Science

Master of Science in Social Statistics

The Master of Science in Social Statistics is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in statistical analysis of social data, demographic analysis, and social research. The programme provides specialised training in applied demography, computational statistics, statistical theory, survey methods, and social data analysis.

Core areas include statistical theory, applied demography, computational statistics, survey design and analysis, social statistics, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, computing sessions, and research.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology as public institutions. UoN offers Social Statistics as a specialisation within MSc Statistics through the School of Mathematics. The programme is available in full-time and part-time modes over two years, combining coursework with research.

Students develop competencies in statistical theory, demography, computational statistics, survey methods, social data analysis, and research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, computing projects, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates for statistical analysis, research, and advisory roles.

UoN charges approximately KES 362,500 per year. JKUAT also offers MSc in Social Statistics but specific fee data is not publicly available. No private university confirmed offering this exact programme. Entry requires at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Sociology, Economics, or a related field from a recognised institution.

Graduates pursue careers as social statisticians, demographic analysts, research analysts, data scientists, survey statisticians, and lecturers across government statistics offices, research institutions, NGOs, international organisations, and universities.

Skills Required

Statistical Theory and Inference
Applied Demography and Population Analysis
Computational Statistics
Survey Design and Analysis
Social Data Analysis
Statistical Computing with R and SPSS
Demographic Methods and Techniques
Research Methods in Social Statistics
Data Visualisation and Reporting
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Statistical Theory and Inference
Applied Demography
Computational Statistics
Survey Design and Analysis
Social Data Analysis
Demographic Methods and Techniques
Research Methods in Social Statistics
Statistical Computing
Data Visualisation and Reporting
Thesis Research

Certifications

KNBS Professional Membership
ISI Professional Membership

Specializations

Applied Demography

Focuses on applied demography, covering demography, population, analysis, statistics, and managing demographic analysis and population studies.

Computational Statistics

Examines computational statistics, covering computing, statistics, algorithms, software, and managing computational statistics and data processing.

Survey Methods

Covers survey methods, covering surveys, design, sampling, analysis, and managing survey design and analysis.

Social Data Analysis

Focuses on social data analysis, covering social, data, analysis, statistics, and managing social data analysis and interpretation.

Statistical Theory

Examines statistical theory, covering theory, statistics, inference, probability, and managing statistical theory and inference.

Demographic Methods

Covers demographic methods, covering methods, demography, techniques, population, and managing demographic methods and techniques.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 352,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Statistical Theory and Inference
Applied Demography
Computational Statistics
Survey Design and Analysis
Social Data Analysis
Demographic Methods and Techniques
Research Methods in Social Statistics
Statistical Computing
Data Visualisation and Reporting
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Statistical Theory and Inference
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines statistical theory, covering theory, statistics, inference, probability, and managing statistical theory and inference.
Applied Demography
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers applied demography, covering demography, population, analysis, statistics, and managing demographic analysis and population studies.
Computational Statistics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines computational statistics, covering computing, statistics, algorithms, software, and managing computational statistics and data processing.
Survey Design and Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers survey methods, covering surveys, design, sampling, analysis, and managing survey design and analysis.
Social Data Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines social data analysis, covering social, data, analysis, statistics, and managing social data analysis and interpretation.
Statistical Computing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers statistical computing, covering computing, software, R, SPSS, and managing statistical computing and data processing.
Demographic Methods and Techniques
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines demographic methods, covering methods, demography, techniques, population, and managing demographic methods and techniques.
Research Methods in Social Statistics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research, methods, statistics, design, and conducting research in social statistics, preparing students for their thesis.
Analytic Demography
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines analytic demography, covering demography, analysis, population, models, and managing analytic demography and population modelling.
Data Visualisation and Reporting
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers data visualisation, covering visualisation, data, reporting, graphics, and managing data visualisation and statistical reporting.
Population and Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines population and development, covering population, development, economics, statistics, and managing population and development analysis.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 212 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a social statistics topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and social statistics knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Applied Demography
Focuses on applied demography, covering demography, population, analysis, statistics, and managing demographic analysis and population studies.
Computational Statistics
Examines computational statistics, covering computing, statistics, algorithms, software, and managing computational statistics and data processing.
Survey Methods
Covers survey methods, covering surveys, design, sampling, analysis, and managing survey design and analysis.
Social Data Analysis
Focuses on social data analysis, covering social, data, analysis, statistics, and managing social data analysis and interpretation.
Statistical Theory
Examines statistical theory, covering theory, statistics, inference, probability, and managing statistical theory and inference.
Demographic Methods
Covers demographic methods, covering methods, demography, techniques, population, and managing demographic methods and techniques.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Social Statistics programme combines lectures, computing sessions, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover statistical theory, demography, computational statistics, survey methods, and social data analysis. Statistical theory sessions examine theory, statistics, inference, probability, and managing statistical theory and inference. Demography sessions cover demography, population, analysis, statistics, and managing demographic analysis. Computational statistics sessions cover computing, statistics, algorithms, software, and managing computational statistics. Survey methods sessions cover surveys, design, sampling, analysis, and managing survey design and analysis. Social data analysis sessions cover social, data, analysis, statistics, and managing social data analysis. Research methods sessions cover research, methods, statistics, design, and conducting research in social statistics. Computing sessions provide practical experience in statistical software including R, SPSS, and Stata for data analysis. Seminars provide opportunities for presenting research findings and discussing current developments in social statistics. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a social statistics topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme provides specialised training in social statistics and demography, relevant to Kenya's data needs.
Programme combines theoretical knowledge with practical computing sessions using R, SPSS, and Stata.
Graduates are eligible for KNBS professional membership and ISI certification.
Programme is relevant to government, research institutions, NGOs, and international organisations.

Against it

UoN fee data is estimated from MSc Mathematics in the same department, not confirmed for Statistics specifically.
JKUAT specific fee data for Social Statistics is not publicly available.
No private university confirmed offering this exact programme.
Programme requires background in statistics, mathematics, or a quantitative social science.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 243 science courses

Public352k to 352k

352k at University of Nairobi352k at University of Nairobi

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

UoN ~352K/yr mathematics.uonbi.ac.ke (same dept as MSc Stats). Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. Universities may offer scholarships for eligible students. ISI and international statistics organisations may offer scholarships and fellowships for statistics research and education.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
University Scholarship
ISI Scholarship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
University Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 362,500Kenyan
Universities may offer scholarships for eligible postgraduate statistics students.
ISI Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 200,000
ISI and international statistics organisations may offer scholarships for statistics research and education.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Most universities require at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree with Mathematics or Statistics as a major. Lower Second Class may be considered with relevant research experience. Candidates without a degree may be admitted if they have passed relevant qualifying exams with evidence of research experience. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, computing projects, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering statistical theory, demography, computational statistics, survey methods, and social data analysis.
Computing Project
Project40% of the mark
Practical assessment through computing projects, demonstrating statistical computing, data analysis, and reporting skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a social statistics topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and social statistics knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi and JKUAT (public) offer MSc in Social Statistics or closely related programmes. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in social statistics. Graduates may interact with KNBS for official statistics standards and ISI for international statistics standards. The programme aligns with ISI global statistics frameworks.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi and JKUAT (public) offer MSc in Social Statistics or closely related programmes. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in social statistics. Graduates may interact with KNBS for official statistics standards and ISI for international statistics standards. The programme aligns with ISI global statistics frameworks.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Social Statistician
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts social statistical analysis, covering statistics, social, data, and managing social statistics and data analysis.
Demographic Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000
Analyses demographic data, covering demography, population, analysis, and managing demographic analysis and population studies.
Research Analyst
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000
Conducts research analysis, covering research, analysis, data, statistics, and managing research analysis and reporting.
Survey Statistician
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Designs and manages surveys, covering surveys, design, sampling, statistics, and managing survey design and implementation.
Data Scientist
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages data science projects, covering data, science, analysis, statistics, and managing data science and analytics.
Statistics Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Teaches statistics at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

R Statistical Software
SoftwarePrimary
R for statistical computing and data analysis, covering computing, statistics, analysis, and managing statistical computing and data processing.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for social data analysis, covering statistics, social, data, and managing social data analysis.
Stata
Software
Stata for statistical analysis and data management, covering statistics, analysis, data, and managing statistical data analysis.
Python
Software
Python for data analysis and computing, covering computing, data, analysis, and managing data analysis and computing.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Social statistics is just about counting people.
Social statistics covers statistical theory, demography, computational methods, survey design, and social data analysis beyond just counting people.
This programme is only for mathematicians.
Social statistics is for professionals from sociology, economics, geography, psychology, and statistics backgrounds, not just mathematicians.
Social statistics has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Social statistics graduates are in demand in government statistics offices, research institutions, NGOs, and international organisations.
This programme is the same as general statistics.
Social statistics focuses specifically on statistical analysis of social, demographic, and population data, distinct from general statistics.
Social statistics is only about surveys.
The programme covers statistical theory, computational methods, demography, and data analysis alongside survey methods.
You need to be good at mathematics to study social statistics.
While mathematical foundations are important, social statistics emphasises applied analysis, interpretation, and communication of social data.