Statistics MSc

The Probability and Statistics group (4 Professors, 3 Senior Lecturers and 8 Lecturers) in the School of Mathematics have a long-standing reputation and experience of offering one year, high quality taught courses in areas of Statistics leading to the degree of MSc.These courses  have aimed  to offer a thorough professional training which prepare students to embark on statistical careers in a variety of areas.  (There is a shortage of  statisticians trained to postgraduate level in the UK and the employment prospects for such people remain good.)    They have also provided a very good foundation for further study at PhD level.

From September 2012, our newly revised MSc programme in Statistics allows students to take one of two different MSc degrees, depending on their interests and career aspirations. There is the main programme in Statistics and one associated pathway in Financial Statistics.  Each is built around a common core of five modules and then students study an additional set of three specialist modules to make a total of eight in all. 

The taught part of the programme is divided into two 12-week semesters, each followed by a two-week period of examinations.  This in turn is followed by a period of approximately 12 weeks of research work over the summer which is supervisd by a  member of the academic staff  and ends with  submission of the MSc dissertation in September.   In the taught part of the course, full-time students attend weekly lectures and support classes for four modules (4 x 15 credits) in each semester.  Students are also able to enrol on a part-time basis if they wish.  In this case they study over a two year period and only take two modules per semester, with the dissertation being completed at the end of the second year.Details of the programme structure which will be offered  from September 2012 are given below.

Main MSc Statistics

 Semester One:

• Linear Models & Nonparametric Regression
• Statistical Computing
• Statistical Inference
• Multivariate Statistics

  Semester Two:

• Generalized Linear Models & Survival Analysis
• Longitudinal Data Analysis
• Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC)
• Design and Analysis of Experiments

 This degree is accredited by the Royal Statistical Society.

Financial Statistics Pathway

This comprises a core of five modules which are common to the main programme, plus three specialist modules in financial statistics.

Semester One:

• Linear Models & Nonparametric Regression
• Statistical Computing
• Statistical Modelling in Finance
• Extreme Values and Financial Risk

   Semester Two:

• Generalized Linear Models & Survival Analysis
• Longitudinal Data Analysis
• Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC)
• Time Series Analysis and Financial Forecasting

DissertationFollowing the successful completion of the taught part of the programme (worth a total of 120 credits) students are then expected to work on a dissertation from June to September which is worth a further 60 credits, making 180 credits in total.  Information on the various topics and projects which will be available for dissertation are provided to the students in May from which they  are invited to state their preferences.  

There will be a University Postgraduate Open Day on Wednesday 28 November 2012.   You can register for this event at http://www.maths.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/pgadmission/openday.html.  We also expect to hold a School Open Day on Wednesday 13 February 2013.

Academic entry qualification overview:

The normal entry requirements are at least an upper second class honours degree from a UK University, or the equivalent from an overseas University, in Mathematics or in a subject with some significant mathematical content.  Students should also have some basic knowledge of probability and statistics in their degree.  Specialist knowledge of finance for the Financial Statistics pathway is not required.

English language:

All applicants for this programme should have a very good level of ability in written and spoken English.  For students whose first degree programme was not taught in English, we require a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with at least 5.5 in each module and 6.0 in Writing.

Other international entry requirements: We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements including English language see entry requirements from your country .

The School of Mathematics is the largest in the UK with an outstanding research reputation and facilities.

School of Mathematics

See: School of Mathematics

Telephone: +44 (0)161 275 5804

Facsimile: +44 (0)161 275 5819

Email: pg-maths@manchester.ac.uk

Website: www.maths.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/pgadmission/msc-stats.html