phd medical statistics

DPhil in Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Statistics

• Entry Requirements
• Funding and Costs

College preference

• How to Apply

About the course

As a DPhil student in Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, you will spend up to four years in one of the Botnar Research Centre’s many research groups, working on a research project supervised by one of the principal investigators and your supervisory team. You will take part in the extensive training programme specifically organised for graduate students within the department.

This DPhil programme focuses on epidemiology, medical statistics, clinical trials, real world health data, research methodology, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and health economics - aiming to advance healthcare practice and policy to ultimately generate reliable evidence for improving patient care.

You will develop your research skills during your first year, including compulsory attendance at the department's fundamentals in biomedical research lectures. During the first term you will develop, in consultation with your supervisor, a training needs plan. Your training will be tailored to your specific project and personal requirements drawing from the vast range of courses available at Oxford and covering specialist scientific methods and transferable skills. Please note that there is no formal taught component of the DPhil in Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Statistics; however, you will develop your research skills through a range of research training in your first year and by attending departmental/institute journal clubs and seminar series.

During the first term there is compulsory attendance at core lectures on a variety of research techniques and research areas covered in the department including:

• inflammation
• tissue engineering
• clinical trial design
• epidemiology
• rheumatology
• orthopaedics
• musculoskeletal diseases.

During your first year, you will be expected to attend a minimum of three topic-related modules.

As a member of Medical Sciences Graduate School, you will be entitled to attend various workshops run by the Medical Sciences Skills Training  programme which are run during term time.

Attendance on a two-day Data Analysis: Statistics Designing Clinical Research and Biostatistics course is compulsory (if you have had no previous statistical training) to assist you with appropriate research design. As a component of your training, you will be expected to work with your supervisory team to write a research-specific literature review within the first year of your studies.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of Medical Sciences and the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS) and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may come from other departments in the University.

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of Medical Sciences and the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS) and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside Medical Sciences and NDORMS.

All students must have a core supervisory team of at least two supervisors. At the beginning of your programme, you will meet with your supervisors regularly to finalise your project and agree on an initial programme of research. Within the first three months, you will complete an analysis of your training needs (TNA) for the duration of your research, with your primary supervisor, and submit it as part of your compulsory termly reporting through the Graduate Supervision Reporting system (GSR).

Regularity of student/supervisor meetings will be agreed between the student and supervisors directly. Every student should meet their supervisors at least once per month. The Thesis Committee is an important second strand of supervisory support and is compulsory at the Botnar Research Centre; further information can be provided by the Graduate Studies Team.

Within the first six to twelve months you are expected to complete a literature review on your DPhil research which will assist you in have a broad knowledge on the background of the subject.

In the case of students who require specific help to adjust to an academic programme or to a new range of skills, the supervisor will work with them to ensure that they have the necessary additional support.

Your attainment will be monitored regularly via:

• Completion of termly reports by you and your supervisor(s) through Graduate Supervision Reporting (GSR)
• Successful completion of the first milestone, Transfer of Status- before the end of the fourth term. The process includes preparation and submission of a 5000-word transfer report and assessment by two independent academics, in a viva voce.
• Successful completion of the second milestone, Confirmation of Status- before the end of the eighth term. This process includes assessment by two independent academics, in a viva voce. The assessment includes the student providing a detailed presentation of their findings, an outline of the student's thesis and a viva.
• Successful completion of the final milestone, submission and defence of the DPhil thesis, no later than twelfth term. The student's thesis will be formally examined by independent internal (to Oxford University) and external examiners, who will scrutinise the student's findings and the depth/breadth of their knowledge on their DPhil research.

Stages 2, 3 and 4 will be assessed by two independent senior academics to ensure you are on track with your research and that you are receiving adequate guidance.

Graduate destinations

According to the department's records, NDORMS alumni are employed, across a wide range of clinical professions (eg rheumatology, orthopaedics or physiotherapy) and non-clinical related professions (eg in postdoctoral academic and industrial research, teaching, pharmaceuticals, marketing and scientific writing). A number of alumni have set up their own businesses or changed paths completely, into banking or medical writing.

The Director of Graduate Studies and Graduate Studies Assistant follow the department's alumni to establish the long-term career paths of past students.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

Entry requirements for entry in 2024-25

Proven and potential academic excellence.

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying. 

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours as a minimum, in statistics, epidemiology, health economics and/or related topics.

The department also considers applicants from medically qualified individuals. In special circumstances, applications from other medically related subjects (eg nurses, and/or allied health professionals) will be considered for the DPhil. If you fall into this category, please contact the Graduate Studies Officer .

You do not need to have a previous master's degree to be considered for this DPhil.

For applicants from the USA or China, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0.

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

• Research or working experience in any field may be an advantage. For clinical applicants, evidence of your employer's support will be required.
• In exceptional circumstances, an applicant could be considered if they have substantial professional experience in a statistical/epidemiological-related field.
• It would be expected that graduate applicants would be familiar with the recent published work of their proposed supervisor.
• Although it is not essential, preference will be given to applicants who have recent publications and/or awards from various funding bodies.

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's  standard level . If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's standard level are detailed in the table below.

*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) † Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides further information about the English language test requirement .

Declaring extenuating circumstances

If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Supporting documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Performance at interview

Interviews are normally held as part of the admissions process.

All shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in person or by video-conference. The interview will be conducted by up to six senior academics and it will last a maximum of 45 minutes. Those shortlisted for interviews will be notified 7 to 14 days prior to the interview date. 

The shortlisted applicants will be required to give a 10 minute presentation on their previous research or that proposed to be undertaken for the DPhil.

How your application is assessed

Your application will be assessed purely on your proven and potential academic excellence and other entry requirements described under that heading.

References  and  supporting documents  submitted as part of your application, and your performance at interview (if interviews are held) will be considered as part of the assessment process. Whether or not you have secured funding will not be taken into consideration when your application is assessed.

An overview of the shortlisting and selection process is provided below. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide  more information about how applications are assessed . 

Shortlisting and selection

Students are considered for shortlisting and selected for admission without regard to age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation, as well as other relevant circumstances including parental or caring responsibilities or social background. However, please note the following:

• socio-economic information may be taken into account in the selection of applicants and award of scholarships for courses that are part of  the University’s pilot selection procedure  and for  scholarships aimed at under-represented groups ;
• country of ordinary residence may be taken into account in the awarding of certain scholarships; and
• protected characteristics may be taken into account during shortlisting for interview or the award of scholarships where the University has approved a positive action case under the Equality Act 2010.

Initiatives to improve access to graduate study

This course is taking part in a continuing pilot programme to improve the selection procedure for graduate applications, in order to ensure that all candidates are evaluated fairly.

For this course, socio-economic data (where it has been provided in the application form) will be used to contextualise applications at the different stages of the selection process.  Further information about how we use your socio-economic data  can be found in our page about initiatives to improve access to graduate study.

Processing your data for shortlisting and selection

Information about  processing special category data for the purposes of positive action  and  using your data to assess your eligibility for funding , can be found in our Postgraduate Applicant Privacy Policy.

Admissions panels and assessors

All recommendations to admit a student involve the judgement of at least two members of the academic staff with relevant experience and expertise, and must also be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or Admissions Committee (or equivalent within the department).

Admissions panels or committees will always include at least one member of academic staff who has undertaken appropriate training.

Other factors governing whether places can be offered

The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:

• the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the  About  section of this page;
• the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
• minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.

Offer conditions for successful applications

If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide more information about offers and conditions . 

In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:

Financial Declaration

If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a  Financial Declaration  in order to meet your financial condition of admission.

Disclosure of criminal convictions

In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any  relevant, unspent criminal convictions  before you can take up a place at Oxford.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

Some postgraduate research students in science, engineering and technology subjects will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate prior to applying for a  Student visa (under the Student Route) . For some courses, the requirement to apply for an ATAS certificate may depend on your research area.

The Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS) is a large multi-disciplinary department with a broad range of sciences related to medicine. Research spans the translational research spectrum, from basic biological research through to clinical and epidemiological research. 

The NDORMS is committed to training the next generation of scientists in biological and clinical sciences and has a large number of staff (over 400 people), approximately 100 postgraduate research students and a grant portfolio in excess of £150 million.

NDORMS has state-of-the-art research facilities across the spectrum of our research expertise.

There is student representation within the various departmental committees, providing student-led support as well as representing students’ interests in departmental decision-making.

You will have access to a wide range of resources within the department and University, including the following facilities.

You will have access to University IT services and Medical Sciences Division IT support. You will be allocated unique single-sign-on (SSO) credentials which will allow you to access numerous resources such as information on local seminars (Oxford Talk), other departmental and University information, the divisional skills training portal, Researchers' Toolkit, significant information on the University's student gateway, career courses and libraries online.

You will have access to local libraries: the Bodleian Library, the Cairns Library based in the John Radcliffe Hospital and musculoskeletal-related topics at the Girdlestone Library located at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre's Knowledge Centre on the Old Road Campus. Furthermore, through the central University library services, you will have access to a wide range of articles and publications.

Study and experimental space

You will be allocated an office space/working station that may be shared undertaking data analyses and computer-based research.

Lectures and seminars

You will be notified by regular emails about seminar schedules within the department and you are encouraged to visit the Oxford Talk website to access other departments' and divisions' seminars and lectures.

NDORMS Student Committee

Currently there are approximately 100 DPhil and MSc research students. There is an active student committee which organises regular social events, a Christmas gathering with a band, and a picnic in the park during the summer. At least two students are represented at the department’s Graduate Studies Committee, the Athena SWAN Committee and the University's Graduate Joint Consultative Committee to express students' opinions, concerns and views.

Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences

The Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS) is a vibrant multi-disciplinary department focusing on musculoskeletal and immunological diseases, from bench to bedside.

NDORMS is the largest European academic department in its field and runs a globally competitive programme of research and teaching, supported by a grants portfolio worth £169 million.

The department, headed by Professor Jonathan Rees, comprises over 400 staff including 45 professors/associate professors, approximately 100 graduate students and, several university lecturers and senior researchers supported by prestigious awards.

NDORMS has two institutes, the Botnar Research Centre (led by Professor Jonathan Rees) on the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre (NOC) site, and the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology (led by Professor Fiona Powrie) on the Old Road Campus. It also has a number of world-renowned units, including the Centre for Statistics in Medicine (led by Professor Gary Collins), the Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit and the Kadoorie Centre for Critical Care Research (led by Professor Matt Costa) and Education (based in the John Radcliffe Hospital).

The Botnar Research Institute provides a unique setting for basic science researchers, statisticians and clinical trials experts to interact with clinician scientists, and to translate new experimental medicines and surgical designs into successful treatments. The Botnar Research Centre is strongly connected to the internationally renowned NOC, providing crucial access to patients' samples and an overall capacity for clinical and surgical trials.

The Kennedy Institute carries out basic and clinical research in chronic inflammatory and degenerative diseases including arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. The Kennedy Institute is famous for its development of anti-TNF therapy to treat rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic debilitating disease. This treatment has improved the lives of millions of patients around the world.

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The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25. You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships , if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential. 

For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit our dedicated Funding pages, which contain information about how to apply for Oxford scholarships requiring an additional application, details of external funding, loan schemes and other funding sources.

Please ensure that you visit individual college websites for details of any college-specific funding opportunities using the links provided on our college pages or below:

Please note that not all the colleges listed above may accept students on this course. For details of those which do, please refer to the College preference section of this page.

Further information about funding opportunities for this course can be found on the department's website.

Annual fees for entry in 2024-25

Further details about fee status eligibility can be found on the fee status webpage.

Information about course fees

Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.

Continuation charges

Following the period of fee liability , you may also be required to pay a University continuation charge and a college continuation charge. The University and college continuation charges are shown on the Continuation charges page.

Where can I find further information about fees?

The Fees and Funding  section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Additional information

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees (or, after fee liability ends, continuation charges) and living costs. However, please note that, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Living costs

In addition to your course fees, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the range of likely living costs for full-time study is between c. £1,345 and £1,955 for each month spent in Oxford. Full information, including a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs, is available on our living costs page. The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. When planning your finances for any future years of study in Oxford beyond 2024-25, it is suggested that you allow for potential increases in living expenses of around 5% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. UK inflationary increases will be kept under review and this page updated.

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs). 

If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief  introduction to the college system at Oxford  and our  advice about expressing a college preference . For some courses, the department may have provided some additional advice below to help you decide.

The following colleges accept students for the DPhil in Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Statistics:

• Green Templeton College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• St Anne's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Hilda's College
• Wolfson College

Before you apply

We strongly recommend you consult the Medical Sciences Graduate School's research themes to identify the most suitable course and supervisor .

Our  guide to getting started  provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application.  You can use our interactive tool to help you evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

If it's important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under a December or January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance . Check the deadlines on this page and the  information about deadlines and when to apply  in our Application Guide.

Application fee waivers

An application fee of £75 is payable per course application. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:

• applicants from low-income countries;
• refugees and displaced persons; 
• UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and 
• applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.

You are encouraged to  check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver  before you apply.

Readmission for current Oxford graduate taught students

If you're currently studying for an Oxford graduate taught course and apply to this course with no break in your studies, you may be eligible to apply to this course as a readmission applicant. The application fee will be waived for an eligible application of this type. Check whether you're eligible to apply for readmission .

Application fee waivers for eligible associated courses

If you apply to this course and up to two eligible associated courses from our predefined list during the same cycle, you can request an application fee waiver so that you only need to pay one application fee.

The list of eligible associated courses may be updated as new courses are opened. Please check the list regularly, especially if you are applying to a course that has recently opened to accept applications.

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

Before you apply (if you are not applying for an advertised project), you should approach a supervisor to ensure they have the capacity to take you on and are willing to support your application. You will also need to agree on a research project, a proposal for which should be submitted as part of your application. Details of potential supervisors  can be found on the department's website.

Completing your application

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents .

For this course, the application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. You should not upload a separate document. If a separate CV/résumé is uploaded, it will be removed from your application .

If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.

Proposed field and title of research project

You must enter the project you are applying to under 'Field and title of research project' on the 'Course' tab of the application form.

You should not use this field to type out a full research proposal. You will be able to upload your research supporting materials separately if they are required (as described below).

Proposed supervisor

Under 'Proposed supervisor name' enter the name of the academic(s) who you would like to supervise your research. 

Referees Three overall, of which at least two must be academic

Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.

One professional reference is acceptable, though your other references should be academic and should comment specifically on your academic ability.

Your references should support your intellectual ability, academic achievement, motivation and ability to work independently.

Official transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.

Statement of purpose/personal statement and research proposal: Up to 500 words for the personal statement and up to 2,000 words for the research proposal

All applicants should submit a personal statement. If you are not applying for specified studentships, you will also need to submit a research proposal.

Your statement of purpose/personal statement and research proposal should be submitted as a single, combined document with clear subheadings. Please ensure that the word counts for each section are clearly visible in the document.

Statement of purpose/personal statement

You should provide a statement of your research interests, in English, describing how your background and research interests relate to the programme. If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.

The statement should focus on academic or research-related achievements and interests rather than personal achievements and interests.

This will be assessed for:

• your reasons for applying;
• evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study;
• the ability to present a reasoned case in English;
• capacity for sustained and focused work; and
• understanding of problems in the area and ability to construct and defend an argument.

It will be normal for students’ ideas and goals to change in some ways as they undertake their studies, but your personal statement will enable you to demonstrate your current interests and aspirations.

Research proposal

A research proposal should only be submitted if you are not applying for a specified studentship.

Your research proposal, should comprise a detailed outline of your proposed research, written in English. The research proposal should include details of the background/rationale of the research, hypotheses and methodology. It should explain the originality/novelty of the work and outline how completion within twelve academic terms (ie four years) can be achieved. The overall word count, of no more than 2,000 words, should include any bibliography.

If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.

Start or continue your application

You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please  refer to the requirements above  and  consult our Application Guide for advice . You'll find the answers to most common queries in our FAQs.

Application Guide   Apply

ADMISSION STATUS

Closed to applications for entry in 2024-25

Register to be notified via email when the next application cycle opens (for entry in 2025-26)

12:00 midday UK time on:

Friday 1 December 2023 Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships

A later deadline shown under 'Admission status' If places are still available,  applications may be accepted after 1 December . The 'Admissions status' (above) will provide notice of any later deadline.

*One year average (applications for entry in 2023-24)

Further information and enquiries

This course is offered by the  Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences

• Course page on the department's website
• Funding information from the department
• Academic and research staff
• Departmental research
• Medical Sciences Graduate School
• Residence requirements for full-time courses
• Postgraduate applicant privacy policy

Course-related enquiries

Advice about contacting the department can be found in the How to apply section of this page

✉ [email protected] ☎ +44 (0)1865 737641

Application-process enquiries

See the application guide

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You may also wish to consider applying to other courses that are similar or related to this course:

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About the PhD in Biostatistics Program

The PhD in Biostatistics provides training in the theory of probability and statistics in biostatistical methodology. The program is unique in its emphasis on the foundations of statistical reasoning and data science. Students complete rigorous training in real analysis-based probability and statistics, equivalent to what is provided in most departments of mathematical statistics and in advanced data science.

PhD candidates are required to pass a comprehensive written examination covering coursework completed at the end of their first year. Research leading to a thesis may involve development of new theory and methodology, or it may be concerned with applications of statistics and probability to problems in public health, medicine or biology.

Application Fee Waivers: We are able to offer a limited number of application fee waivers. Learn about the eligibility criteria and how to apply for a waiver .

PhD in Biostatistics Program Highlights

Conduct and publish original research.

on the theory and methodology of biostatistics

Apply innovative theory and methods

to the solution of public health problems

Serve as an expert biostatistician

on collaborative teams of investigators addressing key public health questions

Teach biostatistics effectively

to health professionals and scientists as well as to graduate students in biostatistics

What Can You Do With a PhD In Biostatistics?

Visit the Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard to learn about Bloomberg School graduates' employment status, sector, and salaries.

Sample Careers

• Assistant Professor
• Postdoctoral Fellow
• Data Scientist
• Statistician
• Biostatistician

Curriculum for the PhD in Biostatistics

Browse an overview of the requirements for this PhD program in the JHU  Academic Catalogue  and explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School  Course Directory .

Admissions Requirements

For general admissions requirements, please visit the How to Apply page. This specific program also requires:

Prior Coursework

Calculus and linear algebra; accepted applicants are also strongly encouraged to take real analysis before matriculating

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores are  not required and not reviewed  for this program. If you have taken a standardized test such as the GRE, GMAT, or MCAT and want to submit your scores, please note that they will not be used as a metric during the application review.  Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all required application components.

Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative

The  Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI)  is an endowed fellowship program at Johns Hopkins for PhD students in STEM fields. It provides full tuition, stipend, and benefits while also providing targeted mentoring, networking, community, and professional development opportunities. Students who have attended a historically Black college and university (HBCU) or other minority serving institution (MSI) for undergraduate study are eligible to apply. To be considered for the VTSI, you will need to submit a SOPHAS application ,VTSI supplementary materials, and all supporting documents (letters, transcripts, and test scores) by December 1, 2023. VTSI applicants are eligible for an  application fee waiver , but the fee waiver must be requested by November 15, 2023 and prior to submission of the SOPHAS application.

Admitted PhD students are automatically considered for full funding, including five years of full tuition coverage, a paid research assistantship and individual health insurance.

Need-Based Relocation Grants Students who  are admitted to PhD programs at JHU starting in Fall 2023 or beyond can apply to receive a $1500 need-based grant to offset the costs of relocating to be able to attend JHU.   These grants provide funding to a portion of incoming students who, without this money, may otherwise not be able to afford to relocate to JHU for their PhD program. This is not a merit-based grant. Applications will be evaluated solely based on financial need.  View more information about the need-based relocation grants for PhD students .

Questions about the program? We're happy to help. 

Academic Administrator Mary Joy Argo 410-614-4454 [email protected]

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Doctoral Programs

Biostatistics.

Biostatistics applies statistical and probability theory to human health and disease. The PhD program in biostatistics prepares individuals to develop or adapt statistical methods for solving problems in the health field. Students enjoy extensive library and computer facilities, as well as myriad opportunities for involvement in numerous research activities in the biomedical sciences and clinical research, which often lead to dissertation topics.

The department awards a number of fellowships to recognize academic achievement and support future scholarly success. As teaching and research experience are considered an important aspect of the program, these fellowships include some teaching and research apprenticeship.

Admissions Requirements

While many of the applicants admitted to Columbia’s PhD program in biostatistics have already completed (or are completing) master’s degrees in biostatistics, statistics, or a related field, admission is open to well qualified students holding (or completing) bachelor’s degrees. Those admitted with a bachelor’s degree are typically strong students from programs that emphasize a rigorous background in mathematics and/or statistics.

Depending on prior training and background, students may be required to take additional master’s level course work in the Mailman School of Public Health as part of their PhD training.

In addition to the requirements listed below, all applicants must submit an official transcript from each prior institution, a statement of academic purpose, and three letters of evaluation from academic sources. All international students whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate degree is from an institution in a country whose official language is not English must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS scores.

• Deadline for Fall Admission: December 1
• Deadline for Spring Admission: No spring admission
• Resume/CV: Yes
• Writing Sample: No
• GRE General: Optional
• GRE Subject: No

View competencies, course requirements, sample schedules, and more in our Academics section.

Paul McCullough, Director of Academic Programs

Biostatistics PhD

Many issues in the health, medical and biological sciences are addressed by collecting and exploring relevant data. The development and application of techniques to better understand such data is a fundamental concern of our program.

This program offers training in the theory of statistics and biostatistics, computer implementation of analytic methods and opportunities to use this knowledge in areas of biological/medical research. The resources of Berkeley Public Health and the UC Berkeley Department of Statistics, together with those of other university departments, offer a broad set of opportunities to satisfy the needs of individual students. Furthermore, the involvement of UCSF faculty from the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology also enriches instructional and research activities.

A PhD degree in Biostatistics requires a program of courses selected from biostatistics, statistics, and at least one other subject area (such as environmental health, epidemiology, or genomics), an oral qualifying examination, and a dissertation. Courses cover traditional topics as well as recent advances in biostatistics and statistics. Those completing the PhD will have acquired a deep knowledge and understanding of the MA subject areas. Since graduates with doctorates often assume academic research and teaching careers, a high degree of mastery in research design, theory, methodology, and execution is expected, as well as the ability to communicate and present concepts in a clear, understandable manner.

The PhD degree program requires 4–6 semesters of coursework, the completion of the qualifying examination and dissertation (in total, a minimum of four semesters of registration is required). Since there are no formal course requirements for the PhD, a program of courses appropriate to a student’s background and interests may be developed with a graduate adviser.

Qualifications

A Master’s degree in Biostatistics or a related field is recommended but not required for admission to the PhD program. Strongly recommended prerequisite courses are calculus, linear algebra, and statistics. Applicants admitted without a Master’s degree may be required to go through the Biostatistics MA curriculum; students can concurrently earn that degree with no additional cost or time to degree. Normative time to degree is 5 years.

Students entering with a relevant master’s degree in biostatistics or statistics must have a faculty advisor who is a member of the Biostatistics Graduate Group committing funding and mentorship support.

GRE Exemption Criteria

GRE General Test scores are required for admission to the Biostatistics PhD program however applicants are exempted from the requirement if they meet all of the following criteria:

• Completed two semesters of calculus for a letter grade and earned a grade of “B” or higher.
• Completed one semester of linear algebra for a letter grade and earned a grade of “B” or higher.
• Completed one semester of statistics for a letter grade and earned a grade of “B” or higher.
• Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Overall quantitative/math GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• For students with a Master’s in Biostatistics or a related field, graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• For international students: TOEFL score of 100 or higher OR IELTS score of 7.0 or higher.

Berkeley Public Health also exempts applicants who already hold a doctoral level degree from the GRE requirement.You can find more information on the application instructions page . There is a program page in the Berkeley Graduate Application where you can indicate you meet the criteria for GRE exemption. Applicants who are exempted from the GRE are not at a disadvantage in the application review process.

Many doctoral graduates accept faculty positions in schools of public health, medicine, and statistics and/or math departments at colleges and universities, both in the United States and abroad. Some graduates take research positions, including with pharmaceutical companies, hospital research units, non-profits, and within the tech sector.

Funding and Fee Remission

Prospective students who are US citizens or permanent residents can find more information about applying for an application fee waiver for the Berkeley Graduate Application. Fees will be waived based on financial need or participation in selected programs described on the linked website. International applicants (non-US citizens or Permanent Residents) are not eligible for application fee waivers.

All PhD students are fully funded (including tuition and fees and a stipend or salary) with the exception of Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) for the second year, if applicable. NRST is typically waived after the first year of study for PhD students when they advance to candidacy. Information on applying to GSI positions for biostatistics students can be found in the Biostatistics Division student handbook .

Tuition and fees change each academic year. To view the current tuition and fees, see the fee schedule on the Office of the Registrar website (in the Graduate: Academic section).

Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions about funding opportunities for the biostatistics programs.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Division of Biostatistics is committed to challenging systemic inequities in the areas of health, medical, and biological sciences, and to advancing the goals of diversity, equity, and inclusivity in Biostatistics and related fields.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Biostatistics

Admissions Statistics

Emeritus faculty, faculty associated in biostatistics graduate group.

• Peter Bickel PhD Statistics
• David R. Brillinger PhD Statistics
• Perry de Valpine PhD Environmental Science, Policy, and Management
• Haiyan Huang PhD Statistics
• Michael J. Klass PhD Statistics
• Priya Moorjani PhD Molecular & Cell Biology
• Rasmus Nielsen PhD Integrative Biology and Statistics
• Elizabeth Purdom PhD Statistics
• Sophia Rabe-Hesketh PhD Education
• John Rice PhD Statistics
• Yun S. Song PhD Statistics; Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences
• Bin Yu PhD Statistics

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Statistics PhD Program

The application for Fall 2025 entry will open Summer 2024

Statistics Program

The Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology at the University of Rochester conducts teaching and research in statistical theory and methodology oriented toward the health sciences. Our unique graduate program is located within a School of Medicine environment and provides many opportunities for stimulating interaction with applied research.

The department interprets the term "statistics" very broadly, with specialization available in probability, statistical theory and analysis, biostatistics, and interdisciplinary areas of application. Department faculty participate fully in graduate teaching and individual attention is given to each student through intensive advising, extensive small seminars, and research collaboration. Students have opportunities for supervised teaching and statistical consulting experience. Prior to completing their degrees, most Ph.D. students have several publications underway based on research done in collaboration with faculty members in biostatistics/statistics and in various medical departments.

If you are looking for the Undergraduate Program in Statistics, please visit the School of Arts and Sciences .

Doctoral Students

Program Faculty

Year average time for Ph.D. completion

Job placement for Ph.D. graduates over the past 10 years

What Sets Us Apart

Program highlights.

From our highly skilled mentoring faculty to the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Track, see what sets our program apart

Details of class schedules and full course descriptions can be found on our curriculum page

Mentor Relationships

Our students most commonly reference the personal relationships and valuable mentoring they receive as one of the top reasons why they would recommend URMC

Degree Programs

Ph.D. in Statistics

The Ph.D. in Statistics program offers students a thorough grounding in statistical theory, which provides the necessary foundation for the successful conduct of research in statistical methodology.  

Ph.D. in Statistics with Concentration in Bioinformatics & Computational Biology

The Ph.D. in Statistics with Concentration in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology is designed to educate the next generation of biostatisticians with the knowledge required to address critical scientific and public health questions.

Master of Arts in Statistics

The M.A. in Statistics program is designed for students seeking preparation for a Ph.D. program or work as a Master’s-level statistician.  

Master of Science in Biostatistics

The M.S. in Biostatistics program is primarily intended for students who wish to follow careers in health-related professions such as those in the pharmaceutical industry and biomedical or clinical research organizations.

What Our Students Say

“I chose UR because I am excited by the opportunities available to students both during the program and after completing the program. Graduates from UR have gone on to do wildly different things in academia and industry. It is exciting to have every opportunity available to you, and UR certainly offers that in an environment that supports you in whatever path you choose to take.”  “My favorite things about the program are the people I get to be surrounded by. My classmates are all brilliant and kind people that are a joy to learn alongside. The faculty have a wide range of research interests, which gives students the opportunity to truly carve out the career they want and are devoted to helping students do so.”

Luke McHan, Statistics PhD student

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Biomedical Graduate Studies

Epidemiology and biostatistics graduate group.

• Epidemiology

PhD Program in Epidemiology

The mission of the PhD Program in Epidemiology is to train independent researchers in the development and application of epidemiologic methods and to prepare them for positions as scientific leaders in academia and industry. The PhD is a research degree; it indicates the highest attainable level of scholarship, and a commitment to a research career. The PhD does not represent merely the accumulation of course credits, but rather, the development and completion of a well-designed and conscientious program of scientific investigation that makes a unique contribution to the field of epidemiology.  

The PhD program in Epidemiology requires basic and advanced courses in epidemiology, statistical methods, as well as electives drawn from other departments and schools that serve the student's research interests. The program also requires separate oral qualifications and candidacy examinations, and the successful public defense of a doctoral dissertation, in accordance with University of Pennsylvania policy.  

The PhD program typically requires the equivalent of at least four years of full-time study, in three defined phases:  coursework, pre-candidacy, and candidacy . The coursework phase typically takes two years of full time study, and is intended to provide the student with the knowledge needed to pursue advanced, independent study and investigation in epidemiologic research. This phase culminates in the oral  Qualifications Examination , normally taken after most or all of the student's coursework has been completed. The pre-candidacy phase focuses on the preparation of a scientifically unique, methodologically sound, and feasible dissertation proposal. This phase ends with passing the oral  Candidacy Examination, at which time the student is recognized as a Candidate for the PhD and focuses his or her effort on performing the research for and writing the dissertation. A successful public defense of the dissertation then completes the academic requirements for the PhD.  

The PhD Program in Epidemiology is administered by the Graduate Group in Epidemiology and Biostatistics (GGEB) and is led by the Chair of the Doctoral Program in Epidemiology, working with the PhD Program Executive Committee. The Office of  Biomedical Graduate Studies  (BGS) provides oversight and coordination for the GGEB and six other graduate groups offering PhD degrees in the biomedical sciences. BGS provides centralized support to the graduate groups for admissions, student fellowships, curricular oversight, record-keeping, and other operations.

The current standard course sequence for PhD students consists of up to seven core courses (see below). Additional course units are taken in electives (advanced epidemiology and/or biostatistics courses and courses outside the department and school, as needed to serve the student’s specific interests). In addition, a minimum three semesters of lab rotations (EPID 699) and one unit of dissertation research (EPID 995) are required. They are:

• EPID 7010: Introduction to Epidemiologic Research, 1.0cu
• EPID 7020: Advanced Topics in Epidemiologic Research 1.0cu
• EPID 6000: Data Science for Biomedical Informatics 1.0cu
• BSTA 6300: Statistical Methods and Data Analysis I*  1.0cu
• BSTA6320: Statistical Methods for Categorical and Survival Data (Methods II)* 1.0cu
• EPID 5340: Qualitative Methods in the Study of Health, Disease and Medical Systems, 1.0cu
• HPR 6080: Applied Regression Analysis for Health Policy Research*  1.0cu
• EPID 7000: Doctoral Seminar 1.0cu
• Ethics course 1.0cu (or MSCE workshops)

* Students can either take BSTA 6300 and BSTA 6320  OR HPR 6080.  They do not need to take all three. 

Additional requirements include:

• Participation in a monthly Career Development Workshop Series
• Attendance at the weekly epidemiology seminars
• Participation in a weekly Works in Progress (WIP) session
• Participation in the Responsible Conduct of Research Course
• Completion of web-based seminars in CITI and HIPAA training
• Teaching support as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for an Epidemiology or Biostatistics course
• Successful completion of all PhD examinations

Course descriptions can be found at:  http://www.cceb.med.upenn.edu/course-descriptions

All students are expected to develop and maintain a current course plan developed with and monitored by their mentor. This course plan must be approved by the Program Chair, and will be reviewed semi-annually in order to monitor the student's progress and identify potential delays in completing the program. A typical course plan is provided below.

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Ph.D. in Biostatistics

KU's Ph.D. in Biostatistics program is nationally regarded for producing highly skilled biostatisticians prepared to collaborate or lead in a variety of fields.

The Ph.D. in Biostatistics at KU Medical Center is a 63-credit-hour program, recognized for the quality, ability and training of its graduating students. This fully accredited program includes collaborative research experience, annual evaluations, graduate examinations and the successful completion of a doctoral dissertation. Dissertation research culminates in a final dissertation examination which consists of an oral presentation by the candidate and an examination by the faculty. 

The goal of the Ph.D. program is to produce biostatisticians who can develop biostatistical methodologies that can be utilized to solve problems in public health and the biomedical sciences. In addition, graduates will be prepared to apply biostatistical and epidemiology methodology for the design and analysis of public health and biomedical research investigations. Finally, graduates will be well-suited to function as collaborators or team leaders on research projects in the biomedical and public health sciences.

Download the Guide (PDF)

Upon completion of KU's Ph.D. in Biostatistics program, graduates will have the characteristics outlined for master's degree graduates and will possess the following additional skills: 

• The ability to develop careers in academia, research, institutes, government and industry.
• A broad understanding of current statistical methods and practices in health science.
• A solid theoretical training necessary for the development and study of new statistical methods. 
• The ability to assume all responsibilities of a statistician in collaborative health science research. In particular, the graduate will have experience in the design, data management, analysis and interpretation of a variety of experimental and observational studies. 

University of Kansas Medical Center Department of Biostatistics & Data Science 3901 Rainbow Boulevard Mailstop 1026 Kansas City, KS 66160

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Advancing health science research, education, and practice by turning data into knowledge and addressing the greatest public health issues of the 21st century.

The Department of Biostatistics at the Harvard Chan School offers an unparalleled environment to pursue research and education in statistical science while being at the forefront of efforts to benefit the health of populations worldwide.

• Our faculty are leaders in the development of statistical methods for clinical trials and observational studies, studies on the environment, and genomics/genetics
• Our graduates are armed with exceptional analytic and computing skills and are thriving in a wide range of careers in academia, industry, the government, and beyond
• Our innovative approaches to computational biology, quantitative genomics and the analysis of massive data are strengthened by a deep foundation in theory and application
• Our unique community provides countless resources and collaborative opportunities within Harvard Medical School, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and world-class hospitals in Boston

Why Harvard Biostats?

Watch one student’s inspiring story of what led them to study Biostatistics at Harvard.

What Sets Us Apart?

Learn more about our pioneering research and our community of leading scientists, educators & students.

News from the School

From public servant to public health student

Exploring the intersection of health, mindfulness, and climate change

Conference aims to help experts foster health equity

Building solidarity to face global injustice

Statistical Science

MPhil/PhD Statistical Science

The Statistical Science research programme at UCL aims to develop research students who can eventually make original contributions to the subject. Students are initially registered for the MPhil degree. No sooner than one year, they are transferred to the PhD degree with retrospective effect if they show a capacity for original work. The typical length of the PhD programme is three years for full-time students and five years for part-time students; an MPhil might be achievable in less.

• MPhil/PhD Statistical Science prospectus entry
• Research student profiles

The admissions process for the MPhil/PhD in Statistical Science operates on a rolling basis, with no fixed deadline for applications. Candidates should apply at least two months in advance of their intended start date.

The MPhil/PhD is accessible to students with, or expecting to achieve, a minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor’s degree, or a UK Master’s degree in statistics, mathematics, computer science or a related quantitative discipline. Overseas qualifications of an equivalent standard are also acceptable.

• Academic equivalencies

In addition to the academic requirements above, all students whose first language is not English must be able to provide recent evidence that their spoken and written command of the English language is adequate. For the MPhil/PhD in Statistical Science, applicants much reach at least the UCL standard level. Further information on this requirement is available at the link below.

• English Language qualifications accepted by UCL for graduate study

In applying for admission to the MPhil/PhD programme, candidates are expected to prepare an outline proposal of their work. This is crucial in identifying potential supervisors. Thus, candidates should peruse the research interests of staff before applying. A list of staff members currently accepting applications for PhD supervision is given below, including an indication of their current research interests and a link to their personal webpage.

It may be helpful to contact a potential supervisor before submitting a formal application. For more information on how to contact potential supervisors and write a research proposal please see UCL's guidance document . Applications on which no potential supervisor has been specified will still receive consideration, however, in such cases it would be especially important to demonstrate in your reasons for applying that your academic interests align with the Department's active research areas .

Unlike the taught Statistics MSc programme, the MPhil/PhD has no required curriculum. However, students are expected to agree on a customised programme of study with their supervisor, which may involve specialisation courses (either at UCL or at the London Taught Course Centre) or independent reading. Attendance at research seminars is encouraged, and students who have been upgraded to PhD status are required to present their research in a separate seminar stream once per year. Finally, the UCL Graduate School has its own requirements for training courses.

• London Taught Course Centre
• UCL Graduate School Training Requirements

Some departmental funding is usually available. UCL also offers a number of scholarships and other funding for UK, EU and overseas students undertaking research studies at the University. Further information, including eligibility criteria and application deadlines, can be found at the links below.

• Research studentships
• Funding for students on postgraduate research courses

For more information on the programme please contact:

Ms Marina Lewis stats.pgr-admissions AT ucl.ac.uk +44 (0)20 7679 1868

Please note that all professional services staff are currently working away from the office and are therefore unable to take phone calls on the number above.

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• 2023 FACTS: Applicants and Matriculants Data

2023 FACTS: Enrollment, Graduates, and MD-PhD Data

• 2023 FACTS: Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) Data
• FACTS Glossary

By Institution

By gender and race/ethnicity, md-phd and other dual degrees, summary data, additional resources.

Graduation Rates and Attrition Rates of U.S. Medical Students (PDF) This AAMC Data Snapshot provides information on the graduation and attrition rates of U.S. Medical Students.

• Medical Education