I came to Warwick after completing an MSc in Mathematics in Germany. The Statistics department has a great reputation and various people I had met over the years suggested I come here for my PhD. I am very happy I did so because my experience has been far better than I could ever have imagined!

On the academic side, people in the department come from very diverse backgrounds: there are PhD students who stay on after completing their undergraduate and Master degrees in Statistics but also many who have studied Economics or have already worked in industry, and those like me who come from pure Maths and have only recently developed an interest in applications. My project uses methods from graph theory, algebra, computer science and statistics, and there is always someone to talk to about any of these faces of my research. PhD students can attend a vast range of seminars and reading groups and are also given the opportunity to teach some problem classes.
I have always had all the support I could have wished for: from extra training in Statistics in my first year and very frequent meetings with my supervisor, to regular reports with other members of staff to monitor my progress, and the chance to present my research in a safe environment before travelling to conferences.

On the social side, people are very friendly and very interested in getting to know each other. The SSLC (student and staff liaison committee) is very active in organising Friday pub trips and other events during term time.