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MPhil/PhD in Statistics (2024 Entry)

Statistics students at the University of Warwick

Find out more about our MPhil/PhD in Statistics.

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 Department of Statistics, together with the Mathematics Institute at Warwick, have created the Warwick Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Mathematics and Statistics to train the next generation of researchers that will lead the fields of Mathematics and Statistics in the future. This is a major investment from the University of Warwick that includes a number of funded fellowships (see scholarships and funding section). Unlike many CDTs, this is not dedicated to a single topic, but covers the range of research interests of both departments. Our vision is to create a thorough training environment in mathematical sciences, spanning theoretical, methodological, and applied areas. Both Departments have separate dedicated training programmes in the first year, designed to optimally prepare you for your PhD project work.

For the CDT in Statistics, 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.

You may participate in the Academy for PhD Training in Statistics (APTS), a UK-wide network that offers residential intensive taught courses four times per year. Alternative training is also offered to you if you work in Probability or Mathematical Finance.


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.

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

The University carries out an initial fee status assessment based on information provided in the application and according to the guidance published by UKCISA. Students are classified as either Home or Overseas Fee status and this can determine the tuition fee and eligibility of certain scholarships and financial support.

If you receive an offer, your fee status will be stated with the tuition fee information. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly classified you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire (follow the instructions in your offer) and provide the required documentation for this to be reassessed.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides guidance to UK universities on fees status criteria, you can find the latest guidance on the impact of Brexit on fees and student support on the UKCISA website.


Additional course costs

Please contact your academic department for information about department specific costs, which should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:

  • 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.

Click here for more information on departmental scholarships

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Department content block about careers

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

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2024 will open on 2 October 2023.

For research courses that start in September and October 2024 the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2024. 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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