Postgraduate diplomas
There are three diplomas available through the Department that can be taken with Statistics as the subject area: the Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci), the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Statistics (PGDipApStat), and the Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad).
Application forms for the PGDipSci are available from the Administrator, Division of Sciences. You should make initial enquiries to the Director of Graduate Studies.
Make initial enquiries about the DipGrad to the DipGrad Programme Director.
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
This is a one-year course of papers, in content and level equivalent to the Honours year, for students who have been awarded an ordinary degree in mathematics or statistics, or who have some other suitable qualification. The structure of the course is worked out individually, and depends on the details of your backgound. The Diploma is a valuable qualification in itself and may be taken as a preliminary step towards a Master’s or PhD degree.
For Mathematics the PGDipSci consists of MATH 490 and at least 90 points from 400-level MATH papers.
For Statistics it consists of STAT 490 and four 400-level STAT papers.
The PGDipSci may be awarded with distinction or credit.
Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Statistics (PGDipApStat)
This is a one-year course of papers designed to prepare you to work as a statistician in business, industry or a research organisation. You should have a degree or equivalent qualification, and have studied mathematics and statistics to a level approved by the Director of Graduate Studies in Statistics, normally having passed at least a 200-level course in mathematics (typically, Calculus or Linear Algebra) and a 200-level course in statistics.
The course is designed individually for each student, and consists of:
- STAT 490: A project requiring independent study (40 points)
- STAT 481: A six-week consulting assignment under the supervision of a consultant statistician (20 points)
- Three further 400-level STAT papers (20 points each)
Your overall mark determines the level at which the diploma is awarded, and is a weighted mean of the marks for all your courses, where the weights are determined as follows. The consulting assignment (STAT 481) is not included, as it is either completed or not, and therefore involves no grade. The project (STAT 490) is given a weight of 2, as it is worth twice as many points as any other paper. The marks for the remaining papers are then listed in descending order; the papers constituting the first 72 points in this list are each given a weight of 1, with the remainder getting a weight of 0.5. The diploma is awarded according to your overall mark, as follows:
- Pass: 50%−69%
- Credit: 70%−79%
- Distinction: 80% or above
Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
This is a one-year course for graduates wanting additional training or training in another discipline, or who want to bring their knowledge of an area up to date, or who want to satisfy the requirements for a second major subject. You should have a degree or diploma from a New Zealand university, or an equivalent qualification.
The diploma is flexible, the main requirement being that it constitutes a coherent and integrated academic programme. It consists of at least 120 points and must include at least 72 points at or above 300-level. The DipGrad may be “endorsed” in Statistics if it includes at least 54 points from 300-level major or 400-level Statistics papers. Advice on the structure of the programme can be obtained from the DipGrad Programme Director.
