About the MSc programme
The Financial Statistics stream of the MSc Statistics programme is mainly intended for students wishing to pursue careers in the finance industry or as a stepping stone towards PhD study in statistics for finance. It provides high-level training in statistics with applications in finance and econometrics. You will learn to analyse and critically interpret data, build statistical models of real situations, and use statistical software packages.
There are three compulsory courses. Statistical Inference: Principles, Methods and Computation will provide comprehensive coverage of fundamental aspects in probability and statistical methods and principles, while Time Series will provide solid training in statistical time series analysis. Modern data analytics, together with topics such as financial time series, asset pricing and portfolio choice, and some aspects of continuous-time finance will be provided in the course Financial Statistics. You will also learn to code in the R statistical computing environment.
Students on the taught master’s programme will take optional courses to the value of two units, including selected options from the Department of Finance. Those on the research track will substitute one unit with a dissertation, making the research track a 12 month programme.
Graduates of the programme are awarded Graduate Statistician (GradStat) status by the Royal Statistical Society if a specific combination of modules is taken.
Your application
If you are applying for this programme, please note the following specific requirements for your personal statement.
Your personal statement should clearly state why you want to do the programme applied for and why you have chosen LSE. Brief details of your academic background and aspirations are also useful. Applicants coming from a background other than mathematics or statistics should give further explanation of how their background is relevant to the programme applied for and further details of their current studies is necessary. Personal statements for the Taught Masters programmes should be concise and should not exceed the following word limits:
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For MSc Statistics, MSc Statistics (Financial Statistics) and MSc Statistics (Social Statistics): Up to 500 words in total
However, please note if you are applying for the following combinations of programmes as your first and second choices:
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MSc Statistics/MSc Statistics (Financial Statistics)/MSc Statistics (Social Statistics)/MSc Data Science and Risk & Stochastics:
You must submit a separate personal statement for each programme, adhering to the appropriate word limit as set out above.
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MSc Statistics/MSc Statistics (Financial Statistics), MSc Statistics(Social Statistics)/MSc Data Science/MSc Risk & Stochastics and another related programme which allows a longer word limit:
You must submit a separate personal statement for each programme, ensuring that you adhere to the appropriate word limit for each.
Programme details
You can find the most up-to-date list of optional courses for MSc Statistics (Financial Statistics) in the Programme Regulations section of the current School Calendar.
You must note however that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, some circumstances may cause the School to subsequently change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. 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 circumstances outside of its control. You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee places on its courses. 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.
Graduate destinations
The programme provides excellent opportunities for employment and further study. The programme is also conditionally accredited by the Royal Statistical Society. This means that although an accreditation is given, it will only lead to the award of ‘Graduate Statistician’ when students have taken a specific combination of modules.