Masters Degrees in Statistics, Netherlands

Methodology and Statistics for the Behavioural, Biomedical and Social Sciences

The Master's programme familiarises you with issues of research design, data collection, analysis methods and statistical tools as applied to biomedical, behavioural and social sciences.

The field of methodology and statistics is by its nature interdisciplinary, as it relates to all fields of behavioural, biomedical and social research. Social science methodology concentrates on central issues in research design and data collection, with the aim of improving the quality of empirical research. In addition, the complex theories and research designs currently used call for advanced analysis methods, which in turn require mastery of the statistical foundations of these methods, and training in their skilled use.

Finally, there are strong interconnections between methodology and statistics. Modern social, biomedical and behavioural research uses highly advanced quantitative methods, while, at the same time, no amount of statistics can compensate for fundamental flaws in a study's design or data collection.

This selective Master’s programme combines the research expertise of the following departments at Utrecht University (UU) and the University of Twente (UT):
-Department of Methodology and Statistics (UU)
-Department of Biostatistics, University Medical Centre Utrecht (UU)
-Department of Research Methodology, Measurement and Data Analysis (UT)

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The two-year master’s programme Statistical Science for the Life and Behavioural Sciences provides you with a thorough introduction to the general philosophy and methodology of statistical modelling, data analysis and data science.

What does this master’s programme entail?

The two-year master’s programme in Statistical Science provides you with a thorough introduction to the general philosophy and methodology of statistical modelling and data analysis. The programme consists of a core programme shared by all students, and specialisation specific courses, electives, an internship or research project and master’s thesis. You can specialise in either life and behavioural sciences, where the emphasis is on the application in multidisciplinary environments, or in data sciences where you focus more on data mining, pattern recognition and deep learning.

Read more about the Statistical Science for the Life and Behavioural Sciences programme.

Why study Statistical Sciences for the Life and Behavioural Sciences at Leiden University?

• Each specialisation offers you a unique combination of knowledge and expertise. These allow for a thorough preparation for a career as a data scientist, researcher or statistician anywhere.
• Job perspectives after graduation are great: statisticians and data scientists are highly sought after in various industries such as academia, marketing, banking, government, official statistics, healthcare, bioinformatics and more.
• The Statistical Science programme is a collaborative effort. Four Leiden University Institutes closely collaborate with top research institutes such as Wageningen UR and VUMC, which means that your education is provided by experts in their respective fields.

Find more reasons to choose Statistical Science for the Life and Behavioural Sciencese at Leiden University.

Statistical Sciences for the Life and Behavioural Sciences: the right master’s programme for you?

The field of statistics, like other areas of applied mathematics, often attracts students who are interested in the analysis of patterns in data: developing, understanding, abstracting, and packaging analytical methods for general use in other subject areas. Statistics is also, by definition, an information science. Imaginative use of both computing power and new computing environments drives much current research - so an interest in computation and/or computer science can also be a start for a statistician. With the growing importance of data within our society, you’ll be highly in demand with a degree in Statistical Sciences.

Read more about the entry requirements for the Statistical Science programme.

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