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Study Statistics, why & how to study

Study a statistics degree and you’ll be helping to make sense of the world through the collection, analysis and interpretation of verifiable data.

CHOOSING A COURSE POSTGRADUATE UNDERGRADUATE

Sophie Rogers 11 Nov 2021

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What’s Statistics?
What Statistics degrees can you study?
What do you need to get onto a Statistics degree?
What topics does a Statistics degree cover?
How will you be assessed?
Why study Statistics?
What do Statistics graduates earn?
What jobs can you get as a Statistics graduate?
What are the postgraduate opportunities?
Similar subjects to Statistics
Have any questions?

What’s Statistics?

Simply put, Statistics is a scientific and rigorous approach to gathering, analysing and interpreting data in order to present objective findings. Statistics underpins a whole range of decision-making, from government policy to economics, risk management to research, including the emerging field of data science and AI.

You’ll learn how to use mathematical techniques, including probability and statistics, calculus, and linear algebra, and to make sense of data that contains variation.

What Statistics degrees can you study?

Undergraduate degrees in Statistics can be combined with related areas, including finance, actuarial science, computing or mathematics.

Economics & Statistics MA
Mathematics & Statistics BSc or MMath
Mathematics with Statistics for Finance BSc
Mathematics & Statistics & Operational Research BSc
Statistics & Data Analytics BSc

Options may include a year in industry, work placement or study abroad. Statistics degrees with integrated foundation years are available.

What do you need to get onto a Statistics degree?

Entry requirements for a Statistics degree range from 104–160 UCAS points, in qualifications such as:

A Levels: A*A*A*–BCC
BTECs: DDM–DMM (or in combination with A Levels)
Scottish Highers: AAAABB–AAAA (or in combination with Advanced Highers AAB)
International Baccalaureate: 39–28
Universities will usually ask that you have studied: A Level/Higher mathematics

Other good subjects to have studied include:

Further mathematics (may be required by some courses)
Excludes general studies and critical thinking

Experience that would look good on your application:

Work experience in finance, if relevant to your degree
Attending free lectures or summer schools, e.g. Sutton Trust
Further reading into aspects of statistics that interest you, taking it beyond your current level of study

Other requirements for this subject include:

Pass in the practical element of sciences
Some degrees require a maths admissions test, such as TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission), STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper), MAT (Mathematics Admissions Test) or Advanced Extension Award (AEA)

What topics does a Statistics degree cover?

Modules depend on the degree and may cover topics from economics to computing. If you’re taking a Mathematics and Statistics degree, they could include:

Computational mathematics
Linear modelling
Operational research
Probability and statistics
Sets, sequences and series
Statistical methods
Stochastic processes
Vector calculus

How will you be assessed?

Assessments will depend on the degree, although formal exams will play a key role.

Formal exams
In-course assessment
Project work (individual or group)
Computer-based assessment
Presentations
Coursework
Essays
Dissertation

Why study Statistics?

You’ll hone your mathematical talent and develop strong analytic and critical thinking skills. You’ll also be studying a subject essential to modern life, with employment prospects in various careers.

Career-specific skills:

Enhanced mathematical and computational skills
Statistical techniques, including modelling and simulation
Methods for data collection and data analysis
Interpreting and presenting scientific findings
Expertise in mathematical software

Transferable skills:

Analytical and logical thinking
Creative problem-solving
Time management
Written and oral communication
Teamwork
IT skills
Research skills

Professional accreditation:

Degrees may be accredited by the Institute of Mathematics (IMA) or the Royal Statistical Society
If studied with Actuarial Science, may exempt from elements of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries professional exams
If studied as a Computing Science, may meet the requirements to register as a Chartered IT Professional (CITP)

What do Statistics graduates earn?

The government is the main employer of statisticians in the UK. Statistics graduates in the Fast Stream for the Government Statistical Service start on £28,000. Successful completion of the scheme and further promotion could see you earn from £45,000–£62,000.

Entry-level salaries for a data analyst start at £23,000, climbing to £32,240 on average, with those in senior positions paid up to £70,000.

Data scientists tend to earn more, starting from £25,000 and rising to an average of £50,000. Senior data scientists can earn up to £85,000.

What jobs can you get as a Statistics graduate?

A whole host of employment opportunities awaits Statistics graduates. As well as government roles, you could work in the financial services, engineering, IT or the NHS.

Data scientist
Econometrician
Environmental statistician
Forensic statistician
Geographical information systems (GIS) officer
Healthcare technology software developer
Management consultant
Operational researcher
Operations manager
Quantitative consultant
Risk analyst

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Postgraduate degrees are plentiful and varied, for example:

Applied Statistics & Datamining PGDip/MSc
Biostatistics PhD
Modern Statistics & Statistical Machine Learning (EPSRC CDT) DPhil
Quantitative Methods for Risk Management MSc
Statistical Ecology PGDip/MSc
Statistical Science MSc

GO TO
Find postgraduate courses for Statistics
Type of postgraduate degrees

Similar subjects to Statistics

Similar subject areas that may be of interest include:

Have any questions?

If you have any questions about studying for a Statistics degree, you can contact our experts. Email ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk – we’ll be happy to hear from you!