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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.

Numbers on a screen

CONTENTS

  1. What’s Statistics?

  2. What Statistics degrees can you study?

  3. What do you need to get onto a Statistics degree?

  4. What topics does a Statistics degree cover?

  5. How will you be assessed?

  6. Why study Statistics?

  7. What do Statistics graduates earn?

  8. What jobs can you get as a Statistics graduate?

  9. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

  10. Similar subjects to Statistics

  11. 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.

  1. GO TO 
  2. Find a Statistics undergraduate degree 
  3. Types of undergraduate degrees 

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)  
  1. GO TO 
  2. Entry requirements 
  3. About UCAS points 
  4. Alternatives to A Levels

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
  1. GO TO
  2. Find postgraduate courses for Statistics
  3. 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!

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