Statistics for Clinical Trials MSc

Distance learning programme

Keen to dive into the world of statistics for clinical trials? Gain the knowledge and skills to design robust clinical trials and meta-analyses, analyse all types of data, and help make informed decisions to improve health outcomes for all. Our online MSc in Statistics for Clinical Trials at UCL means you can study from anywhere in the world, over one or two years. Graduates will be prepared to pursue meaningful careers in industry or academia, or for further study at PhD level.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£18,400
£9,200
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£18,400
£9,200
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
All applicants: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in a related quantitative discipline (e.g. mathematics, statistics, biostatistics, genetics, computational biology). Clinicians and other allied health professionals are required to have a degree (for example, an MBBS) and evidence of having completed quantitative modules, as well as a keen interest in medical statistics.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree


Statisticians play a fundamental role in developing and delivering successful clinical trials. On this MSc programme, you will gain expertise in exemplary statistical practice across all stages of the clinical trial lifecycle, with a particular focus on design and analysis. You will gain the skills to design and deliver trials which minimise bias, uphold ethical standards and meet regulatory requirements. You will learn how to accurately analyse data and interpret results. You will be equipped to guide evidence-based decision-making in healthcare and help impact changes in clinical practice.

The programme draws on real trial examples, including the latest developments in cancer, infectious diseases, cognitive health, neuroscience, women’s health, and primary care and from first-in-human trials to practice-changing late-phase trials. You will also learn about the most recent methodological developments in clinical trials statistics and be encouraged to think about innovations to develop more efficient designs and analyses in the future.

The fully online course format means you can study alongside your work and personal responsibilities.

Who this course is for

The programme is primarily aimed at graduates from quantitative disciplines (e.g. mathematics, (bio)statistics, computational genomics/genetics, computational biology) and health professionals. Clinicians and other allied health professionals are required to have a degree and demonstrate evidence of sufficient quantitative education. It is also suitable for professionals working in the field of clinical trials who have prior quantitative experience and wish to develop their statistical knowledge and skills further (please contact ictm.pgtstatisticsct@ucl.ac.uk to discuss your circumstances).

What this course will give you

You will study through the UCL Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology (UCL ICTM), a centre of excellence for clinical trials, meta-analysis and epidemiological studies. UCL ICTM has the largest concentration of trialists in Europe, employing the best scientific minds across the broad field of clinical trials. The institute has a track record of developing statisticians who have gone on to work in both academia and industry, many of whom are now in leadership positions. Our teaching team are experienced statisticians and trialists, all eager to share their knowledge and expertise. 

With a UCL MSc in Statistics for Clinical Trials you can expect to:

  • Select the optimal study design to achieve meaningful results, including determining the appropriate sample size, advising on suitable randomisation procedures (when applicable), implementing effective stratification methods, selecting appropriate estimands, and planning the number and timing of interim analyses.
  • Master innovative trial designs. The field of clinical trials is evolving with innovative designs such as adaptive trials, Bayesian approaches, and real-world evidence generation. Guided by UCL ICTM expert statisticians you will learn about advanced methodologies and keep pace with this dynamic field. Novel trial designs developed by UCL ICTM researchers are used worldwide by many organisations.
  • Learn strategies to minimise bias across all stages of trial and meta-analysis design, conduct, analysis and reporting.
  • Appreciate the necessity of detailed statistical analysis plans and transparent reporting of all methods and findings to ensure that trial results can be independently verified and reproduced.
  • Apply the right statistical techniques to analyse all types of clinical trial data - including how to deal with repeated measures, missing data, and multiple endpoints.
  • Develop valuable coding skills (in R and Stata).
  • Critically evaluate the quality and validity of published research. 
  • Contribute to health economic evaluations, evaluating cost-effectiveness and the overall value of new interventions. 
  • Build valuable skills in leadership, innovation, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, problem solving – preparing you to lead and work effectively in this multi-disciplinary field.
  • Be able to carry out your own research, having completed an independent research project under the supervision of a UCL ICTM researcher.

The foundation of your career

As a graduate, you will complete the course with sought-after, specialist skills and a critical thinking approach that will put you in a strong position for statistics-focused roles where you can make a difference in improving health outcomes for all.

You will be well prepared to pursue meaningful careers in academia, industry or further study at PhD level. Clinicians will be equipped with in-demand skills to lead on clinical trials fully engaged with all statistical aspects.

Alumni of the UCL Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology have gone on to work for organisations such as the NHS, the UK Medical Research Council, the German Cancer Research Centre, IQVIA, PPD Global Ltd., Richmond Pharmacology, Johnson & Johnson Ltd., plus universities in the UK and abroad.*

*Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21 cohorts. 
 

The combination of distance and part-time learning makes the programme highly flexible and accommodating, especially for busy students. The faculties are exceptional and the experts in their respective areas give nothing but the best knowledge and skills to their students.

Simple

Statistics for Clinical Trials MSc

Employability

Clinical trials, and statistics in trials in particular, is a rapidly expanding field of research that opens up plenty of career opportunities.

Statistics and statisticians play a key role in all stages and phases of clinical trials in all healthcare settings. It is crucial from an ethical and regulatory perspective that every clinical trial receives input from a qualified statistician. Our MSc in Statistics for Clinical Trials prepares you to fully engage with the statistical requirements for clinical trials, either as a clinical trial statistician or in other roles allied to clinical trials.  

Potential career opportunities include clinical trial statistics in academic trials units, the pharmaceutical industry, contract research organisations, hospitals and government organisations. Graduates can also use this qualification as a springboard for doctoral study.

Networking

The programme provides opportunities to connect with experienced professionals, faculty, and peers in the clinical trials field.

  • You will be invited to the institute’s online Monday lunchtime seminars (1-2 pm UK time during term time). These seminars feature invited speakers presenting on topics related to clinical trials / other research and initiatives relevant to staff and students in the institute. You can also work with UCL ICTM staff to set up a journal club. 
  • During live lectures, you will have the opportunity to connect with experienced professionals from academia and industry and peers in the clinical trials field. These opportunities can lead to collaborations, mentorships, and potential job opportunities.
  • During the research project, you will have the opportunity to work closely with supervisors who are experts in their field.
  • You will be assigned a personal tutor who will be a clinical trialist within UCL ICTM.
  • UCL ICTM Students and Alumni LinkedIn group. This is a private group on LinkedIn for current students and alumni from our MSc programmes. Members are encouraged to use the group to expand their networks, engage in discussion and explore career opportunities. 
     

Teaching and learning

Teaching is delivered fully online, and taught modules are structured into weekly topics of learning.

It works as follows: 

Self-directed study using online Learning Packs: Each week, you’ll receive a learning pack designed to deepen your understanding of a topic. These packs are self-paced, allowing you to study at your convenience within the week. They include a mix of recorded lectures, videos, write-ups, and activities. You can also access online forums to ask questions and receive answers from our trialist teaching team. 

Live Online Sessions: To consolidate your learning, we hold live online sessions. These sessions may feature lectures from trialists and industry experts, collaborative work with other students on trial documents or data and guided individual activities with our trialist teaching team. You can also ask questions and engage with your peers. We encourage our students to attend these sessions. 

Live online sessions: 

  • Tuesdays: typically two-four hours during UK working hours.*
  • Thursdays: typically two-four hours during UK working hours.*

*Please note that times vary among modules, but the days (Tuesday and Thursday) will remain the same.

Meet the academics currently leading this programme on the UCL ICTM website.

We use a variety of assessments where you apply what you have learned in the programme. 

Examples of assessment types are:
 

  • Coursework: for example performing and interpreting statistical coding tasks in R and STATA, performing tasks related to meta-analysis, and working on a reflective portfolio related to health economics. The timeframe for completion of coursework varies, and may require weekly submissions or you may have up to four weeks to complete.
  • Timed online exams: you will need to complete these exams within a given time frame that will work no matter where you are in the world.
  • Oral presentations: short presentations (10-15 minutes) are designed to improve your communication and public speaking skills - they are conducted live online or as a recorded version depending on the module.

You will also undertake an independent research project. You can come up with your own idea for a project (subject to approval) or you can select a project idea offered by UCL ICTM staff.  

Full-time MSc students complete 120 taught credits over one year, 60 credits in First Term and 60 credits in Second Term. Part-time MSc students will also complete 120 taught credits, 30 credits in each of First and Second Term over two years.

In First and Second Term full-time students can typically expect six contact hours per teaching week. In Third Term and the summer period students will be completing their own project research. You can also expect group sessions with project module co-leads and supervision time with a UCL ICTM researcher.

Overall, we expect full-time students to spend a full 35-hour week studying, with time outside of online classes spent in self-directed study. Part-time and flexible students study at a pro-rata rate.

A Postgraduate Diploma comprising seven compulsory modules (120 credits full-time one academic year or part-time over two academic years) is offered.

Modules

Full-time students need to complete eight 15-credit compulsory taught modules plus the 60-credit research project module.

Click through for further information about the modules: 
Clinical Trials Statistics
Introduction to Clinical Trials Designs

For all other modules please see the links below.

Part-time students need to complete the eight compulsory taught modules over two years before completing the research project module. You will attend the Tuesday modules in year one and the Thursday modules in year two. 

Click through for further information about the modules: 
Clinical Trials Statistics
Introduction to Clinical Trials Designs

For all other modules please see the links below.
 

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Statistics for Clinical Trials. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Statistics for Clinical Trials.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Online - Open day

Book a virtual 1-2-1 about Statistics for Clinical Trials MSc

Book a 15-minute 1-2-1 with a member of the Statistics for Clinical Trials MSc and Statistics for Clinical Trials Apprenticeship MSc. They will be happy to answer any questions you might have about the programmes, careers or studying at UCL. If the available slots are not suitable, please email ictm.pgtstatisticsct@ucl.ac.uk to ask for an alternative slot.

Online - Open day

Book a virtual 1-2-1 about Clinical Trials MSc

Book a 15-minute 1-2-1 with a member of the Clinical Trials MSc programme team who will be happy to answer any questions you might have about the programme, careers or studying at UCL.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £18,400 £9,200
Tuition fees (2025/26) £18,400 £9,200

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

There is no fee deposit required for PG Dip and PG Cert applicants.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

There are no additional costs for this programme.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • Why you want to study Statistics for Clinical Trials at post-graduate level.
  • What particularly attracts you to the UCL Statistics for Clinical Trials MSc programme.
  • How your academic and professional background are relevant to your interest in the programme.
  • How you would like to use your degree professionally. 

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Applications will be considered in gathered fields. For more information, please contact the UCL ICTM administrator.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.