UCAS Code: G3N3 BSc/StatFin
Course Requirement: GCSE pass at grade A or A* in Mathematics.
Normally required: A level: grades A A A, one of which must be Mathematics. Further Mathematics is highly desirable.
International Baccalaureate: Diploma with 38 points including 7 6 6 at Higher level (with 7 in Mathematics).

If you have enjoyed mathematics at A level and are interested in the applications of statistics to the social sciences you should consider this subject.

Features of the LSE courses

We have three courses that involve the applications of statistics to the social sciences - the BSc in Actuarial Science, the BSc in Business Mathematics and Statistics and the BSc in Statistics with Finance. You do not need prior knowledge of statistics but you must have enthusiasm for mathematics.

Degree Structure

The degree involves studying courses to the value of twelve units over three years. (Please see summary list).

Teaching and Assessment

You will usually attend a mixture of lectures and related classes totally between ten and fifteen hours per week. Your personal tutor will be able to offer general guidance and assistance with both academic and personal concerns and you will be expected to meet him or her at least three times a term.

Most courses are assessed by a three hour examination in June. A small number of courses are assessed by project work. The class of degree you will attain is based on the assessment over all three years with the emphasis on marks gained in the second and third years.

Academic Staff

Dr Martin Anthony
Professor Graham Brightwell
Dr Angelos Dassios
Dr Jouni Kuha
Dr Adam Ostaszewski
Dr Bernhard von Stengel
Dr Matteo Barigozzi
Dr Piotr Fryzlewicz
Dr Kostas Kalogeropoulos
Dr Pauline Barrieu
Dr Umut Cetin
Dr Clifford Lam
Dr Hao Xing
Dr Irini Moustaki

Summary List

First Year

ST102 Elementary Statistical Theory
MA100 Mathematical Methods
EC102 Economics B
AC100 Elements of Accounting and Finance or MA103 Introduction to Abstract Mathematics

Elementary Statistical Theory is concerned with both theory and application and is appropriate whether or not your A level Mathematics course included statistics. It forms the basis for later statistics options. Mathematical Methods will continue your A level studies and includes calculus and linear algebra. Economics B provides an introduction to microeconomics and macroeconomics. Finally, you can choose between the courses Elements of Accounting and Finance and Abstract Mathematics. Elements of Accounting and Finance will give you an introduction to the preparation, uses and limitations of accounting information and the problems of finance and investment. Introduction to Abstract Mathematics is for students who want to deepen their mathematical skills and is useful for certain mathematics and statistics courses in the second and third year.

Second Year

     5.    Further Mathematical Methods MA200| (Calculus) and MA201| (Linear Algebra)
     6.    ST202| Probability, Distribution Theory and Inference
     7.    Courses to the value of one unit (to be discussed with tutor)
     8.    FM212| Principles of Finance

You take a course in Further Mathematical Methods, building on the Mathematical Methods course. In Probability, Distribution Theory, and Inference, you will receive the statistical foundations needed for the third year. In the Principles of Finance course you examine the theory of financial decision-making by firms and the behaviour of the capital markets in which these decisions are taken.

For the fourth course you can choose among subjects such as statistical project work, applied regression, actuarial science, real analysis, differential equations, discrete mathematics, optimisation theory, or theory of survey sampling.

Third Year

       9.     ST304| Time Series and Forecasting (half) and
               ST300| Regression and Generalised Linear Models (half)
      10.   Courses to the value of one unit in advanced topics in mathematics, statistics
               or operational research
      11.   Courses to the value of one unit in advanced topics in finance
      12.   Courses to the value of one unit in mathematics, statistics or finance, or a topic
               of choice from other departments

In the third year you have more choices than before. Two half unit courses (Regression and Generalised Linear Models, and Time Series and Forecasting) are compulsory, for the remaining three units various options are available depending on your interests and career plans.

Statistics options include:

Mathematics options include:

Finance options include:

Other related options include:

You may take up to two outside options from a list including:

Note that your choice may be limited by the second year subjects you have taken. Due to timetabling constraints, it may not be possible to choose certain course combinations (* = half-unit). For a full list of course choices please click here|.

BSc Statistics with Finance