Business Analytics

Overview

Given the ever-increasing volume of data that businesses have access to today, there is a demand for employees who have computational, analytical and business strategy skills who can inform business decisions to increase efficiency and an organisation’s value. This Master of Science in Business Analytics has been developed with the aim of providing learners with the knowledge, skills and research capability to critically analyse, implement and evaluate big data concepts and techniques in order to generate valuable insights, thereby assisting with strategic business decisions, increasing productivity, profitability and an organisation’s value and market share.



It has been designed with an integrated delivery from end‐to‐end covering a wide range of business strategy, analytics and technology topics whilst providing a focus on application and the regulation required in this area. The programme focuses on theoretical and contextual knowledge in core areas such as statistics, decision theory, business strategy and finance while also offering applied practical skills in contemporary topics such as data analytics, visualisation, modelling, simulation and forecasting, project management, big data and business application development. Learners who complete the full Master of Science programme (including the 25 ECTS capstone Applied Research Project or Dissertation module) will also develop and enhance their research capability through critical enquiry and detailed analytical problem-solving.



Overall, the programme aims to create in learners a critical understanding of core business analytics and strategic business management, while also enhancing the research capability and practical technical skills of the learners.



On completion of this programme graduates will be able to effectively demonstrate the following attributes:



Fundamental decision-making techniques;

Knowledge and awareness of a variety of business organizations;

Numerical and quantitative skills;

Problem-solving and analytical ability;

Excellent oral and written communication skills;

Entrepreneurial and innovative instincts;



Capacity for further studies.

The specific programme objectives are as follows:



1. Enable learners to develop in-depth knowledge and critical awareness of the current and developing business analytics field.

2. Provide learners with a deep and systematic understanding of research and analysis relating to business analytics.

3. Provide learners with specialised technical knowledge of the management of data and the mining of data to provide insights into business propositions/solutions/strategy.

4. Equip learners with advanced skills directly complementary and relevant to the business analytics workplace.

5. Enable learners to identify, develop and apply detailed analytical, creative, problem-solving and research skills in business analytics.

6. Enable learners to develop and enhance autonomous learning skills.

7. Position learners with a comprehensive platform for career development, innovation and professional learning in the business management and data analysis field.



Structure

The MSc in Business Analytics is a 1 year full-time/2-year part-time programme consisting of ten taught modules (three 10 ECTS modules, seven 5 ECTS modules) and a 25 ECTS elective to choose from; Dissertation or Applied Research Project. For learners who cannot continue, for personal or professional reasons, to the research component of this programme, there is an embedded exit award titled, Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Business Analytics (Level 9, 60 ECTS).



For full-time learners, semester one provides the learner with a critical understanding of the key concepts of business analytics and the national and international landscape. Semester two covers advanced modules in which the knowledge, understanding and skills acquired in the first semester can be employed. Part-time learners progress through this programme through an additional semester, delivered by evening classes.



Learners will then complete a capstone (25 ECTS) of either a Dissertation or an Applied Research Project which will synthesise learning from other modules, combining research and technical skills to investigate, design, produce and critically evaluate an area of research interest.

The MSc in Business Analytics provides students with a flexible, multimodal, active, peer-led, experiential and reflective learning environment. Asynchronous content, with built in knowledge checks for reflection, is consistently used throughout the programme to explain theory and concepts and to contextualise the practical aspects of business analytics. In-class and online workshops will be used to discuss the theoretical underpinnings behind business analytics.



Module Name / ECTS / Stage

Programming for Analytics 10 1

Requirements Analysis 5 1

Business Database Management 5 1

Business Strategy 5 1

Research Methods 5 1

Business Intelligence and Visualisation 5 2

Applied Statistics and Machine Learning 10 2

Project Management for Business Analytics 5 2

Financial and Business Analytics 10 2

Applied Research Methods 5 2

Dissertation/Applied Research Project 25 3

This programme is aimed at learners with a Level 8 honours bachelor’s primary undergraduate degree in a cognate area (e.g. computer science, IT, science, mathematics, statistics, finance, economics, business (including quantitative methods), engineering, maths and management information systems), who wish to specialise in the field of business analytics with a view to entering industry, or those with a Level 8 honours bachelor’s primary undergraduate degree in a non-cognate area plus three to five years’ experience of business analytics and who require a qualification in this area in order to progress professionally. These will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Learners will need to have achieved a minimum second class second division award (2.2 classification) in their honours Bachelor’s Level 8 degree.



For applicants whose first language is not English and who have not previously undertaken a degree taught in English must provide evidence of proficiency in English language equivalent to B2+ or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This must be evidenced through a recognised English Language test such as IELTS, Cambridge Certificate, or DBS English Assessment. Test certificates should be dated within the last two years to be considered valid.

The programme teaching and learning strategy is designed to allow the learner to progress through the theoretical and practical concepts in an orderly and logical fashion. The assessment strategy is planned to ensure practical application of the core principles of the module and facilitates feedback, which underpins the overall learning experience.


The overall assessment strategy of the programme is a mixture of practical individual and/or group - project bases - continuous assessment, and where appropriate a final examination.


The programme emphasises the development and evolution of the skills and attributes relevant to the contemporary workplace, and the programme's assessment strategy reflects this clear objective.

Full-time: 1 year

Part-time: 2 years



This programme is delivered through both online and face-to-face modes of delivery, including classroom sessions (in-person and Zoom lectures), asynchronous content, and practical computer lab sessions.

Next Intake dates: September 2025

Career Opportunities

This programme is designed for managers, business innovators and leaders or those who aspire to enter these roles. Additionally, it will be of interest to data engineers and analysts interested in moving to a management role. This programme provides a roadmap to successfully exploit analytics and big data in order to bridge the gap between analytical concepts and business so that potential value is realised within the strategic objectives and operations of the company.



In a market-driven economy where competitive advantage is key, it is intended that graduates of this programme will meet the needs of organisations that wish to remain competitive through the strategic management and analysis of data.