Applied Statistics and Datamining (PGDip, MSc) 2025 entry

The PGDip and MSc in Applied Statistics and Datamining are commercially relevant programmes of study providing students with the statistical data analysis skills needed for business, commerce and other applications. The carefully curated list of courses guides students through necessary methods and skills required for modern data science.

Start date
September 2025
End date
June 2026 (PGDip) or September 2026 (MSc)
Duration
10 months full-time (PGDip) or one-year full-time (MSc)
School
School of Mathematics and Statistics

Application deadline

Thursday 7 August 2025

Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships.

“The highlight of studying here is meeting people from all over the world, making lifelong friends and exploring the picturesque town of St Andrews. Don't hesitate to take the opportunity of gaining academic training from knowledgeable and passionate lecturers while experiencing a unique student life.”
Anna
- Paphos, Cyprus

Entry requirements

  • A 2:1 undergraduate Honours degree in a STEM subject or equivalent professional experience. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
    • Demonstrable interests or experience in statistical data analysis in an academic or professional setting.
  • English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Application requirements

  • a one-page personal statement directly addressing entry requirements, including relevance of previous degree or experience and your interests in statistical analysis
  • a CV with a history of your education and employment to date
  • academic transcripts and degree certificates  
  • two original signed academic or professional references (ideally one academic reference, and a professional reference if experience is to be considered)

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

English language proficiency

If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.

Course details

The PGDip and MSc in Applied Statistics and Datamining is a taught programme run by the School of Mathematics and Statistics. The course is aimed at those with a good degree containing quantitative elements who wish to gain statistical data analysis skills. 

Highlights 

  • Commercially relevant course
  • Course content is aligned to the requirements of the commercial analysis sector 
  • Dissertation topics are generated in part by commercial partners 
  • Teaching involves widely used software packages (Python, R)

Modules

The modules published below are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your course. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the module catalogue.

  • Advanced Data Analysis: covers modern modelling methods for situations where the data fails to meet the assumptions of common statistical models and simple remedies do not suffice.
  • Applied Statistical Modelling using GLMs: covers the main aspects of linear models and generalised linear models, including model specification, various options for model selection, model assessment and tools for diagnosing model faults.
  • Introductory Data Analysis: covers essential statistical concepts and analysis methods relevant for commercial analysis.
  • Knowledge Discovery and Datamining: covers many of the methods found under the banner of datamining, building from a theoretical perspective but ultimately teaching practical application.
  • Multivariate Analysis: introductory and advanced training in the applied analysis of multivariate data.
  • Software for Data Analysis: covers the practical computing aspects of statistical data analysis focusing on widely used packages, including data-wrangling and visualisation.

Students choose two optional modules, which can be chosen from the School's modules at level 3000 or above.

Undergraduate-level modules

  • Bayesian Inference
  • Classical Statistical Inference
  • Computational Numerical Analysis
  • Computing in Statistics
  • Financial Mathematics
  • Introduction to Mathematical Computing
  • Markov Chains and Processes
  • Population Dynamics Models in Mathematical Biology
  • Sampling Theory
  • Time Series Analysis

Postgraduate-level modules

  • Advanced Bayesian Inference
  • Advanced Combinatorics
  • Estimating Animal Abundance and Biodiversity
  • Independent Study Module
  • Mathematical Oncology
  • Medical Statistics
  • Modelling Wildlife population dynamics
  • Spatial Models and Pattern Formation in Mathematical Biology 

Computer Science modules 

In addition, students may take modules from the School of Computer Science that are consistent with the degree. Representative examples of these modules are:

  • Data-Intensive Systems
  • Database Management Systems

Optional modules are subject to change each year and require a minimum number of participants to be offered. Some may only allow limited numbers of students or assume prior knowledge before taking.

MSc students complete a dissertation during the final three months of the course to be submitted near the end of August. Dissertations are supervised by members of teaching staff who will advise on the choice of subject and provide guidance throughout the progress of the dissertation. Many topics are in collaboration with companies and other external bodies.

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MSc, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MSc

Teaching

The programme consists of two semesters with taught components which include a mixture of short, intensive courses with a large proportion of continuous assessment and more traditional lecture courses with end-of-semester exams, or a mixture of both.

For those on the MSc, the taught component will be followed by a dissertation project taking place during the last three months of the course. 

The School of Mathematics and Statistics is well equipped with personal computers and laptops, a parallel computer and an on-site library. Licences for many commercially used software packages are also available.

Events

There are a number of different seminars held each week in the School of Mathematics and Statistics. These include: 

Pure Mathematics 

Statistics 

Fees

Home
£12,030

Overseas
£25,900

Application fee

Before we can begin processing your application, a payment of an application fee of £50 is required. In some instances, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Details of this, along with information on our tuition fees, can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page.

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances.

15% Recent Graduate Discount

If you have graduated from the University within the last three academic years, you may be eligible for a 15% discount on postgraduate taught tuition fees. Terms and conditions apply.

Taught postgraduate scholarships    Postgraduate loans

After your degree

Careers

Graduates from this programme typically seek employment as analysts within a company, research body, government, or as statistical consultants. 

Recent graduates have found employment in: 

  • large consulting firms and major financial institutions including: American Express, Aviva, Capital One, Goldman Sachs, Lloyds, PwC, RBS, Scottish and Southern Energy, Tesco Bank, TSB and Vodafone
  • biomedical research, clinical trials and pharmaceuticals 
  • wildlife and conservation managers including the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.

Further study

The MSc in Applied Statistics and Datamining prepares students for further postgraduate studies in statistical data research, and many graduates of the programme continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews or elsewhere. 

The School of Mathematics and Statistics has active research groups in: 

  • Applied Mathematics (Vortex Dynamics Group, Solar and Magnetospheric Theory Group) 
  • Pure Mathematics (Analysis Group, Algebra and Combinatorics Group) 
  • Mathematical Biology (Mathematical Oncology, Cell Migration and Tissue Growth) 
  • Statistics (Statistical Ecology, Statistical Medicine and Molecular Biology, and Statistical Methodology)
Postgraduate research

What to do next

Information sessions

Meet our staff, learn more, and ask questions about how our courses can work for you.

Contact us

Phone
+44 (0)1334 46 2344
Email
maths-pgstats@st-andrews.ac.uk
Address
School of Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematical Institute
North Haugh
St Andrews
KY16 9SS

School of Mathematics and Statistics website