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Master of Science in Statistics/Master of Science in Applied Statistics

<p>The Master of Science in Statistics/Master of Science in Applied Statistics is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in both theoretical and applied statistics. The programme provides specialised training in statistical theory, applied statistics, statistical computing, data analysis, and statistical modelling for real-world problems.

Duration
2 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 201,000
Ksh 402,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 201,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 402,000 for the whole course.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of N/A (Postgraduate) or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 2 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 2 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Early Childhood Strategist, at 10 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

Core areas include probability theory, statistical inference, applied statistics, linear models, design and analysis of surveys, time series analysis, multivariate analysis, statistical computing, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, computing sessions, and research.

The programme is offered by the Technical University of Kenya as a public institution. TUK offers both MSc in Applied Statistics and MSc in Mathematical Statistics through the School of Mathematics and Statistics, Department of Financial and Actuarial 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, applied statistics, computing, data analysis, modelling, and research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, computing projects, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates for statistical analysis, research, and advisory roles across multiple sectors.

TUK charges approximately KES 201,000 per year. No private university confirmed offering this exact combined programme. Entry requires at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Statistics or a related field from a recognised institution.

Graduates pursue careers as statisticians, applied statisticians, data analysts, research analysts, quantitative analysts, and lecturers across government statistics offices, research institutions, financial institutions, health organisations, NGOs, and universities.

Skills Required

  • Statistical Theory and Inference
  • Applied Statistics and Data Analysis
  • Probability Theory and Stochastic Processes
  • Linear Models and Regression Analysis
  • Time Series Analysis and Forecasting
  • Statistical Computing with R and SPSS
  • Design and Analysis of Surveys
  • Multivariate Statistical Analysis
  • Research Methods in Statistics
  • Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

  • Probability Theory and Statistical Inference
  • Applied Statistics and Data Analysis
  • Linear Models and Regression Analysis
  • Design and Analysis of Surveys
  • Time Series Analysis and Forecasting
  • Multivariate Statistical Analysis
  • Statistical Computing
  • Financial Statistics
  • Research Methods in Statistics
  • Thesis Research

Certifications

  • KNBS Professional Membership
  • RSS Professional Certification

Specializations

Applied Statistics

Focuses on applied statistics, covering applied, statistics, methods, analysis, and managing applied statistics and practical data analysis.

Mathematical Statistics

Examines mathematical statistics, covering mathematics, statistics, theory, probability, and managing mathematical statistics and theoretical inference.

Statistical Computing

Covers statistical computing, covering computing, statistics, software, algorithms, and managing statistical computing and data processing.

Time Series Analysis

Focuses on time series analysis, covering time, series, analysis, forecasting, and managing time series analysis and forecasting.

Survey Methods

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

Financial Statistics

Covers financial statistics, covering finance, statistics, modelling, risk, and managing financial statistics and risk analysis.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Probability Theory and Statistical Inference
  • Applied Statistics and Data Analysis
  • Linear Models and Regression Analysis
  • Design and Analysis of Surveys
  • Time Series Analysis and Forecasting
  • Multivariate Statistical Analysis
  • Statistical Computing
  • Financial Statistics
  • Research Methods in Statistics
  • Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Probability Theory

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines probability theory, covering probability, theory, statistics, distributions, and managing probability theory and distributions.

  • Statistical Inference

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers statistical inference, covering inference, statistics, estimation, testing, and managing statistical inference and hypothesis testing.

  • Applied Statistics

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines applied statistics, covering applied, statistics, methods, analysis, and managing applied statistics and practical data analysis.

  • Linear Models and Regression

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers linear models, covering models, regression, linear, analysis, and managing linear models and regression analysis.

  • Design and Analysis of Surveys

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines survey design, covering surveys, design, sampling, analysis, and managing survey design and analysis.

  • Statistical Computing

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers statistical computing, covering computing, statistics, software, R, and managing statistical computing and data processing.

  • Time Series Analysis and Forecasting

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Examines time series analysis, covering time, series, analysis, forecasting, and managing time series analysis and forecasting.

  • Research Methods in Statistics

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers research, methods, statistics, design, and conducting research in statistics, preparing students for their thesis.

  • Multivariate Statistical Analysis

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Examines multivariate analysis, covering multivariate, statistics, analysis, methods, and managing multivariate statistical analysis.

  • Financial Statistics

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers financial statistics, covering finance, statistics, modelling, risk, and managing financial statistics and risk analysis.

  • Statistical Consulting and Communication

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines statistical consulting, covering consulting, communication, statistics, reporting, and managing statistical consulting and communication.

  • Research Thesis

    Year 2Semester 212 creditsCore

    Original supervised research thesis on a statistics or applied statistics topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and statistical knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

  • Applied Statistics

    Focuses on applied statistics, covering applied, statistics, methods, analysis, and managing applied statistics and practical data analysis.

  • Mathematical Statistics

    Examines mathematical statistics, covering mathematics, statistics, theory, probability, and managing mathematical statistics and theoretical inference.

  • Statistical Computing

    Covers statistical computing, covering computing, statistics, software, algorithms, and managing statistical computing and data processing.

  • Time Series Analysis

    Focuses on time series analysis, covering time, series, analysis, forecasting, and managing time series analysis and forecasting.

  • Survey Methods

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

  • Financial Statistics

    Covers financial statistics, covering finance, statistics, modelling, risk, and managing financial statistics and risk analysis.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Statistics/Applied Statistics programme combines lectures, computing sessions, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover probability theory, statistical inference, applied statistics, linear models, and time series analysis. Probability theory sessions examine probability, theory, statistics, distributions, and managing probability theory. Statistical inference sessions cover inference, statistics, estimation, testing, and managing statistical inference. Applied statistics sessions cover applied, statistics, methods, analysis, and managing applied statistics. Linear models sessions cover models, regression, linear, analysis, and managing linear models. Survey design sessions cover surveys, design, sampling, analysis, and managing survey design. Time series sessions cover time, series, analysis, forecasting, and managing time series analysis. Multivariate analysis sessions cover multivariate, statistics, analysis, methods, and managing multivariate analysis. Financial statistics sessions cover finance, statistics, modelling, risk, and managing financial statistics. Computing sessions provide practical experience in R, SPSS, and Stata for statistical analysis. Seminars provide opportunities for presenting research findings and discussing current developments in statistics. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a statistics or applied statistics topic.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Programme offers both theoretical and applied statistics training, providing flexibility for academic or industry careers.Only one confirmed institution (TUK) offers this exact combined programme.
TUK provides verified fee structure with transparent breakdown of tuition and statutory charges.No private university confirmed offering this exact programme.
Graduates are eligible for KNBS professional membership and RSS professional certification.Programme requires background in statistics or mathematics.
Programme combines theoretical knowledge with practical computing skills using R, SPSS, and Stata.Limited specialisation options compared to UoN which offers four specialisations.

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
Public201k to 201k
201k at Technical University of Kenya201k at Technical University of Kenya

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

TUK ~201K/yr intake.tukenya.ac.ke (402K total). Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. TUK may offer scholarships for eligible students. ISI, RSS, 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 201,000Kenyan

    TUK 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.

Scholarships you could apply for

2 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
N/A (Postgraduate)minimum entry
Alternative entry

TUK requires at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Statistics or equivalent. Lower Second Class may be considered with relevant work experience or postgraduate diploma. Contact the university for specific admission requirements.

When it next starts

Taught at 2 institutions
January 20272 institutions

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Technical University of Kenya.

May 20272 institutions

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Technical University of Kenya.

September 20272 institutions

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Technical University of Kenya.

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 probability theory, statistical inference, applied statistics, linear models, and time series 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 statistics or applied statistics topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and statistical knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education (CUE)

    Academic accreditationRequired

    Programme accredited by CUE. Technical University of Kenya (public) offers MSc in Applied Statistics and MSc in Mathematical Statistics. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in statistics. Graduates may interact with KNBS for official statistics standards, RSS for international professional certification, and ISI for global statistics standards. The programme aligns with ISI and RSS global statistics frameworks.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Technical University of Kenya (public) offers MSc in Applied Statistics and MSc in Mathematical Statistics. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in statistics. Graduates may interact with KNBS for official statistics standards, RSS for international professional certification, and ISI for global statistics standards. The programme aligns with ISI and RSS global statistics frameworks.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

  • Statistician

    High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000

    Conducts statistical analysis, covering statistics, data, analysis, and managing statistical analysis and interpretation.

  • Applied Statistician

    High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000

    Applies statistical methods to real-world problems, covering applied, statistics, methods, and managing applied statistics and practical analysis.

  • Data Analyst

    High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000

    Conducts data analysis, covering data, analysis, statistics, and managing data analysis and reporting.

  • Research Analyst

    High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000

    Conducts research analysis, covering research, analysis, data, statistics, and managing research analysis and reporting.

  • Quantitative Analyst

    High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Conducts quantitative analysis, covering quantitative, analysis, finance, statistics, and managing quantitative analysis and modelling.

  • 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

Graduates pursue careers as statisticians, applied statisticians, data analysts, research analysts, quantitative analysts, and lecturers across government statistics offices, research institutions, financial institutions, health organisations, NGOs, and universities.

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 statistical data analysis, covering statistics, data, analysis, and managing statistical 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.

Common misconceptions

  • Applied statistics is just about using statistical software.

    Applied statistics covers theory, methodology, modelling, research methods, and data analysis beyond just using software.

  • This programme is only for mathematicians.

    Applied statistics is for professionals from economics, biology, health sciences, social sciences, and engineering backgrounds, not just mathematicians.

  • Statistics has limited career prospects in Kenya.

    Statistics graduates are in high demand in government, research institutions, financial institutions, health organisations, and NGOs.

  • Applied statistics is the same as pure statistics.

    Applied statistics focuses on practical applications and real-world data analysis, while pure statistics emphasises mathematical foundations and theory.

  • This combined programme is confusing.

    The programme offers both theoretical and applied statistics training, giving graduates flexibility to pursue academic or industry careers.

  • You need to be good at mathematics to study applied statistics.

    While mathematical foundations are important, applied statistics emphasises practical analysis, interpretation, and communication of data.

Further reading

Read next