Program Overview

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MSc Financial Statistics

The MSc Financial Statistics programme is mainly intended for students wishing to pursue careers in the finance industry or as a stepping stone towards PhD study in statistics for finance.

Introduction

It provides high-level training in statistics with applications in finance. You'll learn to analyse and critically interpret data, build statistical models of real situations, and use statistical software packages.

Preliminary Readings

• R J Larsen and M L Marx Introduction to Mathematical Statistics and Its Applications (5th edition, Pearson, 2012)
• W N Venables, D M Smith, and the R Core Team An Introduction to R. Notes on R: A Programming Environment for Data Analysis and Graphics (2016)

Entry Requirements

Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent with substantial amount of statistics and mathematics.

Overseas

Select a country to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Key Information

• Study mode / Programme availability:
  • Home full-time students (Nine months) Open
  • Home part-time students (21 months) Open
  • Overseas full-time students (Nine months) Open
• Academic year: 2026/27
• Start date: 28 September 2026
• Location: Houghton Street, London
• Application deadline: None – rolling admissions. However, please note the funding deadlines

Programme Content

You'll take three compulsory courses which will consolidate your understanding of fundamental ideas in probability and statistics and their applications in finance. In addition, you'll take courses to the value of two units from a range of options, including statistics and methodology courses as well as selected options from the Department of Finance.

Year 1

• ST460: Statistical Inference: Principles and Methods (Half unit)
• ST436: Financial Statistics (Half unit)
• ST458: Financial Statistics II (Half unit)
• Courses to the value of two and a half units from a range of options

Why Study with Us

Discover more about our students and department.

Student Stories

The MSc Financial Statistics programme was challenging but rewarding, in that it constantly improved one’s problem-solving skills.

Meet the Department

The Department of Statistics at LSE is one of the oldest and most distinguished in the UK.

Why LSE

• University of the Year 2025 and 1st in the UK
• 1st in London for the 14th year running
• 6th In the world
• Carbon Neutral In 2021, LSE became the first Carbon Neutral verified university in the UK

Your Application

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students.

Overview

We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your application form.

When to Apply

Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis. This means that applications will close once the programme is full.

Fees and Funding

The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.

Home

£28,900 Home student fee (2026/27)

Overseas

£39,900 Overseas student fee (2026/27)

Fee Status

At LSE, your tuition fees, and eligibility for any financial support, will depend on whether you’re classified as a home or overseas student.

Scholarships, Bursaries, and Loans

• Fee reduction
• Scholarships and other funding
• Government tuition fee loans and external funding

Learning and Assessment

• How you learn
• How you're assessed

How You Learn

• Contact hours and independent study
• Teaching methods
• Academic support

How You're Assessed

All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed.

Graduate Destinations

The programme provides excellent opportunities for employment and further study.

Overview

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Career Support

From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.

Related Programmes

• MSc Financial Statistics (Research)
• MSc Statistics
• MSc Data Science
• MSc Quantitative Methods for Risk Management
• MSc Statistics (Research)
• MSc Financial Mathematics
• MSc Finance and Risk