MPhil/PhD in Statistics

Programme Code: RPST

Department: Statistics

For students starting this programme of study in 2020/21

Guidelines for interpreting programme regulations

In addition to progressing with their research, students are expected to take the listed training and transferable skills courses. Students may take courses in addition to those listed, and should discuss this with their supervisor.

Year 1
Paper	Course number, title (unit value)
Training courses	Compulsory (examined)
	ST505 Statistical Modelling and Data Analysis (0.5) ^#
	ST552 Probability and Mathematical Statistics I (0.5)
	and one of:
	ST510 Foundations of Machine Learning (0.5) ^#
	ST553 Probability and Mathematical Statistics II (0.5) ^#
	Students may take a different course option with the agreement of both the supervisor and PhD Programme Director.
	Optional (not examined):
	Courses offered by the London Graduate School in Mathematical Finance.
	Courses offered by the London Taught Course Centre.
	Optional (examined):
	Masters level courses relevant to research and agreed by supervisor in department, the School or University of London College.
Transferable skills courses	Compulsory (not examined):
	One presentation.
	Attendance of departmental seminars appropriate to the student's field of study, e.g. Statistics Seminar Series; Joint Statistics and Econometrics Seminar Series; Joint Risk and Stochastics and Financial Mathematics Seminar Series; Theory of Machine Learning Study Group; Social Statistics Meetings
	Optional (not examined):
	London Graduate School in Mathematical Finance Seminar Day.
	Poster Presentations.
	The department encourages students to attend and, where the opportunity arises, present a paper or poster at conferences during their PhD programme in relation to their particular research topic.
	Optional (examined):
	Courses provided by the Department of Methodology.
Year 2
Training courses	Optional (not examined):
	Courses offered by the London Graduate School in Mathematical Finance.
	Courses offered by the London Taught Course Centre.
	Optional (examined):
	Masters or PhD level courses relevant to research and agreed by supervisor in department, the School or University of London College.
Transferable skills courses	Compulsory (not examined)
	Two presentations.
	Attendance of departmental seminars appropriate to the student's field of study, e.g. Statistics Seminar Series; Joint Statistics and Econometrics Seminar Series; Joint Risk and Stochastics and Financial Mathematics Seminar Series; Theory of Machine Learning Study Group; Social Statistics Meetings
	Optional (not examined):
	London Graduate School in Mathematical Finance Seminar Day.
	Poster Presentations.
	The department encourages students to attend and, where the opportunity arises, present a paper or poster at conferences during their PhD programme in relation to their particular research topic.
	Optional (examined):
	Courses provided by the Department of Methodology.
Year 3
Training courses	Optional (not examined):
	Courses offered by the London Graduate School in Mathematical Finance.
	Courses offered by the London Taught Course Centre.
	Optional (examined):
	Masters or PhD level courses relevant to research and agreed by supervisor in department, the School or University of London College.
Transferable skills courses	Compulsory (not examined):
	Two presentations.
	Attendance of departmental seminars appropriate to the student's field of study, e.g. Statistics Seminar Series; Joint Statistics and Econometrics Seminar Series; Joint Risk and Stochastics and Financial Mathematics Seminar Series; Theory of Machine Learning Study Group; Social Statistics Meetings
	Optional (not examined):
	London Graduate School in Mathematical Finance Seminar Day.
	Poster Presentations.
	The department encourages students to attend and, where the opportunity arises, present a paper or poster at conferences during their PhD programme in relation to their particular research topic.
	Optional (examined):
	Courses provided by the Department of Methodology.
Year 4
Training courses	Optional (not examined):
	Courses offered by the London Graduate School in Mathematical Finance.
	Courses offered by the London Taught Course Centre.
	Optional (examined):
	Masters or PhD level courses relevant to research and agreed by supervisor in department, the School or University of London College.
Transferable skills courses	Compulsory (not examined)
	Attendance of departmental seminars appropriate to the student's field of study, e.g. Statistics Seminar Series; Joint Statistics and Econometrics Seminar Series; Joint Risk and Stochastics and Financial Mathematics Seminar Series; Theory of Machine Learning Study Group; Social Statistics Meetings
	Optional (not examined):
	London Graduate School in Mathematical Finance Seminar Day.
	Poster Presentations.
	The department encourages students to attend and, where the opportunity arises, present a paper or poster at conferences during their PhD programme in relation to their particular research topic.
	Optional (examined):
	Courses provided by the Department of Methodology.

# means there may be prerequisites for this course. Please view the course guide for more information.

Progression and upgrade requirements

Formal assessment is made towards the end of each Summer Term. This assessment is based on a combination of course evaluation, the evaluation of a preliminary research project, and on statements made by the student and the supervisors in the progress report form. Performance in the compulsory taught courses will contribute to the decision on a student’s progression to the next year. Students are also required to complete a supplementary report, providing in more detail an outline of their current research.

The MPhil/PhD Evaluation Committee will meet during the Summer Term in order to oversee the progress of students and to decide on whether to recommend to the School that students be permitted to proceed to the next year of study. The outcome of this progress review may be progression, progression to the next year with conditions, or de-registration from the programme.

The following benchmarks are used by the MPhil/PhD Evaluation Committee to determine if students are progressing appropriately:

By Summer Term Year 1 (full-time students): Pass compulsory courses and present their research topic at the annual presentation events
By Summer Term Year 2 (full-time students): Upgrade from MPhil to PhD status and present their research findings at the annual presentation events
By Summer Term Year 3 (full-time students): Submit a plan for completion and present their research findings at the annual presentation events

In addition, students are expected to have completed requirements as directed by the supervisory team, according to the needs of their individual PhD project.

All full-time students are required to have made the transition from MPhil to PhD status within two years of first registration and to have submitted their PhD within four years.

It is expected that the student is assessed for upgrade within the first 18 months of registration. The student is required to submit a written report of literature searches, research findings and related work, together with a written research plan. The student presents her/his work to date and findings to a panel (comprised of the first and/or second supervisor and another expert in the field of the research undertaken by the student) and answers questions from the panel. If satisfactory progress has been made, the programme director will recommend that registration be upgraded to PhD status. The department's research committee also monitors the progress of PhD students. Successful completion of all compulsory elements listed under year 1 is required for an upgrade.

Teaching opportunities
The department employs Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) to teach a number of its undergraduate and postgraduate courses. In particular ST102, Elementary Statistical theory, and ST107, Quantitative Methods, are taught to a large number of students across the School and require a significant number of classes. Research students are encouraged to undertake some teaching from year two onwards. First year MPhil/PhD students are normally not permitted to teach, although some marking may be available during the year or for the external degree at the end of the year. A Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education is offered to those who wish to pursue this.

Note for prospective students:
For changes to graduate course and programme information for the next academic session, please see the graduate summary page for prospective students. Changes to course and programme information for future academic sessions can be found on the graduate summary page for future students.

MPhil/PhD in Statistics

Paper

Course number, title (unit value)