Applied statistics

Data are the currency of the 21st century

The interdisciplinary second-cycle Master’s degree programme in Applied Statistics is a modern, dynamic two-year programme that brings together statistical experts from various faculties of the University of Ljubljana and serves as a bridge to doctoral studies in statistics.

About the programme

The second-cycle programme Applied Statistics is designed as an interdisciplinary programme that integrates most areas of statistics cultivated at the University of Ljubljana. It is intended for students of natural and technical sciences as well as for students from social science programmes with a stronger emphasis on statistical methodology and informatics.

The primary objective of the programme is to educate highly qualified professionals who master both fundamental knowledge of statistical theory and statistical methods specific to individual application domains. The programme enables students to gain command of statistical methodology in their chosen field, equips them with an in-depth understanding of statistical inference, and provides a range of practical skills that allow for direct integration into work in industry or the public sector. At the same time, the programme offers sufficient foundations in theoretical statistics to enable graduates to independently expand their competences into new areas of statistics.

The programme lasts two years and comprises 120 ECTS credits.

Upon completion, graduates are awarded the title Master of Applied Statistics.

Programme structure

The programme is structured so that compulsory courses dominate the initial phase, providing students with core statistical knowledge on which modular courses, elective courses, and practical training are subsequently built. Modules are designed to introduce students to additional statistical methods and techniques, or to their specific applications within particular domains, thereby extending the knowledge acquired in compulsory courses.

The implementation of the programme by academic years is organised as follows: during the first three quarters, only compulsory courses are offered; in the second half of the second semester and the first half of the third semester, students attend modular and elective courses; and in the second half of the third semester, students complete compulsory practical training (Statistical Consulting) and one compulsory course.

The simultaneous delivery of elective and modular courses is essential, as students may also select as electives those courses that are compulsory within other modules.

Practical training

Practical training comprises 300 hours.

It is carried out within the compulsory course Statistical Consulting, which takes place in the second year of study and is awarded 10 ECTS credits. No advance agreements with employers are concluded, as students may perform their training for clients from a wide range of economic and non-economic sectors.

Practical training may therefore be conducted in cooperation with companies, organisations, and other institutions requiring statistical expertise, as well as with researchers who frequently seek assistance from course instructors and module coordinators in the statistical aspects of their research.

Practical training generally takes place at the faculties delivering the programme, and students are typically trained within the professional domain of their selected module. The material and logistical conditions for practical training are equivalent to those for the delivery of the rest of the programme.

With the support of programme instructors and staff, the student identifies a client. The module coordinator appoints a mentor to supervise the student’s work and, together with the mentor, approves the practical training plan. Under the mentor’s guidance and in cooperation with the client, the student prepares a research report and submits a report on their work to the module coordinator.

Programme objectives

Upon completion of the programme, graduates will master statistical thinking and be qualified to independently perform statistical analyses and provide statistical consulting. They will be capable of collaborating with research professionals, communicating knowledge and results, engaging in professional dialogue, and expressing themselves clearly in writing.

Graduates will be able to define problems, anticipate outcomes, and identify optimal solutions, as well as locate sources and critically evaluate information. The applied orientation of the programme enables the direct transfer of knowledge into practice and an understanding of the challenges that may arise in real-world applications.

Due to the international orientation of the programme, graduates will also acquire the ability to communicate effectively in an international environment. They will thus be qualified to independently carry out all stages of high-quality statistical analysis within their chosen field, from research design to data handling, selection of appropriate methodology, and interpretation of results.

Competences acquired

General competences

Graduates will master statistical thinking and be capable of independently performing statistical analyses and statistical consulting. They will be able to collaborate with research professionals, communicate knowledge and results, engage in professional communication, and express themselves clearly in writing. They will be capable of defining problems, anticipating results, and identifying optimal solutions, as well as locating sources and critically assessing information. The applied orientation of the programme enables the direct transfer of knowledge into practice and an understanding of potential challenges. The international orientation of the programme further equips graduates with communication skills for work in international environments.

Subject-specific competences

Graduates will be qualified to independently carry out all stages of high-quality statistical analysis within their chosen field, from research planning to data processing, selection of appropriate methodology, and interpretation. Based on the acquired fundamental knowledge of statistics, they will be able to expand their expertise using new or alternative approaches and draw ideas from related problems.

In their work, graduates will use advanced information (software) tools for data management, analysis, and presentation of results. Additional subject-specific competences are defined within the course syllabi for individual courses.