Statistics

MSc

  • Entry year 2025
  • Duration Full time 1 year

Overview

Do you have an undergraduate degree in mathematics, statistics or operational research? Are you interested in a career which lets you use your advanced mathematical understanding in your daily job? Would you like to study in one of the UK's leading statistics departments?

If you answer yes to all of these questions, then our MSc Statistics is for you! By successfully completing the programme you will join our existing alumni who can be found working in both the private and public sectors, helping to find solutions to medical, scientific, industrial and social challenges.

Why Lancaster?

The MSc Statistics programme is the perfect blend of mathematical theory with real-world application. Over 12 months you will develop an advanced statistical skillset and understanding, with multiple opportunities to put what you learn into practice. Upon graduating, you will be ideally placed to pursue a career as a statistician or to apply for a PhD programme. Whatever your final destination, our graduates can be confident in their mathematical understanding and the analytical, programming, and critical-thinking skills that they have gained during their time with us.

Our MSc Statistics is the product of almost 25 years of experience in delivering top-quality training to graduates of undergraduate programmes in mathematics and statistics. The programme is carefully structured to provide a progressive learning experience.

  • In the first term, our students develop and strengthen their core knowledge and skills in classical and modern statistical methods and inference. Topics covered include frequentist and Bayesian inference, generalised linear models, statistical programming and communication.
  • In the second term, students select from a set of advanced specialist modules. These modules, which vary in their balance between theory, methods and application, cover a wide variety of statistical topics. Students are supported in selecting modules that best reflect their own interests and career aspirations.
  • In the third and final term, our students undertake an individual project. These projects are tailored to the interests and needs of the individual student: some may use them to progress their understanding of a topic covered in a taught module, others to investigate a methodological topic not covered by one of the taught modules, and others to expand their data analysis skills. Regardless of the contents of the project, all students work under the guidance of an experienced statistical researcher, progressing beyond classroom learning to develop a working understanding of statistical methodology and build their confidence in working independently and leading the statistical direction of a project.

Medical Statistics

The medical, healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors are one of the largest employers of our graduates. For those interested in a career in one of these areas we recommend our Medical Pathway, taking modules in Clinical Trials, Principles of Epidemiology, Multilevel and Longitudinal Data Analysis and Survival and Event History Analysis.

Course accreditation

Royal Statistical Society logo

Graduate Statistician status is awarded by the Royal Statistical Society to successful graduates of accredited degrees.

Learn more about the Royal Statistical Society accreditation

Careers

Our MSc Statistics graduates are highly employable and are valued by employers for their in-depth specialist knowledge and wealth of technical and transferable skills. You will graduate from this degree with a comprehensive skill set, including data analysis and manipulation, logical thinking, problem-solving and quantitative reasoning, as well as advanced knowledge of the discipline. The starting salary for many graduate statistical roles is highly competitive, and popular career options include:

  • Statistician
  • Medical Statistician
  • Biostatistician
  • Epidemiologist
  • Data Scientist
  • Actuary
  • Financial Analyst
  • Statistical Consultant
  • University lecturer (contingent on first successfully completing a PhD)

Our graduates are also well-placed to enrol in a PhD programme, either in Statistics or a related discipline. A PhD programme provides training in independent research and can be undertaken either as a route into an academic research career, or as an advanced qualification for a specialist technical role in either the private or public sector.

Entry requirements

Academic Requirements

2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in Mathematics or Statistics.

We may also consider non-standard applications where you have studied a degree in other quantitative subjects that include courses in probability, statistics, linear algebra, and calculus, or you have a 2:2 honours degree equivalent result combined with extensive relevant experience.

You should clearly be able to demonstrate how your skills have prepared you for relevant discussions and assessments during postgraduate study.

If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.

English Language Requirements

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.

If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.

Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

Pre-master’s programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored pre-master’s pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University master’s degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Course structure

You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

Core

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Optional

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Fees and funding

Location Full Time (per year) Part Time (per year)
Home £14,140 n/a
International £30,310 n/a

General fees and funding information

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Scholarships and bursaries

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

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Important Information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.