MPhil/PhD in Statistics (2025 Entry)
Find out more about our MPhil/PhD in Statistics degree at Warwick
Warwick invites you to join our PhD/MPhil course in Statistics. Study at Warwick's Statistics Department, one of the leading research centres for Statistics worldwide, covering a wide range of topics in Computational, Methodological and Applied Statistics, Data Science, Mathematical Finance and Probability. You will be trained as a well-rounded researcher through the training programme delivered by the Centre of Doctoral Training (CDT) in Statistics. You will conduct cutting edge, innovative research under the supervision of one or more faculty members that are experts in the corresponding research area.
Course overview
The PhD/MPhil course is Statistics is delivered by the CDT in Statistics. Unlike many CDTs, this is not dedicated to a single topic, but covers the range of research areas within probability and statistics, to include theoretical and applied probability, mathematical finance, statistical machine learning, computational, methodological, and applied statistics. Our vision is to create a thorough training environment that allows you to develop both depth and breadth of knowledge and skills and fosters innovative and interdisciplinary thinking. We have a dedicated training programme in the first year, designed to optimally prepare you for your PhD project work and opportunities for continuing development through the years.
For the CDT in Statistics, first-year training is split into two parts: a common core, aiming to provide you with an overview of research topics and activity in all areas represented within the department as well as to develop fundamental research skills and an optional core, allowing you to choose from of a wide range of advanced graduate modules, designed for PhD students. This optimally prepares you for the specialised work of the PhD project under the supervision of individual faculty members. You will choose your supervisor and research topic during the first year of the programme. PhD training that is not via the CDT and where the student works with a nominated supervisor from day one is available only in cases where this training scheme is required by the student’s funding source.
Further details of research interests of faculty members and potential PhD projects can be found on individual staff web pages.
Applicants to the CDT do not need a detailed research proposal. However, it will help to indicate your areas of interest in your personal statement, noting that there is no commitment to stay within that area. Applicants who apply for funding from one of the University's scholarship schemes (the Chancellor's International Scholarship or the China Scholarship Council Award) must develop a research proposal in close collaboration with a potential supervisor and are strongly encouraged to contact the department well before applying.
Teaching and learning
The Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Mathematics and Statistics is a four-year program that includes a taught component in the first year with modules aimed specifically at research students. These modules are assessed by coursework and oral examination.
Term one modules, `Milestones in Probability and Statistics’ and `Statistical Frontiers’, are core for all students in the Statistics CDT. They are designed to give you an overview of all research areas and activity in the department, while developing skills such as collaborative work and academic writing and presentation. They aim to give you breadth of knowledge and awareness of research questions and methodologies across all areas of Probability and Statistics.
In term two, you will choose a minimum of two modules from `Graduate topics in Probability’, `Graduate topics in Statistics’, `Graduate topics in Computational Stochastics and Machine Learning’ and `Graduate topics in Applied Probability and Mathematical Finance’. Each topics module consists of three 10h lecture blocks presenting an advanced graduate topic within the corresponding area, taught by an expert. Topics can vary from year to year. By term 2, you will be expected to have some idea of the research area you want work in and term 2 modules are designed to give you in-depth preparation in that area. It is also possible to take additional training outside the Statistics Department (e.g. Mathematics Department, Doctoral College) or the University (e.g. Academy for PhD Training in Statistics or appropriate Summer Schools), as required.
An important part of the research training is the first-year project, which will be conducted from the start of term three until the end of August. You can choose your project from a long list of proposals by potential project supervisors in a wide range of topics. You are also encouraged to discuss and co-create projects with potential supervisors in their research area. Often this project will be the prelude to the actual PhD research.
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in Statistics, Mathematics or a science with sufficiently high mathematical content.
English language requirements
You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:
- Band A
- IELTS 6.5 (with no less than 6.0 in all components).
International qualifications
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.
For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.
Additional requirements
There are no additional entry requirements for this course.
Our research
Warwick Statistics Department is one of the largest and most energetic research environments in the UK. It boasts many internationally recognised researchers eager to engage new bright students and collaborators so that they can contribute to their programmes of investigation.
Research within the department can be conveniently divided into five areas, which are somewhat distinct but present a lot of synergies:
- Probability
- Mathematical Finance
- Computational Statistics and Machine Learning
- Statistical Methodology and Theory
- Applied Statistics
Find a supervisor
Applicants are not expected to identify a PhD supervisor before applying.
You are expected to join the Centre for Doctoral Training in Mathematics and Statistics which commences with two terms of taught modules. Once you are embedded in the department and have seen the range of opportunities on offer, you will choose your first-year project with a project supervisor. Usually, this will naturally lead on to a PhD project with the same supervisor and you will commence your PhD project work in earnest at the start of year two.
An exception to this rule occurs when the PhD is funded by a competitive scholarship that requires a supervisor to be identified and a project to be developed at the time of application (e.g. The Chancellor's International Scholarship or the China Scholarship Council Award). In this case we recommend that you provide a list of 2-4 potential supervisors as part of your personal statement. It will help to look carefully through the list of active research interests in the Department. The admissions tutors may match you with a supervisor, based on the areas of interest in your personal statement, to support you in the development of a project proposal for the scholarship application.
Research proposals
A research proposal is not needed. Students are strongly encouraged to review the department's guidanceLink opens in a new window and contact the department directly before applying.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.
Find your research course fees
Fee Status Guidance
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.
Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?
If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.
Find out more about how universities assess fee status
Additional course costs
As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.
For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).
Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2024/25 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:
- Core text books
- Printer credits
- Dissertation binding
- Robe hire for your degree ceremony
Scholarships and bursaries
Scholarships and financial support
Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.
Living costs
Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.
Department specific funding and support
Learn more about exciting department specific opportunities.
Statistics at Warwick
Statistics and probability theory are key to understanding data and underlying processes involving risk and uncertainty.
We also explore applications in a wide array of areas and develop impact of our research in many scientific fields within sciences, social sciences, medicine, engineering, management science, finance, commerce and others.
Founded in October 1972, Warwick Statistics is internationally renowned for its wide-ranging and world-leading research and its innovative undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes.
Find out more about us on our website.Link opens in a new window
Our Postgraduate courses
How to apply
Applications are now open for courses that start in September and October 2025.
For research courses that start in September and October 2025 the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2025. This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK.
How to apply for a postgraduate research course
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About the information on this page
This information is applicable for 2025 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.