Business Analytics MSc

Overview

This programme is designed to meet the increasing demand for expertise in business analytics across diverse academic backgrounds.

Course features

Completing this programme will prepare you for work as a business analyst. You'll be able to work across various functional areas and industries.

Key programme highlights include:

• development of versatile business analytics skills, applicable across different domains.
• exposure to a range of analytical tools and critical perspectives that inform sound business decision-making
• hands-on experience managing real-life business analytics projects
• an experiential learning approach based in real-world application and engagement with industry practices

The programme is built upon three interconnected pillars:

Semester 1

Dive into the fundamentals of data science. You will acquire essential skills in statistics and programming. These skills are tailored for business analytics.

Semester 2

Gain a critical managerial perspective. You will explore business analytics projects and their effective management strategies.

Semester 3

Apply your knowledge in the real world. You will critically evaluate analytics in various business domains.

This culminates in an in-depth individual research or consultancy project. You'll delve into the practical application of business analytics.

We believe in a balanced approach that will enhance your employability. These building blocks will form a solid foundation. They will equip you with both technical expertise and project management skills. You'll not only focus on technical know-how, but also on its practical application.

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

Additional information

What you'll learn

On the Business Analytics MSc programme, you will gain expertise in:

• data management
• statistical foundations of data science
• statistical learning
• research methods

You will develop practical skills in:

• project management
• digital transformation
• operations analytics
• artificial intelligence in business
• marketing analytics

You will also explore data analytics for business insights and engage in a collaborative group project. The comprehensive curriculum will enable you to extract valuable insights from data. This skill will help you make sound data-driven decisions. You will be able to excel in a wide range of roles in various industries.

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Business Analytics MSc modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Statistical Foundations of Business Analytics	10
Statistical Learning for Business Analytics	10
Data Management and Exploratory Data Analysis	10
Dissertation	60
Research Methods	20
Project Management	10
Realising value from digital business	10
Marketing Analytics	10
Data Analytics for Business Insights	10
Business Analytics Group Project	10
Operations Analytics	10
Artificial Intelligence in Business	10

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

Knowledge acquisition

You'll learn in different ways, such as by attending and participating in lectures, tutorials, and seminars.

You'll develop your understanding through practical business analytics sessions and solving problems.

You'll also learn on your own using suggested readings and online resources.

Skills development

We'll teach you specific skills through engaging lectures, real-world case studies, and small-group discussions.

This will help you explore business analytics and data science research topics and improve your problem-solving abilities.

Critical thinking and problem solving

You'll learn to evaluate things critically by searching for information and completing coursework.

We'll also teach you how to solve analytics problems through practical sessions and self-guided learning.

You'll discuss and work on data-related problems in tutorials and group discussions, as well as through exercises and case studies.

Communication skills

You'll develop your speaking and writing skills through group discussions, presentations, and analytics reports.

We'll guide you in using data and literature effectively, and you'll practice these skills.

You'll also work in teams on projects and lead some tutorial sessions.

Optional study abroad opportunity

Once you have completed all the taught elements of the course, you will be able to undertake an additional semester of study with a partner institution.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Design or creative project
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Oral presentation
• Problem-solving exercises
• Report
• Research proposal

Student support

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Our staff

• Professor Savvas Papagiannidis (Degree Programme Director)
• Nick Howey
• Dr Dan Millard
• Dr Jose Liu
• Professor Jingxin Dong
• Dr Josephine Go Jefferies
• Dr Jiayao Hu
• Dr Steffen Grunewalder
• Dr Joe Matthews

Your development

Skills development is at the core of our programme. You can expect to hone a diverse set of competencies.

You will have the opportunity to refine your ability to:

• analyse business scenarios
• make data-driven decisions
• effectively communicate your findings to diverse audiences.

You will cultivate your research skills through hands-on experiences in:

• literature review
• data collection
• critical analysis of contemporary business challenges

You will develop your practical skills through experiential learning. This will require you to involve apply analytical tools and techniques to real-world problems.

Study Abroad opportunities 

Once you have completed all the taught elements of the course, you will be able to undertake an additional semester of study with a partner institution. 

The Study Abroad period will begin in the late September/early October. This will follow submission of your dissertation. 

If you participate in an international exchange, you will need to select partner modules which add value to your degree. These should focus on subjects that will enhance your: 

• graduate employability prospects
• intercultural understanding
• communication skills

Your future

Upon completing our programme, you will be well-prepared to embark on a promising future. With a robust foundation in business analytics, you will become a sought-after professional. You will be able to lead data-driven innovations across various industries.

As a graduate, you can offer invaluable insights to organisations worldwide. The MSc in Business Analytics could lead to a range of analytics-related roles, such as:

• business analysts
• data scientists
• consultants

These roles could cover a wide range of business and government sectors, including:

• a wide spectrum of retail enterprises
• professional services firms, such as solicitors and insurance companies
• marketing and media-based businesses
• pharmaceutical-based businesses
• telecommunications companies
• information technology-based organisations
• consultancy firms
• government and public services
• educational institutions, including higher education

This programme emphasises critical thinking and problem-solving. This will equip you with adaptable skills, allowing you to thrive in an ever-evolving business landscape. You will be poised to make a significant impact, able to:

• revolutionise marketing strategies
• optimise operations
• guide strategic decisions

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

Newcastle University Business School is one of the largest Schools in the University. We have over 3,500 students representing over 80 nationalities. This valuable network extends beyond our current students to include:

• regional, national and international leaders
• over 34,000 alumni in our network, spanning over 150 countries
• leading professionals and practitioners from industry

The Business School is the gateway to Newcastle Helix - an innovation hub and community that brings together industry leaders, businesses and top researchers.

Our facilities include:

• flexible conference room with panoramic views across the city
• Wi-Fi enabled connectivity throughout the building, including three computer clusters housing over 120 PCs
• four large lecture theatres and over 25 seminar and teaching spaces, providing comfortable teaching and group study space
• dedicated Student Hub and Quiet Space, providing a balanced mix of study space for group work or quiet, individual study
• contemporary café
• employability hub to support your career aspirations
• Bloomberg Room to give you a real feel for the trading room floor
• Experimental and Behavioural Economics Lab, a state-of-the-art research facility for conducting studies in experimental economics and economic psychology

The Frederick Douglass Centre at Newcastle Helix also offers further study and learning spaces. This includes a 750 seat auditorium – the largest in the University.

Find out more about Newcastle University Business School

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

Open days and events

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events