Applied Statistics

Program Overview

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Applied Statistics (MSc)

About this course

Learn the theory and application of statistical methods on this MSc Applied Statistics degree at the University of Southampton. Gain in-depth knowledge and skills in analysing large-scale data to solve problems. You'll graduate ready for a career as a statistician in a wide range of sectors, from government to medicine.

On this UK statistics master’s course we’ll teach you how to collect and analyse quantitative social science data and apply it to real-world problems. Through your choice of modules you’ll be able to adapt the course to your personal interests or career plans.

Typical subjects include:

• survey methods and design
• survey modelling (multilevel, longitudinal, linear)
• analysing complex data sets

You’ll benefit from the research of our expert academics, whose findings feed directly into the course content. Our main areas of expertise at Southampton include:

• sampling
• small-area estimation
• census and administrative data
• analysis of ‘big data’

We’re known for the expertise and international scope of our research and for the application of cutting-edge quantitative and qualitative methods.

We host the National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM), which provides training and capacity building as well as carrying out its own research programme.

Flexible study

If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as:

• a part-time master's - study the same course content over 2 or more years

Your modules and fees may vary if you choose a different study option.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course lead

Your course leader is Dr Olga Maslovskaya, lecturer in Social Statistics and Demography within Economic, Social and Political Sciences. Her research interests include survey research, survey methodology, social statistics, quantitative research methods and demography.

Visit Dr Maslovskaya's staff profile to find out more about her work.

Learn more about these subject areas

Mathematical sciences

Build your knowledge of maths concepts and techniques on our courses in pure and applied maths, statistics and operational research. The analytical and problem-solving skills you'll develop are valued in many areas of life.

Social statistics and demography

Explore how population and social changes interact with the world and how those things can be measured. Demographers, data analysts and researchers help to improve livelihoods and global health.

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

• Download ODT

Entry requirements

You’ll need a 2:1 degree in a relevant subject such as:

• statistics
• quantitative analysis
• maths
• economics (with emphasis on econometrics)
• physical sciences
• social sciences (with emphasis on quantitative methods)
• geography (with emphasis on quantitative methods)

We’ll also consider non-graduate qualifications, such as the Graduate Diploma of the Royal Statistical Society. Details of statistical training will help us assess your suitability.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

• overall score: 6.5
• reading: 6.0
• writing: 6.0
• speaking: 6.0
• listening: 6.0

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before your course starts.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

• Email: [insert email]
• Tel: +44(0) [insert phone number]

Course structure

You’ll study for a full 12 months, from September to the following September.

In the week before the start of semester 1, you’ll attend a 4-day induction course which will introduce you to our computer and library facilities.

For the first 9 months (semesters 1 and 2) you’ll study the taught part of the course. This is made up of modules that everyone on the course takes and modules that we’ll ask you to choose from a list of options.

Exams take place at the end of semesters 1 and 2.

You’ll spend the last 3 months of the course working independently on your research project and dissertation.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

Year 1 modules

You must study the following modules:

• Complex Survey Data Analysis
• Computationally Intensive Statistical Methods
• Dissertation
• Further Topics in Statistical Modelling
• Generalised Linear Models
• Likelihood and Bayesian Inference
• Research Communication Skills
• Statistical Computing in R
• Survey Design and Data Quality

You must also choose from the following modules:

• Demographic Methods 1
• Demographic Methods 2
• Design of Experiments
• Epidemiological Methods
• Evaluation and Monitoring
• Key Topics in Social Science: Measurement and Data
• Qualitative Methods
• Statistical Genetics
• Survival Models

Learning and assessment

Learning

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures
• seminars
• group work
• projects
• independent learning (studying on your own)

Assessment

We’ll assess you through:

• essays
• a dissertation
• presentations
• seminar discussions
• written exams

Dissertation

You’ll start your supervised research in June and submit a 15,000-word dissertation in September. This will be on a subject of your choice, to be agreed with your tutor.

The dissertation is a chance for you to show in-depth knowledge of a chosen topic.

Past topics include:

• statistical methods for social networks
• multilevel models of class context on voters at the 1983 General Election
• estimation of pay distributions from new earnings survey data
• comparing asset with money metric-based measures of poverty in Malawi

You’ll have regular support meetings with your supervisor throughout the process.

Academic Support

You’ll be assigned a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Careers and employability

Employability skills

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

• Research
• Critical thinking
• Self-management
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Problem solving

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

Career pathways

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

• financial and banking companies
• insurance and accountancy firms
• IT companies
• logistics and transport companies
• the NHS and private health companies
• market research organisations
• not-for-profit organisations and think tanks
• pharmaceutical industries
• universities and other education bodies

Careers directly related to this course:

• Actuarial analyst
• Actuary
• Data analyst
• Data scientist
• Financial risk analyst
• Investment analyst
• Market researcher
• Operational researcher
• Statistician

See more

Wider career opportunities:

• Business analyst
• Chartered accountant
• Economist
• Financial manager
• Financial trader
• Insurance underwriter
• Machine learning engineer
• Palaeontologist
• Research scientist (maths)

See more

Example job titles of Southampton MSc Applied Statistics graduates*:

• Research associate
• Data analyst
• Actuarial analyst
• Data scientist
• University lecturer
• Finance analyst
• Policy advisor
• Researcher
• Statistician
• Technical consultant

See more

Job prospects for MSc Applied Statistics graduates

• Average professional salary: £30k
• In a skilled profession or further study: 81%
• Graduate employment rate: 93%

Source

*Example graduate job titles and job prospect statistics taken from The Graduate Outcomes Survey, which gathers information about the activities and perspectives of graduates 15 months after finishing their course.

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Read more

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

More about careers support

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250
• EU and international students pay £25,400

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Economic, Social and Political Sciences Postgraduate International Scholarship

A scholarship of £3,000 is available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Economic, Social and Political Sciences.

Find out more about the Southampton Economic, Social and Political Sciences International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Southampton Social Statistics and Demography Chris Skinner Postgraduate International Scholarship

Two scholarships of £5,000 each are available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Social Statistics and Demography.

Find out more about the Southampton Social Statistics and Demography Chris Skinner Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal.
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

UK students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

International students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

• Email: [insert email]
• Tel: +44(0) [insert phone number]

Related courses

Applied Statistics (MSc) is a course in the Mathematical sciences and Social statistics and demography subject areas. Here are some other courses within these subject areas:

• MSc Actuarial Science
• MSc Data and Decision Analytics
• MSc Operational Research
• MSc Operational Research and Finance
• PGCE Mathematics
• MSc Statistics
• MSc Statistics with Applications in Medicine

Program Outline

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Careers:

This degree will qualify you to work as a statistician in a range of sectors, including:

• government
• medicine
• social research
• private sector data analytics
You’ll also be in a great position to continue your studies at PhD level.

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Fees for a year's study: UK students pay £9,250. EU and international students pay £24,200.