Master of Science in Methodology and Statistics for the Behavioural, Biomedical and Social Sciences
Utrecht University
Key Information
Campus location
Utrecht, Netherlands
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 2,209 / per year *
Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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* EU/EEA, Surinam or Swiss students; €17,500: International students
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Introduction
Modern society is highly data-driven
Everything is monitored and measured, yet there are major challenges to finding optimal ways to design research, analyze data, and extract the most valuable information.
State-of-the-Art Research in Methodology and Statistics
This two-year Master’s program trains students to become researchers who can bridge the gap between hard-core statistics and applications in empirical research in the social, behavioral, biostatistical, and medical sciences.
Our program provides you with answers to questions such as:
- What is the best way to set up a clinical trial to test new medical treatments?
- How do we estimate the number of illegal immigrants in Europe?
- How do we obtain valid answers in a survey about sensitive topics like income or tax fraud?
- How do we accumulate knowledge through Bayesian updating techniques?
- Which machine learning technique can best be used to analyze certain data?
Our students are the next generation of statisticians, data analysts, and data scientists. As such, we aim to provide a rich learning environment, that will help you fulfill your potential. We work in small groups so there is plenty of room for personal attention and our lecturers are top scientists. So rest assured you will learn from the best!
High Quality
The program is recognized as a high-quality program and has been awarded high ratings in the past years by established rankings in the Netherlands.
This selective Master’s program combines the research expertise of the following departments:
- Department of Methodology and Statistics (UU)
- Department of Biostatistics, University Medical Centre Utrecht (UU)
- Department of Research Methodology, Measurement and Data Analysis (UT)
The collaboration between these departments provides you with an exceptionally broad range of internship opportunities and thesis topics. You will be able to specialize in the research area that interests you most. You can choose to pursue your own, free track or choose one of our predefined tracks.
Program Outcome
You will learn to:
- develop methodological and statistical approaches
- evaluate commonly used methodological and statistical approaches; and
- apply methodological and statistical approaches in cooperation with behavioral, biomedical, and social sciences researchers.
Curriculum
Tracks
In the second year you can design your own program by choosing the free track or one of our predefined tracks:
Free Track
In the free track, you can choose 15 EC in the field of your interest, for example, data science, survey research, educational measurements, or biomedical research. You can also choose to do an internship. Please note: your electives need to be statistics-related and will have to be approved by the coordinator.
EMOS Track (Official Statistics)
In this track, you will study statistics as it is carried out at statistical bureaus such as Statistics Netherlands and planning bureaus. EMOS stands for European Master in Official Statistics, which is a EUROSTAT initiative. Within this track, you will take the extended elective course EMOS Core Module, taught mainly by Statistics Netherlands. You will also prepare and write your thesis under the supervision of Statistics Netherlands employees.
Contemporary Psychometrics Track
In this track, you will study statistics and data science as they are applied to data from psychological or educational tests, surveys, and various kinds of new data sources relevant for measuring human behavior and ability.
You will take the extended elective course Contemporary Psychometrics: Theory and Applications taught by experts from the University of Twente and Cito, the national institute of educational measurement in the Netherlands. You will also prepare and write your thesis under the supervision of University of Twente or Cito employees.
Drug Development Statistics Track
In this track, you will study statistics as it is carried out in academic hospitals, clinical research organizations, and the pharmaceutical industry and reviewed by regulatory bodies such as EMA (European Medicines Agency) and FDA (Food and Drug Administration) before disease treatments become available to patients. We cooperate with biostatisticians in UMC Utrecht and in selected organizations such as the Dutch regulatory office CBG (College ter Beoordeling van Geneesmiddelen) and pharmaceutical companies. You will take the extended elective course Clinical Methodology and Biostatistics for Treatment Development taught mainly by clinical trial statisticians from the Julius Center, and you will also prepare and write your thesis under the supervision of Julius Center biostatisticians, optionally in cooperation with CBG or an external company.
Applied Data Science Track
In the Applied Data Science track, you will address the challenges for decision making, planning, and knowledge discovery in large collections of diverse data. You will take two courses (7.5 ECs each) in the area of data science: Data analytics 1: Supervised learning and visualization, and Data analytics 2: Battling the Curse of Dimensionality.
Career Opportunities
The Methodology and Statistics program prepares you for a scientific career in academia, research institutes, government organizations, NGOs, or private enterprises. Utrecht University, University Medical Centre Utrecht, the University of Twente, and Statistics Netherlands maintain strong partnerships with various non-academic institutions, such as Cito, CentERData, TNO, UMCU, LSAC, ETS, AMC, SAS, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, Stichting Arq, Dutch Inspectorate of Education, Danone, and Ex:plain, which provide excellent career prospects for our students.
After graduation, about 50% of our students continue to work in academia, for instance as Ph.D. candidates for universities inside the Netherlands or abroad. The other half of our students pursue careers outside academia. You can find them holding positions such as data scientist, data analyst, consultant, or teacher.
The program prepares you for a scientific career in fields such as:
- Academia
- Research institutes
- Government organizations
- NGOs
- Private enterprises
What does your job involve?
Examples of potential career paths include:
- Ph.D. student: You will conduct four years of research at a university in the Netherlands or abroad, writing scientific publications and working as a teacher for Bachelor’s and Master’s students. After you obtain your degree, you can apply for a research post.
- Statistical consultant: As a statistical consultant, you will work in companies like CITO, CBS (Statistics Netherlands), and RIVM. You will advise on design research and offer expertise in analyzing data.
- Researcher at the Central Bureau of Statistics: You will perform research in various areas of society and create reports used to control or policy support. You will be responsible for designing, conducting, and analyzing research.
- Analyst within a communications department at a university: You will perform research on the effectiveness of a university’s communications. You will analyze information about website visits and translate your analysis into concrete recommendations.
The vast majority of our graduates obtain positions as Ph.D. students either in one of the three departments that coordinate this Master or in other related departments in the Netherlands or abroad.
Professional Careers
Some graduates have chosen non-academic careers. For example, many of them work at CITO and Statistics Netherlands as statistical consultants or have teaching jobs at the University. Through the development of specialisation tracks, Utrecht University has reinforced connections with non-academic institutions that are potential employers of our students. Thus, we are creating improved job opportunities for our students at institutions like RCEC, CentERData, TNO, and UMCU.