Application FAQs

Do I have to find a supervisor before I apply?
A supervisor is not required for course-based MSc program. A supervisor is required for the thesis-based MSc and PhD program, but not required prior to the start of the program.  Potential supervisors must be listed when applying to the program.  Applicants are strongly advised to:

Identify a Faculty Member whose research interests aligns with your study interest. 

• Check the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) Departmental page: Faculty of Science->Future Student->Graduate->Graduate Science Centre->MSc and PhD Graduate Programs-> Department of Mathematics and Statistics->Select Program
• Supervisor section is at the bottom of the departmental program page.
• Supervisor accepting incoming students will have Seeking Students or Accepting Inquiries under name.
• Research area listed under name.  

Connecting with Faculty Members:

• Applicant to email the faculty members with their CV and transcripts. 
• Highlight what research that they are interested in and what makes you a great potential grad student. 

Will I be funded?
All admitted full time thesis-based students (except those who are sponsored by a company, an institution or a government) will be funded.

If I am funded, do I have to pay tuition and fees?
Yes.  All students are responsible to pay tuition and fees.

I am ready to apply for a graduate program in your department. What are the next steps?
This is the website where you can find the instructions on how to apply: https://science.ucalgary.ca/mathematics-statistics/future-students/graduate/application-procedures.  This is the link to apply:  https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/how-apply      

Can you send me an application package?
No. All applications are submitted online through our application system.

I want to apply to more than one program. Do I have to submit more than one application?
Yes, you need to submit an application to each program.

Is the application fee refundable?
No.

All my courses were taught in English. Do I need to provide an English Proficiency Test result?
Yes. An English Proficiency Test is required from all applicants if their degrees are granted from institutions of countries where English is not a native language.

My undergraduate degree was in other discipline. Am I qualified to apply?
Please check the academic background section under each specialization to see if you have sufficient background for our graduate program.

Can you review my transcripts and CV and let me know if I stand a chance?
No. We do not evaluate any application materials until the application is submitted and the fee paid.

I have a three-year bachelor’s degree. Can I apply for a master’s program?
No. With a three-year bachelor’s degree, we also require a master’s degree if you want to apply for our graduate program.

My government will fund me, but the funding application deadline is January. Can I get an early admission?
No. All sponsored applicants must submit their applications and compete against all other applicants. Proof of funding must be submitted to Faculty of Graduate Studies for verification.

My last English test is not satisfactory, but I have registered for another test in May. Can you give me a conditional admission?
No.  If, before the offers are released, you receive a better result, please let us know.  We only give offers to applicants who satisfy all the requirements.

My GPA is below your minimum requirement. Is there a chance that I can study for your graduate program?
University of Calgary offer an Open Study Program, where you can apply to take some courses to improve your GPA.  We will calculate the last 20 relevant courses for GPA calculation.

I might miss the application deadline; can I have an extension?
The online application system will close on January 15. You can apply for the next admission.

Where do I send my supporting documents?
All supporting documents can be uploaded onto your application online.  For hard copies and original documents, you can mail them to Faculty of Graduate Studies.

My degree hasn’t been conferred yet because I am still attending university, but I plan on finishing soon. How should I address this in my application?
Most of the applicants are in the same situation when they apply.  Our offer will be based on the grades you submit.  If you receive more grades later, please sent them to us.  Your offer will have a condition that your final transcripts should maintain a good GPA and original transcripts and degree certificate must be mailed to us on a later date.

What are the minimum English Language Proficiency and GRE test scores required to apply to a graduate program in your department?
TOEFL, minimal requirement, 580 written-based, 93 internet based, or
IELTS, minimal requirement 7, or
MUST have completed and received a grade of "B" on Level III of the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program by the Department deadline for applications.  

I want to apply, but I can't take my English Language Proficiency test until after the application deadline. Can I apply, and submit my test score later?
Yes, you can.  However, please remember the admission process is a competition.  By the time when you have your test result, if all of our offers have been released, your application will not be considered.

When should I contact the program I applied to?
The evaluation of the applications will start right after the deadline (January 15) and it takes a month for us to release the 1^st round offers.  The offers will continue to be released until our admission quota is reached.

I no longer wish to apply for your program. Can I get a refund?
No. The application fee is not refundable.

I have made a mistake on my submitted application. Can I edit the information?
No.  The submitted application cannot be edited.  You should contact Graduate Program Administrator by emailing sci.grad@ucalgary.ca for help.

Can you confirm if you have received the required documents?
Your online application will be updated when required documents have been received.  Please note the mailed or couriered documents will be received by the University Central Distribution Unit and it usually takes a few more days for them to reach the departments. 

What is the status of my application?
You will receive an offer if you are admitted.  If not, it could be that the final decision has not been made.  We will not notify you if you are not admitted.  You can contact Graduate Program Administrator by emailing sci.grad@ucalgary.ca for an update.

My referee is not available until later. What do I do?

It is important for us to receive the references when the evaluation starts.  If they need help, please ask them to contact Graduate Program Administrator directly sci.grad@ucalgary.ca.

Can my referee send an email reference?
The referee will receive an email with instructions on how to submit the reference material.  If they have difficulty doing so, please ask them to contact Graduate Program Administrator directly by emailing sci.grad@ucalgary.ca for help.

How are electronic references submitted?
The referee will receive an email with instructions on how to submit the reference material.

My referee told me that they have submitted the reference materials, but on my portal I still see that they have not completed the task. Why?
It could the submission is not completed.  Please ask sci.grad@ucalgary.ca to verify the situation.

I've written a personal letter of recommendation. How should I send it?
Once you have agreed to be a referee, the applicant will put your email onto their application.  You will receive an email with instruction on how to upload your reference material.  If you encounter any problem while doing so, please contact Graduate Program Administrator directly by emailing sci.grad@ucalgary.ca for help.

Can I send a reference as an email or email attachment?
If you have problem submitting the materials online, you can contact Graduate Program Administrator directly by emailing sci.grad@ucalgary.ca for help.

Did the program get my reference letter/form/electronic reference?
When you submit the reference, the system will notify you with an email.