14 January 2024

Following University approval, we have made changes to the Course overview, Modules, Teaching and learning, and Careers tabs for this course:

Course overview

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Important information

We are planning to make changes to our Statistics MSc for 2025 entry. Our courses will undergo approval through the University's rigorous academic processes. As changes are confirmed, we will update the course information on this webpage. It is therefore very important that you check this webpage for the latest information before you apply and prior to accepting an offer.

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The programme aims to cover topics most relevant to a career as a professional statistician. This training opens the way to employment in many sectors of the economy and public services including medical, health and life sciences, marketing, insurance, banking and pharmaceutical industry, quality management and analytics for business and manufacturing, national and local government. You will receive practical and theoretical training in two core modules and further specialisation as well as broader knowledge in six optional modules of your choice.

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From 2025/26, Warwick’s MSc in Statistics introduces an innovative structure, offering a choice between a broad Statistics MSc or specialised pathways in Data Science, Finance, and Probability. This modernised programme provides unparalleled flexibility, allowing students to tailor their learning to their ambitions through four distinctive options:

• MSc in Statistics
• MSc in Statistics with Data Science
• MSc in Statistics with Finance
• MSc in Statistics with Probability

The general MSc in Statistics offers a comprehensive foundation in statistical theory and applications, while the specialised routes allow you to focus on areas that align with your career or research aspirations:

• Data Science Pathway: Integrates statistical theory with cutting-edge applications in AI, machine learning, and health analytics.
• Finance Pathway: Combines rigorous statistical training with insights into modern financial systems and practical applications.
• Probability Pathway: Ideal for those with a passion for theoretical frameworks and their real-world applications.

Modules

Previous content:

Core Modules

Important information

We are planning to make changes to our Statistics MSc for 2025 entry. Our courses will undergo approval through the University's rigorous academic processes. As changes are confirmed, we will update the course information on this webpage. It is therefore very important that you check this webpage for the latest information before you apply and prior to accepting an offer.

• Statistical Methods
• An Introduction to Statistical Practice
• Dissertation

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Optional Modules

The remaining modules are chosen from a wide range of options, subject to availability, to suit the interests of individual students. There are a large number of modules to choose from, for example, options include:

• Advanced Topics in Data Science
• Bayesian Forecasting and Intervention with Advanced Topics
• Applied Stochastic Processes with Advanced Topics
• Medical Statistics with Advanced Topics
• Monte Carlo Methods
• Designed Experiments with Advanced Topics
• Multivariate Statistics with Advanced Topics

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Core Modules

The choice of Pathway is made after you start the course. You begin the MSc by taking a Statistics Refresher (pre-term in Welcome Week), and the module Statistical Methods and Practice. The programme then features different core modules depending on the chosen Pathway:

• for Data Science, the module Theory of Data Science;
• for Finance and Probability, the module Introduction to Applied Probability.

In Term 2 you take the module Advanced Topics in Statistics & Probability, which provides an introduction to current topics through case studies in Statistics, Data Science, Finance and Probability, exploring potential research topics for your dissertation. Each two-week case study is led by an expert lecturer in the fields and will make use of lectures, presentation, practicals, summary and discussion as appropriate to the area.

Regardless of the chosen Pathway, all students can choose approximately a third of their modules from any of those offered on the MSc, with the remainder dependent on the chosen Pathway.

The programme concludes with the dissertation project which you work on under the supervision of a faculty member over the summer with submission in September.

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Optional Modules

The general Statistics Pathway offers you a free choice of almost all Master's-level modules offered by the Statistics Department including modules available to all the pathways as well as further specialised modules in areas such in Medical statistics, Designed experiments and Statistical genetics.

For the MSc in Statistics with Data Science your optional modules are geared towards covering themes in Bayesian statistics, Machine learning, Statistical learning, Topics in Data Science, Monte Carlo methods, Data Visualisation. Subject to availability, you will have access to a varying selection of Computer Science modules with themes such as High performance computing, Image and Video analysis and Language processing.

Optional modules on the Finance Pathway cover themes in Mathematical finance, Stochastic methods, Statistical learning, Financial time series, Trading strategies and Risk theory.

The MSc in Statistics with Probability pathway features modules from probability and applied probability from the Statistics Department. Themes cover Stochastic processes, Brownian motion, Stochastic control, Monte Carlo methods, Stochastic methods. Subject to availability, you will have access to a varying selection of Mathematics modules with themes covering topics in Rare events, Random graphs, Statistical mechanics or High dimensional probability.

Teaching and learning

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Teaching

For the nine-month period from October to June, you will be engaged in attending a set of modules ranging across the spectrum of the most fundamental areas of Statistics and Probability.

After successfully completing the taught portion of the Master’s you will undertake a dissertation project under supervision of a member of staff.

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Assessment

Assessment is initially made for each module separately: some modules have an element of continuous assessment through coursework, but the majority of modules are assessed through written examinations in May and June or, for some modules, January.

Your performance in the core and optional modules combined is then examined by an examinations board consisting of academic staff plus an External Examiner appointed from another university. Dissertations are examined in the Department and then by the External Examiner.

The MSc degree is awarded subject to satisfactory standard in the dissertation and taught modules. Students who do outstandingly well in both taught modules and the dissertation may be awarded the MSc with Distinction or Merit.

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Reading lists

If you would like to view reading lists for current or previous cohorts of students, most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library on the Talis Aspire platformLink opens in a new window.

You can search for reading lists by module title, code or convenor. Please see the modules tab of this page or the module catalogueLink opens in a new window.

Please note that some reading lists may have restricted access or be unavailable at certain times of year due to not yet being published. If you cannot access the reading list for a particular module, please check again later or contact the module’s host department.

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Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

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Teaching

For the nine-month period from end of September to June, you will be engaged in the taught component of the programme by attending a set of eight modules covering the core and optional modules as appropriate for each pathway.

After successfully completing the taught component worth 120 credits you will undertake a dissertation project, worth 60 credits, over summer under supervision of a member of staff. This final project offers the chance to apply knowledge to real-world challenges or delve into advanced research topics.

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Assessment

Assessment is initially made for each module separately: some modules have an element of continuous assessment through coursework, but the majority of modules are assessed through written examinations in January, May and June.

Your performance in the core and optional modules combined is then examined by an examinations board consisting of academic staff plus an External Examiner appointed from another university. Dissertations are examined in the Department and then by the External Examiner.

The MSc degree is awarded subject to satisfactory standard in the dissertation and taught modules. Students who do outstandingly well in both taught modules and the dissertation may be awarded the MSc with Distinction or Merit.

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Reading lists

Pre-reading: Those who are registered for the course will have online access to pre-reading material as part of the Refresher module that is offered in Welcome week.

If you would like to view reading lists for current or previous cohorts of students, most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library on the Talis Aspire platformLink opens in a new window. 

You can search for reading lists by module title, code or convenor. Please see the modules tab of this page or the module catalogueLink opens in a new window.  

Please note that some reading lists may have restricted access or be unavailable at certain times of year due to not yet being published. If you cannot access the reading list for a particular module, please check again later or contact the module’s host department. 

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Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes.

Careers

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Your career

Graduates from these courses have gone on to work for employers worldwide including companies such as: Aimia; Thomas Miller; DeLoitte as well as international pharmaceutical industries. Candidates with high distinction marks have gone on to pursue PhD degrees at prestigious universities such as Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial, LSE, etc. or in the US.

Our graduates have pursued roles such as: professional statisticians; actuaries; business, research and administrative professionals; IT business analysts, architects and systems designers; management consultants and business analysts; programmers and software development professionals.

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
• Employer presentations within the department (e.g. Pharmaceutical Statistics, Actuarial, Geospatial Analytics)
• Interview skills for Statistics students
• Maths and Stats Careers Fair
• PhD academic and non-academic careers event

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Your career

Our graduates have pursued roles such as: professional statisticians; actuaries; business, research and administrative professionals; IT business analysts, architects and systems designers; quantitative analysts; management consultants and business analysts; teacher in schools and/or higher education; programmers and software development professionals.

Graduates from these courses have gone on to work for employers worldwide including companies such as: Aimia; Thomas Miller; DeLoitte as well as international pharmaceutical industries. Candidates with high distinction marks have gone on to pursue PhD degrees at prestigious universities such as Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial, LSE, etc. or in the US.

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year.