MSc Statistics
Discover a diverse range of statistical tools, applications and methods.
Key information
Applications are now closed
Overview
Statistical ideas, tools and methods are used in almost all employment sectors, including banking and finance, government, medical research, the pharmaceutical industry and internet companies.
This one-year, full-time programme provides outstanding training in both theoretical and applied statistics. The variety of elective modules to choose from, allows you to develop your specialist interests, providing depth and exposure to a diverse range of statistical applications and methods.
Streams
We offer six streams on our MSc in Statistics programme:
- MSc Statistics (General)
- MSc Statistics (Applied Statistics)
- MSc Statistics (Biostatistics)
- MSc Statistics (Data Science)
- MSc Statistics (Statistical Finance)
- MSc Statistics (Theory and Methods)
The formal qualification received will include the name of the specialist stream and therefore can be used to indicate to employers or future research supervisors what they have specialised in during their MSc. For example: MSc Statistics (Applied Statistics).
A limited number of places exist for each specialist stream. If you are unsuccessful in applying for one of these, you will automatically be considered for the general stream.
Study programme
A common set of core modules in the autumn term ensures that all students obtain advanced knowledge in the fundamental areas of probability theory, statistical inference and applied and computational statistics.
A large and diverse set of elective modules is offered in the spring term, which provides the flexibility for you to develop your own specialist interests.
During the summer term, you complete a research project with a member of academic staff on a state-of-the-art research problem that suits your interests.
The assessment for your degree is made up of two-thirds core and optional modules, and one-third research project.
Professional accreditation
Our MSc in Statistics is accredited by the Royal Statistical Society.
Graduates from accredited degrees can apply to the Royal Statistical Society for the professional award of Graduate Statistician. Graduates from non-accredited courses may also apply for this status and will be considered on an individual basis.
Our accreditation agreement with the Royal Statistics Society is until the 2022-23 academic year. The Department expects to be accredited into the future.
Careers
This course equips students with a range of transferable skills, including programming, problem-solving, critical thinking, scientific writing, project work and presentation. Many graduates go on to undertake roles in employment and research sectors.
Structure
This page reflects the latest version of the curriculum for this year of entry. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about changes we have made.
Page last reviewed on 22 October 2021.
Structure
General stream
Core modules
- Probability for Statistics
- Fundamentals of Statistical Inference
- Applied Statistics
- Computational Statistics
- Statistics Research Project
Optional modules
You choose five or six optional modules from below to total 30–32.5 ECTS.
You can choose a maximum of two modules each worth 7.5 ECTS. Each module is worth 5 ECTS unless otherwise stated.
Group 1
- Contemporary Statistical Theory
- Bayesian Methods
- Multivariate Analysis
- Machine Learning
- Introduction to Statistical Finance
- Advanced Statistical Finance
- Biomedical Statistics
- Statistical Genetics and Bioinformatics
- Big Data
- Advanced Simulation Methods
- Data Science
- Deep Learning with TensorFlow
- Nonparametric Statistics
- Stochastic Processes
- Survival Models (7.5 ECTS)
- Time Series Analysis (7.5 ECTS)
Statistics Research Project
You will complete an extensive research project full-time between May and September, with the opportunity to work with a member of academic staff on a state-of-the-art research problem that suits your interests.
Applied Statistics
Core modules
- Probability for Statistics
- Fundamentals of Statistical Inference
- Applied Statistics
- Computational Statistics
- Statistics Research Project
Optional modules
You choose at least four modules from Group 1 and the remainder from Group 2 to total 30–32.5 ECTS.
You can choose a maximum of two modules each worth 7.5 ECTS. Each module is worth 5 ECTS unless otherwise stated.
Group 1
- Advanced Simulation Methods
- Bayesian Methods
- Biomedical Statistics
- Data Science
- Introduction to Statistical Finance
- Machine Learning
- Nonparametric Statistics
Group 2
- Advanced Statistical Finance
- Big Data
- Contemporary Statistical Theory
- Deep Learning with TensorFlow
- Multivariate Analysis
- Statistical Genetics and Bioinformatics
- Stochastic Processes
- Survival Models (7.5 ECTS)
- Time Series Analysis (7.5 ECTS)
Statistics Research Project
You will complete an extensive research project full-time between May and September, with the opportunity to work with a member of academic staff on a state-of-the-art research problem that suits your interests.
Biostatistics
Core modules
- Probability for Statistics
- Fundamentals of Statistical Inference
- Applied Statistics
- Computational Statistics
- Statistics Research Project
Core Biostatistics modules
- Biomedical Statistics
- Statistical Genetics and Bioinformatics
Optional modules
You choose three or four optional modules from below for a total of 20-22.5 ECTS.
You can choose a maximum of two modules each worth 7.5 ECTS. Each module is worth 5 ECTS unless otherwise stated.
Group 1
- Contemporary Statistical Theory
- Bayesian Methods
- Multivariate Analysis
- Machine Learning
- Introduction to Statistical Finance
- Advanced Statistical Finance
- Big Data
- Advanced Simulation Methods
- Data Science
- Deep Learning with TensorFlow
- Nonparametric Statistics
- Stochastic Processes
- Time Series Analysis (7.5 ECTS)
- Survival Models (7.5 ECTS)
Statistics Research Project
You will complete an extensive research project full-time between May and September, with the opportunity to work with a member of academic staff on a state-of-the-art research problem that suits your interests.
Data Science
Core modules
- Probability for Statistics
- Fundamentals of Statistical Inference
- Applied Statistics
- Computational Statistics
- Statistics Research Project
Core Data Science modules
- Machine Learning
- Data Science
- Deep Learning with TensorFlow
- Big Data
Optional modules
You choose two optional modules from below for a total of 10-12.5 ECTS.
You can choose a maximum of one module worth 7.5 ECTS. Each module is worth 5 ECTS unless otherwise stated.
- Contemporary Statistical Theory
- Bayesian Methods
- Multivariate Analysis
- Introduction to Statistical Finance
- Advanced Statistical Finance
- Biomedical Statistics
- Statistical Genetics and Bioinformatics
- Advanced Simulation Methods
- Nonparametric Statistics
- Stochastic Processes
- Time Series Analysis (7.5 ECTS)
- Survival Models (7.5 ECTS)
Statistics Research Project
You will complete an extensive research project full-time between May and September, with the opportunity to work with a member of academic staff on a state-of-the-art research problem that suits your interests.
Statistical Finance
Core modules
- Probability for Statistics
- Fundamentals of Statistical Inference
- Applied Statistics
- Computational Statistics
- Statistics Research Project
Core Statistical Finance modules
- Introduction to Statistical Finance
- Advanced Statistical Finance
- Stochastic Processes
Optional modules
You choose any other modules from below for a total of 15-17.5 ECTS.
You can choose a maximum of two modules each worth 7.5 ECTS. Each module is worth 5 ECTS unless otherwise stated.
Group 1
- Contemporary Statistical Theory
- Bayesian Methods
- Multivariate Analysis
- Machine Learning
- Biomedical Statistics
- Statistical Genetics and Bioinformatics
- Big Data
- Advanced Simulation Methods
- Data Science
- Deep Learning with TensorFlow
- Nonparametric Statistics
- Time Series Analysis (7.5 ECTS)
- Survival Models (7.5 ECTS)
Statistics Research Project
You will complete an extensive research project full-time between May and September, with the opportunity to work with a member of academic staff on a state-of-the-art research problem that suits your interests.
Theory and Methods
Core modules
- Probability for Statistics
- Fundamentals of Statistical Inference
- Applied Statistics
- Computational Statistics
- Statistics Research Project
Optional modules
You choose at least two modules from Group 1 and the remainder from Group 2 to total 30–32.5 ECTS.
You can choose a maximum of two modules each worth 7.5 ECTS. Each module is worth 5 ECTS unless otherwise stated.
Group 1
- Contemporary Statistical Theory
- Bayesian Methods
- Multivariate Analysis
- Advanced Simulation Methods
Group 2
- Machine Learning
- Introduction to Statistical Finance
- Advanced Statistical Finance
- Biomedical Statistics
- Statistical Genetics and Bioinformatics
- Big Data
- Data Science
- Deep Learning with TensorFlow
- Nonparametric Statistics
- Stochastic Processes
- Time Series Analysis (7.5 ECTS)
- Survival Models (7.5 ECTS)
Statistics Research Project
You will complete an extensive research project full-time between May and September, with the opportunity to work with a member of academic staff on a state-of-the-art research problem that suits your interests.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
- Dissertation
- Group tutorials
- Lectures
- Modern statistical computing skills
- Office hours
- Oral presentation and assessment
- Practical computational sessions
- Problem classes
- Research seminars
- Virtual learning environment
Assessment methods
- Assessed coursework/tests
- Enhanced coursework assessments
- Oral presentation
- Written examinations
- Written project
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Entry requirements
Minimum academic requirement
Our minimum requirement is a 2.1 degree in statistics, mathematics, engineering, physics or computer science.
International qualifications
We also accept a wide variety of international qualifications.
The academic requirement above is for applicants who hold or who are working towards a UK qualification.
For guidance see our Country Index though please note that the standards listed are the minimum for entry to the College, and not specifically this Department.
If you have any questions about admissions and the standard required for the qualification you hold or are currently studying then please contact the relevant admissions team.
English language requirement (all applicants)
All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.
For admission to this course, you must achieve the higher College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for postgraduate applicants.
Competence standards
Our competence standards highlight the core skills students should be able to demonstrate by the end of this course.
View the Department of Mathematics's competence standards [pdf]
We believe in providing the widest practicable access to all of our degree programmes and will make reasonable adjustments wherever possible to support your study. For more information, please contact the Department using the contact details below.
Department of Mathematics
How to apply
Interviews
You may be asked for a short interview (in person or via Skype) as part of the application process. These will normally be reserved for applicants who have been out of education for a significant period of time or those who do not come from a background in Mathematics or Statistics.
Course choices
When you apply, you will be able to choose your stream of choice.
If you are applying for the general stream of this course, we are only able to consider your application if you choose this as your first course choice.
If you are applying for one of the specialisation streams, please select the stream as your first course choice and we will automatically consider you for the general stream if your chosen specialisation is full.
Making an application
Apply online
All applicants must apply online.
Visit our Admissions website for details on the application process.
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can usually choose up to two courses.
Application fee
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course:
- £80 for taught Master's applications (excluding MBAs)
- £135 for MBA applications
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas or research courses, such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
ATAS certificate
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
Further questions?
Find answers to your questions about admissions. Answers cover COVID-19, English language requirements, visas and more.
Tuition fees and funding
The level of tuition fees you pay is based on your fee status, which we assess based on UK government legislation.
Find out more about fees and funding opportunities.
Tuition fees
Home rate of tuition
2022 entry
£17,500
Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Home fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.
EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note, we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' Rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens' Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).
Overseas rate of tuition
2022 entry
£30,500 for the General stream
£30,000 for all other streams
Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Overseas fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.
EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note, we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' Rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens' Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).
Postgraduate Master's loan
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For 2022-23 entry, the maximum amount is £11,836. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Scholarships
We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students to support you through your studies.
See what opportunities you may be eligible for:
Accommodation and living costs
Living costs, including accommodation, are not included in your tuition fees.
You can compare costs across our different accommodation options on our Accommodation website.
A rough guide to what you might expect to spend to live in reasonable comfort in London is available on our Fees and Funding website.
Further information
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