Excel-Based Methods for Power Analysis and Sample Size Calculation
This course gives the basics of sample size estimation. It will be of use to those embarking on a research project and who are perhaps trying to complete ethics and grant application forms. Both preci
NOTE: This course will be delivered in hybrid mode, i.e. the in-person lecture will be transmitted live on zoom. The face-to-face part of the hybrid courses will go ahead conditional on at least 5 participants registering for this mode of delivery. Few classes may be delivered exclusively online, so please check under the Future dates tab for clarification. The online part of the class will be supported by its own dedicated teaching staff (along with the lead lecturer), therefore participants can expect the same level of group and individual support as the face-to-face class. You will be able to choose your preferred mode of attendance (face-to-face or online) during registration.
Additionally, we now offer this as a self-paced, online course that you can register for and start at any time. Click below under the 'Online/Self-Paced Materials' tab to register and gain access:
Details
The concepts of sample size estimation are introduced, including when and why this might be necessary. Formulae are presented and discussed. An accompanying weblink is introduced which hosts excel sheets pre-programmed to facilitate use of the formulae. In the first part of the course, the precision-based approach to sample size estimation is introduced, whereby the numbers are selected to produce a confidence interval for the relevant estimate with a specified width. In the second part, we progress to the more traditional power calculations that aim to give the sample required to determine a specified difference with selected power and significance levels. All terminology will be explained as it is introduced in the sessions.
Sample size estimation is discussed for the following measurements:
- Means
- Proportions/ percentages
- Rates
Notes and spreadsheets are also provided to cover the following, which will be discussed if time permits:
- Time to event data
- Measures of agreement
- Percentiles
Everyone wishing to attend should ensure Microsoft Excel (or alternative compatible software) is installed.
Fees
Course fees (live)
Below are the course fees for all courses delivered live either face-to-face, or through online video feed.
| External Delegates (Non UCL) | £200.00 |
| UCL Staff and Students / Alumni | £100.00 * |
| Staff and Doctoral Students from ICH/GOSH | FREE † |
* Valid UCL email address and/or UCL alumni number required upon registration. Please note, this category does not include hospital staff unless you hold an official contract with the university.
† Limited free spaces available. If there are no free places remaining, Staff and Doctoral Students from ICH/GOSH can still register at the UCL rate.
Cancellations: Cancellation Policy
Course fees (self-paced)
Below are the fees for access to the online, self-paced version of this course.
| External Delegates (Non UCL) | £175.00 |
| UCL Staff and Students / Alumni | £87.50 * |
| Staff from ICH/GOSH and doctoral students | FREE † |
* A valid UCL email address and/or UCL alumni number required. Please note, this category does not include hospital staff unless you have a formal affiliation with the university. To get this discount, please email ich.statscou@ucl.ac.uk to confirm your eligibility and receive a code that can be entered at the checkout.
† If you are a doctoral student from UCL, you can get access to this, and all other self-paced courses developed by CASC by filling in this online form.
Future Dates
| Dates | Time | Apply |
| 3rd February 2026 | 9.30am - 5.00pm | Book Now |
^We recommend logging in 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to access materials and ensure the course can start promptly.
Future Dates (evening)
| Dates | Time | Apply |
| TBC | 5.00pm-8.15pm^ | Subscribe to general mailing list |
^We recommend logging in 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to access materials and ensure the course can start promptly at 9.30am.
Online / self-paced materials
An online, self-paced version of this course is available that includes the following materials:
- Full electronic notes.
- Short lecture videos (recorded outside of the classroom) that follow closely with the notes.
- Interactive quizzes requiring a variety of inputs.
- Extended practical exercises for further comprehension.
- Spreadsheets to help perform sample size calculations.
- Extras to help with accessibility (e.g. video captions, transcripts, alternative image captions, slides).
Support: The course includes unlimited support through a forum that will be manned by one of our lecturers. We aim to provide responses to all questions on Tuesday and Friday each working week. Note that questions can only relate directly to the course materials and should not be used as a consultancy service for your own projects.
Personalised certificates will be generated on completion.
UCL extend: The link below leads to the UCL extend store where this self-paced course is available for purchase. If you are eligible for a discount, then please email ich.statscou@ucl.ac.uk to receive a voucher code that can be used on checkout. UCL delegates should use their university email address to register, and external delegates can use any other account.
Click to register (online, self-paced)
Alternatively, if you are a doctoral student from UCL, you can get access to this, and all other self-paced courses developed by CASC by filling in this online form.
Feedback
“Excellent as always. This is my 6th course and all were extremely useful and relevant"
"Very good course and exactly what I needed. Course material is very good though and will be a helpful reminder in the future.”
"Really well paced course, very useful being provided with the excel spreadsheets, friendly and experienced staff, highly recommend all of these courses!”
"I really like the courses because they are well explained and the material is clear.”
"I really enjoyed the training session. I can say that the course is timely because I am developing a proposal where I would apply the knowledge gained in this training to calculate my sample size for the study. Keep it up”
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Bespoke courses
If you are part of a team/organisation that would like statistics training, we can arrange extra dates for our existing courses or prepare something more bespoke.
Come to 6 day-courses, get a 7th free!
Once you have attended 6 short-courses, you're ready to claim your 7th day-course for free (please email us to make this arrangement). Our longer introduction course counts as three towards this total.
Contact
Please see our FAQ page before making an enquiry.
Email:
Recommended for general queries/payments:
ich.statscou@ucl.ac.uk
Phone:
For general queries/payments:
+44 (0) 20 7905 2768
Address:
Centre for Applied Statistics Courses (CASC)
UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
30 Guilford Street
London, WC1N 1EH
Other useful links
- GOS ICH Statistical Support Service
- On-demand UCL Extend self-paced courses
- Royal Statistical Society
- Instats
Link
Further information
Ticketing
Open
Cost
£200.00
Open to
All
Availability
Yes