MSc Business Analytics

Build your quantitative consultancy skills with our MSc Business Analytics

Join us on our MSc Business Analytics course to learn how to gain insights from large data sets using statistical methods, optimisation techniques and predictive models, and apply these to business problems. Gain an understanding of the role of business analytics within an organisation, improve your business acumen and communication skills, and get some commercial research experience for your CV through your project and dissertation. 

Descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics are covered, involving visualisation (Tableau), forecasting and data mining techniques, and optimisation. 

Further develop your programming skills in SQL, R, and Python, and gain support in obtaining certification as Associate Certified Analytics Professional. This globally recognised certification is offered by the INFORMS (USA) and the Operational Research Society (UK), and the required knowledge to pass the certification exam is closely aligned with the core content of this course. 

Course Details

You will study four compulsory modules in term 1 to give you an overview of key business areas (plus the compulsory Project Skills module), and take four optional modules of your choice on this one-year course. Please note that availability and delivery modes may vary. All students will undertake a dissertation.

Assessment

Assessment is usually a mix of exams, group projects and coursework. Your dissertation brings all your learning together.

Programming skills

We support the learning of multiple programming languages with access to a variety of interactive online materials, covering R and Python (provided by Data Camp). Several modules feature application of such programming languages in their syllabus.

Dissertation

Your final dissertation is a 10,000 word piece of work, demonstrating that you can undertake systematic and rigorous applied research. Most students undertake individual academic research on a topic critical to effective decision-making in organisations, under the guidance and supervision of our academics. Some students are able to work in conjunction with an external corporate client to undertake applied research of interest to their organisation; these students will often complete a client report in addition to their dissertation. 

Previous dissertation titles

• Effect Of Development Of Personalised Offers To A Sub-Segment Of Clients Of Unicredit Bulbank
• Sainsbury's: An Application Of Multinomial Logit Modelling In E-Fulfilment Demand Management
• Barclays: Optimising Branch Staffing Levels 
• Improving Short And Long Term Sales Forecasting Methodology For A Mainly Project-Based Business 
• Tackling Resource Contentions In Project Management
• Exploiting Airbnb Data To Enhance Hotel Revenue Management
• Demand Modelling For Bike Sharing
• Travelling Salesman Problem: Investigating Special Structures In Optimisation

Laptop requirement

It is likely that some of the modules on the course will utilise Virtual Machines (VMs) to run certain software. As such, students undertaking the course are required to have their own laptop, running either Windows or Mac operating systems, with at least 8GB of RAM and at least 256GB SSD storage (Windows)/ 256GB storage (Mac). Laptops with less RAM may be used though the VMs will not run as efficiently. The latest specification guidance is available here.

Entry Requirements

Academic qualifications

You must have, or be expecting to obtain an upper second class honours at Undergraduate level in a relevant subject. We consider applications from a wide range of degrees including economics, business, engineering, psychology, geography, sociology, and politics. The course requires strong numeracy and IT statistical ability.

GMAT & GRE

We do not automatically require a GMAT or GRE score but may request one to verify specific competencies.