MSc Biostatistics: The University of Manchester

Course description

This programme aims to offer you a professional training in biostatistics, preparing you for employment as a statistician in medicine, business, industry, education,  government or scientific research establishments. It covers areas such as statistical data analysis and modelling, epidemiology, survival analysis, clinical trials and advance topics in biostatistics.

Biostatistics is essentially a set of principles and methods for the design and analysis of research studies so that they are capable of answering the questions posed and of separating true effects from bias.  It allows pattern and meaning to be extracted from often complex data sets, while at the same time allowing for the role of chance variation.  The increase in computing power in the latter part of the 20th century has allowed a huge rise in the complexity and range of methods, making this an exciting and challenging area of work for those with the right skills.

Module details

This is a one-year taught postgraduate programme leading to the degree of MSc by examination and dissertation. The aim of the programme is to offer students a thorough professional training in biostatistics preparing students to work as biostatisticians in all fields.

Course content is delivered through eight course units listed below, followed by a Dissertation:

• Introduction to Biostatistics
• Linear and Generalised LInear Models
• Epidemiology and Survival Analysis
• Introduction to Clinical Trials
• Design and Analysis of Experiments
• Longtitudional Data Analysis
• Computationally Intensive Statistics
• Advanced Topics in Biostatistics

Career opportunities

The programme will prepare students for a broad range of careers in the medical sector requiring high quantitative and mathematical skills. The programme would also provide an excellent background for students wishing to pursue advanced postgraduate research in this area.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview: The entry requirement to the programme is normally an upper second class honours degree in Mathematics/Statistics, a Science degree with a strong quantitative component, a subject with a substantial mathematical content or an equivalent overseas qualification in a mathematical subject.

English language: Students whose first language is not English require a minimum score of IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 570 (paper-based) with not less than 5.0 in the TOEFL essay section of the test or 90 (ibtTOEFL).