Master of Statistics

"MStat program offers a wide variety of statistical course for students to choose, from conventional statistical inference and modelling to more heated topics such as data mining and blockchain analysis. The data mining and big data analytics courses I took were not only inspirational from the theoretical perspective, but also helpful by offering hands-on experience useful for my everyday work as an actuary. With the adoption of new accounting standards in the industry, revamp of existing data structure and models is essential. The techniques and mindset of big data analytics learnt from the program can certainly be put to good use. The program serves as a great opportunity for students to develop the necessary skills under the big data era."

"I think the MStat program is an excellent opportunity for students to realize their goals. The MStat program provides a variety of selective courses, which combine the academic knowledge and practical applications very well, so students can gain plenty of advanced statistical theories as well as understand the applications of these knowledge in real life. During my one year study, I really enjoyed the academic atmosphere here, all professors are willing to help me with my academic research. So I decide to become a PhD student here. Thanks to the MStat program, it improved my academic performance and I finally received the PhD offer of statistics in HKU."

"I am now working as a consultant under Financial Risk Management (FRM) department at KPMG. I think the programme has been a very challenging and rewarding learning experience for me. The courses structures are designed rigorous and also fitted for students who have various backgrounds and career goals. The courses which are more practical such as Programming for Data Science, Financial Data Analytics etc. are useful for industry practice and I found the knowledge and skills learned from those courses are useful for my job. And for those more theoretical courses they may be useful for students who want to pursue a PhD degree in the future. I believe that students with different career goals would learn what they want to learn in this programme. Moreover, although almost half of time of the courses were transited to online mode due to COVID, the instructors were very responsible and knowledgeable and responded to my questions promptly as well as clearly. To sum up, the MStat programme has provided me the opportunity to fulfil my career aspirations and dreams. I am very thankful for the relationships I built and the people I met at the Department of Statistics & Actuarial Science in HKU."

"The MStat Program is a natural extension of my undergraduate statistics study. In this program, students could learn both advanced theoretical knowledge and statistical application in various areas, and they could choose from a variety of courses offered. With programming being more and more important in recent years, MStat Program has many elective courses teaching different programming languages, which is beneficial to career development. Also, the practicum course STAT8088 offers students a chance to get an idea of how real work looks like and prepares them better for their future job. Besides knowledge learned, students could improve their problem solving and critical thinking ability, which are necessary for any kind of position."

"The MStat program is well designed with traditional statistics theory and modern data mining techniques. In my two years of MStat study, I had an opportunity to explore new data analytics methods, such as text mining. Moreover, I gained experience in solving practical machine learning problem with an industrial partner in the final project. The professors and researchers in the department are very friendly. They always answered my questions promptly when I encountered difficulties in the courses. I highly recommended MStat program to those who want to enrich their data analytics techniques and get hand on experience in statistics."

"The MSTAT program is an eye opener. I learnt the application of Statistics in areas not limited to Finance, but also interesting fields including geography, computer science and social economics. Though I might not have much background in those fields, I was able to understand and dig deep with the help of instructors, who made use of the statistical theories and models to explain some hot topics nowadays. MSTAT programme allows me to explore Statistics with fun and it has deepened my interest in further study. I would also like to thank all the staff for their effort in providing qualified teaching and learning experience amid the difficult pandemic times."

"I’m very glad to be part of this big family. I have learnt a lot during my master’s degree with the help of my professors, tutors and classmates. I had my first Python class here, feeling amazed about how statistics can be applied in data analytics. I love the classes here since the material is very practical. I can apply the advanced statistical models I learnt to my work to forecast more accurately. Keep bringing new insights to my work, it upgrades my analysing skills together with the development of advanced technology. I am so proud to study here and thank you all for your support."

"The Master of Statistics program is well designed to offer extensive training in theories and practice of statistics. It provides a wide range of courses from fundamentals of statistics to more theme-specific elective courses, such as data mining techniques and big data analytics. During my two-years’ time at HKU, I was able to not only hone my knowledge in statistics but also gain exposure in programming languages such as Python, SAS, and R, which are essential skillsets in many industries. Most of the courses generally have a good balance between theories and practical applications. I would highly recommend this program to someone who would like to gain knowledge in the field of statistics and data science."

"My 2 years studying MSTAT part time has been very fruitful and rewarding, preparing me for my career and beyond. Having worked in the financial sector for some time, I have seen first-hand how important it is to have a statistical mindset, and the MSTAT programme has been very fulfilling in this regard. Not only did it provide me with the analytical and quantitative skill sets required to navigate the age of Big Data, it also has deep coverage on the theoretical aspects underlying the statistical techniques used. A significant proportion of the coursework also focuses on real-life applications, so students of this programme can expect to bring immediate impact on their jobs."

"That’s definitely an unforgettable year for me in HKU, and I never regret taking the MStat Programme. It not only provided me with a better academic background, but also helped me prepare well for employment.

The programme courses show a high degree of statistical professionalism and I was able to get rigorous training in principles as well as applied techniques. To be more specific, the Advanced Statistical Reference and Bayesian Statistics enable me to gain a deeper understanding of classical statistical theory and also some inspirations of research. Through Data Mining and Big Data Analysis, I also got exposure to cutting-edge concepts including Blockchain, AI, etc.

Thanks to the help from the Career Advising Programme (CAP) provided by our Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, I knew more about the industry through on-site visits to many companies and got detailed and useful advice about my CV, cover letter and interview preparation."

"MStat is an one-year program, which means that a lot of things need to be done in a short time, and that you have to balance the school work, internship and personal life. That’s how I learn about time management, an important skill in future career. Also, we are offered a career preparation course consisting of several workshops and mock interviews. These are very practical, and helped me a lot in my job application. What’s more, the coursework does get me to apply the knowledge in real life cases, not limited to books. And the most important thing is, HKU offers all students a great platform to know people with different background, an opportunity to work in the whole new environment."

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time as a student in MStat program. During my time here, apart from theory, I was able to develop many skills which have proven to be vital to me and my career going forward. These include skills such as problem solving skills, advanced data analytics techniques, and also soft-skills like job-hunting skills. Currently I am working as a data analyst at EY, where I use the tools I have learned during my education to identify fraud and propose business strategy to client. Working as a data analyst is exciting, each day brings new challenges."

"MStat Programme provides an excellent path to students from non-statistical backgrounds, like myself, to acquire the most key data analytics knowledge. Programme coverage is indeed comprehensive, covering every aspect from theoretical background to practical application. All these have been very relevant and applicable to my daily role as a quantitative strategist. The Programme provides us with abundant opportunities to solidify our learning of both statistical theories and programming languages (e.g. Python and R) through collaborative projects with classmates from wide range of professions. All these have definitely sharpened our techniques to cope with hands-on problems – an essential lifelong learning skill. I highly recommend MStat Programme to prospective students who are eager to gain exposure to the field of data science."

"The master of statistics of the University of Hong Kong is well designed for students to join industries with advanced statistical skills. The diversity and deepness of the courses are suitable for both professionals to polish their quantitative skills and graduates to pursue further study. It offers me great exposure in statistical analysis, mathematics, programming and data analytics, which are essential skills valued by international companies. It is also a challenging and up-to-date program led by the state-of-the-art professors and researchers. Throughout the program, I was given a lot of support from the department, both academically and financially, to pursue my next career goal."

"Over the past 2 years, the MStat program brought me a fruitful experience. Not only I learnt a lot about advanced data analytics techniques, but also got a lot of hands-on experience in applying them to practical problems. It also opens my mind about the range of application of statistics and data analytics in different fields. Moreover, the program provides me with the opportunity to meet with people from different backgrounds and we shared experience with each other. I am an actuary and there is an increasing focus on predictive analytics in my current field, hence the program gives me sound foundation to explore how to apply the techniques learnt to discover predictive patterns and relationships for business uses."

"The MStat program gives opportunities for students to decide their paths. For those who would like to go into research areas, capstone and other advanced courses will fit you. For those who want to start their career ASAP like me, you can complete an internship instead of doing academic projects. The professors and lecturers are also very helpful."

"My year of being in the MStat programme was definitely a fruitful year, and one that I will cherish. It was one full of discoveries and excitement, in which I had the opportunity to explore and learn more about statistical knowledge, and how it could possibly connect to the real world. It even helped me understand the beauty of statistics, hence bringing me a lot of joy. The programme has also proven to be beneficial in my work as a football trader in the Hong Kong Jockey Club, as it has equipped me with the knowledge and techniques needed. For instance, in the football field, every little move that a player makes could be used as a statistic, hence involving math. Thus, the MStat programme has been very useful in helping me analyze and comprehend such information. All in all, I am very thankful for the programme as it was very helpful and has allowed me to do my best in the workplace."

"The MStat programme has widened my horizon and completely redirected my career path. The program supports our study with diverse courses not only traditional statistical topic, financial applications but also statistical learning such as data mining and computational statistics. More importantly, the professors are always helpful in answering students’ questions with regard to academic study and career development. After communicating with several professors, I got a chance to work as a student research assistant on medical image analysis and that is the start of my current career path. In short, students can gain far more than you expect here no matter on professional skills or on personal development, as long as they are willing to explore."

"The one-year Master of Statistics study would become one of the most glorious and memorable experiences in my student life. In fact, the MStat programme acts as a springboard to success. The diversified and selective courses offered contain not only academic knowledge but also practical applications which can used at workplace, together with responsible and enthusiastic lecturers and tutors assisting in solving difficulties in study. During this year, fortunately, I received recognitions from a professor in this department and obtained the PhD offer for further academic career whereas many of my friends gained internship and jobs during campus recruitment.

The access to the best professors and lecturers on the earth, and the opportunities of internships in world-famous companies would hardly be available outside this programme. Without exaggeration, the one-year experience in HKU would substantially boost your performances in future life."

"The MStat program was a very great experience for me from everyone that I have met including great professors, lecturers, and all the classmates. The program itself has offered quite a variety of areas and topics that one can further delve into including traditional statistics, statistical learning (including data mining and big data), biostatistics, algorithm trading etc. It has stimulated me to study more in depth in quite a number of areas that involved statistics. Most important of all, the professors have taught us to focus back to the basics, the data, the domain knowledge, as well as different possibilities of statistical tools when dealing with a program. With the higher importance of extracting meanings and pattern from enormous amount of data, this program can definitely be the place to start exploring this area and it will be a great and unforgettable experience."

"The Master of Statistics of the University of Hong Kong enables students to acquire both a solid understanding of statistical theory and extensive knowledge about its state-of-the-art applications. Thanks to the variety of the courses offered in this programme, I could learn more about new areas in statistics, data analytics and risk management. What I liked most during my MStat studies was their friendly professors and staff who taught me very valuable lessons about statistics and life. Overall, the MStat programme is a truly enriching experience which will help students get one step closer to their career goals."

"In the past year in MStat, I met a lot of friends with different backgrounds, but with a similar characteristic: being interested in data. The program provides many options which helped us choose our career paths in the future. For students who follow data analytics theme, students could learn more about computational statistics, biostatistics and data mining. For students who choose risk management theme, they would have the skills to analyse financial data and apply statistical methods in the fields of economics and finance. The group project for capstone can also train our cooperation and time planning, as well as improve our skills of presentation and report writing. In short, as long as you are willing to learn, you will find the value of MStat."

"This one-year program brought me a lot of good memories, not only the comprehensive training of very practical data analytics skills, but also the fantastic lecturers and classmates. There are quite a variety of options for students to choose how to complete this program and the courses contain different topics and areas which are quite popular in the industry, such as data mining techniques, marketing data analytics, biostatistics and so on. There is no doubt that every student can find the appropriate pace and path to further their study in statistics. Example questions and projects from courses can even contribute to their success during job interviews. Staff of the Department including the tutors are very helpful. Outside of the normal teaching hours, the Department also offers project consultation (some sessions are really interesting), market-related information as well as career service. Students who chose this program were talented and outstanding, so that I also learnt a lot from them after classes and the things learnt are really valuable to me."

"Living in such an advanced world, people are always debating and arguing from macro to micro; however, your point of view would only be called 'idea' without the support of certain data. As you can read from most reports nowadays, percentages, averages, and other statistical tools are being applied almost everywhere. This is because way too many things are happening in less than a second generally; and it is definitely out of our range to capture every piece of it. As a result, the development of 'Big Data' becomes inevitable. In this programme, you will learn a great amount of statistical models and approaches that would help you to solve the missing parts in your life. Thus, join us, start to make every second of your life count; moreover, to make your 'idea' become real and undebatable."

"The MStat program appealed to me with its broad range of modeling and statistical techniques and more importantly, its emphasis on applications and practicality. Though having accumulated actual modeling experiences from work, the program is still an amazing journey into the beauty of statistics - from back-to-basic knowledge like properties of different data types, to the assorted applications of statistics in marketing, actuarial science, survey research and social studies, and to the strengths and weaknesses of a range of modeling methods. They provide valuable insights rarely found in workplace. I have enjoyed class time since the very beginning - the preparatory course in the summer was brief yet right to the point and prepared solid grounding for the two-year study. The master program required a lot of hard work and presented challenges, yet it constantly stretched my abilities and flexed my quant muscle!"

"We are in an age named big data, therefore a solid foundation and true understanding of statistics is essential. Although I have already studied some statistics during my undergraduate, the Mstat program in HKU gave me a chance to explore deeper. With the help of wide range of courses available and powerful faculty, I was able to major in the field I am really interested in and have a glimpse of the whole picture of statistics at the same time. Besides, in the program, I was often required to use R or SAS to solve problems which forced me to be skillful in programming with these two languages. Thanks to this, I am taking great advantages over other candidates in competing for a top job.

The Mstat program in HKU is always seeking an optimal balance of theory and application in talent development. You shouldn’t miss it if you are pursuing your future in fields related to statistics."

"In the era of big data, statistics is one of the most important areas in data analytics. It is an art of decision making from the data. In the past year, the MStat program provided me exposure to advanced statistical theories, a wide range of data types and statistical models. I was so attracted by some interesting topics of statistics such as spatial data analysis, data mining as well as big data analytics. The well-designed program also equipped me with practical data management and programming skills which are very useful. I cherish the challenging process of analyzing real world data in various projects and I appreciate the great support from the professional teaching staff, the resources and trainings provided. The skills, knowledge and hands-on experience I acquired from the program benefits my work in which I have to conduct survey planning and estimations. If you would like to have a deeper and more comprehensive understanding in statistics, do not hesitate to enroll in the MStat program!"

"The MStat programme gave me great experience in further enhancing my Statistics knowledge after my undergraduate study. The programme successfully combines Statistics concepts with real-life applications, which gave me chances to apply what I learned in lectures to real business situations through various assignments and projects. The technical skills I learned is useful for me to carry out portfolio analysis as well as quantitative analysis on credit risk area. I would strongly recommend those who are interested to enroll in the programme and enjoy the great time!"

"The MStat programme gave me great experience in digging deeper in Statistics after undergraduate study. It enhanced my understanding in theoretical knowledge as well as real-life application of these knowledge, which is essential in developing my career in Statistics. As the age of big data is coming, solid understanding in Statistics and technical skills such as R and SAS are two keys to success, and they can both be well-obtained from MStat programme. Taking every challenge in courses and grabbing various opportunities, a promising future is waiting after this valuable programme."

"As we have entered into the information age, the need for extracting valuable information from huge amount of data is tremendous and statistics provides us an extremely powerful tool to analyze the evergrowing data. This full time MStat program provides me a golden opportunity to learn advanced theory and methodology of statistics and command essential data analytical skills. In addition, the well-designed courses help me see the amazing combination of financial data and statistical techniques, through which I have gained in-depth understanding of the financial market and risk management. Through this program, I have developed the professional advantages as a statistics student, which lies in the profound comprehension of data, in the scientific selection of statistics models, in the rational explanation of results and the ability to transform them into luminous conclusions. This is an intensive year, but also an interesting year and productive year."

"Statistics is not merely about numbers. It is a way of thinking which helps to link things in the world up scientifically. The MStat programme in HKU definitely provided a great journey to me in this aspect over the past years. It equips every candidate with advanced knowledge in data management and practical skills in statistics to fit the business world nowadays. In particular, it sharpened my quantitative analytical skills in the area of risk and finance as well as knowledge in latest banking regulations. As a professional in accounting and finance, I find my study in the MStat programme very useful to my work dealing with tremendous amount of data generated every single day. The knowledge I gained also helps me to build financial models with a more logical way."

"The Master of Statistics program enhanced me with academic background as well as practical ability. Throughout this one year program, I started to explore in this massive ocean of statistics as a PhD student in HKU, while this program sailed for me. Furthermore, this program equipped me with lots of useful statistical knowledge, which cultivated my skills in terms of undertaking current research. Comparing with one year ago, I not only learned to cope with various research challenges, but also developed my confidence from our well designed curriculum. I really appreciate the broad platform provided by the MStat program for prospective students, who determine to pursue further study or career development. I do think all I learned from our rigorous training will no doubt add depth and dimension to my research exploration. Definitely, I am proud to be a member of MStat family."

"I had a great experience from the MStat programme. It transformed me from a geography graduate to a professional in the field of applied statistics. From a wide range of courses they offered, I could select what I would like to specialize in. The professors and teaching assistants were very qualified, friendly and enthusiastic. Course works, although you may find some challenges in, gave me plenty of insights into real-life problems. My SAS programming skills were also improved a lot. This first-class postgraduate programme not only helps my career development, but also gives me wisdom and broadens my horizons in statistics."

"I have spent most of my professional carrier in Finance. After 2 years in quantitative research, and over 15 years spent in derivatives trading, I am now in charge of risk management at Samena Capital, a principal investment group. I have built significant practical financial market experience, but quantitative risk management as a discipline has seen tremendous developments in the past ten years, in part because of the exponential growth in market data availability and progress in computer science/ quantitative analysis of large sets of data. To complement and strengthen my technical skill-set, I decided to enroll into HKU master of statistics program. This experience has been way beyond my expectations in terms of relevance to my work as well as personal interest. The program has provided me with a clear theoretical background on recent academic work, as well as a useful update on data analysis software with a number of practice oriented works. We have now implemented a number of these tools and techniques in our daily routine work. It is fair to say that this adds significant value to our investment process. I very warmly recommend HKU MSTAT program to financial market practionners who want to acquire a sound and practical update in quantitative finance."

"If you are looking for a degree that can add value to your career, MStat is the one that you should not miss. Here you can build a solid foundation of statistics and sharpen your SAS hand on skills. You will also find the teaching staff very knowledgeable, helpful, supportive and experienced.

The MStat programme offers a wide range of electives for you to choose from which you can strike an optimal balance between application and theory. The knowledge I learnt are very practical .They can be directly applied to my job in C&SD where I have to plan, organize and conduct a survey. I am not only fascinated by the knowledge that I have learnt but also the way the courses trained me to look at a problem in many different ways.

MStat colours your future!"

"The world nowadays is driven by data and statistics, and statistical techniques are the most essential for so many different aspects, including business, academics and politics. The Master of Statistics program in HKU provides me with solid skills and techniques, not only to start my career as an analyst, but also to understand the world in a more scientific way. Besides, discussing projects with experienced teaching supervisors gives me an invaluable experience of enjoyment and learning relationship. I am really proud of being one of their graduates."

"To combat fraud attacks, it is vital to develop effective fraud strategies via statistical analysis on current fraud trends or making good future fraud threats prediction. The Master of Statistics programme has provided me with a valuable avenue to acquire advanced statistical knowledge and handson experience in being acquainted with sophisticated statistical tools. Throughout the 2 years part-time programme, I not only learnt innumerable statistical concepts, but also sharpened my logical thinking and analytical skills. The experience was precious to me and empowered me with the skills of fraud analysis. What is also notable is that the teaching staff are enthusiastic in sharing their experiences with us, which gave me more insights into and exposure of handling practical situations."

"MStat program serves as an ideal choice for anyone with a determined mind to develop quantitative skills, particularly useful for those who want to pursue a career in the finance industry. Here you’ll embrace various statistical models, extract key figures from the tremendous amount of data, learn the application of SAS, and much more, all awaiting for you to discover and explore. If there’s one crucial factor that makes MStat stands out from the crowd, that’d be the professors, a knowledgable source of wisdom whom you should treasure and ask questions whenever possible."

"I definitely believe that the Master of Statistics program offered by HKU is a value adder to my career development. With world renowned teaching team, well-designed curriculum and flexibility in course selection, the program added value to me mainly from two aspects: First, it well equipped me with knowledge on probabilities theories and statistical modeling, which facilitated my understanding on the underlying reasoning for various financial models, given prior training in finance during undergraduate. Second, it sharpened my mind, and nurtured my ability to analyze systematically and think differently when facing a problem. If you have a strong initiative to improve your quantitative ability, here, I strongly recommended you to enroll in this program and join our MStat family!"

"Statistics plays a crucial role in terms of services review, workforce planning, research and decision making in my job, which in turn helps people stay healthy. The Master of Statistics programme from HKU nurtured me with relevant statistical knowledge and taught me hands-on experience in using SAS technical skills to streamline my work. I highly appreciate the well designed curriculum, the professionalism and helpfulness from their teaching staff. I would encourage anyone who is eligible to apply for the programme and cherish the chance to experience MSTAT (MileStone To Achieve Triumph)."

"After finished my undergraduate study in Tianjin Nankai University, I joined MStat programme which was proved to be a nice choice for my career. When dealing with financial data and constructing financial models, the knowledge and skills I obtained from the program are definitely necessary and extremely important. Moreover, the world class professors and teaching staff not only gave the excellent teaching, but also provided great help in and out of classes. I got a better understanding of how statistics were used in practice from this programme, and it offers exactly what I need to start my career."

"I believe the one-year program is a bridge between the undergraduate study and further education or the future career. We are trained to have a statistical mind that can use various methods & tools to analyze data and solve problems, theoretical or practical. In the job hunting process, the technique and knowledge taught in courses such as data mining or risk analysis can let us know what firms do in practice, thus prepare us better for the future career, especially in the finance industry."

"Working with lots of financial price data to extract useful information for analysis and prediction, a solid statistical background is quite a must. HKU’s MStat programme, with a welldesigned curriculum and world class teaching staff, equips me well with all the skills and knowledge I am in need. I really enjoy my study here and I am proud of being one of the graduates."

"Statistical techniques are widely used for the weather analysis and forecasting. The MStat course from the University of Hong Kong equipped me with solid foundation on state-of-the-art techniques in statistics that’s useful to refine the weather forecasting skills. Advanced concepts and new generation of statistical methodologies further motivate me with distinct professional insights on developing high quality meteorological services to the public."

"I have found the skills and knowledge gained through the Master of Statistics programme to be extremely useful in my career. The combination of core courses and electives allowed me to tailor a curriculum highly relevant to my position in marketing research. The programme has not only given me the confidence and abilities to tackle a broad range of real world problems, but has also provided me with recognized professional credentials from one of the world’s leading universities."

"Like other professionaI, I have experienced statistical problems from different perspectives – scientific research, patient management and hospital administration. A solid background in statistics is of paramount importance. The MStat (Master in Statistics) education from The University of Hong Kong provides me with all the necessary skills and technique of solving complicated statistical questions. Their innovative curriculum, experienced teaching staff, as well as almost unlimited resources explain why they standout and become the best in this locality. I can assure you that studying MStat in HKU will give you an invaluable experience of learning relationships and enjoyment. I am really proud of being one of their graduates."

"I head the portfolio risk team of a consumer credit risk department in an international bank, where indulging into data to identify trends and make future predictions are everyday life. What I have learnt from this programme has been extremely useful and most rewarding to my work. Not only now that I have acquired the skills and knowledge to help me doing my job better, but that I have learnt it through world class professors renowned in the statistical field and from the number 1 university in town. I am glad that I have made the choice and would urge you to make the same choice too!"

"I found the Master of Statistics programme very useful, with relevant and immediate applications to my work in economic research. The course struck the right balance between practical and theoretical aspects, and provided me with some powerful tools for data analysis and forecasting using quantitative models."