Programmes

MPhil/PhD Statistics

  • Graduate research
  • Department of Statistics
  • Application code G4ZS
  • Starting 2024
  • Home full-time: Open
  • Overseas full-time: Open
  • Location: Houghton Street, London
This programme offers the chance to undertake a substantial piece of work that is worthy of publication and which makes an original contribution to a chosen research area. Our core areas of research are data science, social statistics, time series and statistical learning, as well as probability and risk management in insurance and finance. We enjoy close links with other departments and offer regular seminars and other departmental activities that help create a vibrant environment for study and research. We also have close links with the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and industrial partners.

Students will benefit from a thriving, hardworking, friendly and supportive environment in which their interests can be pursued.

We have reserved computing resources (including networked departmental workstations exclusively for the use of research students) and an extensive collection of software – both commercial packages and in-house products for our students. There is a comprehensive assembly of worldwide official statistics. The Department has a dedicated library with statistical journals and books available.

The first year of study includes a selection of PhD courses to consolidate and further mastery of contemporary statistics foundations, while our research students build up a more solid research idea before presenting at an annual PhD presentation event.  

From year two onwards, our research students are also encouraged to undertake some teaching, which is a valuable experience and an integral part of training. The Department provides funding to facilitate student attendance at appropriate academic conferences wherever possible.

Programme details

Key facts

MPhil/PhD Statistics
Start date 30 September 2024
Application deadline 23 May 2024. However, please note the funding deadlines
Duration Three to four years (minimum 2) full-time. Please note that LSE allows part-time PhD study only under limited circumstances. Please see lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Graduate/Prospective-students/Types-of-study for more information. If you wish to study part-time, you should mention this (and the reasons for it) in your statement of academic purpose, and discuss it at interview if you are shortlisted.
Financial support LSE PhD Studentships, ESRC funding (see 'Fees and funding')
Minimum entry requirement Taught master’s with a substantial statistical element, usually with a distinction, or equivalent experience
GRE/GMAT requirement None
English language requirements Standard (see 'Assessing your application')
Location  Houghton Street, London

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.

First year

(* 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

Training courses

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

Transferable skills courses

Compulsory (not examined)

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

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 

Third year

Training courses

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

Transferable skills courses

Compulsory (not examined)

Two presentations

Attendance of departmental seminars 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 

Fourth year

Training courses

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

Transferable skills courses

Compulsory (not examined)

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

Optional (not examined)

London Graduate School in Mathematical Finance Seminar 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.

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.

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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

Huang Feng

MPhil/PhD Statistics
Suzhou, China

Huang_Feng_7930.170x230jpg

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. 

Careers

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

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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.

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