This two-year master’s programme provides you with a thorough introduction to the general philosophy and methodology of statistical modelling, data analysis and data science, with a focus on applications in the life and behavioral sciences.
Specialisations
Please note: This master programme is undergoing reconstruction. From September 1st, 2021, there will be no specialisations. All students will have the same core programme that includes courses in both statistics & data science and can specialise by choosing elective courses. The new name of the programme will be Statistics & Data Science.
What does this master’s programme entail?
The two-year master’s programme in Statistics & Data Science provides you with a thorough introduction to the general philosophy and methodology of statistical modelling and data analysis, with a focus on applications in the life and behavioral sciences. It is open to students with a variety of backgrounds, both in the applied domains (e.g. psychology, biology, medicine), and in quantitative domains like mathematics and statistics. It aims to educate multidisciplinary researchers and professionals that can combine theory and application. The programme consists of a core programme shared by all students, elective courses, and an internship and thesis. The electives allow you to specialize in a research or application domain.
The programme acquired the European Master of Official Statistics (EMOS) label, and is a member of the network of 32 certified European master's programmes in statistics.
About the programme
The programme in statistical science offers two specialisations. You can choose between Data Science for Statistical Science or Statistical Science in the Life and Behavioral Sciences specialisation.
Overview of the Statistical Science for the Life and Behavioural Sciences programme
Data Science for Statistical Science: This specialisation equips students with a broad basis in statistics combined with state-of-the-art knowledge in Data Science through collaboration between the Mathematical Institute and the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science.
Statistical Science: This specialisation equips students with a broad basis in statistics, discussing state-of-the-art statistical techniques and their application in fields such as bioinformatics, psychometrics, epidemiology and genetics.
Overview curriculum
The master’s specialisations consist of courses, specialisation courses, electives, internship or research project and a master’s thesis. Depending on your specialisation, the programme consists of:
You are requested to select your specialisation before commencing, as the specialisation courses are woven into the schedule already in the first semester. The duration of the programme is two years; three semesters of courses followed by an internship or research project and master’s thesis project in the fourth semester.
Career
There is a large demand for applied statisticians at both the master’s and the PhD level. Our alumni find jobs in a wide range of areas, such as academic medical hospitals, many types of industry (pharmaceutical, agricultural, food, life science in general, oil, etc.), research institutes, financial institutions, government statistics bureaus, educational services (CITO), marketing bureaus. In view of the emphasis on statistics as a science, rather than as merely a collection of techniques, many graduates will qualify for a PhD programme as well.
Expected October 2023
More details
Start date
Expected September 2023
Leiden University
Rapenburg 70,
LEIDEN,
Zuid-Holland,
2311, Netherlands
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
