Why do a PhD in Statistics?

Traditionally a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) degree has been, and indeed continues to be, the essential foundation for a career in research or higher education. In recent years, the demand for PhD-trained statisticians and probabilists, has seen sustained growth also outside the traditional academic sphere. To a large extent, this reflects the general, sustained demand globally for graduates with good statistical skills; a PhD represents the pinnacle of advanced training in statistical methods, and this is widely recognised by major employers.

In addition, very importantly: modern research in probability and statistics is both intellectually stimulating and hugely engaging, and is a terrific way to spend at least three or four years of your life!

Why Warwick?

The University of Warwick has one of the largest departments of Statistics in the world, with a thriving PhD program. Key benefits for our doctoral students include:

• PhD supervision in all major areas of probability, statistical theory and methods, applied and computational statistics, and related research areas such as complexity science, systems biology and mathematical finance: see the faculty research interests page for more specific information on currently active research areas. Twenty three students enjoy exciting new opportunities at the interface between statistics, probability and applied mathematics, through the EPSRC-funded MASDOC initiative.
• A large and very active community of PhD students. A special focus is the regular Young Researchers' Meeting within the Department, organised by our PhD students to promote scientific interaction in a particularly friendly environment. In 2010 the Warwick PhD students hosted the national Research Students' Conference in Probability and Statistics. In 2012, the Research Students' Conference will be in Southampton.
  
• The Department leads the national, EPSRC-funded Academy for PhD Training in Statistics (APTS), which provides a unique programme of intensive courses and networking opportunities for first-year doctoral students. A typical APTS training week has around 70 students taking part, from more than 20 universities in the UK and Ireland.
• The Department has a long-established reputation for research activity of the highest quality, and this enhances both the PhD-student experience and the demand for our PhD graduates. The Department has been ranked in the top group of UK universities for Statistics at successive national Research Assessment Exercises.
• Three special initiatives to promote research and interaction in broad major areas:

  	CRiSM, the Centre for Research in Statistical Methodology
  	P@W, the Probability at Warwick initiative
  	SF@W, the Stochastic Finance at Warwick initiative

  These provide the Department's PhD students with a wide variety of academic resources, including sustained programmes of research seminars and international workshops.
• Substantial opportunities exist for PhD students to gain valuable experience in undergraduate teaching and in statistical consulting work. The Department has a very large programme of undergraduate courses in probability and statistics, and PhD students are encouraged (and paid!) to take an active part in the delivery of that programme, for example through tutorial classes. In addition, interested PhD students can gain consultancy experience through RISCU, which provides a professional statistical consultancy service both within and outside the University.
• An informal, friendly and modern working environment, with excellent computing and library facilities, in the purpose-built (for Mathematics and Statistics) Zeeman Building.
• The availability of substantial funding from various sources to support PhD students, either partially or fully; awarded annually on a competitive basis.
• Substantial funds are also available for PhD-student participation in external training (e.g., APTS) and in relevant research workshops and conferences.

PhD, key links: Admission requirements and how to apply Fees and funding Postgraduate life at Warwick Frequently asked questions about postgraduate study at Warwick. Postgraduate Study in Statistics booklet