Application deadline
Thursday 7 August 2025
Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships.
“The best part of studying here is the location of St Andrews; the beaches, historical monuments and great walks everywhere. It is a very demanding course and especially requires you to do a lot of maths – help is available but you must be willing to work for it.”
- Khotang, Nepal
Entry requirements
If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
You must be able to demonstrate English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
Application requirements
- CV
- personal statement describing your specific interests in studying statistical ecology
- either two original signed academic references or one academic references and one professional reference.
- academic transcripts and degree certificates.
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.
Course details
The PGDip/MSc in Statistical Ecology is a one-year taught programme run by the School of Mathematics and Statistics.
This course aims to give you a sound understanding of the statistical foundations of modern methods in statistical ecology, the skills to use these methods effectively, and experience of applying them to real-world problems, under the supervision of experts, some of whom are leading researchers in this field.
Highlights
- Introduces key statistical concepts and methods used in statistical ecology and provides an overview of the field.
- Taught by staff at the Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling (CREEM), who have more than two decades’ experience developing, applying and teaching methods in statistical ecology.
- Core modules in Semester 1 provide a solid statistical foundation for specialist modules later in the course.
- Optional placements with collaborators in the UK and abroad as part of a supervised summer research dissertation; connects theoretical training with real field studies and professionals.
- Flexible dissertation format, which can include producing a podcast, web page, poster, field report, training materials, or a short film.
Modules
The modules published below are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your programme. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the module catalogue.
Students typically take the following modules:
- Introductory Data Analysis: covers essential statistical concepts and analysis methods. (Students with adequate statistical training or experience may be exempt and can may take other optional modules instead.)
- Applied Statistical Modelling using GLMs: covers the main aspects of linear models.
- Software for Data Analysis: covers the essentials of practical computing for statistical analysis.
- Modelling Wildlife Population Dynamics: introduces methods for constructing mathematical models of wildlife population dynamics and for fitting these models to diverse data from wildlife surveys.
- Estimating Animal Abundance and Biodiversity: introduces the main types of survey methods for wildlife populations and the statistical models used to analyse this data.
As part of their optional choices, all students must take:
- Any statistics-focused module at level 5000 in the School (that is, MT57xx module codes in the module catalogue, or ID5059).
- One additional module at level 3000, 4000, or 5000 in the School (that is, MT3xxx, MT4xxx or MT5xxx module codes in the module catalogue)
Students also have the option to apply to enrol in the following modules offered by the School of Biology:
- Population Biology
- Advanced Bioacoustics for Marine Mammal Science
Please note that both Biology modules are only available subject to a cap on numbers with Biology students having priority.
All students are recommended to include one of the following two modules in their choices:
- Advanced Data Analysis
- Multivariate Analysis
Optional modules are subject to change each year and require a minimum number of participants to be offered; some may only allow limited numbers of students (see the University's position on curriculum development).
During the final three months of the course, MSc students complete a dissertation or a portfolio dissertation to be submitted by the end of August. Dissertations are supervised by members of teaching staff who will advise on the choice of subject and provide guidance throughout the progress of the dissertation.
A number of options for placements with organisations within the UK and internationally are available to work on a range of real-world problems specified by the organisations. Placements may range from a few visits to the organisation to being hosted by the organisation for up to two weeks. Students on placements will be co-supervised by collaborators at the partner organisation and St Andrews staff. International placements involve an additional cost.
If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MSc, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MSc.
Teaching
The course consists of two semesters of taught courses followed by a dissertation undertaken over the summer months.
Modules and course material are taught through:
- lectures
- one-to-one discussion
- seminars
- small group discussion tutorials
You may be assessed on your knowledge and understanding of the course through:
- examinations
- coursework
- class tests
- presentations
- research essays
- research project
Events
There are a number of different seminars held each week in the School of Mathematics and Statistics. These include:
Statistics
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling seminars
- Statistics seminars
- National Centre for Statistical Ecology seminar series
Pure Mathematics
Applied Mathematics
Fees
Home
£12,030
Overseas
£25,900
Application fee
Before we can begin processing your application, a payment of an application fee of £50 is required. In some instances, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Details of this, along with information on our tuition fees, can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page.
Funding and scholarships
The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances.
15% Recent Graduate Discount
If you have graduated from the University within the last three academic years, you may be eligible for a 15% discount on postgraduate taught tuition fees. Terms and conditions apply.
After your degree
Careers
Statistical skills are highly valued in ecology and conservation, with modern ecological methods becoming increasingly quantitative. The course is therefore excellent preparation for a career as a scientist in:
- government environment agencies
- industry
- consultancies
- wildlife, conservation, and environmental organisations
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.
Further study
The MSc in Statistical Ecology prepares students for a PhD in quantitative ecology, conservation, or statistics applied to ecological problems.
The MSc is taught by members of the world-leading Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling (CREEM), and graduates may continue their education by enrolling for a PhD within CREEM or within statistics, biology, wildlife, ecology, or conservation departments in St Andrews or worldwide.
Postgraduate researchWhat to do next
Information sessions
Meet our staff, learn more, and ask questions about how our courses can work for you.
Contact us
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 2344
- maths-pgstats@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Address
- School of Mathematics and Statistics
Mathematical Institute
North Haugh
St Andrews
KY16 9SS