Swedish name: Masterprogrammet i matematisk statistik
This programme syllabus is valid: HT25 and until further notice
Programme syllabus for programmes starting HT25
Programme syllabus for programmes starting HT25 and until HT25
Programme code: TAMSM
Credit points: 120
Registration number: FS 3.1.3-111-25
Responsible faculty: Faculty of Science and Technology
Established by: Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 2019-07-02
Revised by: Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 2025-05-13
A Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognised university. Specific entry requirements are at least 30 ECTS in Mathematics, at least 15 ECTS in Mathematical Statistics or Statistics, and at least 7,5 ECTS in Programming Methodology, or equivalent. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.
Financial Engineering
A Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognised university. Specific entry requirements are at least 30 ECTS in Mathematics, at least 15 ECTS in Mathematical Statistics or Statistics, and at least 7,5 ECTS in Programming Methodology, or equivalent. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.
After a completed programme of 60-credits, a student who has applied for a degree may be awarded a Degree of Master of Science (60 credits) in accordance with the local degree description established by the Vice-Chancellor (see Umeå University's website). The degree is awarded in the main field of study: Mathematical Statistics.
After a completed programme of 120-credits, a student who has applied for a degree may be awarded a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) in accordance with the local degree description established by the Vice-Chancellor (see Umeå University's website). The degree is awarded in the main field of study: Mathematical Statistics. The Master's degree may be awarded with a specialization in Financial Engineering if the student has completed the mandatory courses for the specialization.
The education is at an advanced level (second cycle). The aims for second-cycle courses and study programmes are set out in the Higher Education Act, Chapter 1 Section 9.
The national aims for qualification are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance's Annex 2.
Each syllabus sets out the examination formats used in each individual course.
Each syllabus sets out the grades used in the course.
A student who believes to have gained knowledge from previous relevant studies or professional experience that may be equivalent to a course or part of a course in the programme can apply for transfer of credits. Granting a transfer of credits means that the student will not have to study the parts of the programme included in the decision. Information on transfer of credits is available on Umeå University's website.
Requirements for a Degree of Master of Science (60 credits) in Mathematical Statistics at Umeå University
Degree is awarded once the student has completed the course requirements of 60 credits, of which at least 45 credits on a second-cycle level. Within the completed courses on a second-cycle level, at least 30 credits shall cover the main field of study, Mathematical Statistics. In addition, a Degree of Bachelor of at least 180 credits or equivalent foreign qualification is required. For this qualification, the student shall, within the scope of the course requirements, have completed an independent project (degree project) of at least 15 credits at a second-cycle level in the main field of study, Mathematical Statistics.
Requirements for a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) in Mathematical Statistics at Umeå University
Degree is awarded once the student has completed the course requirements of 120 credits, of which at least 90 credits on a second-cycle level. Within the completed courses at a second-cycle level, at least 60 credits shall cover the main field of study, Mathematical Statistics. In addition, a Degree of Bachelor of at least 180 credits or equivalent foreign qualification is required. For this qualification, the student shall, within the scope of the course requirements, have completed an independent project (degree project) of at least 30 credits at a second-cycle level in the main field of study, Mathematical Statistics. The degree project may be replaced by a degree project of at least 15 credits if the student has already completed an individual assignment at a second-cycle level of at least 15 credits in the main field of study covered by the qualification and this work also shall be included in the qualification.
Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Mathematical Statistics with a Specialisation in Financial Engineering at Umeå University
The degree is awarded after the student has completed course requirements totaling 120 higher education credits (ECTS), of which at least 90 credits must be at the second-cycle (advanced) level. Among the completed advanced-level courses, at least 60 credits must be within the main field of study: Mathematical Statistics. In addition, a Bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits or an equivalent foreign qualification is required.
As part of the degree requirements, the student must have completed an independent project (Master's thesis) of at least 30 credits at the advanced level within the main field of Mathematical Statistics.
The thesis requirement may be fulfilled with a 15-credit thesis if the student has already completed an independent project of at least 15 credits at the advanced level in the same main field of study, and this project is also to be included in the degree. In addition to the thesis, the following courses are required for the degree:
Financial Mathematics, 7.5 credits
Investment under Risk and Uncertainty, 7.5 credits
Monte Carlo Methods for Financial Applications, 7.5 credits
Risk-Based Portfolio and Corporate Management, 15 credits
Non-Life Insurance Mathematics, 15 credits
Compulsory courses
Compulsory courses are courses that all students enrolled in the programme normally study. A student enrolled in the study programme is guaranteed a seat in all compulsory courses, provided that the entry requirements for the course in question are met. Entry requirements are set out in each respective course syllabus.
Compulsory common courses
5MA200 Research in the Mathematical Sciences, 7.5 credits
5MS084 Statistical Learning with High-Dimensional Data, 7.5 credits
5MS085 Time Series Analysis, 7.5 credits
Compulsory specialisation courses
The two-year master's programme has two tracks:
Each of these tracks corresponds to a package of courses.
Compulsory courses in the Mathematical Statistics specialisation
5MS073 Probability Theory 7.5 credits
5MS086 Statistical Inference, 7.5 credits
5MS081 Multivariate Data Analysis, 7,5 credits
5MS084 Statistical learning with high-dimensional data
5MS083 Stationary Stochastic Processes, 7.5 credits
5MS071 Design of Experiments and Advanced Statistical Modelling, 15 credits
2ST035 Programming in Statistics, 7.5 credits
2ST054 Causal Inference, 7.5 credits
Compulsory courses at a second-cycle level in the Financial Engineering specialisation
5MA210 Mathematical Modelling of Economic Systems, 7.5 credits
5MS087 Actuarial Mathematics, 7.5 credits
5MA180 Stochastic Differential Equations, 7.5 credits
5MS083 Stationary Stochastic Processes, 7.5 credits
5MA218 Investment under Risk and Uncertainty, 7.5 credits
5MA175 Financial Mathematics, 7.5 credits
5MA178 Monte Carlo Methods for Financial Applications 7.5 credits
5MA179 Entreprise Risk Management, 15 credits
Degree projects
5MS074 Thesis Project for the Degree of Master of Science in Mathematical Statistics, 15 credits
5MS066 Thesis Project for the Degree of Master of Science in Mathematical Statistics, 30 credits
Elective courses
Elective courses are a selection of courses that Umeå University offers within the scope of the programme and where the student chooses which courses to enrol in. The student is guaranteed a seat in one of these courses, provided that the entry requirements for the courses in question are met. However, the student is not guaranteed a seat in their first choice courses. Entry requirements are set out in each respective course syllabus. Courses that are mandatory within one specialization are always elective within the other. Some examples of other elective courses are listed below.
5MS059 Statistical Methods in Genetics, 7.5 credits
5MS077 Current Research Topics in Mathematical Statistics, 7.5 credits
5MS051 Reliability Theory, 7.5 credits
5MA202 Transform Methods, 7.5 credits
Optional courses
Optional courses within the programme are applied for in open competition. Optional courses can be studied at Umeå University or at other higher education institutions in Sweden or abroad.
Students on the programme may in some cases substitute optional courses in for programme courses in consultation with the programme head.
Programme overview
The courses included in the programme are listed under the heading 'Study Plan' in the order they are studied.
Degree project/independent project
The degree project concludes the programme and may be started once the entry requirements in the course syllabus are met. In the degree project, comprising 30 credits for a Degree of Master (120 credits) or 15 credits for a Degree of Master (60 credits), the student shall apply the knowledge acquired during their studies and present the result orally and in a written report/thesis. The work shall include some form of subject-specific specialisation within the field. The degree project is usually completed individually. However, it is also occasionally permitted for two students to cooperate on a degree project. The degree project can advantageously be completed in cooperation with the business world. If so, a client supervisor shall be appointed and act as the student's day-to-day contact and support during the course of the work. A thesis supervisor at the university shall always be appointed and be responsible for ensuring that the required subject specialisation is achieved. The report shall be linguistically and stylistically designed to ensure its quality is equivalent to reports published within the university and the industry. The report shall include an English abstract and an English translation of the title. Alternatively, the report may be written in Swedish and shall then include an English abstract and an English translation of the title.
Information on deferment of studies is available on Umeå University's website.
Information on approved leave from studies is available on Umeå University's website.
Information on discontinuation is available on Umeå University's website.