Postgraduate study in Statistics

What can you study in Statistics?

You can study Statistics as a postgraduate specialisation in either Faculty of Science or Faculty of Arts programmes.

Statistics applies to almost any field, ranging from scientific research to business management and media analysis. From designing an experiment to evaluate a new medical treatment to analysing data gathered by an ecologist, the diversity of applications is immense.

There are different options to consider when choosing your postgraduate qualification in Statistics. While the taught masters is a programme with a professional focus and essential to work as a professional statistician, the research masters is an advanced programme to develop your research skills with the intention to progress to doctoral study in Statistics.

Areas of research interests open to exploration include:

  • Analysis of survey data
  • Astrostatistics
  • Bayesian statistics
  • Biostatistics and novel regression methodologies
  • Case control sampling and extension
  • Experimental design and quality improvement
  • Forensic statistics
  • Human genomics and bioinformatics
  • Linear and non-linear statistical modelling
  • Medical statistics
  • Sample survey theory
  • Statistical computing
  • Statistical computing and the “R” statistical programming language
  • Statistical ecology and bioinformatics
  • Statistical genetics
  • Statistics education
  • Operations research and stochastic processes
  • Non-parametric statistics

The Department of Statistics is the birthplace of the R Project. Founded in 1996 by Associate Professors Robert Gentleman and Ross Ihaka, R is a free programming language and environment for statistical computing and graphics. It is taught around the world and is used by Ivy League universities, Google, Uber, and many more. Learn more about the R Project.

Meet our graduates

Our postgraduate alumni Michael Chang-Jan Kao (Statistician, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations) and Bobby Wilcox (Performance Analyst, Silver Ferns) tell us about their experience studying a postgraduate degree in Statistics and what it’s meant for their careers in the video below.

Entry requirements

Bachelor of Science (Honours) (BSc(Hons)) in Statistics

a) completed the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science from this University including at least 90 points above Stage II or the equivalent as approved by Senate or its representative

and

b) met the prerequisites listed in the Bachelor of Science (Honours) Schedule and attained a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 45 points above Stage II in the relevant prerequisite or equivalent.

Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Statistics

a) completed the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science from this University with a Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher in 75 points above Stage II, or the equivalent as approved by Senate or its representative

and

b (i) passed the prerequisites for the courses in the selected subject for the Postgraduate Diploma in Science

or

(ii) attained a level of competence equivalent to the prerequisites for the courses in the selected
subject for Postgraduate Diploma in Science as approved by Senate or its representative.

Master of Science (MSc) in Statistics (120-point research masters only)

a) (i) completed the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 75 points above Stage II including at least 45 points in the
prerequisite subject for the specialisation in which they intend to enrol, or the equivalent as approved by Senate or its representative

or

b) (i) completed the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 90 points in the prerequisite subject for a specialisation in which they intend to enrol, or the equivalent as approved by Senate or its representative

or

(ii) completed the requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma in Science from this University with
a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 90 points in the prerequisite subject for the specialisation in which they intend to enrol including at least 75 points of 700 level courses, or the equivalent as approved by Senate or its representative

And students must have completed any prerequisite courses relevant to the specialisation in which they intend to enrol prior to admission to this degree.

Master of Science (MSc) in Statistics (240-point taught masters)

a) (i) completed the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 75 points above Stage II including at least 45 points in the prerequisite subject for the specialisation in which they intend to enrol, or the equivalent as approved by Senate or its representative

or

b) (i) completed the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 90 points in the prerequisite subject for a specialisation in which they intend to enrol, or the equivalent as approved by Senate or its representative

or

(ii) completed the requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma in Science from this University with
a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 90 points in the prerequisite subject for the specialisation in which they intend to enrol including at least 75 points of 700 level courses, or the equivalent as approved by Senate or its representative

And students must have completed any prerequisite courses relevant to the specialisation in which they intend to enrol prior to admission to this degree.

Prerequisites

Prior to applying to the BSc(Hons) or PGDipSci in Statistics you are required to have completed:

Prior to applying to the MSc you are required to have completed:

Structuring your postgraduate programme in Statistics

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (BA(Hons)) in Statistics

Consult the BA(Hons) schedule for how to structure your study and for the courses you may take.

2023 BA(Hons) schedule for Statistics

Master of Arts (MA) in Statistics

Consult the MA schedule for how to structure your study and for the courses you may take.

2023 MA schedule for Statistics

Bachelor of Science (Honours) (BSc(Hons)) in Statistics

Master of Science (MSc) in Statistics 120 point (one-year) Research Masters

 

Master of Science (MSc) in Statistics 120 point (one-year) Taught Masters

Master of Science (MSc) in Statistics 240 point Research Masters

  • 15 points:

STATS 732 Statistical Inference

  • 15 points from:

STATS 779 Professional Skills for Statisticians

STATS 782 Statistical Computing

  • At least 90 points from:

STATS 705 Topics in Official Statistics
STATS 708 Topics in Statistical Education
STATS 710 Probability Theory
STATS 720 Stochastic Processes
STATS 721 Special Topic in Applied Probability
STATS 723 Stochastic Methods in Finance
STATS 726 Time Series
STATS 727 Special Topic in Time Series
STATS 730 Statistical Inference
STATS 731 Bayesian Inference
STATS 732 Statistical Inference
STATS 740 15 Points Sample Surveys
STATS 747 Statistical Methods in Marketing
STATS 762 Regression for Data Science
STATS 763 Advanced Regression Methodology
STATS 767 Topics in Multivariate Analysis
STATS 768 Longitudinal Data Analysis
STATS 769 Advanced Data Science Practice
STATS 770 Introduction to Medical Statistics
STATS 776 Topics in Environmental and Ecological Statistics
STATS 779 Professional Skills for Statisticians
STATS 780 Statistical Consulting
STATS 782 Statistical Computing
STATS 784 Statistical Data Mining
STATS 785 Topics in Statistical Data Management
STATS 786 Special Topic in Statistical Computing
STATS 787 Data Visualisation
BIOINF 704 Statistical Bioinformatics
POPLHLTH 707 Statistics in Health Science 2
POPLHLTH 708 Epidemiology
POPLHLTH 709 Evidence for Best Practice
POPLHLTH 711 Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis

Master of Science (MSc) in Statistics 240 point Taught Masters

  • 15 points:

STATS 732 Statistical Inference 

  • 15 points from:

STATS 779 Professional Skills for Statisticians

STATS 782 Statistical Computing

  • At least 150 points from:

STATS 705 Topics in Official Statistics
STATS 708 Topics in Statistical Education
STATS 710 Probability Theory
STATS 720 Stochastic Processes
STATS 721 Special Topic in Applied Probability
STATS 723 Stochastic Methods in Finance
STATS 726 Time Series
STATS 727 Special Topic in Time Series
STATS 730 Statistical Inference
STATS 731 Bayesian Inference
STATS 732 Statistical Inference
STATS 740 15 Points Sample Surveys
STATS 747 Statistical Methods in Marketing
STATS 751 Special Topic in Experimental Design
STATS 762 Regression for Data Science
STATS 763 Advanced Regression Methodology
STATS 764 Analysis of Failure Time Data
STATS 767 Topics in Multivariate Analysis
STATS 768 Longitudinal Data Analysis
STATS 769 Advanced Data Science Practice
STATS 770 Introduction to Medical Statistics
STATS 775 Design of Ecological Experiments
STATS 776 Topics in Environmental and Ecological Statistics
STATS 779 Professional Skills for Statisticians
STATS 780 Statistical Consulting
STATS 782 Statistical Computing
STATS 784 Statistical Data Mining
STATS 785 Topics in Statistical Data Management
STATS 786 Special Topic in Statistical Computing
STATS 787 Data Visualisation
BIOINF 704 Statistical Bioinformatics
POPLHLTH 707 Statistics in Health Science 2
POPLHLTH 708 Epidemiology
POPLHLTH 709 Evidence for Best Practice
POPLHLTH 711 Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis

STATS 793 dissertation

Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Statistics

Courses

Explore the postgraduate courses you can take for an Statistics specialisation:

Where can postgraduate study in Statistics take you?

Statisticians are found in all branches of Government and commerce. Other opportunities for graduates include product testing, market research, health economics and advertising.

Jobs related to Statistics

  • Actuary
  • Environmental statistician
  • Forensic statistician
  • Government statistician
  • Health economist
  • Market research statistician
  • Medical statistician
  • Operations research
  • Pharmaceutical statistician
  • Researcher
  • Sports statistician
  • Statistical consultant

Scholarships and awards

Each year we award scholarships and prizes to thousands of students.

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for, search available scholarships or begin an application by visiting Scholarships and awards.

Help and advice for Arts and Science students

Student Hubs 

Visit your hubs for help and advice on any aspect of your studies and life at University.

The Student Hubs are your physical gateway to Waipapa Taumata Rau | the University of Auckland. 

The Student Hubs services are available seven days a week at the City, Grafton, Epsom and Tai Tonga campuses and six days a week at Tai Tokerau, with friendly staff available to provide you with advice on any aspect of your studies and life at the University.

Find out more.

To find a supervisor to work with you on your research project please see our list of current postgraduate research projects below.

Faculty of Science

Postgraduate programmes

Related subjects