doctorate in Philosophy Mathematics and Statistics program is structured to provide a robust academic experience over a duration of 48 consecutive months, typically requiring full-time commitment. The program includes:

Registration status option: Full-time
Program option: Thesis-based
Expected duration: 12 full-time terms

Students will engage in a variety of research activities and are encouraged to identify a thesis supervisor early in their studies. The program emphasizes the importance of research skills and academic performance, requiring students to demonstrate proficiency in their previous studies. Additionally, students may have opportunities to participate in collaborative programs in related fields such as bioinformatics and biostatistics.

Featured Experiences

The Doctorate in Philosophy Mathematics and Statistics program offers several unique experiences that enhance the learning journey:

Research opportunities under the supervision of esteemed faculty members.
Participation in the Ottawa-Carleton Joint Program, which combines resources from both the University of Ottawa and Carleton University.
Access to a wide range of graduate courses offered through the Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Mathematics and Statistics (OCIMS).
Collaboration with peers and faculty on innovative research projects.
Potential for involvement in master's level collaborative programs in bioinformatics and biostatistics.

Career Options

Graduates of the Doctorate in Philosophy Mathematics and Statistics program can pursue a variety of career paths in Canada, including:

University Professor: Teaching and conducting research at post-secondary institutions, contributing to academic knowledge and mentoring students.
Data Scientist: Analyzing complex data sets to inform business decisions, utilizing statistical methods and machine learning techniques.
Statistician: Applying statistical theories and methods to collect, analyze, and interpret data for various industries, including healthcare and finance.
Quantitative Analyst: Developing mathematical models to assess financial risks and inform investment strategies in banking and finance sectors.
Research Scientist: Conducting advanced research in mathematics and statistics, often in collaboration with governmental or private organizations to solve real-world problems.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Visit University of Ottawa official website

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Mathematics and Statistics, PhD

Degree Offered: PhD

Available Options for Program

Student status

Full-Time:	Yes
Part-Time:	No

Language

English:	Yes
French:	No

Minimum Requirements

B+ in a related master's degree

Average time to completion

12 full-time terms; 48 consecutive months

Area(s) of specialization

Pure Mathematics/Applied Mathematics/Probability and Statistics

Your complete admission package must include

Application Fee:	CA$125.00 (non-refundable)
Recommendation letter(s):	2 It is highly recommended that you contact your referee prior to submitting your application to confirm their email address and their availability to complete your letter of recommendation. Academic references preferred.
Transcript(s):	1 You must upload copies of all transcripts from universities you have attended by using the uoDoc application. Transcripts must cover all courses and programs at any university you have attended, including regular programs (whether completed or not), exchanges, letters of permission, online or correspondence courses, courses taken as a non-degree student or visiting students, etc. If your transcript and degree certificate are not in English or French, you must submit a copy of a certified translation. Once you've received your offer of admission, if the offer contains any conditions for submitting official documents, you will need to upload them to uoDoc. Some exceptions apply. Previous or current Ottawa students do not need to submit a transcript of their studies at the University of Ottawa. Professional programs in rehabilitation require all transcripts, including those from uOttawa.
Language requirements (if applicable) Language proficiency test scores equivalencies:	French Program: TOEFL 84/New TOEFL 4, 24 (Writing); 20 (Individual)/IELTS 6.5, 6.5 (Writing); 6 (Individual) (Internet-based) English Program: TOEFL 84/New TOEFL 4, 24 (Writing); 20 (Individual)/IELTS 6.5, 6.5 (Writing); 6 (Individual) (Internet-based)
Required document(s):	Resume A letter of intent outlining your career goals and proposed research area. We recommend that you contact potential thesis supervisors early. To register, you need to be accepted by a thesis supervisor. International students must show proof of funding in the form of a supervisor stipend and a combination of scholarships and/or in-trust accounts. A good knowledge of either English or French and good ability to write in English is required. Please note that non required admission documents will not be consulted, conserved or returned to the student. These documents will be destroyed according to our administrative procedures.

Language Requirements

Program-Specific English Requirements

Language Requirements

Applicants must be able to understand and fluently speak the language of instruction (French or English) in the program to which they are applying. Proof of linguistic proficiency may be required.

Applicants whose first language is neither French nor English must provide proof of proficiency in the language of instruction.

Note: Candidates are responsible for any fees associated with the language tests.

General Graduate English Requirements

English proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
TOEFL iBT Internet-based/Home Edition/Paper (for tests taken before January 21, 2026)*	84 (overall); 24 (writing); no partial score below 20
TOEFL iBT Internet-based / Home Edition/ Paper (for tests taken after January 21, 2026)*	4.5 or 86 (overall); 4.5 or 21 (writing); 4.5 or 22 (reading); 4.5 or 20 (listening); 4 or 20 (speaking)
IELTS Academic/ IELTS Academic One Skill Retake	6.5 (overall); 6.5 (writing); no partial score below 6
Cambridge English Proficiency Tests (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency)	170 (overall); no partial score below 160
PTE (Pearson Test of English)	60 (overall); no partial score below 59
CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Test)	70 (overall); no partial score below 60

* Effective January 21, 2026, TOEFL is changing its grading system to a 1-6 band scale instead of a 1-120 band scale. Score reports will include results on both scales for the next two years.

The University of Ottawa accepts TOEFL MyBest^®scores for the TOEFL iBT test.

French proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française)	C1/C2
TCF (Test de connaissance du français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2
TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2

Where the program-specific and general graduate requirements above differ, whichever score is higher (stricter) applies.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!