Business Analytics

Available in one-year full-time and two-year part-time formats, this programme is suitable for graduates from technical disciplines such as Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics with a talent for and interest in finding mathematical or computer solutions to business problems. It is also suitable for business graduates who have studied Management Information Systems (MIS) subjects. The student profile also includes people with practical experience, who often use the programme to re-direct their career. The mix of full and part-time students from different backgrounds, working together on projects, makes the interaction between students an important and worthwhile part of the learning experience. Note that this is not a dedicated part-time programme and students will be required to attend lectures, tutorials and complete group assignments in conjunction with the full-time cohort, for whom the schedule is during working hours for a block of hours on several days a week. Employer support is therefore essential.

What will I learn?
This technically-oriented course hones quantitative and computer techniques to assist students in exploring management issues and supporting decision-making within a business context.

Exposure to and practice of the latest cutting-edge qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques used in the fast-growing field of analytics as applied in business.

Development of the necessary computer software skills and an understanding of the theory and practice of applied information systems, as required in consultancy and business.

The ability to develop new software solutions and implement mathematical and quantitative techniques in order to make effective business decisions and boost performance.

Autumn Trimester:
•Introduction to Business Analytics
•Optimisation in Business
•Statistics and Simulation Methods
•Programming for Analytics

Spring Trimester:
Core
Data Management and Mining
Technology Consulting
Decision and Behavioural Analytics
Business Decision Support Systems

Summer Trimester:
Capstone

Option Modules:
(Students can choose 2)

Metaheuristics
Statistical Learning
Sports & Performance Analytics
Mastering Big Data
Hot Topics in Analytics

Please be advised that option modules listed are indicative of what has been delivered in previous years. What is offered each academic year is subject to change.

Note that on-campus teaching is delivered under prevailing public health guidelines. In the event of a required change to planned delivery, further information about alternative delivery methods (including online delivery) will be confirmed with prospective and incoming students.

.A minimum second class honours primary degree (or equivalent) which includes quantitative techniques, including Engineering, Computer Science and other Sciences. Applicants with a Business studies background need to have taken MIS-Management Information Systems subjects, Maths or other quantitative courses.

A student may be asked to undertake the GMAT or GRE at the Director's discretion.

If English is not your first language, an English language qualification is required for admission to all of our programmes. The exception to this rule is if you have completed your primary degree or an entire third level qualification through English, in an English speaking country.

Some students might have to get a student visa in order to come and study in Ireland. Please check the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Services website to see if you require a visa.

The first step is to collate the required documentation needed to assess your application. Please ensure that you have clearly scanned, titled and collated your documents in numerical order.

These can include but are not limited to:

TRANSCRIPTS AND ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS
CV
ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST
REFERENCES
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION
Step 2: The Application Process
Once you have collated the required documentation and reviewed the entry requirements for your programme of interest, you can now apply online.

You must apply online using our dedicated student information portal. You will be required to enter contact details, upload your documents and answer two essay questions (each approximately 300 words). We would ask that you seriously consider both essays and answer these in the context of the programme you are applying to. Try to not replicate your CV and demonstrate what makes you different from other applicants. There are no right or wrong ways to complete these essays.

Application Deadlines:
Applications are assessed on a rolling basis and courses will close once they are filled. We advise you to apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Please note certain scholarships may require you to apply before a certain date – please refer to our scholarship page here. If you have any questions in relation to deadlines or availability please email smurfit.admissions@ucd.ie.

Application Fee
You will then be asked to submit your application and pay the €50 application fee. No application can be assessed until the fee has been paid. You can apply for multiple programmes with the one application fee, but please be sure to mark your preferred course.

Application Review
Once submitted, it usually takes 2-3 weeks before a decision is made on fully completed applications. This time period can sometimes be longer and can vary at different times in the year and in different regions. We may offer you a conditional place based on the completion of a number of criteria, such as degree, English test, or another qualification. This reserves you a place on the course and once you have fulfilled this criteria we will issue you a full offer.

Deposit
Acceptance is completed by paying a non-refundable deposit (varies from either €500 or €1000 depending on the programme. Most of our programmes require a €500 deposit). Your offer email will detail the exact deposit amount required. Once you have accepted you will then be supported by the Programme Office who will contact you with further course and start details.

You will be assessed by examination and continuous assessment, including individual and group assessments, presentations, reading assignments, and computer programming. Exams take place at the end of semesters 1 and 2.

In the summer term, the project (either dissertation or practicum) involves full-time work on a real analytics problem, generally with an Irish company. It is generally mathematically complex with a computer-programming element.

1 year Full-time B154
2 years Part-time B156

Fees Full-Time EU:
€14,460 (academic year 2020/2021)
Full-Time Non-EU:
€19,900 (academic year 2020/2021)
Part-Time EU:
€7,855 (academic year 2020/2021)
Part-Time Non-EU:
€9,950 (academic year 2020/2021)

Important Note: Tuition fees and other charges are subject to change each year.

Start Date: September 2020

Career opportunities
Graduates of the MSc in Business Analytics go into analytics consultancy, data science, software/web/IT, customer analytics, finance, operations research, logistics, and more generally into analytics roles in a wide variety of industries.

85% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. (Source: Latest Graduate Outcomes Survey, published in November 2021)

Potential careers for our graduates include:

Business Analyst
Data Analyst
Data Scientist
Financial Analyst
Software Engineer
Acquisitions Analyst
Quantitative Analyst
Statistician