Applied Statistics and Financial Modelling
MSc
Course overview
With a strong emphasis on practical application, this MSc Applied Statistics and Financial Modelling is designed to deepen your understanding of statistical methods and financial modelling techniques. It is ideal if you work in the arena of finance, data analysis or research but want to excel in a competitive job market.
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Why choose this course?
- You will learn from experienced lecturers who are leaders in their fields, bringing real-world insights and cutting-edge research into the classroom.
- The course has a comprehensive curriculum covering topics including advanced statistical methods, financial econometrics and risk management.
- It benefits from our partnerships with leading financial institutions and gives you the chance to attend exclusive events to help enhance your professional network.
- This course's strong reputation and practical focus help our graduates stand out for some of the top employers in finance, consulting and data analytics.
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What will I learn?
You will master advanced statistical techniques and financial modelling tools to help prepare you for success in roles in data analysis, risk management and economic forecasting. The curriculum is also designed to equip you with practical skills directly applicable to real-world scenarios, ensuring you are ready to tackle complex career challenges.
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How will I learn?
This course is taught via a blend of lectures, seminars and workshops, providing you with a dynamic and interactive learning environment. It emphasises a hands-on approach to learning, ensuring you can apply theoretical knowledge to practical problems.
This course is available to study full- or part-time and follows an evening timetable.
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How often will I attend classes?
Full-time: Four evenings a week, October to July.
Part-time: Two evenings a week, October to July.
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Course disclaimer
Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.
Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.
More highlights
- This course is accredited by the Royal Statistical Society - graduates may be granted Graduate Statistician (GradStat) status.
- We offer state-of-the-art resources with access to cutting-edge software and tools in our modern computer labs.
- You will join a diverse and inclusive community of students and faculty which fosters collaboration and networking.
- We are located in the heart of London, with access to world-class facilities and vibrant cultural experiences, including University of London seminar programmes in probability and statistics, and excellent library facilities close by in Bloomsbury.
- Our teaching is informed by the needs of employers and you will be taught by academics who are professional practitioners involved in the world of economics and international finance. They provide specialist advice and training to government departments and City firms and banks.
- We have active research groups in mathematics, econometrics and statistics, macroeconomics and microeconomics, that all host visiting speakers and organise seminars you can attend. For example, our Birkbeck Centre for Applied Macroeconomics disseminates research, hosts events and houses visiting academics.
Modules and Teaching
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One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026
Course structure
You must complete modules worth a total of 180 credits, consisting of:
- two core modules (30 credits each)
- one compulsory module (30 credits)
- two option modules (15 credits each)
- a project (60 credits).
Alternatively you may wish to graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Statistics after completing the core modules only.
Core modules
Compulsory module
Indicative option modules
- Bayesian Methods
- Computational Statistics
- Financial Data Science with Python
- Individually Prescribed Reading Course Applied Statistics
- Linear and Nonlinear Optimization
- Statistical Learning
MSc Applied Statistics and Financial Modelling project
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Teaching
We encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching to help ensure you have the best learning experience and provide a range of different modes of learning to help you juggle study with work and other commitments.
What are the methods of teaching?
Most scheduled teaching sessions are either lectures, or practical computing sessions held in a workstation room, which make use of modern statistical and mathematical software.
Lectures present theory, worked problems and example applications to the class as a whole. Workstation sessions allow you to gain practical experience in the analysis and modelling of data. They are therefore self-paced and very informal, with students working individually using detailed guidance notes while members of staff provide tutorial assistance.
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How will I be assessed?
Written examinations in May/June, assessed coursework and a project to be completed by 1 September.
Two to four daytime examinations in the summer term.
Please see individual modules for more details.
Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.
Entry requirements
A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above, with mathematics or statistics as a main subject.
Other degrees or professional qualifications may also be acceptable, such as the Graduate Diploma of the Royal Statistical Society.
We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.
On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.
Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.
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What are the English language requirements?
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.
If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.
Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.
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What are the visa and funding requirements?
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.
The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:
- Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
- Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa
International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).
As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.
For full information, read our visa information for international students page.
Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)
If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.
Fees
MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026
Academic year 2026-27
Part-time home students, Year 1: £6,000 per year
Part-time home students, Year 2: £8,880 per year
Full-time home students: £14,880 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1: £12,195 per year
Part-time international students, Year 2: £12,195 per year
Full-time international students: £24,390 per year
Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.
Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.
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Birkbeck's Lifelong Learning Guarantee
If you've studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a reduction on the tuition fee of this course.
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Can I apply for an international scholarship?
We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. View Birkbeck's available scholarships.
Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.
Careers and employability
On successfully graduating from this MSc Applied Statistics and Financial Modelling, you will have gained an array of essential transferable skills, including in:
- advanced data analysis and statistical modelling
- financial forecasting and risk management
- critical thinking and problem-solving
- effective communication and presentation skills.
Graduates can pursue career paths in data collection, research, analysis, modelling and forecasting. Possible professions include:
- financial analyst
- data scientist
- risk manager
- quantitative researcher roles.
Our graduates have gone on to be employed by organisations such as Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Deloitte and the Bank of England.
Further information about careers in statistics is available from the Royal Statistical Society.
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.
Student support
Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.
Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.
Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.
Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.
Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.
How to apply
You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.
You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.
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When should I apply?
You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places left, and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.
You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.
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How can I get help with my application?
Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.
Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.
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International agents
If you are an international agent applying to Birkbeck on behalf of an international student, please use Birkbeck's agent portal.
Related courses
Study routes for Applied Statistics and Financial Modelling (MSc)
Please select a study route below to continue your application.
Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.
Starting in October 2026
Full-time
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One year full-time, on campus starting in October 2026
Apply Now Applied Statistics and Financial Modelling (MSc) One year full-time, on campus starting in October 2026
Part-time
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Two years part-time, on campus starting in October 2026
Apply Now Applied Statistics and Financial Modelling (MSc) Two years part-time, on campus starting in October 2026