Documents and Evaluation Criteria

for Applicants to Master's Degree Programme

"Advanced Mathematics", 01.04.01 "MATHEMATICS"

The admissions procedure consists of two stages:

1. Competitive selection of documents (portfolios)

2. An interview

The second stage is only for those applicants who have obtained at least 40 points for the first stage.

Stage 1: The competitive selection of documents (portfolios)

The official documents, certificates and other materials must be submitted in legible copies. If any document is written in a language other than

Russian or English, the applicant must submit its translation into Russian or English. Translation into Russian must be notarized by either a notary

or the Russian embassy/consulate in the foreign country or the embassy/consulate of the foreign country in Russia unless otherwise specified in the

international agreements of the Russian Federation.

Section. 1.1. Portfolio composition: the list of documents and points scored

Documents / documented facts to be evaluated Assessment criteria The number of

points scored

1 Motivation letter (obligatory)

The criteria are specified below, in Section 2 "Motivation

letter" 20

2 Essay (a research paper) (obligatory) The criteria are specified in Section 3 "Essay"

10

3

Curriculum Vitae (CV) containing the complete and

continuous history of the applicant's professional

activity and education prior to documents submission.

(obligatory)

The university level and educational programme reputation

are also evaluated. 25

4

Letters of recommendation (at least 1, no more than 2).

Each letter must be submitted on an official blank of

the university. It also must contain the recommender's

contact information and his/her signature.

Both the content of the recommendation and the

recommender's scientific reputation are evaluated. 25

5

A copy of the document confirming the level of

education (obligatory). (A copy of the diploma and the

diploma supplement, with the list of academic

disciplines studied. In case the diploma is absent at the

moment of the documents submission, the applicant

must submit a transcript of records with the grades

confirming the applicant's recent assessment.)

A bachelor's / master's diploma issued in the fields of

study and specialities in accordance with the relevant

consolidated group of fields of study and specialities.

Master's diploma

3

Bachelor's diploma

0

Transcript of records with the list of academic

disciplines and grades

GPA (the arithmetic mean of all grade points) in

mathematical sciences is at least 4,5 on a 5-point scale (that

is, at least 90%) 2

GPA (the arithmetic mean of all grade points) in

mathematical sciences is less than 4,5 on a 5-point scale (that

is, less 90%)

0

Maximum score for the section 5

6

Information on the applicant's publications in the

subjects in accordance with the relevant consolidated

group of fields of study (specialities)

(the applicant must submit a copy of each publication,

a copy of the page containing the masthead, and a copy

of the contents of the whole collection of papers).

If 2 or more publications are submitted, the points shall

not be summarised. Only the publication with the

maximum score shall be evaluated.

Scientific publications in journals included into the academic

citation indexes Web of Science or Scopus 10

Scientific publications in other scientific sources 0

If the submitted document shows that the publication is

only an abstract of a conference report, the applicant

shall not obtain any points for this aspect Maximum score for the section

10

7

Documents confirming the applicant's English

language proficiency (international certificates and

other documents). If English is the applicant's native

language or the language of instruction of the previous

educational programme, the applicant obtains 5 points

automatically.

Only one document is considered. If two or more

documents are submitted, the points shall not be

summarised.

English: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge CAE, Cambridge CPE,

Cambridge FCE – A 5

Other certificates confirming the applicant's English language

proficiency at the Upper Intermediate level or higher 3

Maximum score for the section

5

8

Certificates of the winners and awardees of

international student olympiads in the academic

discipline relevant to the main field of study in the

subjects corresponding to the relevant consolidated

group of fields of study (specialities).

Only one document is considered. If two or more

documents are submitted, the points shall not be

summarised.

The criteria are specified in Section 4 "Olympiads"

25

TOTAL SCORE 125

Section 1.2. Motivation letter

up to 20 points

In case any unjustified borrowings are found, the applicant obtains 0 points for his/her motivation letter

Requirements to the motivation letter formatting and content

1. Font: Times New Roman, point size: 12, line interval: 1,5.

2. The motivation letter must contain:

– information on the applicant's professional training and/or any other activity that may be useful during the period of study in the chosen master's

degree programme; information on the achievements in the chosen field;

– a well-reasoned substantiation of why the applicant has chosen this particular master's degree programme at St Petersburg University. The

applicant must also prove his/her interest in the chosen programme;

– prospects / plans of the obtained knowledge implementation in future professional career.

Evaluation criteria Score

Well-reasoned substantiation of why the applicant has chosen this programme 1

Well-reasoned substantiation of why the applicant has chosen St Petersburg University 1

The presence of description of the competences the applicant is willing to acquire during his/her studies 1

Description of the applicant's academic and practical achievements From 0 to 10

other information and characteristics the applicant considers relevant (practical experience, basic education, individual

abilities and hobbies) 1

Description of the prospects of the obtained knowledge implementation in future professional career. 1

English language skills From 0 to 5

Fulfillment of the formatting requirements of the letter 0

Maximum score 20

Section 1.3. Essay (research paper)

up to 10 points

The applicant personally formulates the title of his/her essay (research paper) within the framework of the field of study of the chosen programme. It is

permitted to submit essays based on the applicant's theses (bachelor's, master's, etc.) or scientific publications.

In case any unjustified borrowings are found, the applicant obtains 0 points for his/her essay (research paper).

Requirements to the essay (research paper) formatting and content

1. The essay must be composed in either Russian or English.

2. The total length must not exceed 60,000 printed characters (with spaces), including the bibliography.

3. Font: Times New Roman, point size: 12, line interval: 1,5.

4. Proof links to all of the sources used must be provided.

5. The essay text must be complete and thoroughly structured. It must contain an introduction (where the issue is formulated), the main part (with

well-reasoned substantial points), a conclusion (with the author's own conclusions concerning the issue) and a bibliography (not exceeding 2 pages).

6. The author must demonstrate a good knowledge of the subject of research, its conceptual framework, terminology, awareness of the common

scientific concepts in the given subject area, understanding of the present-day trends and problems arising in this subject studies.

Evaluation criteria Score

Correspondence of the essay (research paper) topic to the main field of study, correspondence

of the text to the formulated topic and applicability of the prospective research From 0 to 1

Problem statement in accordance with the chosen topic From 0 to 1

Awareness of the existing scientific concepts related to the chosen range of issues From 0 to 2

Presence of the individual approach to the problem stated; descriptions of the author's

theoretical and practical developments From 0 to 5

The structured character of the paper, correct usage of scientific terminology, absence of

factual, stylistic and other errors From 0 to 1

Section 1.4. Olympiads

up to 25 points

Winner's diplomas of the following international olympiads are evaluated. If the submitted diploma belongs to neither of the categories listed, 0

points are awarded.

Evaluation criteria Score

International Mathematical Competition for University Students

Grand First Prize 25

First ten 20

First Prize 15

Second Prize 10

Third Prize 8

The William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition

(or equivalent score on Putnam Mirror)

Putnam Fellow 25

Next Ten 20

Next Ten 15

Honorable mention 10

Vojtěch Jarník International Mathematical Competition

First three 25

First five 20

First ten 15

First twenty 10

North Countries Mathematical Competition

First three 20

First five 15

First ten 10

Stage 2: The interview

The second stage involves an interview with the applicant. The applicant is offered questions, the answers to which demonstrate his/her culture of mathematical

reasoning, the level of his/her training and his/her command of mathematics, his/her logical reasoning ability and the ability to understand new concepts and

operate them.

The interview is held via videoconferencing in English.

The answer to each question is evaluated by awarding the applicant a particular number of points. The maximum score for the interview is 100 points.

A list of applicants recommended for enrollment and a waiting list are formed based on the number of points awarded to the applicants for the interview.

Examples of questions offered during the interview

1. State a famous conjecture in your research field. What were the attempts to solve it and why did they fail?

2. State a famous theorem in your research field and sketch very briefly its proof. What is the role of the theorem?

3. Give a proof of any theorem that contains a brilliant or unexpected argument.

Admission test dates

The first examination flow

Submission of an application for admission and other documents (including those required for participation in the competitive selection of

portfolios) from February 1 to April 8, 2019, 23:59 Moscow time.

On April 17, 2019 the announcement of the results of the competitive selection of documents (portfolio) for candidates participating in the first

examination flow.

As the examination groups are formed from April 18 to April 30, 2019, the candidates who have scored at least 40 points in the competition of

documents (portfolio) shall take the second admissions test (an interview). The candidates who have not scored 40 points for the first admissions test

(the competitive selection of documents (portfolios) shall not be admitted to the second admissions test and are excluded from the competition.

The results of the first examination flow shall be announced on May 3, 2019.

The second examination flow

Submission of an application for admission and other documents (including those required for participation in the competitive selection of

portfolios) from April 8 to July 4, 2019. On July 13, 2019 the SPbU Admissions Committee shall announce the results of the competitive selection of

documents (portfolio) for candidates participating in the second examination flow.

As the examination groups are formed from July 14 to July 22, 2019, the candidates who have scored at least 40 points in the competition of

documents (portfolio) shall take the second admissions test (an interview). The candidates who have not scored 40 points for the first admissions test

(the competitive selection of documents (portfolios) shall not be admitted to the second admissions test and are excluded from the competition.

The results of the second examination flow shall be announced by the SPbU Admissions Committee on July 23, 2019.

Instruction for Personal Account

Step 1. Create your personal account at the website https://cabinet.spbu.ru

Step 2. After you log in, you will see a page with further instructions.

Step 3. Click “Application form” in the vertical menu to the left. Fill in your personal data. It is not necessary to fill in your father's name. Click

«Next».

Step 4. Fill in your passport information. If there is no «Series» in you passport, leave this field blank. In case you need a student’s visa, you have to

answer the questions about the Russian embassy (Country and City). Note also that to get a visa, it is necessary that your passport is valid at least

until March 1, 2021. After filling in your passport information click «Next».

Step 5. Fill in your contact information. If you do not have an additional phone number, and/or if your address does not contain a house number, please

put '-' in the respective field(s). If you are living at the same place where you are registered, please leave the last five fields blank, even though they are

marked with an asterisk(*). Click «Next».

Step 6. Enter data about your previous education. If you haven’t graduated yet, please enter the information about your current institution and program.

Please note that your education documents (diploma and academic transcript) should be in Russian or in English. Otherwise? they should be translated

to one of these languages. In case you are admitted to SPbU, you must submit the originals of these documents to the International Admissions Office

not later than October 1, 2019.

Step 7. Enter data about your knowledge of foreign languages. If you want to submit a document confirming that you have previously studied in

English (not obligatory), please mark the first checkbox.

Step 8. You are asked about your academic achievements and Olympiads.

Step 8.1. In case you have a diploma of one of the olympiads specified in the portfolio (I. M. C. for University Students, Putnam M. C., Jarnik I. M. C.

, North Countries M. C.), please specify this by choosing the year, then “International”, “Mathematics”, and then any line. Please note that afterwards

you will be asked to upload the respective certificate. If you have successfully participated in any other olympiads, do not choose anything here,

instead just mention that in your CV.

Step 9. You are asked about your work experience. Note that this is not necessary for the portfolio evaluation, and you will be asked to confirm this

information by uploading a document. So, we do not recommend you to fill this part. Do not forget to include this information in your CV.

Step 10. You are asked about your scientific activity and publications. Please note that afterwards you will be asked to upload it as a pdf. Therefore

please specify only the publications in journals or conference proceedings that are indexed by Web of Science or Scopus. Other publications,

participation in scientific events, etc., can be mentioned in your CV.

Step 10.1 If you want to enter your publication data, choose “Publication” from the list.

Step 11. You are asked about your sport achievements. We do not recommend to enter anything here, because otherwise you will be asked to upload a

confirmation document. If you want, you can mention this in your CV.

Step 12. In case you have any disability and/or need any special assistance during the interview, please mark the second checkbox.

Step 13. Enter any additional comments you want to inform us about (optionally) and click «Next».

Step 14. Now you are ready create an application and upload documents. Please press the blue button «Submit application».

Step 15. Choose “Master Programs” and click «Create an application».

Step 16. You are suggested to add educational programmes. Click «Add».

Step 16.1. Since you are a non-russian citizen, please choose “International applicants”.

Step 16.2. Now choose “Mathematics”...

Step 16.3. …. and “Advanced Mathematics”. You are asked about the study scheme (government-funded or contractual). You can choose both to

apply to both schemes simultaneously (this is recommended).

Step 17. Here you see a list of chosen programmes. If you want to apply for other programmes (up to 3 in total), please contact us. Otherwise, click

«Next».

Step 18. You are asked about the priorities of the chosen programmes. Note that “Budget” means the government-funded scheme. You can reorder the

programmes according to your priorities by dragging them around. Click «Next».

Step 18.1. Now your application is completed. Click «Download the application».

Step 18.2. Don't be scared by that message! Just choose “Да (yes)”. Then download your application. Print it out, and sign at the last page. It is very

important to upload a scanned copy of it in the one of the further steps.

After this step you won’t be able to modify any personal information. In case if you need to modify it, you should delete your application, modify

information and submit a new application. You can do that as many times as you want, but before the nearest deadline for document submission (Feb.

28 23:59 Moscow time, for the government-funded scheme).

Step 19. Now choose «Upload documents» in the vertical menu, and you will see the list of the required documents. This list depends on the scheme

you have chosen and on the data you have entered in the previous stages. Upload the documents in PDF format.

Attention! It is not needed to upload the medical certificates for applicants on fee-paying basis.

Step 19.1. After uploading a document, the respective red exclamation mark turns into a green check mark. Below you can see the list of the uploaded

documents.

Step 19.2 The second document called “Application” is crucial. This is a scan of your filled and signed application form, which you were downloading

previously. In case you fail to upload it, you won't be visible to the committee as an applicant to the programme.

Step 19.3 Please upload your olympiad winner certificate as “Diplomas of winners of intellectual competitions”, publications as “Publications”, and the

English certificate. In case you have a certificate about your knowledge of English (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.), or a certificate that you have studied in

English, please upload it as “Education abroad”.

Step 20. After uploading all the general documents, go to the tab «Essay (research paper) and motivation letter». Please ignore the message above

about the impersonal form: your documents must NOT be impersonal. This message is for some other programmes (not for «Advanced

Mathematics»).

Upload your motivation letter into «Motivation letter».

Attention! Upload the following documents: essay, CV and (all) recommendation letter(s) as a single merged PDF file as «Essay/research work/

creative project».

Step 21. Go back to the tab called “General Documents”. All the documents are uploaded, except maybe for the two medical documents. (do not forget

to upload them before July 4!).

Step 22. Go back to the main page of your personal account. You did three steps. The third one may still be not green, in case you did not upload the

two medical documents – do not worry about it. Please make sure that you have uploaded all the documents of your portfolio, and that all the

uploaded documents are correct and up-to-date.

Congratulations, you are done for now! You can wait until your portfolio is valuated, and results are published.

If you need any further information regarding admission process, please do not hesitate to contact International Admissions Office of the University by

e-mail: admission@spbu.ru

In case of any questions regarding educational programme “Advanced Mathematics”, please write an email at math.msc@spbu.ru

We are happy to assist you!