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Statistics with Data Science MSc

Awards: MSc

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Accreditation

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Statistics with Data Science

As the name suggests, the programme lets you delve deep into mathematical statistics but also explore trendy topics in data science. Projects and assignments offered plenty of experience with both R and Python in modules which were not necessarily focused on programming. Now, a few months into my first job after graduation, I already find that all parts of the curriculum have offered me something which I apply today.

Henning Tansjoe MSc Statistics with Data Science (2020/21)
Henning Tansjoe               MSc Statistics with Data Science (2020/21)

In this digital and data-rich era, there is a high demand for statistics graduates from:

  • industry
  • the public sector
  • academia

However, the pool of graduates in this area is small. The recent growth of data science has highlighted the importance of statistics, with data analysis and results interpretation well-integrated into this newly recognised field.

This programme trains the next generation of statisticians to become expert data scientists with knowledge and experience of well-established methodologies and recent advances. The syllabus combines rigorous statistical theory with hands-on practical experience applying statistical models to data from various application areas.

In particular, the programme includes:

  • frequentist and Bayesian methods for advanced statistical modelling
  • computational statistics
  • generalised regression models
  • principles of statistically defensible data collection, management and curation

Graduates will be in high demand. We anticipate most students will be employed as statisticians for private and public institutions providing statistical advice and consultancy.

Links with Industry

The School of Mathematics has connections with many of the following:

  • industrial partners
  • organisations
  • charities
  • government departments

As an MSc student in the School you will have opportunities to engage with these external organisations through:

  • regular employability events
  • careers workshops
  • our annual analytics challenge (whose recent partners have included Edinburgh Airport and the Data and Marketing Association)

You will also have the opportunity to work on an industry-based, consultancy-style dissertation project.

Recent partners for industry-based consultancy projects in the Statistics with Data Science MSc include:

  • Lloyds Banking Group
  • AzkoNobel
  • Public Health Scotland
  • Simply Business

Accreditation

This MSc is accredited by the Royal Statistical Society (RSS). Thus, this programme is recognised by RSS for the purpose of eligibility for the professional award of Graduate Statistician. The accreditation is based on the general depth, breadth, quality and foundation of the programme and its statistical content.

This programme involves two taught semesters of compulsory and option courses followed by your dissertation project.

Compulsory courses have previously included:

  • Bayesian Data Analysis
  • Bayesian Theory
  • Design and Sampling for Data Science
  • Extended Statistical Programming
  • Generalised Regression Models
  • Statistical Research Skills

Optional courses have previously included:

  • Biostatistics
  • Credit Scoring
  • Fundamentals of Operational Research
  • Fundamentals of Optimization
  • Incomplete Data Analysis
  • Large Scale Optimization for Data Science
  • Machine Learning and Pattern Recognition*
  • Machine Learning in Python
  • Methods for Causal Inference*
  • Probabilistic Modelling and Reasoning*
  • Python Programming
  • Simulation
  • Statistical Methodology
  • Stochastic Modelling
  • Text Technologies for Data Science*
  • Time Series

*delivered by the School of Informatics

Dissertation projects

The dissertation will take the form of two consultancy-style case projects in different application areas.

Each consultancy-style project will last five to six weeks and will take the form of a consultant-client style where an industrial client will present a problem to your class. Each student will then act as a consultant, addressing an aspect of the problem and presenting their conclusions to the client at the end of the five to six week period.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
MScStatistics with Data Science1 YearFull-timeProgramme structure 2024/25
MScStatistics with Data Science2 YearsPart-timeProgramme structure 2024/25

At the end of this programme you will have:

  • knowledge and understanding of statistical theory and its applications within data science
  • the ability to formulate suitable statistical models for new problems, fit these models to real data and correctly interpret the results
  • the ability to assess the validity of statistical models and their associated limitations
  • practical experience of implementing a range of computational techniques using statistical software R and JAGS

Trained statisticians are in high demand both in public and private institutions. This programme will provide graduates with the statistical skills necessary to handle and analyse different forms of data, interpret the results and effectively communicate the conclusions obtained.

Graduates will have a deep knowledge of the underlying statistical principles coupled with practical experience in implementing statistical techniques using standard software across a range of application areas, ensuring they are ideally placed for a range of different job opportunities.

The degree is also excellent preparation for further study in statistics or data science. Students have gone on to study their PhDs at highly-ranked universities including Oxford and Edinburgh.

Student Support Team

In the School of Mathematics, we have a dedicated Student Support Team consisting of six staff members. You will have a Student Adviser who is your first point of contact during your time at the University of Edinburgh, and who is available to help and advise on a range of issues connected to your postgraduate study. Study support will be provided by academics acting as Cohort Leads, with wider teaching teams, who will work with students to connect you with your programme of study and provide you with more specialist subject support.

Student blogs

Learn about what life is like as a MSc student in the School of Mathematics, by hearing from the people that have experienced it first-hand! Our student bloggers come from all across the world, and have studied on a variety of our MSc programmes.

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 degree, or its international equivalent, in a numerate discipline such as mathematics, engineering, computer science, physical or biological sciences, economics or business.

Your degree must have included substantial mathematics content, including calculus (including calculus of several variables), linear algebra, probability, statistics and statistical theory. Detailed information is available from the School of Mathematics website.

You can increase your chances of a successful application by exceeding the minimum programme requirements.

Students from China

This degree is Band B.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

  • IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
  • PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
  • Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

Application fee

None.

Deposit

None.

Additional programme costs

None.

Living costs

You will be responsible for covering living costs for the duration of your studies.

Tuition fees

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
MScStatistics with Data Science1 YearFull-timeTuition fees
MScStatistics with Data Science2 YearsPart-timeTuition fees

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

  • borrowing money

    • taking out a loan

    • family support

  • personal savings

  • income from work

  • employer sponsorship

  • scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

British Council GREAT Scholarships

This scholarship programme offers financial support to applicants from Thailand and India pursuing one year postgraduate study in the School of Mathematics. The scholarships are competitive, and have a value of £10,000 which will be deducted from tuition fees and will be tenable for one academic year.

School of Mathematics Masters Scholarships

The School of Mathematics is offering a number of scholarships for students applying to study a Masters programme in Mathematics. These scholarships cover up to 50% of the programme fee. These awards will be based on academic merit and available to applicants domiciled in the eligible countries.

Martingale Foundation Scholarships

We are one of the Martingale Foundation's newest university partners. The Martingale Foundation helps provide access to postgraduate mathematics study for UK students facing financial barriers by offering fully-funded MSc and PhD programmes. Applications for the 2025 Martingale Scholarship close on Sunday 27 October 2024.

(Revised 25 November 2024 to add British Council GREAT Scholarships)

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

  • your programme
  • the duration of your studies
  • your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

  • School of Mathematics
  • James Clerk Maxwell Building
  • The King's Buildings Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH9 3FD
Programme start date Application deadline
8 September 2025 31 August 2025

Due to high demand for this programme, we operate on a series of selection deadlines.

We strongly recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications may close earlier than the published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand.

We may make a small number of offers to the most outstanding candidates on an ongoing basis. However, the majority of applications will be held until the advertised deadline.

We aim to make the majority of decisions within eight weeks of the selection deadline.

If we have not made you an offer by a specific selection deadline this means one of two things:

  • your application has been unsuccessful, in which case we will contact you to let you know
  • your application is still being considered, it will be carried forward for consideration in the next selection deadline, and we’ll be in touch once a decision is made

The final deadline may be extended if any places remain on the programme.

Selection deadlines

Round Application deadline Decisions made or applications rolled to the next deadline
1 15 December 1 March
2 31 March 31 May
3 31 May 31 July

You must submit one reference with your application.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Further information

  • School of Mathematics
  • James Clerk Maxwell Building
  • The King's Buildings Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH9 3FD