Master of Science (MSc) in Applied Statistics
Applied statistics is a key tool to help us navigate the information society, enabling us to effectively collect, integrate, and analyze data. Applied statistics helps us to develop and apply general methods and tools to analyze large and complex amounts of data from different sources for objective analysis. Applied statistics is also an interdisciplinary area of study that combines the synergies of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. The focus of the Master's programme is statistical modeling as well as providing students with a balanced understanding of both mathematics and its practical applications. Students also select a specialization within the programme in either economic sciences, life sciences, empirical social research and computer sciences.
General Information
- The standard duration of the programme is four semesters.
- New students are admitted every year in October (at the beginning of each winter semester)
- Applications are accepted during the call for applications (April 1 - May 15). Please use the online application form which will be available during the call for application period. Prospective applicants from abroad must use the online application as well. If you have not completed a bachelor's degree at the time of application, you must have obtained at least 150 credit points in a relevant course of study. The online application form as well information on the admissions procedure can be found under Application and Admission.
- Please note that the Master of Applied Statistics is offered in both German and English. Sufficient competency in both languages will need to be demonstrated as part of the application process (see "Application and Admission" - "Required application documents").
- The master of applied statistics programme requires students to select a specialization within the programme in either economic sciences, life sciences, empirical social research or computer sciences.
Even though the focus of the Master's programme is the treatment of statistical methods in a general form that can be applied in many different areas, the practical relevance is established through a number of study elements. In particular, a statistical internship, in which a statistical analysis is carried out together with a project partner, is an integral part of the programme. The project partners can come from both the business and academic sectors. In addition, students choose a minor subject within the framework of their studies, in which they attend special courses related to corresponding fields of application. The practical relevance is also established when learning suitable statistical software.
In addition, the faculty welcomes students who wish to gain further practical experience in the context of job-oriented internships. Therefore you have the possibility to get a voluntary internship in the elective area of your studies credited under certain conditions. You can find detailed information here. Job portal of the University of Göttingen with external job offers: Stellenwerk Göttingen (in German)
- A deep understanding of the most important statistical models and analytical tools for practical analysis of complex data, as well as the ability to analyze new types of problems
- Training in various statistical software packages, including analysis and programming
- The ability to understand the results of statistical analysis and to convey the information to a lay audience
- A host of key skills that can be self-elected
- Knowledge of data protection and data security
The 120 course credits are broken-down into the following areas:
- 1. Compulsory Courses (36 C)
- 2. Electives (36 C)
- 3. Internship (Practical Statistical Training) (6 C)
- 4. Key Skills (12 C)
- 5. Master's Thesis (30 C)
The table below provides a schematic overview of the master's in applied statistics programme:
The illustration gives a schematic overview of the structure of the Master's programme in Applied Statistics and contains a suggestion of its chronological sequence (Click here for larger image):
The Faculty of Business and Economics offers you many opportunities to study one or two semesters at an international partner university. There are three different programmes, each with different partner universities and application deadlines:
- Erasmus+: You will study at one of the more than 60 partner universities of the Faculty in other European countries (only students of the Faculty of Business and Economics can apply for these programmes).
- Worldwide faculty programmes: You will study at one of the numerous partner universities of the Faculty of Business and Economics abroad, e.g. in the USA, Latin America, South Africa, Japan, China, South Korea and Thailand (only students of the Faculty of Business and Economics can apply for these programmes).
- Worldwide university programmes: You study at a partner university of the University of Göttingen, e.g. in Australia, India, the USA, Canada or China (all students of the University can apply for these programmes).
If you go abroad within the framework of one of the above-mentioned programmes, you usually do not have to pay tuition fees for studying at a foreign partner university (the University of Mississippi charges reduced tuition fees). Some programmes even receive additional financial support from the German Academic Exchange Service. Comprehensive information about the programmes, application deadlines and contact persons can be found here.
In our Database you can see which achievements/modules of other universities in Göttingen have already been recognized (in German). In order to keep your choice of course abroad as flexible as possible, we recommend that you complete modules from the elective area of your respective degree programme abroad.
If you would like to get into contact with other international and German students during your studies in Göttingen, please take a look at our Study Buddy Programme and our Exchange@WIWI events: www.uni-goettingen.de/de/613540.html. Both programmes serve to network international and local Göttingen students.
- In medicine, statisticians are often employed in the pharmaceutical sector for planning and implementation of clinical studies, as well as for R&D. Statisticians are also in high demand in the area of public health and general health care management.
- In the banking and insurance industries, statisticians are employed to evaluate portfolios, conduct risk analysis, evaluate various financial products, and calculate premiums.
- Marketing and consumer opinion organizations need statisticians to design and execute surveys, as well as to analyze large, complex data sets on consumer behavior (for example, supermarket scanner data, or the purchasing behavior of consumers).
- Statisticians are employed in general research departments across the public and private sectors, to design experiments, carry out research projects, and analyze the resulting data.
- Statisticians are even found in the IT sector, working in areas such as search engine optimization, or for planning and managing resources.
Areas in which there is a particularly high demand for statisticians:
- Agricultural Sciences
- Astronomy
- Survey Methods
- Survey Design
- Biology
- Census
- Chemistry
- Demography
- Epidemiology
- Education
- Finance
- Forestry
- Genetics
- Health Sciences
- Computer science
- Engineering
- Clinical studies
- Marketing
- Medicine
- National Security
- Ecology
- Pharmacology
- Physics
- Political Science
- Production / Manufacturing
- Psychology
- Law
- Government
- Sociology
- Sports Science / Athletics
- Telecommunications
- Livestock Management
- Transportation
- Insurance
- Economics
- Scientific Journalism
- Zoology