Admissions
Program Inquiries
Interested in a particular program? Visit the program website to learn more:
Application Inquiries
Inquiries related to the online application can be directed to SGPS at:
Email: gradapps@uwo.ca
Phone: 519-850-2341
Fax: 519-661-3730
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization
The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization in all aspects of graduate and postdoctoral studies. For more information regarding these commitments please visit grad.uwo.ca/edi-d.
Statistics
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)Meet John Thompson, PhD alum in Statistics

Supervisor: Charmaine Dean and Douglas Woolford
Why did you come to Western for your graduate degree?
I am interested in applications of nonparametric statistical methods to data, and a professor here was interested in having me work with forest fire spread data where nonparametric methods are directly applicable.
What idea, suggestion, or comment would you like to share with the Western graduate community?
Work-life balance is the most important part of being a graduate student, and everyone’s balance is different.
What is it about your grad program that enables you to thrive and be successful?
The support of the Statistics program: specifically administration, my supervisors, and other professors in the department. Everyone is interested in your research and helping you meet your goals in your studies and research.
Do you engage in volunteer activities?
Yes, I volunteer through the department in outreach programs to potential undergraduate and graduate students.
What’s the best advice you could give to someone considering applying to your graduate program?
Come visit Western, and meet some of the professors. Professors are always looking to introduce prospective students to our program. Finding someone you would like to work with on a Master’s project or PhD thesis is the most important aspect of choosing a graduate program. I cannot stress enough that you should have a few professors you’d like to work with in mind, and to meet them before making your decision.
Program Websites
Program Contact
Miranda Fullerton (stats-grad-inquiry@uwo.ca )Graduate Program Coordinator - Statistical and Actuarial Science
Department of Statistical and Actuarial Sciences
Western UniversityWestern Science Centre Rm 262
London, Ontario N6A 5B7
t. 519-661-2098
f. 519-661-3813
Our department's PhD program encompasses three fields: Statistics, Actuarial Science and Financial Modelling.
The Own Your Future doctoral professional development program creates career-ready graduates with the Power Skills necessary to excel in their studies and achieve their future goals. Assess your own strengths and opportunities for growth and focus on what you want to get out of your time here at Western. To learn more, visit www.uwo.ca/ownyourfuture.
Program Length
- 12 Terms
Program Design
- Full-time study
- Thesis-based
Funding Information
Applicants are encouraged to apply for the following scholarships (if eligible):
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS)
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
Admission Requirements
- An MSc degree from a recognized institution with sufficient background in Statistics, Actuarial Sciences and/or Financial Modelling.
- Direct-entry based on an Honours degree may be considered under exceptional circumstances.
English Language Proficiency
Applicants whose first language is not English must furnish evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language:
- The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum acceptable score is 213 for the standard electronic version, 550 for the paper and pencil version, or 86 for the internet version with no individual score below 20. [Western's TOEFL ID is 0984].
- The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS). Minimum acceptable score is 6 out of 9 with no individual score falling below 6.
- The Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB). Minimum acceptable score is 80 on each section and an overall score of 85.
- The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL Assessment). Minimum acceptable score is 60 overall.
Application Deadline
- February 15 - International Applicants
- July 1 - Domestic Applicants
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Completed applications are reviewed on a continuous basis. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Fields of Research
- Actuarial Science
- Financial Modelling
- Statistics