Admission to a doctoral program normally requires the applicant to hold a Master's degree in Mathematics or an equivalent qualification. Thus, most recent Bachelor's graduates, including those who seek a doctorate, are admitted to a Master's program at first.

University regulations allow students without a Master's degree (or equivalent) to enter the Ph.D. program directly only if they are nominated by a Department and hold a Bachelor's degree with First Class honours, or hold a Bachelor's degree and have completed one year of study in a Master's program, earning at least 12 credits with at least 9 credits of first class standing and at least 9 credits at the 500-level or above, and show clear evidence of research ability. (Transfer directly into a Doctoral program is not permitted after the completion of the second year of a Master's program.)

Students who earn a Master's degree at UBC are not guaranteed a place in our PhD program. A formal application for PhD studies is required. Students with a satisfied Master's supervisor, a source of financial support, and a willing doctoral supervisor (all of whom may be the same faculty member) have a high probability of success.

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B plus range (76% at UBC).

IELTS - A minimum overall band score of 7.0 is required with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component.
TOEFL IBT - 100 for the internet-based exam with minimum component scores of (Reading - 22 , Listening - 22), (Writing - 21 , Speaking - 21)