Business Analytics (MSc) (2024 Entry)
Explore our Business Analytics taught Master's degree.
Build your quantitative consultancy skills on the MSc Business Analytics course. One of the world’s first business analytics courses, Warwick Business School will help you gain an understanding of the role of business analytics within an organisation, improve your business acumen and communication skills, and get commercial research experience.
Course overview
Ranked 2nd in the UK and 14th in the world in the QS University Rankings 2024 for MSc Business Analytics, the course features a broad range of theory and applications in analytics.
The course offers you the opportunity to gain in-depth theoretical and applied knowledge of business analytics, and to provide insights on how to analyse business problems and solve them using a variety of operational research, statistics and machine learning techniques.
You will also gain a cross-disciplinary training in business models, quantitative methods and data science by covering descriptive, predictive and prescriptive analytics, and be prepared for working in complex data-driven environments through building up quantitative consultancy skills and developing programming skills.
You will also be guided in optionally obtaining certification as Associate Certified Analytics Professional. This globally recognised certification is offered by the INFORMS (USA) and The OR Society (UK), and the required knowledge to pass the certification exam is closely aligned with the core content of this course.
You will cover a balance of descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics, involving visualisation (Tableau), forecasting and data mining techniques, and optimisation.
Skills from this degree
- Learn how to gain business insights from large data sets through a range of cutting-edge techniques
- Cover a diverse set of descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics modules, aligned with industry trends
- Continue developing your programming skills in SQL, R, and Python
- Prepare to step directly into business by conducting an external consultancy project with a real client or putting your learnings into practice with the applied Business in Practice module
- Develop your industry acumen by accessing our CareersPlus service with specialist careers coaches.
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
At least a 2:1 degree at Undergraduate level or equivalent. We consider applications from a wide range of degrees including economics, business, engineering, psychology, geography, sociology, and politics. The course requires demonstration of strong numeracy, IT and/or statistical ability.
English language requirements
You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:
- Band B
- IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.
International qualifications
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.
For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.
Additional requirements
There are no additional entry requirements for this course.
Core modules
Data Management
The main aims of the module are to familiarise you with spreadsheets, relational databases, SQL and tools designed to work with big data.
Analytics in Practice
Learn how to structure and conduct an analytical project including visualisation and communicating the project's results to the end-user.
Business Statistics
Gain a foundation in the analysis and presentation of quantitative data and cover the basic elements of statistics that are essential for business analysis. Much of the material is required knowledge for other core and optional modules.
Optimisation Models
Develop your interest in, and knowledge and understanding of, various optimisation models to support decision-making in organisations.
Understanding Business for Analysts
This module will focus on the key structures that Business Analytics operates within, providing you with a foundation of understanding of the purpose, structure and roles within an organisation, in order to aid the context of analytics topics throughout the course.
Advanced Analytics: Models and Applications
This module will introduce you to advanced analytics using different optimisation models and demonstrate them with applications in a range of areas.
Advanced Data Analysis
The module provides an opportunity to pursue a more advanced area of analytics, building on the core module in Business Statistics.
Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:
Digital Business Services
Focus on how digital technologies enable organisations to offer digital services that aim at improving customer experience as well as firm performance. You'll be prepared to engage with technology-related conversations in the modern workplace.
Strategic Decision Making
Identify and understand the various aspects related to how data and information can support strategic decisions in organisations.
Financial Analytics
Gain an introduction to financial analytics by applying various techniques, including analytical, statistical, and mathematical, to financial market and investment portfolios.
Forecasting
Get an introduction to current quantitative forecasting methods, and develop practical competence in their use.
Supply Chain Analytics
Get an understanding of various (analytical, mathematical and statistical) techniques to analyse supply chain performance and to identify inefficiencies and risk factors in operational, managerial and financial aspects of a supply chain.
Pricing Analytics
The module will provide the conceptual understanding, practical skills and experience in using programming tools for you to model and analyse demand, and to use the outcomes to optimise pricing or product availability decisions in an automated fashion. Pricing Analytics focuses on how a company should set and update pricing and product availability decisions across its various selling channels in order to maximise its profitability in an automated fashion. In other words, we are concerned with algorithms making real-time pricing decisions, rather than strategic pricing.
Text Analytics
This module offers an introduction to text analytics and the analytics of unstructured data. It has a strong employability aspect and it covers the following topics:
- Text preprocessing and information extraction
- Advanced data normalisation and data cleaning in databases. Visualization of text data
- Part of Speech Tagging and Natural Language Processing techniques for text filtering and dimensionality reduction
- Sentiment Analysis and Opinion mining with applications to social media data
- Predictive modeling and forecasting using text data
- Applications of Text Mining.
Discrete Event Simulation
Students will learn the theoretical underpinnings of discrete-event simulation and gain practical experience in problem solving using commercial simulation software.
Digital Marketing Technology and Management*
Get an overview on how today’s firms use digital marketing technologies to achieve their business objectives.
Strategic Human Resource Management*
This module will provide you with a deep understanding of the strategic role of human capital management and the tools with which to analyse and manage it.
Governance, Corporate Responsibility and Ethical Business*
This module will enable you to understand the wider institutional location of business activity within the polity and the society.
Business, International Finance & Economics*
This module will provide real world examples and case studies to illustrate how economic thinking helps businesses make the most of new opportunities, while managing the risks associated with expansion into new markets and regions.
Driving Innovation and Entrepreneurship through Marketing and Strategy*
This module will address issues relating to the management, adoption and spreading of innovation and new technologies from a multidiscipline perspective.
Global Challenges in Management & Sustainability*
This module will provide you with the theoretical foundations, appropriately supported by real-life examples, to help understand how global business works today.
Digital Strategy and Agile Transformation*
Critically discuss a selection of current issues in digital strategy and agile transformation whilst you enhance your critical thinking and creativity in individual and group settings.
Entrepreneurship and Business Venturing*
This module aims to develop an understanding of entrepreneurs and the firms they create and manage.
People and Organisations*
Get acquainted with the principles, theories and research surrounding the behaviour, leadership and management of people and organisations.
*Business in Practice only
Teaching
You will complete seven core modules, alongside two optional modules. Your studies will be complete by either a Dissertation, or one extra optional module and the Business in Practice module.
Please note that availability and delivery modes may vary.
Class sizes
The class size for this course is around 200 students.
Typical contact hours
Delivery of modules varies – some are taught over the course of a term, whilst others are delivered in an intensive 5-day block.
Assessment
Assessment is usually a mix of exams, group projects and coursework.
Choice of Dissertation or Business in Practice route:
Dissertation route
If you are considering further academic study (PhD) or develop your theoretical and practical understanding of current business problems and you would like the opportunity to research a topic relating to business analytics, the 10,000-word dissertation will enable you to test and apply the techniques and theories you have gained. Your dissertation project will either be as a consultant to an organisation or as applied research.
Business in Practice route
If you would like to develop further applied skills and specialist knowledge to suit your career aspirations, you can complete your studies with our applied Business in Practice module. You will develop deep functional and industry expertise with practical insights from our faculty and our CareersPlus and Corporate Relations team.
Your timetable
Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, core and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your core modules will be registered for you, and you’ll be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.
There may be events taking place in the evenings. Classes may run up to 7pm and other events, such as careers presentations may take place later or on weekends. Occasionally, classes and exams may be held on weekends. We will notify you in advance if this is the case.
This is a full-time course, so there are no holidays as such. However, the two weeks covering Christmas and New Year are guaranteed to be free from lectures. There may also be weeks free over the Easter period (check with your programme team). Resit exams may take place outside of standard teaching periods.
Your career
We have our own dedicated careers team at Warwick Business School called WBS CareersPlus. You will have access to one-to-one career guidance appointments, CV checks and tailored mock interviews.
Personalised support
The WBS CareersPlus team will support you and help you to understand yourself and your strengths. They can help you to identify possible career paths, and to set and achieve your career ambitions. This helps to boost your employability and helps you prepare for your career.
You can take advantage of personalised careers coaching and advice. Our one to one careers appointments can help you if you have a question about writing applications, wish to explore your career options, or need to prepare for interviews and assessment centres.
Warwick Business School
If you’re interested in the bigger picture, comfortable challenging assumptions and want a degree that will open doors, then WBS is the place for you. We will give you the foundation for change and prepare you for your future career. Are you ready to make your mark in the world of business?
Find out more about us on our website.
The vision of WBS is to be Europe’s leading University-based Business School, developing transformational ideas and people that shape how we do business. We recognise that rankings are one way to profile our progress towards fulfilling this vision, and are proud to participate in the major global business education rankings.
MSc Finance
- 4th in the UK and 16th in the world - Financial Times Masters in Finance Pre-experience Ranking 2023
- 6th in the UK and 19th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024
MSc Management
- 1st in the UK and 18th in the world - Economist/WhichMBA - 2021 Masters in Management biennial ranking
- 2nd in the UK and 28th in the world - Financial Times Masters in Management Ranking 2023
- 3rd in the UK and 18th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024
MSc Marketing & Strategy
- 2nd in the UK and 9th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024
MSc Business Analytics
- 2nd in the UK and 14th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024
Our Postgraduate Taught courses
MSc courses
- Accounting and Finance (MSc)
- Business Analytics (MSc)
- Business and Finance (MSc)
- Business with Marketing (MSc)
- Business with Operations Management (MSc)
- Finance (MSc)
- Finance and Economics (MSc)
- Global Central Banking and Financial Regulation (MSc)
- International Business (MSc)
- Management (MSc)
- Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation (MSc)
- Marketing and Strategy (MSc)
- Mathematical Finance (MSc)
MBA
Executive Diplomas
- Advanced Management (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
- Behavioural Science (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
- Digital Leadership (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
- Marketing Leadership (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
- Strategic Leadership & Change (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
- Strategy & Innovation (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
Our Postgraduate Research courses
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.
Fee Status Guidance
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.
Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?
If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.
Find out more about how universities assess fee status
Additional course costs
As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.
For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).
Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:
- Core text books
- Printer credits
- Dissertation binding
- Robe hire for your degree ceremony
Scholarships and bursaries
Scholarships and financial support
Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.
Living costs
Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.
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How to apply
The application process for courses that start in September and October 2024 will open on 2 October 2023.
Applications will close on 2 August 2024 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.
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