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Statistical Modelling BSc

  • UCAS Code G300
  • Duration Up to 4 years
  • Delivery type Full Time
  • Study location
  • Edinburgh

Overview

The Course

The applications of statistical modelling range from economics and medicine, to social and environmental sciences. Our BSc in Statistical Modelling provides a blend of both theoretical and applied elements of modern statistics, and aims to give students the training in modelling, analysing and interpreting real data that is required in the economy, industry and research. The first two years of the programme cover basic mathematics, probability and statistics. The final two years focus on specialist topics of statistical modelling and advanced courses in Probability and Stochastic Processes. A variety of statistical computer packages are used.

Career Prospects

Due to the near-universal relevance of statistical modelling, career opportunities exist for suitably qualified statisticians in a wide variety of areas, notably the pharmaceutical industry, business, insurance, financial consulting, market research, civil service and scientific research in areas such as environmental science.

Click for more information on the BSc Statistical Modelling course.

Programme content

Level 1

Descriptive Statistics; Introduction to Probability; Calculus; Algebra; Introduction to statistical packages and options from a wide choice, including economics and finance subjects.

Level 2

Statistics; Probability; Multivariable Calculus; Linear Algebra; Real Analysis and options from a wide choice, including actuarial subjects.

Level 3

Statistical Inference; Linear and Generalised Linear Models; Stochastic Processes; Analysis of Data; Bayesian Statistics; Survival Models; Statistical Methods for Social Sciences and options from a wide choice, including actuarial and mathematics subjects.

Level 4

Time Series; Simulation and Statistical Computing; Further Statistical Methods; Special Topics in Statistical Modelling (e.g. in Epidemiology, Ecology or Finance); dissertation and options from a wide choice, including actuarial, financial and mathematics subjects.

More in-depth information on the content of the courses listed above, how they are assessed and the learning outcomes can be access via our current student portal.

Deirdre Cloake Claire Yule Laura Walton

Deirdre Cloake

Degree BSc (Hons) Financial Mathematics with Honours of the First Class
Present Job Graduate Trainee, HSBC
Deirdre Cloake

Why did you choose Financial Mathematics at Heriot-Watt?
I have always had a huge interest in the financial world and mathematics and I wanted a degree that allowed me to study both. The Financial Mathematics degree differs from courses that study separate mathematical and finance modules as it directly applies and links mathematics to the finance world. This appealed to me greatly. I chose to study Financial Mathematics at Heriot-Watt as the university has a great reputation in this field.

How do you feel your programme has prepared you for your career?
My course has given me a great understanding of how the financial markets work and the mathematics that is used daily in the market. This will obviously be invaluable when I start work in the financial sector.

Who would you recommend your programme to?
I would recommend the programme to anyone who is interested in both mathematics and the business world and want to work in a high-powered financial job such as investment banking.

What were your favourite aspects of student life at Heriot-Watt University?
Edinburgh is a beautiful place to live and going to Heriot-Watt University meant that I could experience that first hand. . The student social life in Edinburgh is fantastic and it was definitely one of my favourite aspects of student life at Heriot-Watt University.

How long did it take you to find a job? Tell us a bit about it?
I did an internship in the summer between third and fourth year. The internship was for a major bank in London and I really enjoyed putting the skills that I had learned in university to use in the finance industry. I was offered a place on their Corporate Banking Graduate Programme to train me for a career in corporate and structured banking. This is an 18-month programme where I will complete three six-month placements, one which will be abroad, and I will study for a Diploma in Corporate Banking.

Claire Yule

Degree Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science with First Class Honours
Present Job Trainee Actuary, Standard Life, Edinburgh
Claire Yule

Why Heriot-Watt?
I was in the fortunate position when applying for university in that I knew I wanted to be an actuary. With that in mind, I looked for a programme that was accredited by the Actuarial Profession as I was keen to achieve exemptions from some of the professional exams and make the process of qualification a little easier. I visited twice, at the main open day and an applicants visit day, and fell in love with the place.

I spent 1st year living in halls, which is the best way to meet people and settle into university life. Living on campus everything is right on your doorstep, but you're also very close to Edinburgh and everything that it has to offer.

The Programme
The programme is undoubtedly tough, but the staff are really friendly and approachable. Also, be sure to pay attention in every class - believe me everything you're taught here has a purpose.

Career planning
It's a good idea to look for an internship. This is the best way to find out what working as an actuary is really like. I interned with Deloitte in both their Life Insurance and Investment practices, and it helped me to decide that I wanted to work in Life Insurance.

Heriot-Watt has a great careers service that can help you to prepare for finding graduate work. Remember that employers are looking for a rounded person, so during your time at university it's really good if you join societies or sports teams, as these experiences are invaluable when you're in interviews. I got involved with our Students' Actuarial Society, which is one of the most active groups on campus.

After graduation I started work as a trainee actuary with Standard Life, an Edinburgh based asset management company. I was keen to remain in Edinburgh, and the job allows that as well as developing the Life Insurance interests I got from my internship.

Would I recommed Heriot-Watt?
I had an amazing 4 years at Heriot-Watt. Academically, I'm leaving with 8 exemptions from the professio

Laura Walton

Degree BSc (Hons) Statistics with Honours of the Second Class Upper Division (Now BSc Statistical Modelling)
Present Job PhD student with the University of York, collaborating with BioSS and SAC based in Edinburgh
Laura Walton

Why did you choose Heriot-Watt?
I had decided that I wanted to move to Edinburgh to attend university, and Heriot-Watt is one of a few universities in the UK that provides a statistics degree. My decision was also based on the fact that Heriot-Watt has an excellent reputation in the field and I felt that I would be getting a respected degree at the end of my four years.

Who would you recommend your programme to?
I would recommend this programme to someone who has a keen interest in statistics, or someone who is considering a mathematics degree but does not want to focus on pure maths. This degree does allow you to be flexible with your module choices, especially in fourth year.

What were your favourite aspects of student life at Heriot-Watt University?
One of my favourite aspects of student life at Heriot-Watt University was living in halls in first year. I got to meet a lot of different people, both from my course and from other courses which gave me the chance to make friends with people I might not have come across otherwise. I would definitely suggest living in halls in the first year, if not for the fact that it is so handy just to be able to walk to lectures in the morning, then because there is always something to do and never a dull moment! Another good aspect of being a student at Heriot-Watt is the social life. Edinburgh has quite a diverse range of clubs and bars so whatever your taste in music you are bound to find somewhere that suits.

What are you doing now?
When I went into fourth year I thought I had better start working out what it was that I wanted to do after I graduated, because I still didn't really know. I spoke to one of my dissertation supervisors and he suggested doing a PhD with an organisation he used to work for since I had such a keen interest in mathematical biology and epidemiology. Even though I thought it was a bit of a crazy suggestion for me, I looked into it and found a position advertised that s

Entry Requirements

The University offers as its normal entry routes:
- entry at Level 1, mainly for students with Scottish Highers (or similar),
- entry at Level 2, mainly for students with A-levels (or similar).

There is nevertheless considerable flexibility, depending on the level of qualifications, for entrants with A-levels to opt to enter at Level 1 and for Scottish students to enter at Level 2. Direct entry into Level 3 is also possible for students who already have certain HE qualifications.

Level 1 entry

  • Scottish Highers AAAB including Mathematics at A
  • GCE A Level ABB including Mathematics at A
  • Irish Leaving Cert (Higher) A1, A2, A2, B1 including Mathematics at A1
  • Int. Baccalaureate 28 points with higher level Mathematics at 6

Level 2 entry

  • GCE A Level AAB including Mathematics at A
  • SQA Advanced Highers ABB Including Mathematics at A plus excellent highers
  • Int. Baccalaureate 30 points with higher level Mathematics at 7
  • Additional information To find out about the difference between the 3 and 4 year honours programmes, please read our leaflet to help you decide which route is best for your qualifications and experience so far.

Tuition fees

Status* Scotland / EU** England / Northern Ireland / Wales International
Fee Paid by SAAS £9,000 £10,730

* Your residency "status" is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the 3 years before the start of your programme. Find out more about tuition fees.

** European Union countries, not including England, Northern Ireland or Wales.

Scholarships & bursaries

See also

Contact

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