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Statistics (Statistical Finance)
Develop and apply statistical theory and methods in a wide range of situations relevant to commerce and finance.
Develop and apply statistical theory and methods in a wide range of situations relevant to commerce and finance
Get industry recognition with an accredited degree
Apply your knowledge on an independent investigation within the area of financial statistics
Course key facts
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Qualification
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MSc
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Duration
1 year
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Start date
September 2024
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Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£20,500 Home
£34,350 Overseas
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Delivered by
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Location
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South Kensington
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Minimum entry standard
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2:1 in statistics, mathematics, engineering, physics or computer science
Course overview
Receive outstanding training in theoretical and applied statistics and statistical finance on this Master's course.
You'll explore statistical theory and methods relating to commerce and finance, and how they apply to a range of situations in these sectors.
This includes an exploration of how techniques relate to real-world problems, while the programme also considers current developments in the field.
You'll also carry out an independent investigation within the area of financial statistics using research techniques acquired from the course.
Statistical Finance is one of six Statistics streams available at Imperial.
You may wish to consider our General stream, or specialist streams in Applied Statistics, Biostatistics, Data Science, and Theory and Methods.
Testimonials
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You'll take all of these core modules.
Core modules
Assess the key concepts of probability theory and learn how random variables and vectors and their distribution functions are defined.
Appreciate different Bayesian and frequentist approaches to statistical inference and select and justify appropriate methods for hypothesis testing.
Examine statistical modelling and regression and apply it to realistic problems and real data.
Engage with a number of computational methods that are key in modern statistics and learn to implement and apply these methods confidently.
Explore fundamental concepts of quantitative finance and statistical methods that are widely used to analyse financial data.
Further your understanding of statistical finance by engaging with modern statistical methods for analysis of financial data.
Study stochastic processes and the basic tools from stochastic analysis that provide the mathematical foundations for option pricing theory.
Choose any other modules from the list for a total of 15-17.5 ECTS.
You can choose a maximum of two modules each worth 7.5 ECTS.
Each module is worth 5 ECTS unless otherwise stated.
Optional modules
Gain a basic understanding of simulation, along with its uses and limitations, and the models for which basic or sophisticated simulation methods can be applied.
Understand the relative advantages of the frequentist and Bayesian approaches to statistical analysis and apply appropriate Bayesian data analyses.
Design and develop data analysis procedures using Big Data technology and use it to perform a rigorous statistical analysis.
Learn how to analyse biomedical data and design and analyse clinical trials.
Discuss key developments in contemporary statistical theory and examine analytic methods used in the development of statistical theory and methodology.
Become familiar with the most common data scientific methods and their uses and misuses.
Explore the building blocks of deep learning models, and how to design network architectures for specific applications.
Build familiarity with multivariate analysis by exploring concepts including standard multivariate notations, the covariance matrix, and multivariate normal distribution.
Build your understanding of statistical pattern recognition and machine learning and analyse state-of-art approaches.
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of nonparametric methods as flexible data-adaptive alternatives to parametric modelling.
Appreciate the importance of handling high dimensional datasets, through the analysis of genetics (genomics) and bioinformatics data.
Discover why survival models are fundamental to actuarial work and explore key actuarial applications.
Examine discrete time stochastic processes and associated computational algorithms and approaches.
Learn the mathematical foundations and put into practice how and why machine learning and deep learning algorithms often work so impressively well.
You'll also complete an extensive research project full-time between May and September, within the area of financial statistics.
This will include an opportunity to work with a member of academic staff on a state-of-the-art research problem that suits your interests.
Professional accreditation
Our MSc in Statistics is accredited by the Royal Statistical Society.
Graduates from accredited degrees can apply to the Royal Statistical Society for the professional award of Graduate Statistician. Graduates from non-accredited courses may also apply for this status and will be considered on an individual basis.
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
Key
- Lectures, tutorials and practicals
- Research project
- 67% Lectures, tutorials and practicals
- 33% Research project
Teaching and learning methods
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Dissertation
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Group tutorials
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Lectures
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Modern statistical computing skills
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Office hours
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Oral presentation and assessment
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Practical computational sessions
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Problem classes
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Research seminars
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Virtual learning environment
Balance of assessment
Key
- Modules
- Research project
- 67% Modules
- 33% Research project
Assessment methods
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Assessed coursework/tests
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Enhanced coursework assessments
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Oral presentation
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Written examinations
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Written project
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply online
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
- £80 for all taught Master's applications, excluding those to the Imperial College Business School.
- £100 for all MSc applications to the Imperial College Business School.
- £150 for all MBA applications to the Imperial College Business School.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
We do not interview for applicants for entry to this programme.
When you apply, you will be able to choose your stream of choice.
If you are applying for the general stream of this course, we are only able to consider your application if you choose this as your first course choice.
If you are applying for one of the specialisation streams, please select the stream as your first course choice and we will automatically consider you for the general stream if your chosen specialisation is full.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Tuition fees
Home fee
2024 entry
£20,500
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the College, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The government has not yet published the loan amount for students starting courses in Autumn 2024. As a guide, the maximum value of the loan was £12,167 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2023.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
The Martingale Foundation are offering fully funded scholarships for eligible students on selected Mathematics courses.
Martingale Scholarships: Full details and how to apply
Closing date: 25 October 2023
Overseas fee
2024 entry
£34,350
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the College, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The government has not yet published the loan amount for students starting courses in Autumn 2024. As a guide, the maximum value of the loan was £12,167 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2023.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
The Martingale Foundation are offering fully funded scholarships for eligible students on selected Mathematics courses.
Martingale Scholarships: Full details and how to apply
Closing date: 25 October 2023
Your future career
Develop highly transferable skills that will prepare you for further study of statistics or a career in statistical finance.
These include skills in programming, problem-solving, critical thinking, scientific writing, project work and presentation.
Mathematics graduates at Imperial are highly sought after in a wide array of employment and research sectors.
These include banking and finance, accountancy, education, and IT and technology.
Further links
Contact the department
- Email: statsmsc@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Dr Oliver Ratmann
Visit the Department of Mathematics website.

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Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications