MSc Business Analytics

Skip to section

Key information

Mode of delivery: Online
Start date: Open enrolment
Duration: 2.5 years
Qualification: MSc

Contact our enquiries team

Overview

Designed to address the talent needs of the future, the MSc Business Analytics will provide you with the quantitative research skills required for the fast evolving, data driven business environment.

Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University’s online MSc Business Analytics degree will give you the skills most highly valued by today’s employers who increasingly seek graduates with the decision skills to inform and manage transformational change, including the use of data-driven, evidence-based approaches to management decision-making in complex business environments.

There are several core elements of this MSc that will set you apart in the corporate world, these include the core skills you will gain on our Business Analytics course followed by our research-led Big Data Analytics course, the Network Analysis course and a new course in Management Consultancy.

Degree duration

It takes approximately 150 study hours per course. On average, it takes four years to complete a full MSc, but it can be completed faster or over a longer period. You can choose your own pace by picking up or setting aside your studies whenever it suits you best. Your schedule always takes priority.

Who should study this degree?

Our online degrees are designed for you to complete a MSc degree. Our students also have the option to study each of our individual course modules in order to upskill or reskill to progress your career, whether this is to fulfil a professional requirement or to specialise in a specific area.

Online learning delivery

Our progressive course materials are made available online through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The VLE links you with our expert academics and course materials through videos, webinars, articles, journals, assessments and discussion boards.

With us, it’s completely up to you when and where you sit your exams and you need only pay for one at a time. You can choose when to sit your exams and if you need to rearrange, that’s no problem either.

To find out more about the online degree structure, resources and support please visit our Online learning delivery and support pages.

Student support

Even the most gifted and most confident of students need a little help from time to time. Whether you study online at home or with a learning partner you’re never far from the support of our faculty and your fellow learners. Additional support is available through optional online tuition and revision sessions and other online resources such as tests, practice essays, collaborative discussion forums where you can engage with your fellow students around the world and tools to help you track your progress through the course materials.

Business Analytics

Course content

The MSc Business Analytics is designed to equip you with the decision skills you need to develop and excel as an effective leader and manager of transformational change in an era of Big Data and rapid innovation.

The degree comprises of six core courses, one optional course, and a reflective portfolio. Courses are assessed by a Final Online Assessment. Pass these and join our global network of Edinburgh Business School graduates and business professionals.

Degree structure

Core

Business Analytics
Network Analysis
Big Data Analytics for Business
Delivering Successful Projects
Business Consultancy
Financial Decision Making
Business Analytics Reflective Portfolio

Optional

Performance Management for Business
Strategic Change Management

Detailed degree guide

Understanding, Knowledge and Cognitive Skills

Case studies will be used where students need to show that they can interpret data and relate those circumstances to the frameworks identified in the academic literature.

The dissertation will enable a student to undertake an in depth study in a selected area of the students choice where the relationship to current models needs to be established and findings used to verify or add to current knowledge.

By the end of the programme students will be able to demonstrate:

A critical understanding of the core theories, principles and concepts that underpin contemporary Business Analytics and Management Consultancy;
Extensive, detailed and critical knowledge and understanding of data analytics in a business context, informed in part by research-teaching linkages;
Critical awareness of current issues in research and knowledge creation within specialist areas of analytics and consultancy;
The development of original and creative responses to problems and issues associated with professional level practice and research.

Scholarship, Enquiry and Research (Research Informed Learning)

Students will be encouraged to work independently to complement the knowledge gained from lecturers, programme work and a dissertation. Sessions in critical reading, literature review and research methods will be given to assist students to undertake scholarly work.

On completion of the programme students will be able to

Engage in the planning and execution of a significant project of research, development or investigation;
Demonstrate originality and creativity in applying knowledge and understanding to professional practice;
Use of a wide range of standard techniques and some specialist research (or equivalent) instruments in pursuing research led enquiry.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The programme will deliver high quality learning and teaching by utilising teaching and research expertise within the Edinburgh Business School and specifically within the Operations and Logistics subject group. Teaching will include traditional lectures, case studies and computer lab based sessions where students will learn how to apply a range of analytical tools and techniques using real company data.

Assessment Policies

Student assessment will conform to the Ordinances, Regulations, Policies and Procedures of the University and compliance with Scottish Credit Qualification Framework (SCQF). These acknowledge:

Award of MSc requires 180 SCQF credits; at least 150 of which are at Level 11
Award of PG Dip requires 120 SCQF credits; at least 90 of which are at Level 11
Award of PG Cert requires 60 SCQF credits; at least 40 of which are at Level 11

Programme assessment and progression will be under the scrutiny of the Postgraduate Examination Board and external examiners and will be applied in accordance with University policy.

Results of assessment will be graded in the range of A-F and communicated in letters/transcripts issued by the University’s Academic Registry.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

View fees for this course.

Additional fee information

The MSc degree comprises of seven courses and a Reflective Portfolio. Each course is £1,230, and the full programme fee is £9,840. You can study on a course-by-course basis and pay as you learn, or sign up for two or three courses at once.

Read additional information for emerging economies.

Scholarships and bursaries

Each year Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University makes available a number of scholarships and discounts to help students to achieve one of our awards.

Scholarship funding

Fully funded scholarships for some of the courses contained within the MSc are available to people living and working in Scotland. Find out more information about the Upskilling Scotland Scholarship.

Entry requirements

Typically, you will hold a recognised first or second class honours degree, or equivalent professional qualification. Students whose native language is not English and who have not been educated at university level previously in the English language, must provide evidence of their English language proficiency.

Rewarding previous study

Edinburgh Business School recognises that some students entering our online MBA or MSc programmes will have completed prior academic study in subjects that align closely to certain EBS courses.

The qualification being presented for exemption consideration should have been gained within the last five years. Qualifications gained over five years ago may be considered if additional supporting evidence shows that you have kept abreast of the current developments and trends in the subject area.

Exemptions are considered only on the basis of qualifications which have been gained through formal assessment. No consideration will be given for life/work experience.

Exemption from mandatory and optional courses may be granted on the basis of master's/postgraduate level qualifications and professional qualifications only. Undergraduate level qualifications cannot be considered.

Exemptions will not be awarded on the basis of courses which have been used towards the award of another degree (of the same discipline) at Master's level, whether this was awarded by Heriot-Watt University or any other institution. For example, a student who has gained an MSc in Accounting will not be given an exemption in Accounting from Edinburgh Business School’s MBA or MSc degree programmes.

Exemption eligibility

If you would like to enquire about your eligibility, please complete an Exemption Application Form.

Why Heriot-Watt?

Flexibility and affordability

Study at a time and pace that suits you, and even while you work. HW Online offers pay-as-you-study courses and fees inclusive of exams and study materials, meaning you can focus on success, not extra costs.

Online tutoring and revision

We offer live tutoring and revision sessions with highly experienced tutors from our global network of teaching partners. You can choose the session which best suits your needs, such as time of day, duration and structure.

Your career

Employers around the world actively seek out our graduates because they are work-ready. All our degrees are career-focused and relevant to the needs of industry. Around 95% of our students are in employment or further study within six months of graduating.

Get degree news and updates

Subscribe now

MSc Business Analytics

Skip to section

Key information

Contact our enquiries team