Statistics and Data Science

Year 1

Year 2

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The master programme Statistics and Data Science is organised jointly by groups at different institutes and universities:

• Mathematical Institute, Leiden University

• Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University

• Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center

• Biometris – Applied Statistics, Wageningen University and Research centre

Together these institutes have expertise in a wide area of statistics and data science both practical and theoretical. Many of the scientific staff members are involved in other educational tasks, conduct research on methods, participate in multi disciplinary research projects and perform consultations.

The Statistics and Data Science programme provides students with a thorough introduction to the general philosophy and methodology of statistical modelling and data analysis, with a focus on applications in the life and behavioral sciences. It is open to students with a variety of backgrounds, both in the applied domains (e.g. psychology, biology, medicine), and in quantitative domains like mathematics and statistics. It aims to educate multidisciplinary researchers and professionals that can combine theory and application. Students also gain knowledge of methods and research designs as used in a broad range of empirical research, and practical skills such as statistical programming, statistical consultation, and written and oral communication of research results.

The nominal duration of the programme will be two years (120 ECTS). The study time may be substantially reduced for students with particular prior knowledge.

Statistics and Data Science graduates’ skills and competences

The Statistics and Data Science programme provides the students with a thorough knowledge of

• Statistical and data science methods and research designs as used in a broad range of empirical research

• Practical skills such as programming, consultation, and written and oral communication of research results.

The graduates will be able to carry out research in the field of quantitative methods for the medical and life sciences and/or the behavioural sciences. They will be able to advise substantive researchers on methodological and statistical issues, and many of them will be expected to continue in a PhD programme. Whether more attracted to the medical or to the behavioural direction, the successful student will gain a thorough understanding of statistical models, their implementation and their interpretation, and develop the ability to invent new models and techniques when needed. Graduates will thus qualify for jobs in a wide range of areas, such as academic medical hospitals, many types of industry (pharmaceutical, agricultural, food, life science in general, oil, etc.), research institutes, financial institutions, government statistics bureaus, educational services (CITO), marketing bureaus. In view of the emphasis on statistics and datra science as a science, rather than as merely a collection of techniques, many graduates will qualify for a PhD programme as well.

Career Perspectives

Career preparation at Leiden University

In addition to offering you a solid university education, Leiden University aims to prepare you as well as possible for the labour market, and in doing so contribute to the development of your employability. In this way, it will become easier for you to make the transition to the labour market, to remain employable in a dynamic labour market, in a (career) job that suits your own personal values, preferences and development.

'Employability' consists of the following aspects that you will develop within your study programme, among others:
1. Discipline-specific knowledge and skills
Knowledge and skills specific to your study programme.

2. Transferable skills
These are skills that are relevant to every student and that you can use in all kinds of jobs irrespective of your study programme, for example: researching, analysing, project-based working, generating solutions, digital skills, collaborating, oral communication, written communication, presenting, societal awareness, independent learning, resilience.

3. Self-reflection
This concerns self-reflection in the context of your (study) career, including reflecting on the choices you make as a student during your studies, what can you do with your knowledge and skills on the labour market?

In addition, reflecting on your own profile and your personal and professional development. Who are you, what can you do well, what do you find interesting, what suits you, what do you find important, what do you want to do?

4. Practical experience
Gaining practical experience through internships, work placements, projects, practical (social) assignments, which are integrated into an elective, minor or graduation assignment.

5. Labour market orientation
Gaining insight into the labour market, fields of work, jobs and career paths through, for example, guest speakers and alumni experiences from the work field, career events within the study programme, the use of the alumni mentor network, interviewing people from the work field, and shadowing/visiting companies in the context of a particular subject.

Employability in the curriculum of Statistics and Data Science

In the first semester, the compulsory course Statistics and Data Science in Practice will introduce you to important areas of application of statistical and data science methods in different subfields of the Life and Behavioural Sciences. This will help you planning the rest of your study and specialize in a field of application or research interest. This course will also train you in several transferable skills, in particular oral communication by presenting and conducting interviews, and in groupwork.

During the whole curriculum you are being trained in discipline specific knowledge and skills, such as skills in mathematical thinking and computing skills. Furthermore writing, presenting and collaborating in groups will be practiced throughout the programme.

Collaborating with non-statisticians and non-data scientists is an essential part of an applied statistician/data scientist’s life, whether working in academia, government or industry. In the third semester in the course Statistical Consulting you will acquire the necessary transferable skills for this. The interaction with substantive researchers in different application fields and real world problems from different areas will provide you with an overview of applications of statistics and data science in different fields and may help you in deciding in which direction you would like to proceed your career after finishing the master programme.

One of the aims of the Thesis Project in the fourth semester is to gain experience as a working statistician/data scientist in a possible future working environment. You need to participate in some of the day to day activities of the working place/institute/department where the thesis project is carried out. Furthermore the monthly mandatory working groups during the thesis project enable you to exchange experiences with other students and to obtain a broader view of possible future working places.

Activities to prepare for the labour market co-curricular or outside the curriculum of Statistics and Data Science

Every year, various activities take place, within, alongside and outside of your study programme, which contribute to your preparation for the labour market, especially where it concerns orientation towards the work field/the labour market, (career) skills and self-reflection. These may be information meetings on decision moments within your programme, but also career workshops and events organised by your own programme, the faculty Career Service or your study association.

• Bio Science Park Excursion and Science Career Event

• Career events via the study association De Leidsche Flesch

• Workshops and Career Colleges Science Career Service

• Yearly alumni event, where second year students are also invited

Career Service, LU Career Zone and career workshops calendar

Faculty Career Service
The Career Service of your faculty offers information and advice on study (re)orientation and master's choice, (study) career planning, orientation on the labour market and job applications.

Leiden University Career Zone Leiden University Career Zone is the website for students and alumni of Leiden University to support their (study) career. You can find advice, information, (career) tests and tools in the area of (study) career planning, career possibilities with your study, job market orientation, job applications, the Alumni Mentor network, job portal, workshops and events and career services.

Workshops and events
On the course calendar you will find an overview of career and application workshops, organised by the Career services.