Admissions
Our MSC/Mphil programmes is appropriate for individuals with strong mathematical aptitude, i.e. formal background in mathematics, statistics and computer science, who wish to be statisticians. It is also appropriate for those who are interested in taking up an academic career in Statistics training or research.
A Good first degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Computer Science or Any Quantitative related Course, at least a second class lower division, including at least two years of University Mathematics. Each short-listed applicant must pass a selection interview. Candidates with MSc. (in Mathematics or Mathematics related course) may also apply; such students may take some top-up courses and write a thesis for an M. Phil.
Note that students without Actuarial Science, Statistics and/ or Mathematics degree will take to-up courses.
PROCEDURE FOR ADMITTING APPLICANTS INTO THE PHD PROGRAMME
The procedures outlined below shall be followed in admitting students into the PhD programme:
Entry point (screening at Academic Unit level)
All students applying to do PhD shall go through the following exercises.
i. Take an entrance examination, comprising a written examination and an oral presentation on a topical issue in Statistics and;
ii. Attend an interview to be organized at the Departmental level by the Departmental Graduate Committee.
Transition from Level 600/700 to PhD
Students progressing from the course work year into the research years will have to take and pass both written and oral examinations in the courses taken.
Doctoral Qualifying Examination
Candidates who complete the Level 700 course work successfully and progress into the PhD programme shall be required to take and pass a comprehensive examination (a doctoral qualifying exam) to progress to the internship/research years. The purpose of the comprehensive examination is to determine the candidate's capacity to do a PhD in the area selected as well as to test capability in critical thinking. The comprehensive examination should be such that candidates will demonstrate the set of skills required to complete a PhD programme (e.g., ability to do independent work, in-depth knowledge of selected discipline, ability to analyze and critique published works in candidate's area, etc.). This examination shall be organized within eight weeks of the First Semester of PhD Year 2 and shall include item (i) below and any one of items (ii)-(iv):
i. A series of written exams based on the general area of study, plus an oral exam by a panel of examiners.
ii. Submission of publishable papers (minimum of 1), based on research done during the Year 1/first semester of Year 2) for assessment.
iii. A presentation of a research proposal in the general area of study, but not on thesis research area; i.e. this should be different from the thesis research proposal.
iv. Submission of in-depth review of literature on a thematic area to be assessed.
Based on the candidate's performance in the Comprehensive Examination, the candidate shall be confirmed as a PhD student. Candidates are expected to pass all examinations with a minimum mark of 60% or the letter grade C+.
CRITERIA FOR ADMITTING PHD STUDENTS
In addition to existing requirements detailed in the UG Graduate Handbook (Vol.1), candidates selected into a PhD programme must:
i. Present a good research idea either developed by student or in consultation with a potential supervisor (to be developed into a proposal by the end of the first semester in Year 2). The research idea must fit into the research interest/research themes of the targeted department and there must be an expert in the area within the department, cognate department or external partner university to supervise the thesis research;
ii. Demonstrate ability to carry out research (publications would be an advantage e.g., publications from a Masters’ thesis);
iii. Demonstrate capability to pay his/her fees and cover research costs.