Business Analytics MSc – 2021 entry
Key information
Start date: October 2021
Full-time: 1 year
Full-time (with study abroad): 15 months
Full-time (with placement): 2 years
Part-time: 2 years
Why choose this course
In our fast-paced, data-driven modern world, business analysts help organisations turn big data into big ideas. Artificial intelligence, machine learning and management science power decisions in business. You’ll gain data-led insights and optimise businesses by using descriptive, predictive and prescriptive analytics.
Our highly practical MSc Business Analytics course will transform you into a confident lateral thinker who is up-to-date on the latest theory and practice. While you benefit from the input of inspiring industry experts, in class and on-site, we will also make sure you’re immersed in the business problems faced by the global business community today.
We are ranked in the top 10 for business and economics in the United Kingdom by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020.
DISCOVER BUSINESS ANALYTICS WITH DR WOLFGANG GARN
Read moreWhat you will study
This course will take your career to the next level and develop your ability to make the big decisions about data in a confident fashion. Your studies will focus on two areas: analysing business data and using data to solve business challenges. On this course, you will have an opportunity to use artificial intelligence to improve a chess game, game theory to create games, or computational intelligence with genetic algorithms. You’ll also discover visualisations from graphs and explore virtual reality, gaining insights from data mining and machine learning.
Software
You’ll get hands-on experience using a wide range of tools in the course, including:
- “R” as the number one analytics language for machine learning, AI and prescriptive analytics
- Tableau and Power Business Intelligence (PBI) for decision making and visual analytics
- IBM SPSS Modeler for data mining and text analytics
- Stata and SPSS for Statistical Analysis
- PostgreSQL, MySQL and Microsoft’s SQL server for databases and structured query language
- SAP for enterprise resource planning
- Excel (using the Solver and Data Analysis add-ins)
- Simul8 and SIMIO for discrete event simulations and virtual reality animations.
Placement opportunity
Our two-year MSc Business Analytics with professional placement year course enables you to spend time working in industry.
After 12 months of full-time study at Surrey you will be able to spend up to an additional 12 months gaining paid, professional work experience with an organisation. You will be responsible for securing your own job offer(s), however you will be supported in your search with a series of employability workshops and benefit from some individual coaching.
The university works closely with a number of potential employers to help facilitate successful placement applications and there are a number of resources setup by the Employability and Careers Centre to assist you.
If you decide not to complete a placement, or do not secure an offer from an employer, you’ll complete nine months of teaching followed by three months working on your dissertation. This means you will complete your course in 12 months studying full-time.
Study and work abroad
There may be opportunities to acquire valuable European experience by working or conducting research abroad during your degree or shortly afterwards. It is possible to do this in the summer period with an Erasmus+ grant working on your dissertation or as a recent graduate. In order to qualify your Erasmus+ traineeship must be a minimum of two months.
Our 15-month MSc Business Analytics course enables you to spend studying abroad.
If you choose and secure a place at a partner university, you’ll complete two semesters (nine months) of study at Surrey and spend a semester studying abroad. This means you will complete your course in 15 months studying full-time. You will not be writing a dissertation.
If you decide not to study abroad or do not secure a place, you’ll complete nine months of teaching at Surrey followed by three months working on your dissertation. This means you will complete your course in 12 months studying full-time.
Professional recognition
MSc - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Careers and graduate prospects
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
Business analytics students often pursue careers as:
- Data scientists
- Finance analysts
- Operations researchers
- Consultants
- Managers
- Business intelligence analysts.
Schools and departments
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
Important: In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the University has had to change the delivery (and in some cases the content) of its programmes, together with certain University services and facilities for the 2020/21 academic year. These changes include the implementation of a hybrid teaching approach. View detailed information on the changes.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules can be either 15, 30, 45 or 60, 75 and 120 credits, and additionally for some masters dissertations, 90 credits.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Optional modules for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
Choose 1 optional module in Semester 1.
Choose 2 optional modules in Semester 2.
Students NOT on the placement pathway must undertake the 60-credit dissertation module.
Optional modules for Year 1 (full-time with Study Abroad - 15 months) - FHEQ Level 7
Choose 1 optional module in Semester 1.
Choose 2 optional modules in Semester 2.
Students on the placement pathway choose the 60-credit compulsory module : Study Abroad
Optional modules for Year 1 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7
Choose 1 optional modules in Year 1, Semester 2.
Optional modules for Year 2 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7
Choose 1 optional module in Year 2, Semester 1.
Choose 1 optional modules in Year 2, Semester 2.
Timetable
New students will receive their personalised timetable in Welcome Week, and in subsequent semesters, two weeks prior to the start of semester. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday–Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week, details of which can be obtained from the Academic Hive. View our Timetabling Policy (PDF).
Entry requirements
A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree in either Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, Finance or Mathematics, or a recognised equivalent international qualification. We'll also consider a minimum of three years relevant work experience in an analytical and data-intensive field if you don’t meet these requirements.
View entry requirements by country
Do I meet the requirements for this course?
We require you to submit a full application so that we can formally assess whether you meet the criteria published. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an outcome based on an enquiry (via email, webform enquiry, phone or live chat).
English language requirements
| Course length | IELTS Academic requirements or equivalent |
|---|---|
| Full-time: 1 year | 6.5 overall including 6.0 in each category |
| Full-time (with study abroad): 15 months | 7.0 overall including 6.5 in each category |
| Full-time (with placement): 2 years | 7.0 overall including 6.5 in each category |
| Part-time: 2 years | 6.5 overall including 6.0 in each category |
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Credit transfer
The University of Surrey recognises that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts. If this applies to you, a process called recognition of prior learning (RPL) may allow you to enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience, or to join the start of a course without the formal entry requirements. This means that you may be exempt from certain elements of study in the course for which you have applied and be awarded credit based on your previous qualifications/experience. There are restrictions on RPL for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims.
Please see the code of practice for recognition of prior learning and prior credit: taught programmes (PDF) for further information. Please email Admissions with any queries.
Fees
Start date: October 2021
Full-time - 1 year
UK £13,100
Overseas £20,200
Full-time (with study abroad) - 15 months
UK £13,800
Overseas £21,800
Full-time (with placement) - 2 years
UK £13,100
Overseas £20,200
Part-time - 2 years
UK £6,600
Overseas £10,100
The two-year full-time programme which includes a 12-month placement costs an additional £1,850 on top of the base course fee listed above.
Please note:
- These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2021-22 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually.
- If you are on a two-year or three-year part-time structured masters course, the annual fee is payable in Year 1 and Year 2 of the course.
Additional costs
There are associated costs with this course:
Commuting (local travel expenses): Students are required to pay upfront cost of travel and accommodation expenses incurred when on placement when not covered by the placement provider. These may vary depending on the location.
Funding
You may be able to borrow money to help pay your tuition fees and support you with your living costs. Find out more about postgraduate student finance.
Scholarships and bursaries
We're committed to making sure that we offer support for students who might need it.
Apply online
To apply online first select the course you'd like to apply for then log in.
1. Select your course
Select the course you wish to apply for.
2. Sign in
To apply online sign in or create an account.
Course | Status |
|---|---|
Business Analytics MSc Full-time, 12 months, October 2021 | Applications open Closing date: Thursday 22 July 2021 |
Business Analytics MSc Full-time (with study abroad), 15 months, October 2021 | Applications open Closing date: Thursday 22 July 2021 |
Business Analytics MSc Full-time (with placement), 24 months, October 2021 | Applications open Closing date: Thursday 22 July 2021 |
Business Analytics MSc Part-time, 24 months, October 2021 | Applications open Closing date: Thursday 22 July 2021 |
Admission information
Our postgraduate admissions policy* provides the basis for admissions practice across the University and gives a framework for how we encourage, consider applications and admit students. You can also read our postgraduate applicant guidance.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and regulations, and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View an example of our offer terms and conditions and our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) as a guide as to what to expect.
Please note: our offer terms and conditions will generally be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will vary to take into account specifics of your course and changes for the specific academic year.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read more.
Further, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University has had to change the delivery (and in some cases the content) of its programmes, together with certain University services and facilities for the academic year 2020/21. These changes include the implementation of a hybrid teaching approach during 2020/21. Detailed information on all changes is available at our dedicated course changes webpage. This webpage sets out information relating to general University changes, and will also direct you to consider additional information relating to specific programmes.
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Stag HillStag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
- Phone: +44 (0)1483 682222
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH