MSc Statistics and Data Science

This two-year master’s programme provides you with a thorough introduction to the general philosophy and methodology of statistical modelling, data analysis and data science, with a focus on applications in the life and behavioural sciences.

How can we model the spread of a virus? How do global events affect people's wellbeing? How effective is a vaccine? What is the uncertainty of that estimate? These are pertinent questions in today's society that you can answer with statistics, but the applications are much broader than that: How does your phone recognize your face? How can an algorithm better diagnose cancer than a doctor? How can you draw conclusions from the expression of thousands of genes? A formal education in Statistics & Data Science will equip you with the skills to answer complicated questions like these, both in industry and academia.

What does this master’s programme entail?

The two-year master’s programme in Statistics & Data Science provides you with a thorough introduction to the general philosophy and methodology of statistical modelling and data analysis, with a focus on applications in the life and behavioural sciences. It is open to students with a variety of backgrounds, both in the applied domains (e.g. psychology, biology, medicine), and in more fundamental domains like mathematics and statistics. Our programme aims to educate multidisciplinary researchers and professionals who can combine theory and practice. The programme consists of a core programme shared by all students, elective courses, and a thesis project. Ultimately, the electives allow you to specialize in a research or application domain.

Why study Statistics & Data Science at Leiden University?

• This programme is a joint collaboration between three faculties of Leiden University: the Faculty of Science (FWN), the Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC) and the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Science (FSW), and the Biometris institute of Wageningen University & Research (WUR).
• We are a certified master's programme. If you choose the European Master in Official Statistics ( EMOS ) core module elective, you can obtain an internationally recognized certification as a statistician, on top of your master's degree.
• Specialized electives offer you a unique combination of knowledge and expertise. These provide for a thorough preparation for a career as a data scientist, researcher or statistician anywhere, be it in industry, government or academics.
• The focus of this master is on applications in life sciences and behavioural sciences, such as biology, agriculture, medicine, biomedical sciences, psychology and other social sciences.
• Job perspectives are great: statisticians and data scientists are highly sought after in various fields, including: health care, industry, universities, marketing, government, official statistics, bioinformatics and more.
• We welcome students from a wide variety of backgrounds. Not only is our programme accessible to students with a bachelor's degree in sciences like statistics or mathematics, but also to students with a bachelor’s degree in application domains such as psychology, biology or biomedical sciences, as long as you have a sufficient basis in quantitative methods.

Academic fields

Leiden has faculties in the fields of:

• Archaeology
• Governance and Global Affairs
• Humanities
• Medicine
• Law
• Science
• Social and Behavioural Sciences

Student support

International student advisers

The international student advisers are a good place to go when you need assistance during your stay in the Netherlands. Students in both locations of Leiden University have access to these specialised advisers. In many cases they will be able to provide the information you need, or will refer you to the relevant services. You can consult the advisers on a variety of matters, ranging from financial concerns, settling down issues, academic issues and health insurance to dealing with external housing agents or finding a family doctor.

Student counsellors

We have a number of specialised student counsellors available. They can help in legal and financial matters, but can also assist you in developing study-related skills. The skills package that is offered involves individual counselling and workshops designed to support you in your academic performance. Topics covered include thesis writing, time management, stress management and planning. Additionally, our counsellors are available to help resolve study and personal problems, should this be needed.

Departmental study advisers and coordinators

Each department has its own study advisers/coordinators who can answer questions about matters that are related to the study programme of your choice. You can consult the study adviser/coordinator on issues such as timetables, exam grades, choice of subjects and application for graduation.