Statistics Research programs - The earlier applied, the better!

 1. MSc by Research in Statistics - Oxford University

Applications are still being accepted!

In the MSc by Research in Statistics, you will investigate a particular project in depth and write a thesis that makes a contribution to the field. It may be possible to change from an MSc by Research and pursue a DPhil in Statistics. You will acquire a wide range of research and transferable skills, as well as in-depth knowledge, understanding and expertise in your chosen field of research. You will become part of a vibrant community of researchers. 

The Department of Statistics in the University of Oxford is a world leader in research in probability, bioinformatics, mathematical genetics and statistical methodology, including computational statistics, machine learning and data science. Oxford’s Mathematical Sciences submission came first in the UK on all criteria in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) and in 2016 the department moved to a newly-refurbished building in the centre of Oxford.

Much of the department’s research is either explicitly interdisciplinary or draws its motivation from application areas, ranging from genetics, immunoinformatics, bioinformatics and cheminformatics, to finance and the social sciences. The department is also part of a number of Centres for Doctoral Training (CDT) which admit graduate students; StatML (Modern Statistics and Statistical Machine Learning), an EPSRC CDT in applicable modern statistical theory and methods as well as on the underpinnings of statistical machine learning in association with Imperial; Mathematics of Random Systems: Analysis, Modelling and Algorithms, an EPSRC CDT in the area of probabilistic modelling, stochastic analysis and their applications in association with Imperial and Oxford Mathematics; Sustainable Approaches to Biomedical Science: Responsible and Reproducible Research (SABS R3), an EPSRC CDT focusing on quantitative and predictive research at the interface between the mathematical and physical, and the biological and medical sciences, focussing on industrially relevant challenges in collaboration with 22 pharmaceutical and biotech companies.

You will be expected to acquire transferable skills as part of your training and to prepare a research poster or give a research presentation each year in the department.

You are expected to teach approximately 12 contact hours per year in undergraduate and graduate courses in the department. This is mentored teaching, beginning with simple marking, to reach a point where individual students are leading whole classes of 10 to 12 undergraduate students. You will be encouraged to participate in social events and to take part in public engagement. The department also offers career development events.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department of Statistics and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances, a supervisor may be found outside the Department of Statistics.

You will be assigned a supervisor or supervisors, who will have overall responsibility for the direction of your work on behalf of the department. You will have the opportunity to interact with fellow students and other members of your research groups, and more widely across the department. Typically, as a research student you should expect to have meetings with your supervisor or a member of the supervisory team with a frequency of at least once every two weeks averaged across the year. The regularity of these meetings may be subject to variations according to the time of the year, and the stage you are at in your research programme.

Assessment

Initially, you will be admitted as a Probationer Research Student in the same way as those intending to do a DPhil. The same standards are applied for admission for the two degrees.

There is a formal assessment of progress on the research project at around twelve months. The MSc by Research thesis is expected to be submitted for examination during the second or third year of the programme and there will be a viva voce examination.

Graduate destinations

After the MSc by Research in Statistics, graduates often move into research and academic careers. Others work, for example, in data analytics, in tech and biotech companies and in the financial sector.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic (including Covid-19), epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

2. ADVANCED STATISTICS MRes at Glasgow University

Applications still accepted if you are in UK.

WHY THIS PROGRAMME?

The Statistics Group at Glasgow is a large group, internationally renowned for its research excellence.

Our expertise spans topics including: biostatistics and statistical genetics; environmental statistics; statistical methodology; statistical modelling and the scholarship of learning and teaching in statistics.

Our research groups have strong connections to external organisations such as NHS, SEPA, CEH and others.

Our Statistics MSc programmes benefit from close links lecturers have with industry and non-governmental organisations such as NHS and SEPA.

You will be taught by world-leading experts in their fields and will participate in an extensive and varied seminar programme, are taught by internationally renowned lecturers and experience a wide variety of projects.

You will develop a thorough grasp of statistical methodology, before going on to apply statistical skills to solve real-life problems.

Our students graduate with a varied skill set, including core professional skills, and a portfolio of substantive applied and practical work.

You will be equipped with the skills needed to begin a career as a professional statistician; previous study of statistics is not required.

CAREER PROSPECTS

Data is becoming an ever-increasing part of the modern world, yet the talent to extract information and value from complex data is scarce. There is a massive shortage of data-analytical skills in the workforce. Statistical analysis and data mining is ranked 2nd in the Top 10 Most In-Demand Hard Skills 2018 by LinkedIn. This program opens up a multitude of career opportunities and/or boosts your career trajectory.

Our graduates have an excellent track record of gaining employment in many sectors including medical research, the pharmaceutical industry, finance and government statistical services, while others have continued to a PhD.

FEES & FUNDING

Tuition fees for 2023-24

MRes

UK

Full-time fee: £11520

International & EU

Full-time fee: £27930

Deposits

International applicants are required to pay a deposit of £1000 when an offer is made.

3. MPhil/PhD Statistics at London School of Economics

Apply Before 27th July! Hurry!

This programme offers the chance to undertake a substantial piece of work that is worthy of publication and which makes an original contribution to the field of statistics. You will begin on the MPhil, and will need to meet certain requirements to be upgraded to PhD status.

Our core areas of research are data science, social statistics, time series and statistical learning, as well as probability and risk management in insurance and finance. We enjoy close links with other departments and offer regular seminars and other departmental activities that help to create a vibrant environment for study and research. We also have close links with the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and industrial partners.

Graduate study of statistics is often vocational, though no progress can be made without a lively intellectual interest in both the methodological principles of statistical modelling and practical applications. You will benefit from a thriving, hardworking, friendly and supportive environment in which your interests can be pursued.

You will be supported by reserved computing resources (including networked departmental workstations exclusively for the use of research students) and an extensive collection of software – both commercial packages and in-house products. Additionally, you will have access to a good collection of research monographs and journals, and you may access databases of research information. There is a comprehensive assembly of worldwide official statistics. The Department has a dedicated library with statistical journals and books available to you.

Our research students are also encouraged to undertake some teaching from year two onwards. The Department provides funding to facilitate student attendance at appropriate academic conferences wherever possible.