"I keep saying that the sexy job in the next 10 years will be statisticians, and I'm not kidding.”
Hal Varian, chief economist at Google, 2009.

Within the master program in Statistics the students learn important models and methods from Probability Theory, Statistics, Financial Mathematics and Actuarial Science. The emphasis is on methodological developments in mathematical statistics and probability theory, also in view of applications to the actuarial science and mathematical finance. The students get acquainted with recent research in these fields and are guided to work on a scientific project (master thesis).

A good starting point for this three-semester program is a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. Students with a Bachelor or equivalent degree in a different field are welcome as well. The main requirement is that this degree should contain at least 60 ECTS credit points in Mathematics and 30 ECTS credit points in Statistics.

Having obtained a master's degree in Mathematics or Statistics with good or excellent grade, it is possible to enter our research-oriented PhD program.

The precise application procedure is described at the bottom of this page. For further details please get in touch with the program administrator in Statistics:

Application and Admission

Please send your written application to:

University of Bern
Admissions office
Hochschulstrasse 4
CH-3012 Bern
Switzerland

Detailed information about which documents are needed and the (printed!) application form are available from the internet pages of the admissions office »

For the decision of the faculty of natural sciences, it is important that your application includes a list of all university courses you have taken so far (including grades and ECTS credits points, if available). If your diploma does not contain such a supplement, please provide that information yourself. Your list of courses should provide information about contents (some keywords), grades and extent (number of weeks, hours per week).

Deadlines:   Applications for the fall semester (starting mid September) should be submitted by the end of April. Applications for the Spring semester (starting mid February) should arrive until December 15 of the previous year.

Stipends:   For M.Sc. candidates, the University of Bern offers a small number of fellowships ».
The Institute of Mathematical Statistics and Actuarial Science offers part-time positions as teaching or consulting assistants to very strong students. For these tasks, however, fluency in german is necessary.