Course description
The Probability and Statistics group in the Department of Mathematics have a long-standing reputation 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, meaning that you will be a highly desired candidate upon completion of this MSc. They have also provided a very good foundation for further study at PhD level.
The MSc course in Statistics gives you the freedom to take a common core of five modules as well as three specialist/additional modules depending on your interests and career aspirations.
Coursework and assessment
There are two teaching semesters of 12 weeks each and approximately 15 weeks of dissertation work. Assessment for the taught part is by exams and coursework. Following the successful completion of the taught part (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.
Course unit details
The taught part of the programme is divided into two 12-week semesters, each followed by a two- or three-week period of examinations. This in turn is followed by a period of approximately 12 weeks of research work over the summer which is supervised by a member of academic staff and ends with submission of the MSc dissertation in September. Full-time students attend weekly lectures and support classes for four modules (4 x 15 credits) in each semester. Students can also enrol on a part-time basis. 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 are given below, which are subject to review and continual improvement.
Main Programme
Semester One:
- Linear Models with Nonparametric Regression
- Statistical Computing
- Statistical Inference
- Multivariate Statistics
Semester Two:
- Generalized Linear Models and Survival Analysis
- Longitudinal Data Analysis
- Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC)
- Design and Analysis of Experiments
This degree programme is accredited by the Royal Statistical Society.
Accreditation by the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) provides reassurance that our MSc programme produces graduates with the technical skills and subject knowledge required of a statistician. This provides our graduates with a competitive edge in the job market and provides employers with an assurance of quality of our degree.
Dissertation: Following 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.
Course unit list
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistical Inference | MATH68001 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Linear Models with Nonparametric Regression | MATH68011 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Generalised Linear Models and Survival Analysis | MATH68052 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Multivariate Statistics | MATH68061 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Design and Analysis of Experiments | MATH68082 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Statistical Computing | MATH68091 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Markov Chain Monte Carlo | MATH68122 | 15 | Mandatory |
| Longitudinal Data Analysis | MATH68132 | 15 | Mandatory |
Scholarships and bursaries
Across our institution, we offer a number of postgraduate taught scholarships and awards to outstanding UK and international students each year.
The University of Manchester is committed to widening participation in master's study, and allocates £300,000 in funding each year. Our Manchester Masters Bursaries are aimed at widening access to master's courses by removing barriers to postgraduate education for students from underrepresented groups.
For more information, see the Department of Mathematics Fees and funding page or visit the University of Manchester funding for master's courses website for more information.
If you are a sponsored student please check the requirements of your sponsorship before registering on a course. If you require further information please contact the Department.
Facilities
The Department of Mathematics is the largest in the UK with an outstanding research reputation and facilities .