The MSc in Statistics prepares students with a strong quantitative background for further postgraduate studies or a future career in the private sector.
Postgraduate; leading to a Master of Science (MSc)
If you started this programme in 2017, you can find information about 2017 entry on the 2017 Statistics page. Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.
One year full time
A good 2.1 undergraduate Honours degree in Mathematics, Statistics or a closely related subject area.
If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
UK and EU: £8,500
Overseas: £17,600
Applications are accepted until shortly before teaching starts in September. Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships and for international visa purposes.
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
The MSc in Statistics is a one-year taught programme run by the School of Mathematics and Statistics, which is well equipped with personal computers and laptops, a parallel computer and an on-site library.
The course consists of two semesters of taught courses followed by a dissertation (15,000 words) over the summer months. The available statistics modules consist of a mixture of traditional lecture courses with end of semester exams and short intense courses with a large proportion of continuous assessment.
For an MSc in Statistics, a total of 180 credits are needed, with 150 credits from level 5000. 60 level 5000 credits come from the dissertation, so the remaining 120 credits must contain at least 90 from level 5000. The remaining 30 credits may be from level 3000 or above.
The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue which is for the 2017-2018 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2018 entry.
Modules can be chosen from across the School's undergraduate and postgraduate-level modules.
During the final three months of the course, students complete a 15,000-word dissertation to be submitted by the end of August. Dissertations are supervised by members of teaching staff who will advise on the choice of subject and provide guidance throughout the progress of the dissertation.
If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MSc, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MSc.
The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for 2018 entry. Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.
There are a number of different seminars held each week in the School of Mathematics and Statistics. These include:
Pure Mathematics
Pure Mathematics Colloquia
Algebra and Combinatorial Seminars
Analysis Group Seminars
Applied Mathematics
Applied Mathematics Seminars
Solar and Magnetospheric Theory Group Seminars
Statistics
Statistics Seminars
CREEM/NCSE Seminars
There are many potential scholarships or support schemes available to postgraduates.
Thomas and Margaret Roddan Trust (Postgraduate)
Competitive awards ranging from £500 to £3,000 are usually available for postgraduates undertaking either taught or research courses in Scotland.
Recent Graduate Discount
The University of St Andrews offers a 10% discount in postgraduate tuition fees to students who are eligible to graduate or who have graduated from St Andrews within the last three academic years and are starting a postgraduate programme with the University of St Andrews.
The MSc in Statistics prepares students for further postgraduate studies in statistical research, and many graduates of the programme continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews or elsewhere.
The School of Mathematics and Statistics has active research groups in:
MSc in Statistics graduates hold positions at leading universities or companies in areas as diverse as business administration, financial markets, biomedical research, fisheries laboratories, wildlife conservation and many more.
Our recent graduates at Masters level have found employment in:
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students on a taught postgraduate course and offers a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.
School of Mathematics and Statistics
University of St Andrews
Mathematical Institute
North Haugh
St Andrews
KY16 9AL
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2344
Email: maths-pgstats@st-andrews.ac.uk
Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy.
As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online. (PDF, 72 KB).
The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online. (PDF, 84 KB).
St Andrews has two postgraduate prospectuses - one for taught courses and one for research programmes. Both prospectuses are available for you to view and download.