Business Analytics

Business Analytics provides a set of analytical methods for solving problems and aiding decision-making, particularly in the context of large quantities of data. It involves the development and application of models and concepts to explore management issues and solve managerial problems. It includes Data Science, Management Science and Operational Research.



The MSc in Business Analytics is positioned to foster expertise at the very leading edge of quantitative analysis, sophisticated decision-making and advanced machine learning. Students are immersed in the latest management science, embracing statistics, operational research and analytics through powerful mathematical, computational and data-oriented modelling.



This Master's programme is delivered at our dedicated Graduate Business School campus, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, located in Blackrock, 4km from the main UCD Belfield Campus.



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 students undertaking the part-time option 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. Employer support is therefore essential.



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 redirect their career.

Stage 1 Core Modules

MIS41110 Programming for Analytics Autumn 7.5

MIS41130 Statistical Methods Autumn 7.5

MIS41150 Intro to Business Analytics Autumn 7.5

MIS41160 Optimisation in Business Autumn 7.5

MIS41040 Business Decision Support Systems Spring 7.5

MIS41050 Technology Consulting Spring 7.5

MIS41140 Decision&BehaviouralAnalytics Spring 7.5

MIS41270 Data Management and Mining Spring 7.5

MIS41170 Capstone Summer 15



Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:

Students choose two x 7.5 ECTS option modules. Students will be registered to Summer Trimester modules in March.



MIS41100 Hot Topics in Analytics Summer 7.5

MIS41120 Statistical Learning Summer 7.5

MIS41420 Sports & Performance Analytics Summer 7.5

MIS41430 Mastering Big Data with AI Enabled Citizen Development Summer 7.5

MIS41480 Problem Solve with Heuristics Summer 7.5

Please review the entry requirements below. The UCD Smurfit Admissions Office staff have expertise in reviewing international qualifications from around the world and will be able to assess your application's comparability to the Irish entry requirements.



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.

AND

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. https://www.smurfitschool.ie/admissions/internationalapplicants/englishlanguagerequirements/



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. https://www.irishimmigration.ie/



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/

Apply online



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: Yes



Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: Yes

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

Delivery: On Campus

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.

B154 Business Analytics Master of Science Full-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught

(UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School)



B156 Business Analytics Master of Science Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught

(UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School)

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.



89% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. Source: Latest Graduate Outcomes Survey, published in September 2025.



Potential careers for our graduates include:

Business Analyst

Data Analyst

Data Scientist

Financial Analyst

Software Engineer

Acquisitions Analyst

Quantitative Analyst

Statistician