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So, I completed my bachelor's in mathematics a month ago, and I'm planning to move to another country to continue my studies. I really love mathematics and I want to apply to a master's program in pure mathematics.

I am fluent in English and got a band score 8 in IELTS. So, I am planning to apply to a program that is taught in English.

I have applied to 8 Canadian universities. I passed their minimum requirements, but due to high level of competition, I've been rejected by two of them so far, and I am waiting for the rest. But I am worried that I will also get rejected by them too.

I was wondering if there are universities in other countries that are easier to get into. Like there are some requirements and if I pass them, I get admitted. I have checked the websites of many Canadian universities, and they all say the program is very competitive and admission is not guaranteed even if you pass the minimum requirements. And as I have understood, it is way more difficult for international students.

Unfortunately, my financial situation is also not good enough to pay 20k a year for grad school; so I am looking for a university that provides funding or waves the tuition.

What do you think is the appropriate country for me to continue my studies? If you could also provide the names of some universities that you think fits my situation, I'd really appreciate it.

Any other advice is immensely appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Aria
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    In the U.S., and, I think, Canada, you'd not be admitted on the grounds of having sufficiently good credentials. Graduate departments have limited capacity to adequately advise and mentor students. Not to mention limited funding and/or tuition support, etc., for students. It's all limited, no matter how wonderful the prospective students are. – paul garrett Mar 19 '24 at 21:08
  • @paulgarrett What about programs taught in English in European countries like Germany? – Aria Mar 19 '24 at 21:19
  • I do not know much about the current situation in Germany... – paul garrett Mar 19 '24 at 21:20
  • Thank you for your response, really appreciated it. – Aria Mar 19 '24 at 21:21
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    ... for that matter, I'd worry that if places admit all qualified students, that there'd most likely be inadequate mentoring/advising... – paul garrett Mar 19 '24 at 21:21
  • @paulgarrett, That makes sense. My resume is rather competitive actually, but it is still hard. I will try my best and hope. thank you – Aria Mar 19 '24 at 21:38
  • @paulgarrett I don't know where the OP is originally from. In many countries it is normal for university programs to have a set score on an exam where you really will be admitted purely on the basis of hitting that requirement. Canada doesn't quite have that system, but for undergraduate programs, they will be pretty explicit about what you grades you need to get in, and I think for programs that aren't super competitive, those are fairly accurate. This is all out the window for graduate programs, of course. – Ben Webster Mar 20 '24 at 02:04
  • Waterloo will even tell you for each different province in Canada which high school courses you need, in addition to the expected average: https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/admissions/admission-requirements Some programs (mostly in engineering and math) say "Individual selection" but for Arts and Science, it's basically if you're over the cutoff, you're in. – Ben Webster Mar 20 '24 at 02:13
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    Many/most Masters programs don't offer scholarships or waivers. If you need these things to study, consider a PhD program instead. – Allure Mar 21 '24 at 06:20

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Apply to countries other than Canada. For a variety of boring technical reasons there's a much bigger disparity between admissions for domestic vs. international students in Canada than in the US. Furthermore, due to some complicated political circumstances, right now pretty much every university you're likely to apply to in Canada is in a fiscal crisis and can't afford to be generous toward international students. Unless you can't get a student visa there for some reason, I think your chances are much higher in the US (I have less knowledge about and thus can't comment on other Anglosphere countries, but in all situations I know, they have much worse funding for international students compared to US universities).

EDIT: Buffy's comment below reminded me: don't apply for master's programs in the US. Apply for Ph.D. programs so you can get funding. Even if your goal is just to get a Masters.

Ben Webster
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    Masters students in US are unlikely to be funded, though. Unlike doctoral students. – Buffy Mar 19 '24 at 19:28
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    Professor Webster, thank you very much for your response. Actually, I also applied to Waterloo University, but unfortunately I was rejected due to the high level of competition.

    As you have mentioned, I guess the student visa process is also much harder in the US, but I guess I have to try my best.

    Thanks again for your time.

     – Aria Mar 19 '24 at 19:50
  • @Buffy Well, depends on the school, but yes, you're right. I had meant to say that in the US you should apply for Ph.D. programs (even if you want a Masters, start a Ph.D. program and then quit), and somehow it slipped my mind. – Ben Webster Mar 20 '24 at 02:24
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You may well get admitted to one of the remaining places. But if they are all similar in some "ranking" then getting rejected by one means you are likely to get rejected by other similar places. The problem isn't the country. When you apply, cast a wide net of institutions, not just all top places (nor bottom).

In the US that would be a good strategy. Here, it is also the case that most math doctoral students are funded through Teaching Assistantships for which you assist in undergraduate courses by grading and holding study and Q/A sessions. But those aren't normally available to masters students. On the other hand, a masters isn't a requirement to begin doctoral study here. And it isn't likely easier to get into a US program than a Canadian one, and mostly for other countries as well.

But most countries have a range of institutions, any of which can and do provide a good education.

Buffy
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  • It's been noted that one of the secrets of top schools is that they try to admit the students who would get a good education anywhere -- despite the school, if need be. – keshlam Mar 19 '24 at 19:12
  • Thank you very much for your response professor Buffy. The universities are not all in the same ranking; I guess I have to wait for the rest and apply to some US universities for the PHD program. The problem with this is that I plan to study a master's program to decide my favorite subject for the PHD more accurately. But I guess there is no other way. – Aria Mar 19 '24 at 19:43
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    In a US math doctoral program you will have a lot of time to decide on a sub-field. The first task is advanced courses to help you pass qualifying exams. They generally cover a broad range of areas. – Buffy Mar 19 '24 at 19:48
  • That's very good to know; I didn't know that at all. But I guess the deadlines for the fall entry have passed? How many admission cycles are there in the US each year? – Aria Mar 19 '24 at 19:53
  • Usually only one. See the answer for the US here: https://academia.stackexchange.com/q/176908/75368 – Buffy Mar 19 '24 at 19:54
  • Really appreciate it. I will look for universities and hope to find some with open deadlines for the fall. Do you think it is likely for some universities to still have open deadlines for the fall admission? – Aria Mar 19 '24 at 20:06
  • Sorry, but I can't guess. Possible, I suppose, if not especially likely. Good luck. – Buffy Mar 19 '24 at 20:10