Business Analytics MSc – 2022 entry
Key information
Start date: October 2022
Full-time: 1 year
Full-time (with study abroad): 15 months
Full-time (with placement): 2 years
Part-time: 2 years
Start date: February 2023
Full-time: 1 year
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 UK by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020.
What you will study
Learn how to become a business-oriented data scientist
This course aims to take your analytics career to the next level and develop your ability to support and make decisions using big data confidently. You’ll learn and apply a range of techniques and tools to analyse data related to a range of diverse business operations contexts.
Develop analytical skills employers seek
You’ll gain a deep and thorough understanding of quantitative analytical methodologies and learn through hands-on experience with a range of decision-making software and data management tools.
Develop problem-solving skills
Your studies will focus on two major areas: analysing business data and using data to solve business challenges. On this course, you’ll learn how to apply new knowledge and demonstrate your skills prowess through practical problem-solving challenges.
Learn how to become a critical thinker
You’ll gain the ability to independently evaluate critical approaches and techniques relevant to business analytics. You'll learn how to relate existing knowledge structures and methodologies to analytical business challenges.
Learn how to manage analytics projects
You'll master the skill of running data analytics projects, from assessing and analysing raw data to preparing visualisations, and concluding by optimally communicating your results effectively to a select audience.
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, artificial intelligence 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 a year of full-time study at Surrey you'll be able to spend up to an additional 12 months gaining paid, professional work experience with an organisation. You'll be responsible for securing your own job offer(s), however you'll be supported in your search with a series of employability workshops and you’ll benefit from some individual coaching.
The University works closely with several potential employers to help facilitate successful placement applications and there are several resources setup by the Employability and Careers Centre to assist you.
If you decide not to complete a placement, or don’t secure an offer from an employer, you’ll complete nine months of teaching followed by three months working on your dissertation. This means you'll complete your course in 12 months studying full-time.
Study and work abroad
Our 15-month MSc Business Analytics course enables you to spend time 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'll complete your course in 15 months studying full-time. You'll not be writing a dissertation.
If you decide not to study abroad or don’t secure a place, you’ll complete nine months of teaching at Surrey followed by three months working on your dissertation. This means you'll 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. Our graduates have lifetime access to Surrey Pathfinder, our online portal for appointment and events bookings, jobs, placements and interactive development tools.
Business analytics students often pursue careers as:
- Data scientists
- Finance analysts
- Operations researchers
- Consultants
- Managers
- Business intelligence analysts.
Schools and departments
Academic year structure
Our course runs over three semesters. You'll take four modules in both Semester 1 (October to January) and Semester 2 (February to June). Semester 3 runs from June to September. You’ll carry out your independent project (dissertation) during this time.
Students who start in February will take four modules in Semester 1, two compulsory modules in Semester 2 and two optional modules in the Semester 3. For February students, Semester 2 starts in June/July of the first year, and Semester 3 starts in October of the following academic year. You’ll also carry out your independent project (dissertation) during this time.
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 revised its courses to incorporate the ‘Hybrid Learning Experience’ in a departure from previous academic years and previously published information. The University has changed the delivery (and in some cases, the content) of its programmes. Find further information on the general principles of hybrid learning.
We have updated key module information regarding the pattern of assessment and overall student workload to inform student module choices. We are currently working on bringing remaining published information up to date to reflect current practice in time for the start of the academic year 2022/23 This means that some information within the programme and module catalogue will be subject to change. Current students are invited to contact their Programme Leader or Academic Hive with any questions relating to the information available.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules can be either 15, 30, 45, 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
OCTOBER START
First semester (semester 1 according to the academic calendar) you will study these two compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM301 - DATA ANALYTICS
MANM467 - FOUNDATIONS OF STATISTICS AND ECONOMETRICS
And you will need to choose TWO of the following optional modules (15 credits each):
MANM097 - FOUNDATIONS OF FINANCE: FINANCE & INVESTMENTS
MANM250 - SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT AND LOGISTICS
MANM198 - PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING
In week one of this semester, you will also participate in a short course on Quantitative Methods to refresh your understanding of the approaches, tools and techniques that you will be using on the programme.
Second semester (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will study these two compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM304 - OPERATIONAL ANALYTICS
MANM354 - MACHINE LEARNING & VISUALISATIONS
And you will need to choose TWO of the following optional modules (15 credits each) to study:
MANM115 - INNOVATION MANAGEMENT
MANM279 - RISK MANAGEMENT
MANM317 - INTRODUCTION TO MARKETING ANALYTICS
MANM101 - BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT (WITH SAP)
In addition, you will undertake the following module (60 credits) with submission at the end of the summer period:
MANM389 - DISSERTATION FOR BUSINESS ANALYTICS
For key dates and semester lengths including the summer period visit: Key Dates
FEBRUARY START
First semester (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will study these two compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM301 - DATA ANALYTICS
MANM467 - FOUNDATIONS OF STATISTICS AND ECONOMETRICS
And you will need to choose TWO of the following optional modules (15 credits each):
MANM115 - INNOVATION MANAGEMENT
MANM279 - RISK MANAGEMENT
MANM317 - INTRODUCTION TO MARKETING ANALYTICS
MANM101 - BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT (WITH SAP)
In week one of this semester, you will also participate in a short course on Quantitative Methods to refresh your understanding of the approaches, tools and techniques that you will be using on the programme.
Summer period you will study these two compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM304 - OPERATIONAL ANALYTICS
MANM354 - MACHINE LEARNING & VISUALISATIONS
Second semester (semester 1 according to the academic calendar) you will choose TWO of the following optional modules (15 credits each):
MANM097 - FOUNDATIONS OF FINANCE: FINANCE & INVESTMENTS
MANM250 - SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT AND LOGISTICS
MANM198 - PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING
In addition, you will research and write the below dissertation module (60 credits) across the summer period and semester 1, with submission at the end of semester 1 (January):
MANM389 - DISSERTATION FOR BUSINESS ANALYTICS
For key dates and semester lengths including the summer period visit: Key Dates
Optional modules for Year 1 (full-time with Study Abroad - 15 months) - FHEQ Level 7
OCTOBER START
First semester (semester 1 according to the academic calendar) you will study these two compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM301 - DATA ANALYTICS
MANM467 - FOUNDATIONS OF STATISTICS AND ECONOMETRICS
And you will need to choose TWO of the following optional modules (15 credits each):
MANM097 - FOUNDATIONS OF FINANCE: FINANCE & INVESTMENTS
MANM198 - PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING
MANM250 - SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT AND LOGISTICS
Second semester (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will study these two compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM354 - MACHINE LEARNING & VISUALISATIONS
MANM304 - OPERATIONAL ANALYTICS
And you will need to choose TWO of the following optional modules (15 credits each) to study:
MANM115 - INNOVATION MANAGEMENT
MANM279 - RISK MANAGEMENT
MANM317 - INTRODUCTION TO MARKETING ANALYTICS
MANM101 - BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT
In addition to this you will complete the following compulsory module (60 credits) across the 15 month period:
MANM472 - STUDY ABROAD
For key dates and semester lengths including the summer period visit: Key Dates
Optional modules for Year 1 (full-time with placement - 24 months) - FHEQ Level 7
OCTOBER START
YEAR 1
First semester (semester 1 according to the academic calendar) you will study these two compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM301 - DATA ANALYTICS
MANM467 - FOUNDATIONS OF STATISTICS AND ECONOMETRICS
And you will need to choose TWO of the following optional modules (15 credits each):
MANM097 - FOUNDATIONS OF FINANCE: FINANCE & INVESTMENTS
MANM198 - PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING
MANM250 - SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT AND LOGISTICS
In week one you will also participate in a short course on Quantitative Methods to refresh your understanding of the approaches, tools and techniques that you will be using on the programme.
Second semester (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will study these two compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM354 - MACHINE LEARNING & VISUALISATIONS
MANM304 - OPERATIONAL ANALYTICS
And you will need to choose TWO of the following optional modules (15 credits each):
MANM115 - INNOVATION MANAGEMENT
MANM279 - RISK MANAGEMENT
MANM317 - INTRODUCTION TO MARKETING ANALYTICS
MANM101 - BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT (WITH SAP)
In addition to this you will undertake the following compulsory module (60 credits) with submission at the end of the summer period:
MANM389 - DISSERTATION FOR BUSINESS ANALYTICS
For key dates and semester lengths including the summer period visit: Key Dates
| Module title | Status | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| PROFESSIONAL PLACEMENT YEAR | Core | Year-long |
| BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT (WITH SAP) | Optional | 2 |
Optional modules for Year 2 (full-time with placement - 24 months) - FHEQ Level 7
YEAR 2
You will undertake the core module (60 credits):
MANM486 - PROFESSIONAL PLACEMENT YEAR
For key dates and semester lengths including the summer period visit: Key Dates
Optional modules for Year 1 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7
OCTOBER START
YEAR 1
First semester (semester 1 according to the academic calendar) you will study these two compulsory modules (15 credits):
MANM301 - DATA ANALYTICS
MANM467 - FOUNDATIONS OF STATISTICS AND ECONOMETRICS
In week one you will also participate in a short course on Quantitative Methods to refresh your understanding of the approaches, tools and techniques that you will be using on the programme.
Second semester (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will study the following compulsory module (15 credits):
MANM354 - MACHINE LEARNING & VISUALISATIONS
And you will need to choose ONE of the following optional modules (15 credits):
MANM317 - INTRODUCTION TO MARKETING ANALYTICS
MANM115 - INNOVATION MANAGEMENT
MANM279 - RISK MANAGEMENT
MANM101 - BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT
For key dates and semester lengths including the summer period visit: Key Dates
Optional modules for Year 2 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7
YEAR 2
First semester (semester 1 according to the academic calendar) you will choose TWO of these optional modules (15 credits):
MANM250 - SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT AND LOGISTICS
MANM097 - FOUNDATIONS OF FINANCE: FINANCE & INVESTMENTS
MANM198 - PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING
Second semester (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will study the following compulsory module (15 credits):
MANM304 - OPERATIONAL ANALYTICS
And you will need to choose ONE of the following optional modules (15 credits):
MANM115 - INNOVATION MANAGEMENT
MANM279 - RISK MANAGEMENT
MANM317 - INTRODUCTION TO MARKETING ANALYTICS
MANM101 - BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT
In addition you will undertake the following compulsory module (60 credits) with submission at the end of the summer period:
MANM389 - DISSERTATION FOR BUSINESS ANALYTICS
For key dates and semester lengths including the summer period visit: Key Dates
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).
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
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.
International 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 (admissions@surrey.ac.uk) with any queries.
Fees
Start date: October 2022
Full-time - 1 year
UK £13,500
Overseas £20,800
Full-time (with study abroad) - 15 months
UK £14,200
Overseas £22,500
Full-time (with placement) - 2 years
UK £13,500
Overseas £20,800
Part-time - 2 years
UK £6,800
Overseas £10,400
Start date: February 2023
Full-time - 1 year
UK £13,500
Overseas £20,800
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 2022-23 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 2022 | Applications open Closing date: Friday 22 July 2022 |
Business Analytics MSc Full-time (with study abroad), 15 months, October 2022 | Applications open Closing date: Friday 22 July 2022 |
Business Analytics MSc Full-time (with placement), 24 months, October 2022 | Applications open Closing date: Friday 22 July 2022 |
Business Analytics MSc Part-time, 24 months, October 2022 | Applications open Closing date: Friday 22 July 2022 |
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.
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 2022/23. These changes include the implementation of a hybrid teaching approach during 2022/23.
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