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The Top 10 Canadian Universities for Mathematics Courses

Posted 22 February 2023 Mathematics

Math remains a top choice for students and is a valued subject with implications in all areas of life and many professional sectors. Canada has some of the best mathematics universities in the world that offer interesting programs to excel academically and research. High-quality education and a strong economy also enable students to pursue enriching careers in various professional fields. The opportunities after a degree in the subject are immense and help earn handsome salaries.

A Master in Mathematics degree holder in Canada can earn between CAD 42,000 and CAD 153,000, according to Payscale. If you truly understand the power of numbers and deeply like mathematics, pursuing higher education options in Canada can give you a solid foundation for a promising career.

Learn more about the best universities in Canada for Maths below (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023), and if you wish to learn more or begin your application, book a free consultation with SI-Canada today.

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Top 10 Canadian Universities for Mathematics

1. University of Toronto

The Department of Mathematics at the University of Toronto is considered the best in Canada as it offers a variety of options to take up mathematics at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Programs offered by the university are flexible and are available as minor and major programs with other subjects apart from eight specialist programs at the undergraduate level.

While the minor and major programs are intended for students who wish to combine their mathematical skills with work in other disciplines, the specializations allow students to have in-depth knowledge and expertise in the language of mathematics and mathematical reasoning. At the graduate level, students can study unique courses such as Masters of Science in Applied Computing and Master of Mathematical Finance Programming.

2. University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia's Department of Mathematics is among the best in Canada and offers more than 131 programs each year that 73 award-winning faculty members teach. Maths programs are available at undergraduate and graduate levels, including PhD options. The undergraduate degrees are offered through three faculties in the form of B.A. The program, B.Sc. Program with major and honours in Mathematics, the B.A.Sc. Program and the Math (B.Sc.) & Education (B.Ed.) Program.

At the graduate level, UBC offers M.Sc. and PhD degrees, which can be pursued in the pure and applied branches of the subject. Apart from the programs by the Department of Mathematics, students also have the option to go for other programs offered by the Department of Statistics and the Institute of Applied Mathematics.

3. University of Waterloo

One of Canada's most prestigious research-intensive universities, the University of Waterloo is known for its experiential learning programs and solid employer-student connections. The university has North America's only dedicated Faculty of Mathematics and is recognized nationally and internationally as one of the top-ranked Mathematics and Computer Science schools.

Students get the option to choose from a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including opportunities to conduct research. The university offers 23 undergraduate programs in three categories: Honour Mathematics, Computer Science, and Math and Business. Most of the programs are available as co-op programs, which help students learn by applying their skills through real-world experiences. At the graduate level, students can go for Masters and Ph.D. degrees in various subjects as specialization, including Pure Mathematics, Data Science, and Applied Mathematics, among others.

4. McGill University

The McGill University Department of Mathematics and Statistics was established in 1846 and has made giant strides, particularly in research fields such as number theory, algebraic geometry, combinatorics, and mathematical physics. 

The department offers undergraduate programs with majors in mathematics and various subjects, including biology, physiology, physics, computer science, and statistics. Specialized programs with pure and applied mathematics as the focus are also available. At the graduate level, McGill provides excellent teaching and research training wherein the students can choose from an extensive curriculum with fundamental and advanced courses offered in every subject branch. 

5. University of Montreal

The University of Montreal is among the most popular French universities in the world and offers most of its programs in English and French languages. The Department of Mathematics and Statistics comes under the Faculty of Arts and Science at UdeM. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in mathematics. 

Apart from offering courses in Pure and Applied Mathematics, the department has program options in combination with other subjects, such as Statistics and Computational Finance. As one of Canada's best mathematics universities, UdeM has state-of-the-art facilities and the latest technology, such as specialized software like Mathematica, Maple, MATLAB, Sage, Maxima, Octave, and GNU. These technologies are accessible to students during their studies, enriching the experience. The university also has a rich scientific environment that enables researchers to innovate in areas like Differential Geometry and Topology, Number Theory, and Spectral Geometry and Theory.

6. University of Alberta

The Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences at the University of Alberta is specifically engaged in various teaching, research, and outreach activities. The department has around 60 regular faculty members who guide students to excel in pure and applied mathematics and statistics.

Students are provided with a continuously evolving environment where they have the option to take up programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The teaching methodology at the university incorporates technology in various aspects, and the faculty members often employ innovative ways to impart education. Many have also won awards at the provincial and national levels. The mathematical department is also known for its outreach activities beyond the campus, as the teachers and students readily lend their expertise to the private sector, allowing students to get valuable experience in real-world scenarios.

7. McMaster University

McMaster University offers its educational programs in the field through the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, which operates under the Faculty of Science. The university has a tradition of providing innovative programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels along with research initiatives, which also applies to this department. 

With 42 regular faculty members, the university offers several course options to students in mathematics, many of which can be clubbed with cooperative versions, allowing students to have work terms of eight months during their university studies. The department generally follows a student-centered approach to teaching wherein many subjects are taught in an interdisciplinary manner. The university's research strength lies in topics such as Algebra and Number Theory, Financial Mathematics, Mathematical Logic, Applied Mathematics, and much more.

8. Simon Fraser University

The university has a specific Department of Mathematics combining current computational tools and theory to impart high-quality education. It is known to offer internationally-renowned educational programs. 

Simon Fraser University has an impeccable faculty that includes award-winning teachers. Students are generally given a friendly atmosphere while receiving rigorous and up-to-date coursework. The university is also strong in conducting research activities wherein researchers from several disciplines collaborate to produce ground-breaking advances in mathematics and its applications in other fields such as engineering, genomics, and medicine. Students also get workshops to enhance their professional skills to help them gain better job opportunities after graduation. 

9. University of Calgary

The University of Calgary provides undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the subject through the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. The different branches of the discipline are explored along with their real-world applications. 

The teaching methodology at the university is student-centric, wherein a lot of the learning happens when students work on problems in the class during the assignments. They are given foundational and advanced knowledge and skills in many modern sub-disciplines, including differential equations, geometry, number theory, probability, and much more. Many courses also give the option to choose modules, giving students the flexibility to curate their learnings in their final degree. The university also focuses on research activities to allow students and researchers to work on solutions to people's problems. 

10. Queen’s University at Kingston

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Queen’s University at Kingston is the center of excellence wherein teaching, learning, and research integrate to provide students with a unique experience. 

There are about 30 regular faculty members and 15 members from other departments join to take up specific courses. Students have the option to take up undergraduate and postgraduate courses with a curriculum having a combination of pure and applied mathematics. This allows students to take up specific subjects of interest and enrich their academic experience to suit their preferences. The university also offers three specialization programs - Mathematics and Biology, Mathematics and Computer Science, and Mathematics and Physics. Many programs also include the option of providing internships during the study years, enhancing the overall experience of studying at Queen's University at Kingston. 

Study Mathematics in Canada

If you are interested in studying at one of the best mathematics universities in Canada, book a free consultation with SI-Canada to learn more about the application process and other relevant information.

Universities featured in this article:

  • University of Toronto
  • University of British Columbia
  • University of Waterloo
  • McGill University
  • University of Montreal
  • University of Alberta
  • McMaster University
  • Simon Fraser University
  • University of Calgary
  • Queen's University
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