Higher Certificate

The Higher Certificate is the intermediate level of the Society's professional examinations. It is intended both as an end in itself in respect of being a qualification in statistics more advanced than that of our Ordinary Certificate, and as a basis for further work in statistics up to the highest undergraduate level, as for example in our Graduate Diploma. It contains some work at the equivalent of A-level in the English school system, but most of its material is similar to what would be found in the first year of a typical university course in statistics. Indeed, some of its topics might be in the second year of a university course. It gives a thorough introduction to statistical theory and inference at this level, stressing the importance of practical applications.

The structure of the Higher Certificate examination was changed over the period 2007 to 2008. The old ("traditional") form consisted of three papers, each of three hours. This was offered for the last time in 2008. A new modularised form was phased in for the examinations in 2007 and fully implemeted for the examinations in 2008.

The modular structure consists of 8 modules, each with an examination paper of one and a half hours containing four questions of which candidates are required to answer three. Candidates may enter for modules individually or in any combination. Each module is separately certificated. Candidates who pass in 6 modules (subject to some restrictions as to choice) are awarded the Higher Certificate in Statistics; it is not necessary to pass all 6 modules at the same sitting - modules have a long "shelf life". Full details are accessible by links from the "main examinations documents" page.

Knowledge of all the material in the Ordinary Certificate is assumed. Knowledge of appropriate mathematical methods is also necessary. The Higher Certificate syllabus is contained in the general syllabus document.