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    Graduate Certificate
    2025 start September 

    Statistics

    School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences , Faculty of Science

    Develop your background knowledge of mathematics, probability and statistical theory, with the opportunity to progress onto the MSc Statistics or MSc Statistics with Medical Applications courses.
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    Course description

    Our Statistics Graduate Certificate is designed for graduates who don't have all the background knowledge for a masters degree in statistics. Students who perform well can progress on to our Statistics MSc or Statistics with Medical Applications MSc.

    This nine-month part-time distance learning course runs from late September until early June, with all teaching and exams held online.  You'll need to dedicate around 20 hours a week to your studies.

    You’ll take three core modules that cover the relevant first-year undergraduate mathematics, and the relevant first and second-year probability and statistical theory.

    Progression

    An average final mark of approximately 65 per cent on the Graduate Certificate, with at least 60 per cent in each of the three modules, will usually allow you to progress onto the MSc Statistics or MSc Statistics with Medical Applications, provided you meet the University's English language requirements.

    Modules

    A selection of modules is available each year - some examples are below. There may be changes before you start your course. From May of the year of entry, formal programme regulations will be available in our Programme Regulations Finder.

    Core modules:

    Mathematical Methods for Statistics

    The module is a distance-learning instrument aimed at graduates who wish to undertake a postgraduate Masters course in Statistics but lack the appropriate mathematical and statistical background. It introduces the mathematical concepts and methods needed for such a masters course and gives training in their use. It covers ideas and techniques from real analysis and linear algebra, including multiple integration and differentiation and matrix algebra and the theory of quadratic forms. 

    20 credits
    Probability and Probability Distributions

    The module is a distance-learning instrument aimed at graduates who wish to undertake a postgraduate Masters course in Statistics but lack the appropriate mathematical and statistical background. It introduces the concepts of probability theory and distribution theory needed for such a masters course, and gives training in their use. It covers the laws of probability and of conditional probability, the concepts of random variables and random vectors and their distributions, and the methodology for calculating with them. It also discusses Laws of Large Numbers and Central Limit phenomena 

    20 credits
    Basic Statistics

    The module is a distance-learning instrument aimed at graduates who wish to undertake a postgraduate Masters course in Statistics but lack the appropriate mathematical and statistical background. It introduces the basic concepts of statistical inference and of rational decision-making under uncertainty, and it demonstrates how they may be applied in a wide range of practical circumstances. Implementation of the methodology with appropriate software forms an integral part of the unit. 

    20 credits

    The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.

    Open days

    An open day gives you the best opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and staff about our courses.

    Open days and campus tours

    Duration

    Nine months, part-time – you'll need to dedicate around 20 hours a week to your studies

    Teaching

    Depending on the module, you'll either be given directed reading from standard textbooks or a fully comprehensive set of course notes.  You’ll also receive examples and exercises to work through. Tailored course material will be made available online including additional notes and video lectures. Each module has an online forum for discussions and our lecturers will give you feedback and comments on your work.

    Assessment

    Around 20 per cent of your assessment will be based on coursework, with the rest based on your final exams.

    Your career

    This course is designed to prepare you for a masters degree in statistics here at the University of Sheffield.

    Employers that have hired our graduates include Amazon, Barclays, Dell, Goldman Sachs, IBM, PwC, Sky, the NHS and the Civil Service.

    School

    School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

    A lecturer stood at the front of a seminar by a blackboard

    The School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences is leading the way with groundbreaking research and innovative teaching. 

    Our mathematicians and statisticians have expertise across pure mathematics, applied mathematics, probability and statistics. We focus on a variety of topics, from the most abstract questions in algebraic geometry and number theory, to the calculations behind infectious disease, black holes and climate change.

    In the Research Excellence Framework 2021, 96 per cent of our mathematical sciences research was rated in the highest two categories as world-leading or internationally excellent.

    We have strong links with the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, the European Physical Society, and the International Society on General Relativity and Gravitation. With the support of the London Mathematical Society, we are also an organiser of the Transpennine Topology Triangle, a key focal point for topology research in the UK.

    Mathematics and statistics staff have received honours from the Royal Society, the Society for Mathematical Biology and the Royal Statistical Society, who also provide professional accreditation for our statistics courses.

    Entry requirements

    Minimum 2:2 undergraduate honours degree in a relevant subject and at least grade B in A Level mathematics, or equivalent.

    Subject requirements

    We accept degrees in the following subject areas: 

    • Biochemistry, Biomedical Science, Computer Science, Economics, Medicine, Engineering

    We may consider other quantitative degree subjects.

    We also consider a wide range of international qualifications:

    Entry requirements for international students

    We assess each application on the basis of the applicant’s preparation and achievement as a whole. We may accept applicants whose qualifications don’t meet the published entry criteria but have other experience relevant to the course.

    The lists of required degree subjects and modules are indicative only.  Sometimes we may accept subjects or modules that aren’t listed, and sometimes we may not accept subjects or modules that are listed, depending on the content studied.

    English language requirements

    IELTS 6.5 (with 6 in each component) or University equivalent

    Other English language qualifications we accept

    If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.

    Alumni discount

    Save up to £2,500 on your course fees

    Are you a Sheffield graduate? You could save up to £2,500 on your postgraduate taught course fees, subject to eligibility.

    Apply now

    Apply using our Alternative Routes and Programmes Online Application form.

    Select programme code MASU34

    Apply now

    Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.

    Our student protection plan

    Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read and the .