Master's Programme in Statistics - Statistical Modelling and Data Science, 120 credits

The programme is focused on the analysis of data with a foundation in statistical theory and gives you the tools needed to find patterns in large and complex data sets, or for more accurate statistical modeling with the aim of identifying causal relationships. You get a good foundation for a career in data science and as a statistician where you are well equipped to drive the design of statistical surveys and make your own contributions to statistical method development. Perhaps you want to pursue a PhD in statistics? Even then, the programme is something for you!

The programme is offered in English and you study with people from different parts of the world, all with a common focus on a career in Statistics or Data Science. Your teachers also have extensive professional experience and a wide network of contacts, internationally within academia and with employers in Sweden.

As the only university in Sweden – and one of only two universities in the Nordic countries – Örebro University has been awarded the European Master in Official Statistics (EMOS) label by Eurostat. The European Master in Official Statistics is offered as an elective option in the Master’s Programme in Statistics. The option includes a 15 credit internship course at an agency in the official statistics field. The internship and the course work in the EMOS options provide students with the qualifications needed for a career in official statistics – in Sweden or internationally.

The training emphasizes the ability to communicate and collaborate, partly to identify the organization's information needs and the prerequisites for the statistical survey or data analysis, partly to be able to clearly communicate the selected approaches and results.

The programme of study is two years long and leads to a master’s degree (2 years) but there is also an option to exit after one year with a master’s (1 year) degree. The programme is delivered during four semesters each consisting of 30 ECTS credits of course work. During the first fall semester, the foundation is laid with courses in data visualization, programming in languages such as R and Python, database management and courses in mathematics, probability theory and inference theory. The second (spring) semester begins with courses in econometrics and computer-intensive methods and ends with a thesis (15 ECTS credits). In the second year, the fall semester consists of courses in machine learning, Bayesian statistics and survey sampling theory as well as 15 ECTS credits of optional courses. During the fourth semester, there is an opportunity to do an internship, alternatively optional courses are taken. The semester ends with a second thesis (15 ECTS credits).

Programme syllabus Master's Programme in Statistics - Statistical Modelling and Data Science, 120 credits

During semester 1 on the programme, students take the courses Statistics, Mathematics, Second Cycle, 5 credits; Statistics, Data Visualisation, Second Cycle, 5 credits; Statistics, Probability Theory, Second Cycle, 5 credits; Computer Science, Programming for Statisticians, Second Cycle, 5 credits; Statistics, Inference Theory, Second Cycle, 5 credits; and Computer Science, Databases, Second Cycle, 5 credits.

During semester 2, students take the courses Statistics, Econometrics, Second Cycle, 7.5 credits, and Statistics, Computational Statistics, Second Cycle 7.5 credits, as well as Statistics, Independent Project, Second Cycle, 15 credits.

During semester 3, students take the courses Statistics, Bayesian Statistics, Second Cycle, 5 credits; Statistics, Survey Sampling, Second Cycle, 5 credits; Statistics, Machine Learning for Data Science, Second Cycle, 5 credits; as well as 15 credits of optional courses from the university’s range of courses. We recommend students to select courses in statistics on the second cycle, mathematics, informatics, computer science or another field of application.

During semester 4, students take the course Statistics, Work Placement for Statisticians, 15 credits, alternatively 15 credits worth of courses in statistics on the second cycle, courses in mathematics, informatics, computer science or another field of application. This is followed by the course Statistics, Independent Project II, Second Cycle, 15 credits.

Degree of Master of Science (60 credits)
Students who wish to complete their studies with a Degree of Master of Science (60 credits) take the courses and write their thesis as described for semester 1 and 2 above.

Specific entry requirements: A first-cycle qualification of at least 180 credits, of which at least 90 credits are for studies in statistics, alternatively at least 30 credits are for studies in statistics and 60 credits for mathematics, alternatively 60 credits are for studies in statistics including 7.5 credits in statistical theory and 7.5 credits in regression analysis/econometrics. The applicant must also have qualifications corresponding to the course "English 6" or "English B" from the Swedish Upper Secondary School.

First semester: Autumn semester 2025

Pace of study: Full Time

Level: Second Cycle

Study places: 5

Selection: Number of credits obtained no later than on the last application date

Study venue: Örebro

School: Örebro University School of Business

Qualifications: Degree of Master of Arts/Science [60 credits], Degree of Master of Arts/Science [120 credits]

Language of instruction: The language of instruction is English.

Head of programme: Stepan Mazur

Application code ORU-M2501

The increasing information availability and data flow increases the job market for statisticians, which for the foreseeable future is very good. The profession is repeatedly ranked high in international comparisons, but the competition for jobs is relatively small - both for newly graduated and established statisticians.

Career opportunities are good, and a statistician can work in a wide variety of fields. Examples of employers are banks, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, companies in the manufacturing industry, gambling companies, marketing and consulting companies and public authorities such as national statistical institutes or international agencies.