Biostatistics

Entry requirements

A first degree equivalent to a UK Upper Second Class Honours degree, normally with a substantial Mathematics component (at least equivalent to Level-1 courses in Mathematics and Level-2 courses in Calculus and Linear Algebra at the University of Glasgow).

Graduates who only have A-Level Mathematics (at grade A or better), or equivalent, may also be admitted to the programme. However such candidates are required to work through self-study material provided and attend a pre-sessional course on Elementary Mathematics (to be taught in the two weeks preceding the start of the teaching period of semester 1).

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of pre-Masters courses.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This Masters in Biostatistics will provide you with knowledge and experience of the principles, theory and practical skills of statistics; previous study of statistics is not required.

• The Statistics Group at Glasgow is a large group, internationally renowned for its research excellence.

• Our Statistics MSc programmes benefit from close links lecturers have with industry and non-governmental organisations such as NHS and SEPA.

• Our expertise spans topics including: biostatistics and statistical genetics; environmental statistics; statistical methodology; statistical modelling and the scholarship of learning and teaching in statistics.
• You will develop a thorough grasp of statistical methodology, before going on to apply statistical skills to solve real-life problems.
• You will be equipped with the skills needed to begin a career as a professional statistician; previous study of statistics is not required.

Modes of delivery of the Masters across the Statistics programmes include lectures, laboratory classes, seminars and tutorials and allow students the opportunity to take part in lab, project and team work.

Core courses (compulsory)

• Bayesian statistics
• Biostatistics
• Generalised linear models
• Introduction to R programming
• Probability 1
• Regression models
• Statistical inference 1
• Statistics project and dissertation.

Optional courses (five chosen, but at least one course must be from Group 1)

Group 1

• Data analysis
• Professional skills.

Group 2

• Data management and analytics using SAS
• Design of experiments
• Functional data analysis
• Spatial statistics
• Statistical genetics
• Time series.

1 Any student who, in the course of study for his or her first degree, has already completed the equivalent of the Probability and/or Statistical inference courses can substitute these courses by any other optional course (including optional courses offered as part of the MRes in Advanced Statistics). The choice of substituting courses is subject to approval by the Programme Director.

Summer (May – August)
Statistics project and dissertation (60) - applying statistical methods and modelling to data collected from research in a biomedical discipline, assessed by a dissertation.

Our graduates have an excellent track record of gaining employment in many sectors including medical research, the pharmaceutical industry, finance and government statistical services, while others have continued to a PhD.

Information for international students

Please refer to our website for more information.

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

• overall score 6.5
• no sub-test less than 6.0
• or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification:

Common equivalent English language qualifications

All stated English tests are acceptable for admission for both home/EU and international students for this programme:

• ibTOEFL: 90; no sub-test less than:
  • Reading: 20
  • Listening: 19
  • Speaking: 19
  • Writing: 23
• CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): 176 overall; no sub-test less than 169
• CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): 176 overall; no sub-test less than 169
• PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59
• Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English: ISEII at Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept an IELTS test (Academic module) from any of the 1000 IELTS test centres from around the world and we do not require a specific UKVI IELTS test for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

• School of Modern Languages and Cultures: English for Academic Study
• BALEAP guide to accredited courses

Fees and funding

• Fees and funding
• Scholarships and funding

Qualification and course duration

MSc

Course contact details