Statistics and Operational Research MSc

Many important problems in industry and the public sector are not only about understanding data, but about making better decisions. Organisations need people who can analyse evidence, model systems, allocate resources, evaluate trade-offs and improve processes in areas such as logistics, transport, energy, finance and public services.

This programme gives you both sides of that toolkit: rigorous statistics and operational research. You will learn how to build and assess statistical models, quantify uncertainty, simulate complex systems, optimise decisions and communicate evidence clearly. Together, these skills help you move from understanding what the data says to deciding what should happen next.

Operational research is especially valuable in workplaces where decisions must be made under constraints of time, cost, risk and complexity. You will develop practical skills in software including R, JAGS and Arena, together with wider modelling, problem-solving, teamwork and communication skills that are highly valued by employers working with complex systems and data-rich decisions.

Edinburgh offers a strong environment for this training, with a large statistics and operational research community in the School of Mathematics, a wide range of optional courses, and links with external organisations.