Business Analytics MSc

The MSc Business Analytics programme is an innovative new programme designed to develop the practical business analytical skills needed in today’s data rich business world. Businesses need trained analysts capable of exploring data to find new patterns and relationships and make business decisions accordingly.

Organisations require analysts capable of generating value from large data sets which cannot be analysed with traditional techniques. You will be taught to apply appropriate analytical techniques within a business context.

The course has been specifically designed to give a structured understanding of business analytics. Initially you will be given an overview of big data and business analytics. You will then be taught the analytical techniques underpinning business analytics.

The focus will then be on analytical techniques applicable to specific organisational functions such as: marketing, operations, finance and logistics. We will also develop your skills to improve your business understanding and important communication skills. In addition you will get some commercial research experience for your CV either through your project and dissertation or through the Postgraduate Company Internship (subject to meeting criteria).

Please note: Students will need to pass all Semester 1 modules and attend two compulsory employability skills workshops. After an interview with an internal panel of academics and formal presentation, successful students are selected by the host organisation.

The aim of the programme is to produce post graduate students who as well as understanding the value and benefits of business analytical techniques can apply these techniques and methods to organisation functions in order to facilitate data driven decision making for the organisation.

The objectives of the course are:

• To understand the context of big data and analytics within organisations.
• To critically learn, understand and apply techniques underpinning business analytics.
• To apply business analytical techniques relevant and appropriate for particular business functions.
• To effectively use information tools to deliver effective communication of analysis leading to actionable results.

The course consists of the following modules: Big Data and Big Analytics; Business Statistics; Data Mining Methodologies and Applications; Business Modelling; Applied Marketing Analytics; Operations Analytics; Financial Analysis for Decision Making; Global Supply Chain and Logistics; Dissertation or The Postgraduate Consultancy Project.

A variety of technologies will be used to teach this course including: SPSS, NVivo, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; Social Media, CU Moodle, Locate and databases to support effective searching, selection and analysis of different data sources.

Students will be assessed by a variety of different methods including: coursework, group work, presentations, examinations and dissertation.

There will be an average of 12 teaching contact hours per week.