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MPhil/PhD Statistics

• Graduate research
• Department of Statistics
• Application code G4ZS
• Starting 2024
• Home full-time: Closed
• Overseas full-time: Closed
• Location: Houghton Street, London

Programme details

For more information about tuition fees and entry requirements, see the fees and funding and assessing your application sections.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements for mphil/phd statistics.

The minimum entry requirement for this programme is a distinction in a taught master’s (or equivalent) with substantial statistical content, or equivalent experience.  

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet our minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission. 

If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK then have a look at our  Information for International Students  to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Assessing your application

We welcome applications for research programmes that complement the academic interests of members of staff at the School, and we recommend that you investigate  staff research interests  before applying.

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:

- academic achievement (including existing and pending qualifications) - statement of academic purpose - references - CV - research proposal - sample of written work.

See further information on supporting documents

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency. You do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE, but we recommend that you do.  See our English language requirements .

Most applicants will have little or no prior experience of research and therefore we do not expect a fully-developed research proposal. We are assessing the potential of the applicant for research and the chosen topic. The following is a guideline of what to emphasise in the proposal.

• pose a research question rather than a very broad research topic
• be specific, to aid selectors to assess the suitability of the topic for PhD study
• a statement of how the proposed research builds on earlier research on the topic, with reference to two or three key papers
• demonstrate your understanding of the area and the need for further research
• selectors will look for a sense of the merits of your approach
• most topics will involve an application of the proposed methods to a substantive research question. Give a brief outline of this    question and explain how it will benefit from this particular approach
• be specific about the training and skills you have to undertake the proposed research (do not simply list courses attended: this information is already available in the CV and transcripts). 

When to apply

The application deadline for this programme is 23 May 2024 . However, to be considered for any LSE funding opportunity, you must have submitted your application and all supporting documents by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section for more details.

Fees and funding

Every research student is charged a fee in line with the fee structure for their programme. The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover  living costs  or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2024/25 for MPhil/PhD Statistics

Home students: £4,829 for the first year (provisional) Overseas students: £22,632 for the first year

The fee is likely to rise over subsequent years of the programme. The School charges home research students in line with the level of fee that the Research Councils recommend. The fees for overseas students are likely to rise in line with the assumed percentage increase in pay costs (ie, 4 per cent per annum).

The Table of Fees shows the latest tuition amounts for all programmes offered by the School.

Fee status​

The amount of tuition fees you will need to pay, and any financial support you are eligible for, will depend on whether you are classified as a home or overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Further information about fee status classification.

Scholarships, studentships and other funding

The School recognises that the  cost of living in London  may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.

This programme is eligible for  LSE PhD Studentships , and  Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding . Selection for the PhD Studentships and ESRC funding is based on receipt of an application for a place – including all ancillary documents, before the funding deadline.  

Funding deadline for LSE PhD Studentships and ESRC funding: 15 January 2024

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas.  Find out more about financial support.

Statistics PhD Scholarship

The Department of Statistics offers one studentship to a 2023/24 offer holder covering fees and living expenses for four years. This scholarship is available for a home or overseas student undertaking research in any statistics discipline, with annual renewal subject to satisfactory academic performance. The scholarship is awarded strictly on academic merit and research potential. To be considered for this scholarship you must submit your application, including all supporting documentation, by 13 January 2023.

External funding 

There may be other funding opportunities available through other organisations or governments and we recommend you investigate these options as well.

Further information

Fees and funding opportunities

Information for international students

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.  

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students . 

1) Take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest (found in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of this page). 

2) Go to the International Students section of our website. 

3) Select your country. 

4) Select ‘Graduate entry requirements’ and scroll until you arrive at the information about your local/national qualification. Compare the stated UK entry requirements listed on this page with the local/national entry requirement listed on your country specific page.

Programme structure and courses

In addition to progressing with your research, you are expected to take the listed training and transferable skills courses. You may take courses in addition to those listed but you must discuss this with your supervisor.

At the end of your second year (full-time), you will need to satisfy certain requirements and if you meet these, will be retroactively upgraded to PhD status.

(* denotes half unit)

Training courses

Compulsory (examined)

Probability and Mathematical Statistics I*

Statistical Modelling and Data Analysis*

And one of:

Foundations of Machine Learning*

Probability and Mathematical Statistics II* Students may take a different course option with the agreement of both the supervisor and PhD Programme Director.

Optional (examined)

Courses offered by the  London Graduate School in Mathematical Finance Courses offered by the  London Taught Course Centre Optional (examined) Master's-level courses relevant to research and agreed by supervisor in Department, the School or University of London College

Transferable skills courses

Compulsory (not examined)

One presentation

Attendance of departmental seminar appropriate to the student's field of study.

Optional (not examined) London Graduate School in Mathematical Finance PhD Presentation Day

Poster Presentations The Department encourages you to attend and, where the opportunity arises, present a paper or poster at conferences during your PhD programme in relation to your particular research topic.

Optional (examined) Courses provided by the Department of Methodology 

Second year

Optional (not examined) Courses offered by the London Graduate School in Mathematical Finance Courses offered by the London Taught Course Centre Optional (examined) Master’s-level courses relevant to research and agreed by supervisor in Department, the School or University of London College

Two presentations 

Attendance of departmental seminars appropriate to the student's field of study.

Optional (not examined) London Graduate School in Mathematical Finance Seminar Day

Optional (not examined) Courses offered by the  London Graduate School in Mathematical Finance Courses offered by the  London Taught Course Centre Optional (examined) Master’s-level courses relevant to research and agreed by supervisor in the Department, the School or University of London College

Two presentations

Optional (not examined) London Graduate School in Mathematical Finance PhD Presentation Day Poster Presentations The Department encourages you to attend and, where the opportunity arises, present a paper or poster at conferences during your PhD programme in relation to your particular research topic.

Fourth year

Optional (not examined) Courses offered by the  London Graduate School in Mathematical Finance Courses offered by the  London Taught Course Centre

Optional (examined) Master's level courses relevant to research and agreed by supervisor in the Department, the School or University of London College

Optional (not examined)

London Graduate School in Mathematical Finance Seminar Day

Optional (examined) Courses provided by the Department of Methodology.

For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page. 

You must note, however, that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.  

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s  Calendar , or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the  updated graduate course and programme information page.

Supervision, progression and assessment

Supervision.

You will be assigned a lead supervisor (and a second supervisor/adviser) who is a specialist in your chosen research field, though not necessarily in your topic. Lead supervisors guide you through your studies.

You may wish to first send an informal application email to the Department of Statistics to enquire about making a formal application within the area of your research interests and to check about the availability of potential supervisors. 

Progression and assessment

Formal assessment is made towards the end of each Spring Term. This assessment is based on statements made by you and the supervisors in the progress report form. You are also required to complete a supplementary report of one to two pages (A4), providing in more detail an outline of your current research.

The review to upgrade to the PhD normally takes place within two years of full-time registration. Progress is assessed by the first and/or second supervisor in consultation with the PhD programme director and another expert in the field of the research you are undertaking. If satisfactory progress has been made, the programme director will recommend that registration be upgraded to PhD status. The Department's research committee also monitors the progress of PhD students.

Student support and resources

We’re here to help and support you throughout your time at LSE, whether you need help with your academic studies, support with your welfare and wellbeing or simply to develop on a personal and professional level.

Whatever your query, big or small, there are a range of people you can speak to who will be happy to help.  

Department librarians   – they will be able to help you navigate the library and maximise its resources during your studies. 

Accommodation service  – they can offer advice on living in halls and offer guidance on private accommodation related queries.

Class teachers and seminar leaders  – they will be able to assist with queries relating to specific courses. 

Disability and Wellbeing Service  – they are experts in long-term health conditions, sensory impairments, mental health and specific learning difficulties. They offer confidential and free services such as  student counselling,  a  peer support scheme  and arranging  exam adjustments.  They run groups and workshops.  

IT help  – support is available 24 hours a day to assist with all your technology queries.   

LSE Faith Centre  – this is home to LSE's diverse religious activities and transformational interfaith leadership programmes, as well as a space for worship, prayer and quiet reflection. It includes Islamic prayer rooms and a main space for worship. It is also a space for wellbeing classes on campus and is open to all students and staff from all faiths and none.   

Language Centre  – the Centre specialises in offering language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences. We offer pre-course English for Academic Purposes programmes; English language support during your studies; modern language courses in nine languages; proofreading, translation and document authentication; and language learning community activities.

LSE Careers  ­ – with the help of LSE Careers, you can make the most of the opportunities that London has to offer. Whatever your career plans, LSE Careers will work with you, connecting you to opportunities and experiences from internships and volunteering to networking events and employer and alumni insights. 

LSE Library   –   founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. It stays open late, has lots of excellent resources and is a great place to study. As an LSE student, you’ll have access to a number of other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide. 

LSE LIFE  – this is where you should go to develop skills you’ll use as a student and beyond. The centre runs talks and workshops on skills you’ll find useful in the classroom; offers one-to-one sessions with study advisers who can help you with reading, making notes, writing, research and exam revision; and provides drop-in sessions for academic and personal support. (See ‘Teaching and assessment’). 

LSE Students’ Union (LSESU)  – they offer academic, personal and financial advice and funding.  

PhD Academy   – this is available for PhD students, wherever they are, to take part in interdisciplinary events and other professional development activities and access all the services related to their registration. 

Sardinia House Dental Practice   – this   offers discounted private dental services to LSE students.  

St Philips Medical Centre  – based in Pethwick-Lawrence House, the Centre provides NHS Primary Care services to registered patients.

Student Services Centre  – our staff here can answer general queries and can point you in the direction of other LSE services.  

Student advisers   – we have a  Deputy Head of Student Services (Advice and Policy)  and an  Adviser to Women Students  who can help with academic and pastoral matters.

Student life

As a student at LSE you’ll be based at our central London campus. Find out what our campus and London have to offer you on academic, social and career perspective. 

Student societies and activities

Your time at LSE is not just about studying, there are plenty of ways to get involved in  extracurricular activities . From joining one of over 200 societies, or starting your own society, to volunteering for a local charity, or attending a public lecture by a world-leading figure, there is a lot to choose from. 

The campus 

LSE is based on one  campus  in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, many of the streets around campus are pedestrianised, meaning the campus feels like a real community. 

Life in London 

London is an exciting, vibrant and colourful city. It's also an academic city, with more than 400,000 university students. Whatever your interests or appetite you will find something to suit your palate and pocket in this truly international capital. Make the most of career opportunities and social activities, theatre, museums, music and more. 

Want to find out more? Read why we think  London is a fantastic student city , find out about  key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners . Don't fear, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about  London on a budget . 

Student stories

MPhil/PhD Statistics Suzhou, China

Statistics is important in every industry in modern society; you need statistics to analyse data and ultimately to solve empirical problems. My programme enables me to apply my statistical knowledge to real world problems in finance and economics. 

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Statistics

Median salary of our PG students 15 months after graduating: £38,000

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

• Financial and Professional Services              
• Information, Digital Technology and Data            
• FMCG, Manufacturing and Retail              
• Accounting and Auditing              
• Government, Public Sector and Policy

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2020-21 were the fourth group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

Students who successfully complete the programme often embark on an academic career. Recent doctoral graduates have also gone into careers in investment banking.  See career destinations for some of our former students .

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the  support available to students through LSE Careers .

Find out more about LSE

Discover more about being an LSE student - meet us in a city near you, visit our campus or experience LSE from home. 

Experience LSE from home

Webinars, videos, student blogs and student video diaries will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study at LSE for those that aren't able to make it to our campus.  Experience LSE from home . 

Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, drop into our office or go on a self-guided tour.  Find out about opportunities to visit LSE . 

LSE visits you

Student Marketing, Recruitment and Study Abroad travels throughout the UK and around the world to meet with prospective students. We visit schools, attend education fairs and also hold Destination LSE events: pre-departure events for offer holders.  Find details on LSE's upcoming visits . 

How to apply

Virtual Graduate Open Day

Register your interest

Related programmes, mphil/phd mathematics.

Code(s) G1ZM

MSc Statistics (Research)

Code(s) G4U1

MSc Statistics (Financial Statistics) (Research)

Code(s) G4U7

MSc Data Science

Code(s) G3U1

MSc Statistics (Social Statistics) (Research)

Code(s) G3U3

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Statistics PhD

Awards: PhD

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Statistics

Upcoming Introduction to Postgraduate Study and Research events

Join us online on the 19th June or 26th June to learn more about studying and researching at Edinburgh.

Choose your event and register

Research profile

Our society revolves around variation, uncertainty and risk. By gaining a greater understanding of these variables through the study of statistics, we’re able to create systems and techniques that benefit areas as diverse as science, law and finance.

Our Statistics research group explores a wide range of statistical theory and practice, often applying its findings in collaboration with researchers in related fields, such as informatics, geosciences, medicine and biomathematics. The group leads the interdisciplinary Centre for Statistics that spans across the whole breadth of the university, providing opportunities for collaborations with researchers in many different applied fields.

The School of Mathematics is a vibrant community with researchers in many different, but related, fields - including Data Science.

Our research is balanced between classical and Bayesian statistics. Particular areas of interest include, but not limited to, high-dimensional data, computationally intensive techniques, wavelets, nonparametric regression, extreme value theory, sampling and hidden process models.

While the group has a strong theoretical base, a key component in the research relates to the interdisciplinary aspects of statistics with specific application areas including for example, ecology, geosciences, medicine, forensic science, law, and functional genomics data, such as gene expression microarrays.

Training and support

As a research student, you’ll find a wealth of expertise available to you via our links with theorists and practitioners in related fields.

The School interacts with numerous other groups across the university, including for example, Informatics, Geosciences, Business, Clinical Trials Unit. The interdisciplinary Centre for Statistics connects individuals across the breadth of the university interested in cross-fertilisation and collaborative research. The recently opened Bayes Centre, which also hosts the International Centre for Mathematical Sciences is the College of Science and Engineering Data Science initiative providing an exciting interdisciplinary environment for interacting within and across Schools.

In addition, the Scottish Government-backed research provider Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland is an associated research institute of the University. With its main base in our building, it provides access to other researchers with an interest in statistical genomics and bioinformatics, process and systems modelling and statistical methodology.

If your research is in the expanding area of forensic statistics, you'll benefit from our link with the Joseph Bell Centre for Forensic Statistics and Legal Reasoning. The Centre applies and teaches statistical techniques for interpreting evidence, such as binomial probabilities, conditional probability and Bayes’ Theorem.

Mathematics is a discipline of high intellect with connections stretching across all the scientific disciplines and beyond, and in Edinburgh you can be certain of thriving in a rich academic setting. Our School is one of the country’s largest mathematics research communities in its own right, but you will also benefit from Edinburgh’s high-level collaborations, both regional and international.

Research students will have a primary and secondary supervisor and the opportunity to network with a large and varied peer group. You will be carrying out your research in the company of eminent figures and be exposed to a steady stream of distinguished researchers from all over the world.

Our status as one of the most prestigious schools in the UK for mathematical sciences attracts highly respected staff. Many of our 70 current academics are leaders in their fields and have been recognised with international awards.

Researchers are encouraged to travel and participate in conferences and seminars. You will also be in the right place in Edinburgh to meet distinguished researchers from all over the world who are attracted to conferences held at the School and the various collaborative centres based here. You will find opportunities for networking that could have far-reaching effects on your career in statistics.

You will enjoy excellent facilities, ranging from one of the world’s major supercomputing hubs to generous library provision for research at the leading level, including the new Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library at King’s Buildings.

Students have access to more than 1,400 computers in suites distributed across the University’s sites, many of which are open 24 hours a day. In addition, if you are a research student, you will have your own desk with desktop computer.

We provide all our mathematics postgraduates with access to software packages such as Maple, Matlab and Mathematica. Research students are allocated parallel computing time on ‘Eddie’ – the Edinburgh Compute and Data Facility. It is also possible to arrange use of the BlueGene/Q supercomputer facility if your research requires it.

Career opportunities

You will gain a qualification that is highly regarded in both academia and industry. Future career options are diverse, with past students finding positions in academic institutions, forensics, finance, law and biological and agricultural organisations.

Statistics MSc Graduates 2017

Entry requirements.

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK first class honours degree, or its international equivalent, in an appropriate subject; or a UK 2:1 honours degree plus a UK masters degree, or their international equivalents; or relevant qualifications and experience.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE : ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 62 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

• Academic Technology Approval Scheme

If you are not an EU , EEA or Swiss national, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance certificate in order to study this programme.

Fees and costs

Tuition fees.

Scholarships and funding

Featured funding.

• School of Mathematics funding opportunities

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK's governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• Graduate School Administrator
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 5085
• Contact: [email protected]
• School of Mathematics
• James Clerk Maxwell Building
• Peter Guthrie Tait Road
• The King's Buildings Campus
• Programme: Statistics
• School: Mathematics
• College: Science & Engineering

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

PhD Statistics - 3 Years (Full-time)

Phd statistics - 6 years (part-time), application deadlines.

We strongly recommend you submit your completed application as early as possible, particularly if you are also applying for funding or will require a visa. We may consider late applications if we have places available. All applications received by 22 January 2024 will receive full consideration for funding. Later applications will be considered until all positions are filled.

• How to apply

You must submit two references with your application.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

DPhil in Statistics

• Entry requirements
• Funding and Costs

College preference

• How to Apply

About the course

In the DPhil in Statistics, you will investigate a particular project in depth and write a thesis which makes a significant contribution to the field. You will acquire a wide range of research and transferable skills, as well as in-depth knowledge, understanding and expertise in your chosen field of research. You will become part of a vibrant community of researchers.

The Department of Statistics in the University of Oxford is a world leader in research in probability, bioinformatics, mathematical genetics and statistical methodology, including computational statistics, machine learning and data science. Oxford’s Mathematical Sciences submission came first in the UK on all criteria in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) and in 2016 the department moved to a newly-refurbished building in the centre of Oxford.  

Much of the department’s research is either explicitly interdisciplinary or draws its motivation from application areas, ranging from genetics, immunoinformatics, bioinformatics and cheminformatics, to finance and the social sciences. 

You will be expected to acquire transferable skills as part of your training, and to undertake broadening training outside your specialist area. Part of that broadening training is obtained through APTS, the Academy for PhD Training in Statistics; this is a joint venture with a group of leading university statistics departments which runs four weeks of appropriate courses a year. You will give a research presentation or prepare a research poster each year in the department. There may also be opportunities to undertake industrial internships as appropriate.

You are expected to teach approximately 12 contact hours per year in undergraduate and graduate courses in the department. This is mentored teaching, beginning with simple marking, to reach a point where individual students are leading whole classes of 10 to 12 undergraduate students. You will be encouraged to participate in social events and to take part in public engagement. The department also offers career development events.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department of Statistics and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances, a supervisor may be found outside the Department of Statistics.

You will be assigned a named supervisor or supervisors, who will have overall responsibility for the direction of your work on behalf of the department. You will have the opportunity to interact with fellow students and other members of your research groups, and more widely across the department. Typically, as a research student, you should expect to have meetings with your supervisor or a member of the supervisory team with a frequency of at least once every two weeks averaged across the year. The regularity of these meetings may be subject to variations according to the time of the year, and the stage that you are at in your research programme.

Initially, you will be admitted as a Probationer Research Student (PRS).

There are formal assessments of progress on the research project with the Transfer of Status from PRS to DPhil status at around 12 to 15 months and Confirmation of Status at around 30 to 36 months. These assessments involve the submission of written work and oral examination by two assessors (other than your supervisor). Over the course of the DPhil you will be expected to undertake a total of 100 hours of broadening training outside your specialist area.

The final thesis is normally submitted for examination during the fourth year and is followed by the viva examination.

Graduate destinations

After research degrees, the majority of the department’s graduates move into research and academic careers. Others work, for example, in data analytics, in tech and biotech companies and in the financial sector.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

Entry requirements for entry in 2024-25

Proven and potential academic excellence.

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying. 

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in an appropriate subject. You will need a strong background in mathematics and/or statistics.

However, entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a first-class degree or the equivalent.

A previous master's degree (either an integrated master's degree or standalone) is preferred but is not required.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.6 out of 4.0.

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

Publications are not expected but can be included with the application.

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's  standard level . If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's standard level are detailed in the table below.

*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) † Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides further information about the English language test requirement .

Declaring extenuating circumstances

If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Supporting documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Performance at interview

Interviews are normally held as part of the admissions process for applicants who, on the basis of the written application, best meet the selection criteria. Interviews may be held in person, by telephone, or by video link such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom, normally with at least two interviewers.

The interviews last about 30 minutes and include questions about motivation as well as questions from the proposed research area.

How your application is assessed

Your application will be assessed purely on your proven and potential academic excellence and other entry requirements described under that heading.

References  and  supporting documents  submitted as part of your application, and your performance at interview (if interviews are held) will be considered as part of the assessment process. Whether or not you have secured funding will not be taken into consideration when your application is assessed.

An overview of the shortlisting and selection process is provided below. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide  more information about how applications are assessed . 

Shortlisting and selection

Students are considered for shortlisting and selected for admission without regard to age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation, as well as other relevant circumstances including parental or caring responsibilities or social background. However, please note the following:

• socio-economic information may be taken into account in the selection of applicants and award of scholarships for courses that are part of  the University’s pilot selection procedure  and for  scholarships aimed at under-represented groups ;
• country of ordinary residence may be taken into account in the awarding of certain scholarships; and
• protected characteristics may be taken into account during shortlisting for interview or the award of scholarships where the University has approved a positive action case under the Equality Act 2010.

Processing your data for shortlisting and selection

Information about  processing special category data for the purposes of positive action  and  using your data to assess your eligibility for funding , can be found in our Postgraduate Applicant Privacy Policy.

Admissions panels and assessors

All recommendations to admit a student involve the judgement of at least two members of the academic staff with relevant experience and expertise, and must also be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or Admissions Committee (or equivalent within the department).

Admissions panels or committees will always include at least one member of academic staff who has undertaken appropriate training.

Other factors governing whether places can be offered

The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:

• the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the  About  section of this page;
• the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
• minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.

Offer conditions for successful applications

If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide more information about offers and conditions . 

In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:

Financial Declaration

If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a  Financial Declaration  in order to meet your financial condition of admission.

Disclosure of criminal convictions

In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any  relevant, unspent criminal convictions  before you can take up a place at Oxford.

The Department of Statistics is based in St Giles, near the centre of Oxford. The building has spaces for study and collaborative learning, including a large interaction and social area, the Library and an Open Research Zone.

You will normally be provided with a computer and desk space in a shared office in this building.

You will have access to the Department of Statistics’ computing facilities and support, the department’s library (in addition to the nearby Radcliffe Science Library and other university libraries, and the centrally-provided electronic resources) and other facilities appropriate to your research topic. The provision of other resources specific to your research project should be agreed with your supervisor as a part of the planning stages of the agreed project.

The department runs seminar series in statistics and probability. There is also a graduate lecture series, involving snapshots of the research interests of the department. Several journal-clubs run each term, reading and discussing new research papers as they emerge.

Graduate training is an important part of the department's research mission. As well as the graduate lectures previously mentioned, formal lecture courses are also available, for example from the MSc in Statistical Science, from the fourth-year undergraduate courses in mathematics and statistics, and from the Centres for Doctoral Training. The MPLS Graduate School offers an extensive range of courses for graduate research students throughout the academic year, including academic subjects and skills; research skills and techniques; ethics and intellectual property; transferable, professional and personal effectiveness skills; and communication, interpersonal and teaching skills.

Departmental seminars and colloquia bring research students, together with academic and other research staff, to hear about on-going research, and provide an opportunity for networking and socialising. There are various social events held throughout the year, such as board game evenings, choir practice, a Summer party and a Winter party.

The University's Department of Statistics is a world leader in research in probability, bioinformatics, mathematical genetics and statistical methodology, including computational statistics, machine learning and data science. 

You will be actively involved in a vibrant academic community by means of seminars, lectures, journal clubs, and social events. Research students are offered training in modern probability, stochastic processes, statistical methodology, computational methods and transferable skills, in addition to specialised topics relevant to specific application areas.

Much of the research in the Department of Statistics is either explicitly interdisciplinary or draws motivation from application areas, ranging from genetics, immunoinformatics, bioinformatics and cheminformatics, to finance and the social sciences.

The department is located on St Giles, in a building providing excellent teaching facilities and creating a highly visible centre for statistics in Oxford. Oxford’s Mathematical Sciences submission came first in the UK on all criteria in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF).

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The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25. You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships , if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential. 

For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit our dedicated Funding pages, which contain information about how to apply for Oxford scholarships requiring an additional application, details of external funding, loan schemes and other funding sources.

Please ensure that you visit individual college websites for details of any college-specific funding opportunities using the links provided on our college pages or below:

Please note that not all the colleges listed above may accept students on this course. For details of those which do, please refer to the College preference section of this page.

Annual fees for entry in 2024-25

Further details about fee status eligibility can be found on the fee status webpage.

Information about course fees

Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.

Continuation charges

Following the period of fee liability , you may also be required to pay a University continuation charge and a college continuation charge. The University and college continuation charges are shown on the Continuation charges page.

Where can I find further information about fees?

The Fees and Funding  section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Additional information

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees (or, after fee liability ends, continuation charges) and living costs. However, please note that, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Living costs

In addition to your course fees, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the range of likely living costs for full-time study is between c. £1,345 and £1,955 for each month spent in Oxford. Full information, including a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs, is available on our living costs page. The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. When planning your finances for any future years of study in Oxford beyond 2024-25, it is suggested that you allow for potential increases in living expenses of around 5% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. UK inflationary increases will be kept under review and this page updated.

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs). 

If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief  introduction to the college system at Oxford  and our  advice about expressing a college preference . For some courses, the department may have provided some additional advice below to help you decide.

The following colleges accept students on the DPhil in Statistics:

• Balliol College
• Brasenose College
• Christ Church
• Corpus Christi College
• Exeter College
• Green Templeton College
• Hertford College
• Jesus College
• Keble College
• Kellogg College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• Magdalen College
• Mansfield College
• Merton College
• New College
• Nuffield College
• Oriel College
• The Queen's College
• Reuben College
• St Anne's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Edmund Hall
• St Hilda's College
• St Hugh's College
• St Peter's College
• Somerville College
• University College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Worcester College
• Wycliffe Hall

Before you apply

Our  guide to getting started  provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

If it's important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under a December or January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance . Check the deadlines on this page and the  information about deadlines and when to apply  in our Application Guide.

Application fee waivers

An application fee of £75 is payable per course application. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:

• applicants from low-income countries;
• refugees and displaced persons; 
• UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and 
• applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.

You are encouraged to  check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver  before you apply.

Readmission for current Oxford graduate taught students

If you're currently studying for an Oxford graduate taught course and apply to this course with no break in your studies, you may be eligible to apply to this course as a readmission applicant. The application fee will be waived for an eligible application of this type. Check whether you're eligible to apply for readmission .

Application fee waivers for eligible associated courses

If you apply to this course and up to two eligible associated courses from our predefined list during the same cycle, you can request an application fee waiver so that you only need to pay one application fee.

The list of eligible associated courses may be updated as new courses are opened. Please check the list regularly, especially if you are applying to a course that has recently opened to accept applications.

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

You are advised to look at the research interests of the  department's academic staff  at an early stage and make contact with a potential supervisor via email to clarify your proposed research area. 

Completing your application

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents .

For this course, the application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. You should not upload a separate document. If a separate CV/résumé is uploaded, it will be removed from your application .

If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.

Proposed field and title of research project

Under the 'Field and title of research project' please enter your proposed field or area of research if this is known. If the department has advertised a specific research project that you would like to be considered for, please enter the project title here instead.

You should not use this field to type out a full research proposal. You will be able to upload your research supporting materials separately if they are required (as described below).

Proposed supervisor

If known, under 'Proposed supervisor name' enter the name of the academic(s) who you would like to supervise your research. Otherwise, leave this field blank.

If possible, you should suggest one or two potential supervisors, listing them in order of preference or indicating equal preference.

Referees: Three overall, academic preferred

Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.

Academic references are strongly encouraged, though a professional reference is acceptable in the exceptional case that the referee is able to offer comparable information on your background and suitability for the course to an academic referee.

Your references will support intellectual ability, academic achievement, motivation and commitment.

Official transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.

Research proposal: A maximum of 1,000 words

Your research proposal should be written in English and should specify the area in which your research interests lie and why you have chosen this area. If you have a particular project in mind, you should describe this and why you are keen to work on this.

If you do not have a detailed project in mind at this stage, you should describe your research interests instead. In this case, the description can be very brief but should include your reasons for applying.

The proposal should aim to be helpful to the department in the selection process and can include a suggestion for potential supervisor(s) and/or research group. The overall page count does not need to include any bibliography.

If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.

This will be assessed for:

• your reasons for applying
• evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study.

Your statement should focus on specific research areas rather than personal achievements and aspirations.

Start or continue your application

You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please  refer to the requirements above  and  consult our Application Guide for advice . You'll find the answers to most common queries in our FAQs.

Application Guide   Apply

ADMISSION STATUS

Open - applications are still being accepted

Up to a week's notice of closure will be provided on this page - no other notification will be given

12:00 midday UK time on:

Friday 5 January 2024 Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships

Friday 1 March 2024 Applications may remain open after this deadline if places are still available - see below

A later deadline shown under 'Admission status' If places are still available,  applications may be accepted after 1 March . The 'Admissions status' (above) will provide notice of any later deadline.

*Three-year average (applications for entry in 2021-22 to 2023-24)

Further information and enquiries

This course is offered by the Department of Statistics

• Course page on the department's website
• Academic and research staff
• Departmental research
• Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences
• Residence requirements for full-time courses
• Postgraduate applicant privacy policy

Course-related enquiries

Advice about contacting the department can be found in the How to apply section of this page

✉ [email protected] ☎ +44 (0)1865 272870

Application-process enquiries

See the application guide

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Course type

Qualification, university name, phd degrees in statistics.

38 degrees at 21 universities in the UK.

Customise your search

Select the start date, qualification, and how you want to study

Related subjects:

• PhD Statistics
• PhD Algebra and Number Theory
• PhD Applied Mathematics
• PhD Computational Mathematics and Cybernetics
• PhD General Mathematics
• PhD Geometry
• PhD Mathematical Analysis
• PhD Mathematical Modelling (OR)
• PhD Mathematics
• PhD Mathematics for Specific Applications
• PhD Operational Research (OR)
• PhD Pure Mathematics
• PhD Statistics, Probability and Operational Research

• Course title (A-Z)
• Course title (Z-A)
• Price: high - low
• Price: low - high

Mathematics and Statistics PhD

Birkbeck, university of london.

An PhD is an advanced postgraduate research degree that requires original research and the submission of a substantial dissertation of Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 7 years Part time degree: £2,500 per year (UK)

Integrated PhD Statistics

University of essex.

An Integrated PhD provides a route into research study if you do not have a Master’s degree, or have very little research training. It Read more...

• 5 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)

Statistics Integrated PhD

University of glasgow.

The School of Mathematics & Statistics combines world-leading research expertise in pure and applied mathematics and statistics in areas Read more...

Statistics MPhil, PhD

Newcastle university.

We have a strong international reputation for making original contributions to Bayesian methodology, bioinformatics and biostatistics. We Read more...

• 36 months Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 72 months Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

PhD Mathematics and Statistics

University of plymouth.

Conduct research at the cutting edge of the discipline, working alongside a team of specialist academic advisors within our Centre for Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,500 per year (UK)
• 4 years Part time degree: £3,030 per year (UK)

PhD/ MPhil/ MRes Mathematics & Statistics

University of strathclyde.

You can study for an MPhil or MRes over one year, or a PhD over the course of three years. MPhil & PhD There are postgraduate research Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)

Statistics - PhD

University of kent.

These programmes offers the opportunity to begin or consolidate your research career under the guidance of internationally renowned Read more...

• 5 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

Statistical Science MPhil/PhD

Ucl (university college london).

The demand for numerate graduates exceeds the supply in most areas. Many new and existing opportunities – in industry, medicine, Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £6,035 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £2,930 per year (UK)

Queen Mary University of London

You should ensure that you have a realistic plan to secure sufficient funding to complete the research and writing-up process within the Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

Integrated PhD Actuarial Science

Statistics phd.

• 6 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

Integrated PhD Data Science

Phd data science.

Our PhD Data Science is an advanced research degree within our Department of Mathematical Sciences, and we have staff members available to Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 7 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

PhD Actuarial Science

Research in our School of Life Sciences covers a wide spectrum of biology from genes to ecosystems, and this broad-based structure provides Read more...

PhD Bio-Statistics

Our PhD Biostatistics is an advanced research degree within the Department of Mathematical Sciences. Our biostatistics team carries out Read more...

Our PhD Statistics is an advanced research degree within our Department of Mathematical Sciences, and we have staff members available to Read more...

Lancaster University

We welcome applications from those seeking to undertake PhD research degrees. The PhD in Statistics is a three-year programme aimed at Read more...

• 36 months Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 48 months Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

Biostatistics PhD

University of liverpool.

The Department of Biostatistics is one of the largest departments of Biostatistics in the UK, undertaking high-impact research in Read more...

• 2 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 4 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

PhD/MPhil Biostatistics

University of manchester.

Programme description Our PhD/MPhil Biostatistics programme enables you to undertake a research project that will improve understanding of Read more...

Statistics and Machine Learning (DPhil)

University of oxford.

The Modern Statistics and Statistical Machine Learning CDT is a four-year DPhil research programme (or eight years if studying Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £9,500 per year (UK)
• 8 years Part time degree: £4,750 per year (UK)

1-20 of 38 courses

Course type:

• Full time PhD
• Part time PhD

Qualification:

Universities:.

• University of Warwick
• Cardiff University
• King's College London, University of London
• University of Reading
• The University of Edinburgh
• London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London
• Keele University
• University of Cambridge

Related Subjects:

Statistical Science MPhil/PhD

London, Bloomsbury

An MPhil/PhD in Statistical Science obtained at UCL will equip you with the necessary research skills to thrive in the modern era of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence. Familiarity with state-of-the-art research methodology in a range of areas, including Statistical Modelling, Data Analysis and Computational Algorithms, places graduates of our programme at the forefront of a highly contemporary and dynamic field.

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25), programme starts, applications accepted.

• Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree, or a UK Master's degree in statistics, mathematics, computer science or a related quantitative discipline. Overseas qualifications of an equivalent standard are also acceptable.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website .

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

The demand for numerate graduates exceeds the supply in most areas. Many new and existing opportunities in industry, medicine, government, commerce, or research await science graduates who have supplemented their first degree with additional training in quantitative skills, such as those provided by the postgraduate programmes available within the Department of Statistical Science.

Who this course is for

This programme is best suited to those aiming for a research degree and/or an academic career in Statistics, Data Science and other related fields.

What this course will give you

While the department offers world-class expertise along with strong links to practitioners, its position within UCL provides a large breadth of research specialisations. Besides ties to other mathematical sciences, the department collaborates with researchers in a number of fields, including computer science, environmental science, engineering, management, finance, biology and medicine.

The opportunity to engage with leading researchers across disciplines while accessing London-based government and industry figures gives UCL students a distinct advantage.

More intangibly, by being in a truly multidisciplinary environment, UCL students gain an appreciation for knowledge and its societal impact. This leads not only to new insights but also to a readiness to critique the established order, which is both intellectually and personally fulfilling.

The foundation of your career

Destinations after graduation include Universities, the Healthcare Sector, Finance organisations, Consulting organisations, Commerce organisations.

Employability

Graduates of the PhD programme are well placed to continue as researchers in both academia and the private sector. In particular, greater data collection has created a demand for enhanced methodologies for analysis, which is a strength of most recent graduates.

The department has strong connections with several research organisations, for example the UCL Centre for Artificial Intelligence, the UCL Medical School and the Biomedical Research Centre, the Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit and the UCL Centre for Mathematics and Physics in the Life Sciences and Experimental Biology (CoMPLEX). The department contributes to the UCL Centre for Doctoral Training in Data Intensive Science, the UCL Centre for Doctoral Training in Foundational Artificial Intelligence and to the cross-institutional Health Data Research UK-Turing Wellcome PhD Programme in Health Data Science. The Department is a partner in the London NERC Doctoral Training Partnership. UCL was a founding member of the Alan Turing Institute for Data Science, and continues to play a major role in the Institute’s activities.  

Staff members also collaborate directly with hospitals, power companies, government regulators, the financial sector and several other organisations.

Consequently, research students have ample opportunity to engage with external institutions in order to frame their work.

Teaching and learning

There are no specific requirements in terms of courses to be attended during a PhD degree.

Students are initially registered for the MPhil degree. No sooner than nine months after registration, they are transferred to the PhD degree with retrospective effect if they show a capacity for original work. This will require the preparation of a substantial upgrade report describing the existing work in the area of investigation, giving details of the original work that they have performed so far, and setting out a plan for the remaining period of their research. It will also involve a viva.

The research degree programme is a self-directed programme under the supervision of academic experts. You should manage your time for research activities by discussing with your supervisor(s). You can arrange a regular meeting with your supervisor(s). The supervisor meetings usually take place once per week, depending on the status of your research.

Research areas and structure

The department’s methodological research is organised into six themes:

• Biostatistics
• Computational statistics
• Economics, finance and business
• General theory and methodology
• Multivariate and high dimensional data
• Stochastic modelling and time series

Research often cuts across these themes. For example, externally funded projects in the following application areas are in progress:

• Cognitive neuroscience
• Econometrics and finance
• Epidemology
• Environmetrics and hydrology
• Machine learning
• Population and systems biology
• Statistical imaging

Much of this work is interdisciplinary and involves collaborations within and outside UCL.

Research environment

The Department of Statistical Science has played a major role in the development of the subject since its foundation in 1911 as the first department of statistics in the world, with Karl Pearson as its head. Since then, many famous names in statistics have been associated with the department, including Egon Pearson, R. A. Fisher and Jerzy Neyman. Today the Department is among the three largest statistics groups in the UK with more than 40 academic members of staff. .

We carry out research across a wide range of theoretical and applied areas. The main areas of interest are organised into six themes: Biostatistics; Computational statistics; Economics, finance and business; Environmental statistics; General theory and methodology; and Multivariate and high dimensional data. In addition, there are organised research groups in the areas of Probability, Methodology for Weather and Climate and Statistics for Health Economic Evaluation. In the last Research Excellence Framework exercise (2021/22), over 97% of our research output was classified as “worldleading” or “internationally excellent” in terms of originality, significance and rigour.

The department has strong connections with several research organisations, such as the UCL Centre for Artificial Intelligence, the UCL Medical School and the Biomedical Research Centre, the Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit and the UCL Centre for Mathematics and Physics in the Life Sciences and Experimental Biology (CoMPLEX). The department contributes to the UCL Centre for Doctoral Training in Data Intensive Science, the UCL Centre for Doctoral Training in Foundational Artificial Intelligence and to the cross-institutional Health Data Research UK-Turing Wellcome PhD Programme in Health Data Science. The Department is a partner in the London NERC Doctoral Training Partnership.

UCL was a founding member of the Alan Turing Institute for Data Science, and continues to play a major role in the Institute’s activities.

Staff members also collaborate directly with hospitals, power companies, government regulators, the financial sector and several other organisations. 

You are initially registered for the MPhil degree. No sooner than nine months after registration, you are transferred to the PhD degree with retrospective effect if you show a capacity for original work. This will require the preparation of a substantial upgrade report describing the existing work in the area of investigation, giving details of the original work that you have performed so far, and setting out a plan for the remaining period of your research. It will also involve a viva.

The typical length of the PhD programme is three years for full-time students and five years for part-time students; an MPhil is expected to be achieved in a shorter period. If you are not ready to submit at the end of the third year, you may be able to register as a completing research student (CRS) while you write up your thesis.

The MPhil/PhD has no required curriculum. However, you are expected to agree on a customised programme of study with your supervisor, which may involve specialisation courses (either at UCL or externally, for example, at the London Taught Course Centre or Academy for PhD Training in Statistics) or independent reading. Attendance at research seminars is encouraged, and after you have been upgraded to PhD status you are required to present your research in a seminar stream dedicated to this purpose. Finally, the UCL Doctoral School has its own requirements for training courses. For instance, you are required to attend Research Integrity Training.

The typical length of the PhD programme is three years for full-time students and five years for part-time students; an MPhil is expected to be achieved in a shorter period. If you are not ready to submit at the end of the third year, you may be able to register as a completing research student (CRS) while you write up your thesis.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk . Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team .

Fees and funding

Fees for this course.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees .

Additional costs

T here are no programme-specific costs.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs .

Funding your studies

Research Council funding may be available for UK and Overseas nationals. Other funding opportunities may also be available. For details visit www.ucl.ac.uk/statistics/prospective-postgraduates/studentships

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website .

CSC-UCL Joint Research Scholarship

Value: Fees, maintenance and travel (Duration of programme) Criteria Based on academic merit Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Deadlines and start dates are usually dictated by funding arrangements so check with the department or academic unit to see if you need to consider these in your application preparation. In most cases you should identify and contact potential supervisors before making your application. For more information see our How to apply page.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

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Statistical Science

[email protected]

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PhD Statistics / Application and selection

Year of entry: 2024

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How to apply

Apply online

In your application you’ll need to include:

• The name of this programme
• Your research project title (i.e. the advertised project name or proposed project name) or area of research
• Your proposed supervisor’s name
• If you already have funding or you wish to be considered for any of the available funding
• A supporting statement (see 'Advice to Applicants for what to include)
• Details of your previous university level study
• Names and contact details of your two referees.

Advice to applicants

• Identified the specific research project, CDT or dual-award you'd like to apply for or, if you already have funding, determined your own research project and title and discussed this with a supervisor.
• Contacted the project supervisor and spoken to them about your suitability for the project.  
• Browsed funding you are eligible for and discussed this with your supervisor, if you don't already have your own funding.  
• Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research, the area(s) of research you’re interested in, why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed.
• Certificates and transcripts: Certificates and final transcripts of any completed university-level qualifications and interim transcripts for qualifications in progress. If your transcripts are in a language other than English, you must provide an official English translation. If your current weighted average mark or GPA is not included on these documents, please also include an official document from your university verifying this information.
• CV : Summarising your academic record and highlighting experience that demonstrates your potential to conduct research.  
• English language proof: A certificate or evidence demonstrating your English language ability and proficiency. Applications can be considered without this evidence but any offer would be conditional on meeting minimum requirements.  
• Referees: Names and contact details of two academic referees who we can get in contact with and will support your application.

Interview requirements

It is normally possible to defer entry to another entry point within the academic year, with the approval of your supervisory team and funder (if applicable).

You can request a deferral by contacting the Doctoral Academy Admissions Team by emailing [email protected] .  If you request deferral for entry in a subsequent academic year you may be required to re-apply.

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Study Postgraduate

Mphil/phd in statistics (2023 entry).

Course code

2 October 2023

4 years full-time; Up to 7 years part-time

Qualification

University of Warwick

Find out more about our MPhil/PhD in Statistics.

Warwick invites you to join the PhD/MPhil in Statistics. Study at Warwick's Statistics Department, one of the leading research centres for Statistics worldwide, with expertise in a wide range of topics in Statistics, Data Science, Probability and Mathematical Finance. With personalised PhD training, you will conduct specialist work under supervision of one or more faculty members working on the cutting edge of your research field.

Course overview

In collaboration with the Mathematics Institute, the Department of Statistics has created the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Mathematics and Statistics.  

Unlike many CDTs, this is not dedicated to a single topic, but covers the range of research interests of both departments. Our vision is to create a thorough training environment in mathematical sciences, spanning theoretical, methodological, and applied areas.  

The CDT environment provides common training to a cohort of PhD students across the mathematical sciences in addition to the specialised work of the PhD project under the supervision of individual faculty members. CDT students choose their supervisor and research topic during the first year of the programme. Both Departments have separate dedicated training programmes in the first year, designed to optimally prepare you for your PhD project work. PhD training that is not via the CDT and where the student works with a nominated supervisor from day one is available only in cases where this training scheme is required by the student’s funding source.  

Further details of potential PhD projects can be found on  individual staff web pages .  

Applicants to the CDT do not need a detailed research proposal. However, it will help to indicate your areas of interest in your personal statement. Applicants who apply for funding from one of the University's scholarship schemes (the Chancellor's International Scholarship or the China Scholarship Council Award) must develop a research proposal in close collaboration with a potential supervisor and are strongly encouraged to contact the department well before applying.

Teaching and learning

The Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Mathematics and Statistics is a four-year program that includes a taught component in the first year with modules aimed specifically at research students. These modules are assessed by coursework and oral examination. PhD students also have the option to follow modules from our Master’s courses to refine their knowledge in areas appropriate to their future research plans. All first-year students have an Academic Advisor who will help them tailor the training in the first year to fit their background and interests.

An important part of the research training is the first-year project, which will be conducted from the start of term three until the end of August. You can choose your project from a long list of proposals by potential project supervisors in a wide range of topics. Often this project will be the prelude to the actual PhD research.

You may participate in the Academy for PhD Training in Statistics (APTS), a UK-wide network that offers residential intensive taught courses four times per year. Alternative training is also offered to you if you work in Probability or Mathematical Finance.

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements.

2:i undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in Statistics, Mathematics or a science with sufficiently high mathematical content.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirements Link opens in a new window . This course requires the following:

• IELTS 6.5 (with no less than 6.0 in all components).

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page Link opens in a new window .

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Our research

Warwick Statistics Department is one of the largest and most energetic research environments in the UK. It boasts many internationally recognised researchers eager to engage new bright students and collaborators so that they can contribute to their programmes of investigation.

Research within the department can be conveniently divided into three areas, which are somewhat distinct but present a lot of synergies:

• Probability and Stochastic Finance
• Statistical Methodology and Computational Statistics
• Data Intensive Research and Scientific Statistical Modelling

Find a supervisor

Applicants are not expected to identify a PhD supervisor before applying.

You are expected to join the Centre for Doctoral Training in Mathematics and Statistics which commences with two terms of taught modules. Once you are embedded in the department and have seen the range of opportunities on offer, you will choose your first-year project with a project supervisor. Usually, this will naturally lead on to a PhD project with the same supervisor and you will commence your PhD project work in earnest at the start of year two.

An exception to this rule occurs when the PhD is funded by a competitive scholarship that requires a supervisor to be identified and a project to be developed at the time of application (e.g. The Chancellor's International Scholarship or the China Scholarship Council Award). In this case we recommend that you provide a list of 2-4 potential supervisors as part of your personal statement. It will help to look carefully through the list of active research interests in the Department. The admissions tutors may match you with a supervisor, based on the areas of interest in your personal statement, to support you in the development of a project proposal for the scholarship application.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Taught course fees   Research course fees

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad. Information about department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our  Module Catalogue  (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• Dissertation binding
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Statistics at Warwick

Statistics and probability theory are key to understanding data and underlying processes involving risk and uncertainty.

We also explore applications in a wide array of areas and develop impact of our research in many scientific fields within sciences, social sciences, medicine, engineering, management science, finance, commerce and others.

Founded in October 1972, Warwick Statistics is internationally renowned for its wide-ranging and world-leading research and its innovative undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes.

Find out more about us on our website. Link opens in a new window

Our Postgraduate courses

• Statistics (MSc)
• Statistics (PhD/MPhil)

Taught course applications

Here is our checklist on how to apply for taught postgraduate courses at Warwick.

Research course applications

Here is our checklist on how to apply for research postgraduate degrees at the University of Warwick.

After you’ve applied

Find out how we process your application.

Applicant Portal

Track your application and update your details.

Admissions statement

See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.

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Postgraduate Open Day

Postgraduate fairs.

Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in the UK. These events give you the chance to learn about our Master's and PhD study routes, and the wider context of postgraduate study.

Find out more

Every week, you can connect directly with representatives from Warwick, who will be answering your questions on applying to and studying postgraduate studies at Warwick.

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Departmental events

Some academic departments hold events for specific postgraduate programmes, these are fantastic opportunities to learn more about Warwick and your chosen department and course.

See our online departmental events

Connect with us

Want to hear more about postgraduate study at Warwick? Register your interest and find out more.

Learn more about Postgraduate study at the University of Warwick.

Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

6th in the UK (The Guardian University Guide 2022) Link opens in a new window

64th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2023) Link opens in a new window

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(The Graduate Market in 2023, High Fliers Research Ltd. Link opens in a new window )

About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2023 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.

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PhD Statistics

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Entry requirements

Fees and funding.

• What's next?

Our PhD Statistics is an advanced research degree within our School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science and we have staff members available to act as supervisors across a number of areas within statistics. Possible areas of research include: statistical modelling and smoothing, Bayesian computational statistics, nonparametric statistics, and longitudinal analysis, but interested persons are invited to get in touch with our School to discuss potential research areas.

Our staff are strongly committed to research and teaching. They have published several well-regarded text books and are world leaders in their individual specialisms, with their papers appearing in learned journals such as: Journal of Statistical Planning and Inference, Journal of Nonparametric Statistics, Big Data Analytics , and Statistics in Medicine .

Our School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science is genuinely innovative and student-focused. Our research groups are working on a broad range of collaborative areas tackling real-world issues. Here are a few examples:

We offer an MSD and MPhil in this subject, and part-time research study is available. You can also start this course in either October, January or April.

• Our School is ranked 31st for research power in the Research Excellence Framework 2021.
• Our School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science has an internationally excellent reputation in areas such as algebraic geometry, group theory, semigroup theory, differential equations, optimisation, probability, applied statistics, bioinformatics and mathematical biology.
• We have a strong track record on knowledge transfer partnerships funded by Innovate UK and ESRC with businesses and governments across the region and beyond.

Our expert staff

The School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science has an international reputation in all areas of Mathematical Sciences including; statistics, operational research, applied mathematics, pure mathematics, and actuarial science.

We encourage PhD students to meet with their supervisor regularly. While undertaking your research within Mathematical Sciences, joint supervision across other Essex departments and schools is possible. Joint supervision allows you to have a supervisor based in our School and another in a relevant Department or School (such as Life Sciences, or Computer Science and Electronic Engineering).

At the end of your PhD you may be publishing your research in academic journals. Our PhD students have had papers accepted and published in journals such as: Ecology, Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical, Mathematical Modelling of Natural Phenomena , and The North American Journal of Economics and Finance .

Specialist facilities

The School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science is based in the University's state-of-the-art STEM Centre. Research students have a dedicated work space and PCs, with access to software such as MATLAB, Gap, SageMath, Python and R.

All University of Essex research students have access to our innovative and unique scheme, Proficio . Postgraduate research students are automatically enrolled on Proficio, which provides a variety of training courses, and a fund of up to £2,500 per student for conference attendance and relevant external training courses.

Our School is part of MAGIC , a consortium of 22 UK universities which share PhD-level Mathematics courses, giving you access to a wide array of specialist training opportunities.

Your future

Many of our former PhD students have gone on to work as academics in prominent institutions across the world, such as the University of Cambridge, University of Nottingham and many other international universities. Some have also remained at the University of Essex, working as postdoctoral research fellows, research impact officers, or lecturers.

Other graduates have joined organisations like the Met Office, the Ministry of Defence, and companies based in the City of London. There is a high demand for those with a numerate background in all sectors of the economy, so our graduates are sought after in the UK and abroad.

UK entry requirements

You will need a good honours degree and a Masters degree in a relevant subject. A well-developed research proposal is also essential.

You may be required to attend an interview/Skype interview for acceptance, and acceptance is subject to research expertise in the department.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at [email protected]  to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

Course structure.

A research degree gives you the chance to investigate an area or topic in real depth, and develop transferable research skills. During your time in the School you have opportunities to attend conferences, publish papers, and give talks at departmental research seminars. You may also attend some university modules, and will meet with your supervisor typically on a weekly basis.

Within our School, our PhD students are usually encouraged to take our taught module, Research Methods, in the first year of study, so you are well equipped with the necessary skills to undertake effective research. You may also attend some other modules on an informal basis.

All our students wishing to study for a PhD enrol on a combined MPhil/PhD pathway. In your second year of study, depending on progress, a decision is made by our School on whether to proceed with either an MPhil or a PhD.

Our full-time research students have a supervisory board to review their progress every six months (or annually if studying part-time). Typically, the board involves your supervisor and one other academic. The recommendations of this are considered by our Departmental Research Students' Progress Board, which will make decisions on your registration status.

If you progress well, you should be confirmed as a PhD student in the first term of your second year of study.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code . For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY

This module is for PhD students who are completing the research portions of their theses.

View Mathematics - Research on our Module Directory

A PhD (taking at least three years) typically involves wide reading round the subject area in your first year, then gradually developing original results over your second and third years, before writing them up in a coherent fashion. The resulting thesis is expected to make a significant contribution to knowledge.

Your PhD is awarded after your successful defence of your thesis in an oral examination (viva), in which you are interviewed about your research by two examiners, at least one of whom is from outside Essex.

Home/UK fee

£4,786 per year

International fee

£18,750 per year

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

• tour our campus and accommodation
• find out answers to your questions about our courses, graduate employability, student support and more
• talk to our Fees and Funding team about scholarship opportunities
• meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing [email protected] and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

2024 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

• Saturday 21 September 2024 - September Open Day
• Saturday 26 October 2024 - October Open Day

You can apply for this postgraduate course online . Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We encourage you to make a preliminary enquiry directly to a potential supervisor or the Graduate Administrator within your chosen Department or School. We encourage the consideration of a brief research proposal prior to the submission of a full application.

We aim to respond to applications within four weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘ how to apply ' information.

Visit Colchester Campus

Set within 200 acres of  award-winning  parkland - Wivenhoe Park  and located two miles from the  historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

Virtual tours

If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360 degree virtual tour allows you to explore the Colchester Campus from the comfort of your home. Check out our accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications . The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

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These programmes offers the opportunity to begin or consolidate your research career under the guidance of internationally renowned researchers and professionals in the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science (SMSAS).

Accreditation

Key information

• Duration MSc 1 year full-time PhD 3 to 4 years full-time
• Start date MSc: September PhD: September, January
• Location Canterbury

Research interests are diverse and include: Bayesian statistics; bioinformatics; biometry; ecological statistics; epidemic modelling; medical statistics; nonparametric statistics and semi-parametric modelling; risk and queueing theory; shape statistics.

Statistics at Kent provides:

• a programme that gives you the opportunity to develop practical, mathematical and computing skills in statistics, while working on challenging and important problems relevant to a broad range of potential employers
• teaching and supervision by staff who are research-active, with established reputations and who are accessible, supportive and genuinely interested in your work
• advanced and accessible computing and other facilities
• a congenial work atmosphere with pleasant surroundings, where you can socialise and discuss issues with a community of other students.

About the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science (SMSAS)

The School has a strong reputation for world-class research and a well-established system of support and training, with a high level of contact between staff and research students. Postgraduate students develop analytical, communication and research skills. Developing computational skills and applying them to mathematical problems forms a significant part of the postgraduate training in the School. We encourage all postgraduate statistics students to take part in statistics seminars and to help in tutorial classes.

Everything you need to know.

Entry requirements, study support.

A first or 2.1 in a relevant subject.

All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications. 

Please see our International Student website for entry requirements by country  and other relevant information. Due to visa restrictions, students who require a student visa to study cannot study part-time unless undertaking a distance or blended-learning programme with no on-campus provision.

English language entry requirements

This course requires a Good level of English language, equivalent to B2 on CEFR.  

Details on how to meet this requirement can be found on our English Language requirements webpage . 

Examples:  

IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component 

PTE Academic 63 with a minimum of 59 in each sub-test 

A degree from a UK university 

A degree from a Majority English Speaking Country 

Need help with English?

Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways .

Postgraduate research is a fantastic opportunity and significant investment in your future, enabling you to expand your knowledge, skills and career options – all while making a meaningful impact and contribution to an area you are passionate about.

At Kent, we also recognise the significant financial investment that comes with postgraduate study, and we offer a range of scholarships for our postgraduate researchers, to help keep your mind on your studies, and off your finances.

Scholarships can be broad, or specific to your situation, background or even country – so please do use our scholarships finder to discover the options available to you.

We also have research partnership funding with research councils and government schemes in specific areas of interest that can help you take your research to the next level with additional financial support.

Find out more on our fees and funding page and discover what option is right for you.

Postgraduate resources

Kent’s Computing Service central facility runs Windows. Within the School, postgraduate students can use a range of UNIX servers and workstations. Packages available include R, SAS, MATLAB, SPSS and MINITAB.

Dynamic publishing culture

Staff publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings and books. Among others, they have recently contributed to: Annals of Statistics ; Biometrics ; Biometrika ; Journal of Royal Society, Series B ; Statistics and Computing . Details of recently published books can be found within our staff research interests.

Professional recognition

The taught programmes in Statistics and Statistics with Finance provide exemption from the professional examinations of the Royal Statistical Society and qualification for Graduate Statistician status.

Researcher Development Programme

Kent's Graduate School co-ordinates the Researcher Development Programme for research students, which includes workshops focused on research, specialist and transferable skills. The programme is mapped to the national Researcher Development Framework and covers a diverse range of topics, including subject-specific research skills, research management, personal effectiveness, communication skills, networking and teamworking, and career management skills.

Statistical Ecology

There has been research in the area of statistical ecology at Kent for many years. We are part of the National Centre for Statistical Ecology (NCSE), which was established in 2005.

Bayesian statistics 

The research conducted in this area at Kent is mainly on Bayesian variable selection, Bayesian model fitting, Bayesian nonparametric methods, Markov chain Monte Carlo with applications.

Biological and health statistics 

Research is focused on statistical modelling and inference in biology and genetics with applications in complex disease studies. Over the past few decades, large amounts of complex data have been produced by high through-put biotechnologies. The grand challenges offered to statisticians include developing scalable statistical methods for extracting useful information from the data, modelling biological systems with the data, and fostering innovation in global health research.

Machine learning 

This theme encompasses both theory and applications. Theory is involved with supervised and unsupervised learning, matrix factorisation, modelling of high-dimensional time series, differential privacy, deep learning and networks, shape analysis and statistics on manifolds, and neuroimaging. Applications in biology, industry, medicine and psychiatry. Often new computational methods are the key to analysing complex big data problems.

Nonparametric statistics 

In order to describe the data, it is common in statistics to assume a specific probability model. Unfortunately, in many practical applications (for instance in economics, population genetics and social networks) it is not possible to identify a specific structure for the data. Nonparametric methods provide statistical tools for addressing inference in these situations.

Economics and finance

At Kent there is particular interest in the use of nonparametric methods including quantile regression and Bayesian nonparametric approaches. Application areas include modelling of the business cycle and capacity utilisation, calculating sovereign credit ratings, modelling of stock return data, and predicting inflation.

Staff research interests

Kent’s world-class academics provide research students with excellent supervision. The academic staff in this school and their research interests are shown below. You are strongly encouraged to contact the school to discuss your proposed research and potential supervision prior to making an application. Please note, it is possible for students to be supervised by a member of academic staff from any of Kent’s schools, providing their expertise matches your research interests. Use our ‘ find a supervisor ’ search to search by staff member or keyword.

Full details of staff research interests can be found on the School's website .

Students often go into careers as professional statisticians in industry, government, research and teaching but our programmes also prepare you for careers in other fields requiring a strong statistical background. You have the opportunity to attend careers talks from professional statisticians working in industry and to attend networking meetings with employers.

Our graduates have started careers in diverse areas such as the pharmaceutical industry, financial services and sports betting.

The 2024/25 annual tuition fees for this course are:

• Statistics - MSc at Canterbury
• Statistics - PhD at Canterbury

For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide .

For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact [email protected] .

Your fee status

The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from  UKCISA  before applying.

General information

For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* 

Additional costs

General additional costs.

Find out more about  general additional costs  that you may pay when studying at Kent. 

Search our scholarships finder for possible funding opportunities. You may find it helpful to look at both:

• University and external funds
• Scholarships specific to the academic school delivering this programme.

We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.

Ready to apply?

Learn more about the  application process  or begin your application by clicking on a link below.

You will be able to choose your preferred year of entry once you have started your application. You can also save and return to your application at any time.

Need help deciding?

Our friendly team is on hand to help you with any queries you have.

Find the right supervisor for your and your research project.

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Everything you need to know about applying to Kent from abroad.

Apply for entry to Statistics

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We are here to support your postgraduate journey.

Kent ranked top 50 in The Complete University Guide 2024 .

Support for funding so you can focus on your studies.

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Kent has risen 11 places in THE’s REF 2021 ranking, confirming us as a leading research university.

It’s easy to study on or off campus at Kent – discover what is right for you.

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The Statistics Group is housed in the School of Mathematics and Statistics. Research interests include Bayesian statistics, data science, design of experiments, medical statistics, and statistical genetics.

Entry requirements

Minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) ideally with a significant project component indicating aptitude for research in statistics. If you are not a UK citizen, you may need to prove your knowledge of English .

Potential research projects

Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for one of the research projects listed on the School of Mathematics and Statistics  PhD recruitment page . Projects in Statistics are likely to focus on the following themes:

• Bayesian statistics
• Computational statistics
• Data Science
• Design of experiments
• Medical statistics
• Mixed methods
• Multivariate statistics
• Statistical genetics
• Morphometrics.

Potential supervisors

• Dr Kaustubh Adhikari
• Dr Daniel Berrar
• Professor Stefanie Biedermann
• Colette Christiansen
• Dr Fadlalla Elfadaly
• Dr Alvaro Faria
• Professor Rachel Hilliam
• Dr Catriona Queen
• Dr Yonas Weldeselassie
• Dr Karen Vines

Some of our research students are funded via the EPSRC Mathematical Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership, some are funded by University studentships, others are self-funded.

For detailed information about fees and funding, visit Fees and studentships .

To see current funded studentship vacancies across all research areas, see Current studentships .

• School of Mathematics and Statistics

Get in touch

If you have an enquiry specific to this research topic, please contact:

Postgraduate Research Tutor, School of Mathematics and Statistics Email: STEM-MS-PhD Phone: +44 (0)1908 655552

If you’re interested in applying for this research topic, please take a look at the application process .

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• PhD Loans for Doctoral Students – A Guide for 2023

Written by Mark Bennett

A UK PhD loan is worth up to £28,673 from Student Finance England or £28,395 from Student Finance Wales. The money only needs to be paid back when you earn over £21,000 a year.

You can borrow a PhD loan of up to £28,673 from Student Finance England for 2023-24 study or £28,395 from Student Finance Wales. All of the money is paid directly to your bank account . You can use it for PhD fees, research expenses, maintenance or other costs.

Doctoral loans aren't based on household income or means tested, so the amount you can borrow isn't affected by your income or savings.

It's up to you to decide how much you want to borrow (up to the maximum, of course). This amount will then be spread evenly across your PhD, in three instalments per academic year .

Frequently asked questions

Below we've answered a selection of commonly asked questions about PhD loan amounts.

Is the value of the doctoral loan linked to my fees?

No. You can borrow the same amount with a doctoral loan regardless of how much your PhD project or programme costs.

Can I change the amount I borrow?

Yes. You can change your PhD loan amount later by submitting a PhD loan request form (PDF). You can't do this online.

Can I borrow more than the cost of my PhD?

Yes. Any extra loan can be used to help with living costs or other expenses.

Do I have to borrow the full amount?

You can borrow anything between £1 and £28,673/£28,395 (for a 2023-24 PhD). Whatever you request will be divided equally across your PhD , but you can't receive more than £12,167 in any one year.

Are extra loans available for maintenance?

No. You can use some of your doctoral loan for living costs, but there isn't any separate PhD maintenance loan.

Will the loan value increase?

The value of a doctoral loan usually increases slightly with inflation each year. However, this change only applies to new students. The maximum you can borrow with your PhD loan will be capped at the amount available when you began your PhD.

Why can't I borrow more than £12,167 per year?

Capping the annual amount for a PhD loan at £12,167 is designed to match the Masters student loan system : it means that doctoral students and Masters students can borrow the same amount per year.

The timing of your loan payments will be based on your intended submission date . This means that your loan payments may already have finished if your PhD takes longer than you expect, or you spend extra time 'writing up' your thesis. You should bear this in mind as you plan your project and budget for it.

Student eligibility

You can apply for a PhD student loan if you're a UK national and:

• You've lived in the UK for at least three years (not including time abroad for short-term travel or study)
• You are ordinarily resident in England or Wales (you don't just live there to study)
• You will be aged under 60 (59 or under) on the first day of the first academic year of your PhD (usually 1 September for degrees beginning in the autumn)
• You don't already have a PhD or other doctorate
• You won't be receiving UKRI funding for your PhD (and haven't been funded by a Research Council in the past)
• You won't be receiving other UK public funding for your doctorate, such as a Social Work or Educational Psychology bursary
• Your doctorate isn't eligible for NHS funding (if it is, you should apply for this instead)

PhD loans for Scottish and Northern Irish students

UK doctoral loans are currently only offered by Student Finance England and Student Finance Wales. You won't normally be eligible to apply for their support if you are resident in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Student Finance Northern Ireland and Student Awards Agency Scotland may offer doctoral loans in the future. We'll let you know as soon as that happens.

PhD loans for EU students

You can apply for a UK doctoral loan as an EU student if:

• You began your PhD in the 2020-21 academic year or earlier
• You applied to the EU Settlement Scheme before 30 June 2021

EU students who are coming to study in the UK from 2021-22 onwards will count as international students (see below).

PhD loans for Irish students

Irish students can still apply for a UK PhD loan to study in either England or Wales. This right is guaranteed by the Common Travel Area and isn't affected by Brexit.

PhD loans for international students

International (non-UK) students aren't normally eligible for UK doctoral loans, but an exception may apply if:

• You have settled status in the UK
• You are an EU national and have applied to the UK's EU Settlement Scheme (see above)
• You are an Irish national (see above)
• You or a family member have been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK
• You are 18 or over and have lived in the UK for at least 20 years and / or half of your life

If you aren't sure whether you qualify for UK student finance, check advice from the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

We've answered several questions about student eligibility for doctoral loans, covering residency criteria and more.

Where can I study?

If you are ordinarily resident in England or Wales before your course, you can use your PhD loan to study any UK PhD .

If you are ordinarily resident outside the UK, you can only use your PhD loan to study in England or Wales.

What if I have moved from England or Wales to another part of the UK for previous study?

You will still count as an English- or Welsh-resident student if you have studied your undergraduate degree or Masters in Scotland or Northern Ireland and want to continue straight on to a PhD. This means you will be able to apply for a doctoral loan.

What counts as being ordinarily resident in England or Wales?

To be eligible for a doctoral loan as a UK student you must be ordinarily resident in England or Wales. This means that you normally live in England or Wales and you haven’t moved there just to go to university.

You will normally count as being ordinarily resident in England or Wales if any or all of the following are true:

• You lived in England or Wales before you went to university for your Bachelors degree
• You received an undergraduate student loan from Student Finance England or Student Finance Wales
• You have lived and worked in England or Wales after graduating from university

Can I combine a PhD loan with a Research Council studentship?

No. Unfortunately you can't apply for a PhD loan if you're also receiving any form of Research Council funding from UKRI – including a 'fees-only' award.

Can I get a PhD loan now and apply for Research Council funding later?

Potentially. Some Research Council awards allow students to apply again for the second year of their PhD. Having had a PhD loan may not stop you doing this, provided you cancel it before receiving your Research Council funding.

Note that this still doesn't work the other way around: you can't apply for a PhD loan once you've been awarded Research Council funding.

Can I combine a doctoral loan with other PhD funding?

You can't combine a PhD loan with other funding from the UK Government, including Research Council studentships or Social Work, Educational Psychology or NHS bursaries. However, you can potentially top up your PhD loan with other PhD funding , including:

• A scholarship or bursary from your university
• A grant from a charity or trust
• One of our own FindAPhD scholarships

Are EU students still eligible for doctoral loans?

EU eligibility for UK student finance has changed following Brexit :

• All EU nationals can still apply for a doctoral loan for a PhD that began in the 2020-21 academic year
• EU nationals who applied to the EU Settlement Scheme before 31 December 2020 can also apply for a loan for a PhD that begins in 2021-22 or later
• EU nationals who are arriving in the UK after 1 January 2021 and beginning a PhD in the 2021-22 academic year will not normally be eligible for a doctoral loan

These criteria also apply to students from the EEA (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland.

Are doctoral loans available for international students?

Non-UK students aren’t normally eligible for UK student loans, unless they are Irish nationals or have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Exceptions may apply if you have lived in the UK legally for a very long time, have been granted humanitarian protection or have refugee status.

For more information on UK fees and finance as a postgraduate student we recommend you check the resources produced by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

And, if you can't get a loan, you might still be eligible for other international PhD funding in the UK .

Are Irish students eligible for PhD loans?

Yes, Irish students are able to apply for UK doctoral loans as part of the Common Travel Area. You will need to be doing your PhD in either England or Wales.

How will my residency be checked?

You’ll be asked to provide at least three years’ address history during your postgraduate loan application. Student Finance England may query any details that might affect your eligibility.

What if I have stayed in another part of the UK to work after university?

Living and working in a different part of the UK means you aren’t just there to go to university. This can change your residency status.

For example:

• You live in Scotland but go to university in England. After graduating you settle and work in England. If you eventually decide to study a PhD, you will now count as being ordinarily resident in England and can apply for a doctoral loan, even though you were once resident in Scotland.

The same would be true for an English student who had lived and worked elsewhere in the UK after graduating – it's possible that this could mean you are no longer classed as English-resident for student loan purposes.

If you aren’t sure about your residency status, check with Student Finance England .

What if I have moved to England or Wales from another part of the UK for previous study?

Because you only moved to England or Wales to study, your residency status won’t have changed. You will still count as being ordinarily resident elsewhere in the UK and, unfortunately, won't currently be able to apply for the PhD loan.

Are PhD loans means-tested?

No. You can borrow the same amount regardless of your income, savings or credit rating.

The only exceptions concern outstanding arrears to the Student Loans Company (for repayments you were eligible to make, but didn't). However, you may be able to apply for a loan if you clear these.

Can I get a doctoral loan if I’ve lived outside the UK in the last three years?

In order to apply for a student loan as a UK citizen you must have lived in the UK for three years prior to your course. You can travel abroad for holidays or other periods of ‘temporary absence’ during this period, but you shouldn’t have become ordinarily resident in another country.

Will a PhD loan affect my benefits?

Potentially, yes. Because the loan is paid directly to you it may be regarded as a form of income by the Department for Work and Pensions. You should check this if you are concerned about your benefit entitlement with a PhD loan.

Can I also apply for Disabled Students' Allowance?

Yes. You can have a PhD loan and receive Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) during your PhD.

Can I have a PhD loan as well as a postgraduate Masters loan?

You can apply for a postgraduate doctoral loan if you've previously had a postgraduate Masters loan . However, you can't be receiving them both at the same time (you'll need to finish your Masters before you begin your PhD).

Course eligibility

The PhD loan is available for all types of research doctorate, in any subject . This includes academic doctorates such as a PhD and DPhil, as well as professional doctorates such as a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) or EdD (Doctor of Education) .

However, you can't get a doctoral loan for a PhD by publication (you must be funding a programme of research and / or study).

UK students can study at any UK university . Eligible students who normally live outside the UK can use the doctoral loan to study at any English or Welsh university.

You can study full time or part time provided your PhD lasts between 3 and 8 years . You will be able to choose from different course lengths when you apply. These will be set by your university based on the intended submission date for your thesis.

Your course must have started on or after August 2018.

Below you can find the answers to a selection of questions about PhD loan course eligibility.

Can I study my PhD part time?

The loans don't actually distinguish between full-time and part-time students. Your PhD can last between 3 and 8 years, however you study.

In practice, most UK universities will regard a 3-4 year PhD as 'full time' and a 6-8 year PhD as 'part time'. You will agree the exact length of your programme with your university.

Can I get a loan for a PhD by publication?

No. You can't apply for a loan if you're submitting a PhD by published work (based on a portfolio of research you've already completed). In this case there would be no new project or programme for the loan to pay for!

Can I get a loan if my doctorate begins as an MPhil?

Yes. You can still apply for a doctoral loan for a programme that initially registers students at MPhil level before upgrading them to PhD candidacy.

However, if you are only enrolling for an MPhil, you should apply for a Masters loan instead.

Can I get a loan for a doctorate by distance learning?

Yes, provided you are living in England or Wales (depending on which loan you are applying for) on the first day of the first academic year of your PhD and living in the UK for the entire course.

You can't get a PhD loan to study by distance learning and live outside the UK.

Can I apply for a loan for a PhD that includes a Masters degree?

Yes. You can still get a loan for a PhD that also awards a Masters degree, including an integrated doctorate or a '1+3' programme. However, you must be registering to graduate with the doctorate, not the Masters.

Can I apply for a loan to 'top up' an existing qualification to PhD level?

No. To be eligible for a loan your project or programme must be a complete doctorate, begun after 1 August 2018. You can't get a loan to extend or 'top up' and existing MPhil or other qualification.

Can I get a loan for a joint doctorate?

Yes, provided the UK university is the lead institution for your PhD and you spend at least 50% of your course in the UK.

Can I study at a private university?

In order to receive a doctoral loan you must be doing your PhD at a university with Research Degree Awarding Powers (RDAPs). Most established UK universities have these powers, but your institution should be able to confirm if you aren't sure.

Can I get a loan if I've previously begun a PhD, but not completed it?

Yes, provided you haven't earned a doctoral qualification and you are starting a completely new doctorate (not continuing or resuming your previous programme or project).

However, you can't normally apply for a second doctoral loan, even if your first loan was for an incomplete qualification. Exceptions may apply if you can demonstrate compelling personal reasons for exiting your first doctorate - Student Finance England will consider your case if so.

Can I get a loan to study a doctorate abroad?

You can't get a PhD loan to study your entire doctorate abroad. However, you can spend part of your degree outside the UK, provided this does not exceed 50% of your programme and your UK university is the lead institution awarding your PhD.

Can I get a PhD loan for a professional doctorate?

Yes. All types of doctorate are eligible for PhD loans, provided the qualification is awarded for a programme of work at a UK university.

Applications

PhD loan applications are now open for doctorates beginning in 2023-24 (or earlier).

Make sure you apply to the correct student finance provider. This will be:

• Student Finance England for English-resident students or Irish students coming to study in England
• Student Finance Wales for Welsh-resident students or Irish students coming to study in Wales

If you have an existing student finance account and Customer Reference Number (CRN) you should use this to apply for your PhD loan. The application system will also ask for details about your PhD (or other doctoral degree), residency status and how much you want to borrow.

The application deadline is fairly relaxed – you have to apply within nine months of the first day of the final academic year of your doctorate. Depending on when you start your PhD during the year, there are four possible ‘first days’, which you can see in the table below.

As an example, if you start a three-year PhD on 22 October 2023, you should apply for a doctoral loan before 31 May 2026.

Remember though, that applying later in your PhD could limit the maximum amount you can borrow (you can't receive more than £12,167 in a single academic year).

If you have any further questions about applying for a PhD loan, hopefully the FAQs below will cover them.

When can I apply for a PhD loan?

Applications for 2023-24 PhD loans opened in April 2023. You can apply online or by post (PDF).

Will I receive a loan whilst I'm 'writing up' my PhD?

Only if you are still ahead of your submission date. Your university may allow you extra time to finish writing up your thesis, but you won't receive any extra payments if you've already had your full loan by that point.

When will I receive my first instalment?

You'll receive the first payment for your PhD loan once you start your PhD and your university confirms that you have registered on your project or programme.

When will I stop receiving my loan?

Your payment schedule will be based on the intended submission date for your doctoral thesis, agreed with your university at the start of your degree.

Should I apply at the beginning of my course, or wait?

This is up to you and depends on your funding circumstances.

The PhD loan is meant to be flexible though: you could apply for a loan to help support you throughout your doctorate, or use it to bridge gaps between funding or replace income from a part-time job as you focus on the later stages of your project.

Do I have to reapply in each year of my PhD?

No. You only have to apply for a doctoral loan once.

Can I use an existing student finance account?

Yes. If you have already have an account with Student Finance England you must use it to apply for your doctoral loan.

Do I need to be accepted for a PhD before I apply for a loan?

No. You will need to state which university you intend to research your doctorate at (and how long for) but you don't need to prove you've been accepted before you can apply for a PhD loan. However, you will need to register for your PhD before you receive any actual loan payments (your university should confirm this for you).

Can I apply for a loan for a PhD I've already started?

You can apply after the beginning of a PhD, but it must have started after 1 August 2018.

Doctoral loan repayments are income contingent . You only repay your PhD loan when you are earning over £21,000 a year (£1,750 a month or £404 a week) and you only repay 6% of what you earn over that threshold.

You'll begin repayments in the first April after you leave your course or in the April four years after your PhD starts (whichever is sooner). This means that you can be eligible to start repaying the doctoral loan during your PhD, but only if you're earning enough.

How you repay depends on your employment status:

• If you are employed in the UK HMRC will automatically deduct repayments from your salary on behalf of the Student Loans Company. This will usually happen monthly.
• If you are self-employed you will need to make repayments to HMRC as part of your annual tax return.
• If you are working outside the UK you will need to make repayment arrangements with the Student Loans Company. You should do this before you leave the UK.
• If you are unemployed you won't make repayments. The same applies if you are ever earning less than £21,000 a year.

You may also need to repay other student loans along wth your PhD loan:

• PhD and Masters loan repayments are combined – you will make one repayment of 6% of your income over £21,000 towards a single postgraduate loan debt
• All postgraduate loan repayments are concurrent with those for undergraduate loans – you will repay 6% of your income over £21,000 towards your Masters and / or PhD loan and 9% of your income over £26,575 towards your undergraduate loan

Interest is charged on a PhD loan at the same rate as Masters loans: RPI (the Retail Prices Index) +3%. As of August 2023, the rate is 7.1%, but this changes every year.

Any remaining PhD loan debt (including interest) is cancelled after 30 years from the point at which you begin repayments.

We've answered a few more FAQs about PhD loan repayments below.

When do repayments begin?

You will become eligible to start repaying your doctoral loan on one of the following dates:

• 6 April after your PhD ends
• 6 April four years after you begin your PhD

Note that this is slightly difference to repayments for other student loans, which only ever begin after graduation.

It means you could begin repaying your loan whilst you're still studying for your doctorate (and potentially still receiving loan payments). However, you will only ever make repayments when you're earning over £21,000 a year.

Do repayments still begin after 4 years if I study part time?

Yes, regardless of how you study, you will become eligible to repay a PhD loan (providing you're earning enough) four years after your course begins or in the April after you graduate (whichever is sooner).

Could I have to make PhD loan repayments on my pension?

Potentially, yes. If the money you receive from a pension counts as income you will need to make student loan repayments on it (alongside other potential deductions such as income tax). It's a good idea to check this with your pension plan provider.

Welsh PhD loans

Wales offers its own PhD loan for Welsh-resident UK students. You can borrow up to £28,395 for a degree that begins in 2023-24.

Welsh PhD loans work the same way as English PhD loans. The only difference is that you should apply to Student Finance Wales, not Student Finance England.

Scotland and Northern Ireland don't offer a doctoral loan yet.

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Our detailed guides and blogs cover everything you need to know about PhD loan eligibility, applications, repayments and much more.

It's time to start applying for postgraduate student finance. Read some tips and advice from the experts at the Student Loans Company.

Have your funding applications been unsuccessful? This blog discusses what it's like to self fund with a UK doctoral loan, and what it might mean for your studies.

PhD loan applications are open! Our handy checklist will help ensure yours is simple and successful.

You can now apply for a PhD loan for 2022! Here are a few things to bear in mind before you start your application.

Don't get lost looking for PhD funding. This simple guide will help you prioritise your search.

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