Business Analytics

Overview

The increase in the volume, variety, and velocity of data creates opportunities for businesses to improve decision making and develop new data driven products and services. The MSc Business Analytics has been developed to meet the demand for qualified professionals, who possess the necessary expertise to realise end-to-end business analytics solutions and are equipped to utilise data for business decision-making purposes.



The programme is built around the three core areas needed to succeed in analytics: business knowledge, statistics, and computing. This includes modules focusing on the application of analytics in core business functions such as marketing and human resources, as well as modules focusing on developing and applying technical skills such as advanced analytics and machine learning, text mining, data management, and data driven decision making. In total, students will study eight modules in addition to pre-course training and a final dissertation project. The dissertation project will involve the application of the business, technical, and statistical skills learnt during the courses.



The programme will include an induction, where pre-course training in key statistics and computer skills will ensure students from a range of backgrounds have the necessary skills to undertake the course.

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2023/24). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.



Year 1

Core Modules

Data Management (15 credits)

Human Resources Analytics BA (15 credits)

Advanced Analytics & Machine Learning (15 credits)

Data Driven Decision Making (15 credits)

MSc Business Analytics Dissertation Portfolio (60 credits)

Data Mining (15 credits)

Artificial Intelligence in Business and Society (15 credits)

Statistics for Business (15 credits)

Marketing Analytics (15 credits)

Dissertation MSc Business Analytics (60 credits)

Graduate

Normally a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any discipline to include one module in a quantitative area*. Relevant employment experience in a quantitative area may be considered in lieu of a module in a quantitative area and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.



*This could be a course or module in an area such as Finance, Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, or Physics.



Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 16th August 2024 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.



Please note: international applicants will be required to pay a deposit to secure a place on this course.

Assessments will focus on both theory and practical application of business analytics, including the use of data to gain business insights, the development of analytics solutions, essays and group work. It is anticipated that students will have approximately 30 hours direct academic contact time (drawing on methods outlined above) per module. In addition to the direct teaching hours per module, each student will normally be expected to spend approximately 120 hours on individual study time plus time for assessment completion, per module.

1 year (Full Time)

Entry Year: 2024/25

Career Prospects

The MSc Business Analytics will appeal to students who intend to pursue a career in a business analytics related field, such as data science, business intelligence, consultancy, informatics, or decision intelligence.