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| Application Deadline: | March 1(Non-EEA); June 1(EEA) | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | ≈ € 570 | ||
| Location: | Leuven / Belgium / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 24 months | Start Date: | September |
| Educational Form: |
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| Education Variants: |
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| Credits (ECTS): | 120 | ||
| Languages: | Dutch English | ||
Location of University of Leuven
The objective of the programme is to offer a wide-ranging training in statistics at a high scientific level aimed at a number of specific application fields: biomedical statistics, statistics used in the social, behavioral and educational sciences, statistics used in a business or government environment, or in the industry. In addition, there is a methodological and a broad all round option.
The aim is to train students intensively in both theoretical and practical aspects of statistics, to bring them in contact with basic concepts and methods and to create a problem-solving attitude with the aid of statistical methodology.
Lastly, the intention of the programme is to bring the student in contact with the different ways in which statistics is used in the various disciplines. This is realized in the different options, each of which is aimed at a particular application area and groups the most important statistical techniques used in this area. In this way, the student will get an insight into the various approaches and an idea of statistics as a discipline, as well as insight into domain-specific methods.
The available options are: Biometrics, Social behavioral and educational statistics, Business statistics, Industrial statistics, General statistical methodology and All round statistics. Within each option (except the last one), there is a research sub-option and a professional sub-option.
Quantitative Analysis in the Social Sciences (QASS) is a one year (60 ECTS) track within the Social, Behavioural and Educational Statistics option of the 2 year (120 ECTS) Master of Science in Statistics programme. it aims to improve methodological knowledge of students who acquired a Master degree in one of the behavioural sciences, such as sociology, psychology, political science, pedagogy, and economics. It also focuses on training students in advanced reasoning in quantitative analysis.
The intended learning outcomes are:
- To have gained thorough knowledge of a wide range of current statistical techniques and their mutual relations;
- (research sub-option) To have extended one's knowledge of the above with an emphasis on the underlying theory;
- (professional sub-option) To have acquired enough background knowledge linked to the chosen specialization to be able to work as a statistical consultant vis-à-vis colleagues in the same specialization;
- To be able of choosing the most suitable analysis technique for a specific problem arising within the chosen specialization;
- To have acquired the necessary oral and written communication abilities to read statistical scientific publications and software documentation, to write statistical reports and to deliver statistical presentations.
- To be able to search the scientific literature for publications relevant to the analysis, the background or the software solution of a statistical problem.
- To be able of carrying out these analysis techniques without help (using software packages), interpreting the results and communicating these to the requesting party;
- (research sub-option) To be able of using the theory creatively, in a theoretical as well as in an application context, contributing in this way to scientific research;
- To have an attitude to perform statistics on an innovative and scientifically founded level during and after the study career.
Contents
This programme is organized by the Leuven Statistics Research Centre (LStat), representing almost all of University of Leuven's statistical laboratories.
The programme runs over two academic years. The programme of the first semester is the same for all participants. In the second semester, participants can choose between six profiles: Biometrics, Social Behavioral and Educational statistics, Business statistics, Industrial statistics, General Statistical methodology or an all-round statistics profile. In the first semester of the second year one can choose between a research and a professional option. In the last semester, much attention is devoted to the preparation of a master thesis. The master thesis will be defended at the end of the academic year.
Modules:
- Basic Courses (30 credits, compulsory)
- Philosofical -Ethical Course (4 credits, elective)The student chooses a course of at least 4 credits with a philosophical and/or ethical content (in a broad sense) from the courses at this university.
- Options (62 credits)The student chooses one of these options.
- Biometrics (32 credits compulsory + 30 credits Research option OR Professional option)
- Social, Behavioral and Educational Statistics(32 credits compulsory + 30 credits Research option OR Professional option
- Business Statistics(32 credits choice + 30 credits Research option OR Professional option
- Industrial Statistics(32 credits compulsory + 30 credits Research option OR Professional option
- General Statistical Methodology(32 credits compulsory + 30 credits Research option OR Professional option)
- All Round Statistics(The student chooses 62 credits from the main courses of the other options (Biometrics; Social, Behavioral and Educational Statistics; Business Statistics, Industrial Statistics and General Statistical Methodology)
- Master Thesis (24 credits, compulsory)
Quantitative Analysis in the Social Sciences is a one year track (60 ECTS) within the Social, Behavioural and Educational Statistics option of the 2 year (120 ECTS)Master of Science in Statistics programme.
The QASS programme includes seven modules - each of them thoroughly examines the relevant techniques of analysis - and a Master thesis. All modules deal with the practical application of the techniques or the analysis method to real survey results. They are structured according to the following model: basic courses include an introductory module that links the traditional correlation methods to the social science research questions, a module explaining sampling techniques and measurement problems in the social sciences, and advanced modules dealing with data reduction, scale construction and data quality and modules dealing with causal models. Advanced inferential and descriptive methods are also covered.
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test if you come from a non-English speaking country.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
More informationRequirements
Students from very different background can start the master in statistics. They get further qualifications in methodology and statistical techniques within their discipline or in the broad field of statistics.
Students should minimally have obtained an academic bachelor degree containing a sound course of introductory statistics. Furthermore, they have attained the goals that are to be expected of an academic bachelor graduate for cognitive skills, competencies and attitude.
This means students:
- Can autonomously build a discourse based on disciplinary insights
- Have a good level of information literacy (looking up, contextualizing and critically processing scientific information)
- Have knowledge of research methods and techniques and their application within the own discipline
- Have developed insight and involvement in ethical, normative and societal questions in the application of disciplinary insight.
To apply for the Master of Statistics, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Successful completion of an academic Bachelor´s degree with at least one course in introductory statistics.
- As courses are taught in English, proven proficiency in English is required for non-native English speakers.
To apply for the 1 year (60 ECTS) Quantitative Analysis in the Social Sciences (QASS) track, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a Master degree in political and social sciences, economics and applied economics, pedagogic and psychological sciences, communication sciences, social geography or commercial engineering or have a 4 years bachelor degree in one of these disciplines. Evidently, students from a different background, with sufficient knowledge of mathematics, statistics and information technology, including but not limited to mathematics, physics, history, law, arts, ..., are also welcome to apply. The Admission Board will be glad to consider their application.
- Have sufficient knowledge of mathematics, statistics and information technology (this means you can show proof of three substantive courses in statistics spread over at least two years)
- Can provide evidence of proficiency in the English language.
The easiest way for international applicants to demonstrate proficiency in the English language is by means of the "Test of English as a Foreign Language" (TOEFL).The TOEFL is administered in more than 90 testing centers throughout the world. Applicants also have the option to take the "International English Language Testing System" (IELTS) exam rather than the TOEFL to prove English proficiency.
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Bachelor's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Statistics programme has been accredited by the Royal Statistical Society (RSS). This means that students that have obtained their Master of Science in Statistics by doing the full programme, can apply for a Graduate or Chartered Statistician status with the RSS.
Funding details
Motivated and talented international students, interested in participating in an international master programme of the Faculty of Science of the K.U.Leuven are invited to apply for a scholarship.
For the following masters you can apply for the Scholarship :
- Master of Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Master of Biology
- Master of Molecular and Cellular Biophysics
- Master of Chemistry
- Master of Physics
- Master of Geography
- Master of Mathematics
- Master of Statistics
Amount of Scholarship
The amount of the scholarship can be up to 8.000 Euro for 1 year. The Board of the Science@Leuven Fund will decide exactly how much a scholarship will be. The scholarship will always cover the tuition fee for 1 year, the insurance and a basic health insurance coverage. The amount awarded for living expenses can vary.
Most master programmes of the Faculty of Science are 2-year programmes. A scholarship for the second master year will be only be continued for students having had outstanding results the first master year.
Contact
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