Key information
The MSc in Business Analytics and Consultancy 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.
- Level
- Postgraduate Taught
- Delivery type
- Full Time, Part Time
- Degree qualification
- MSc
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 1 year
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September, January
- Next intake
- September
Our MSc in Business Analytics and Consultancy provides you with a solid understanding of the theories and practices that underpin business analytics. You’ll gain an in-depth knowledge of Big Data and analytics and examine how these tools support managerial decision-making. You’ll also explore the principles of management consultancy and financial reporting, giving you a well-rounded understanding of the organisational context in which analytics is applied.
This programme is aimed at graduates or those already in the industry seeking to deepen their knowledge and skills in business analytics and consultancy, enabling you to make strategic, data-driven decisions that drive success in complex and fast-changing business environments.
Our close collaboration with an industry advisory board made up of business leaders ensures that our teaching remains aligned with current professional needs. This means you’ll graduate with the highly sought-after skills required across modern management roles, including business strategy, leadership, project and change management, quality management, and inventory planning.
Reasons to study this programme:
- Comprehensive, customisable curriculum: Provides opportunity to specialise in several areas through optional courses, including quality management, project management and system thinking.
- Expert faculty: Learning will be informed by expertise of our research-active academics whose work covers Employment, Work and the Professions, Logistics and Sustainability, Networks and Enterprise Excellence and Social and Economic Data Analysis.
- Supported learning: Delivered through a combination of lectures, case studies and computer lab-based sessions and be assessed by coursework, examinations and a dissertation while receiving support and feedback throughout the programme.
- Applied learning and industry relevance: Opportunity to apply analytical tools and techniques using real company data, helping development in confidence working with industry-relevant software and solving real business problems.
- Blend of skills: A curriculum based on a mix of mandatory and elective courses to develop skills that combine strong business acumen with advanced data analytical skills and the ability to communicate insights clearly and effectively.
- Professional accreditation: Accredited by the Institute of Analytics (IoA) and meets the highest global academic, professional and ethical standards set by the IoA, in conjunction with industry expectations which gives employers confidence in the quality of this programme and helps graduates gain a competitive edge in the data age.
From Insight to Impact: Study data-driven consultancy at Heriot-Watt
Thursday 26 March 2026 11:00 - 12:00
Join our webinar on to discover how the MSc Business Analytics and Consultancy programme equips you with the data‑driven consultancy skills needed to make real organisational impact.
Register nowYour student experience
Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active academics whose work covers four key areas:
- Employment, Work and the Professions
- Logistics and Sustainability
- Networks and Enterprise Excellence
- Social and Economic Data Analysis
Their expertise ensures that teaching is grounded in current research and real-world business challenges, helping you develop knowledge that is both relevant and future-focused.
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Mandatory September
- Financial Analysis
- Business Analytics and Introduction to Big Data
- Management Consultancy
- Strategic Change
Mandatory January
- Big Data Analytics
- Research Philosophy and Practice
- Network Analysis for Business
Optional January
- Quality Management
- Project Management
- Systems Thinking and Analysis
Mandatory May
- Business Analysis and Consultancy Dissertation
January Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Mandatory January
- Big Data Analytics
- Research Philosophy and Practice
- Network Analysis for Business
Optional January
- Quality Management
- Project Management
- Systems Thinking and Analysis
Mandatory September
- Financial Analysis
- Business Analytics and Introduction to Big Data
- Management Consultancy
- Strategic Change
Mandatory Second January
- Business Analysis and Consultancy Dissertation
Disclaimer
The courses mentioned above may change between now and the time that you study. For more information, please view our Terms and Conditions.
Fees and funding
| Status | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £12,744 | £6,372 |
| International | £24,952 | £12,476 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Scholarships and bursaries
Postgraduate scholarships and bursaries
We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Year 1
A minimum of honours degree at 2:2 or non-UK equivalent in a relevant subject. Whilst we can consider applicants from a wide range of academic backgrounds such as Logistics, Engineering, Business Admin/ Management, Journalism, we hope to see demonstrable evidence of numeracy. This can include algebra, statistics, calculus, Accountancy and Finance, or similar subjects that shows ability to manipulate numbers.
We welcome applications from international students and accept qualifications from around the world. Please refer to the entry requirements for your country for more details.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5 except for writing which must be at 6.0 minimum.
If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Please see our detailed English language requirements.
Why Heriot-Watt
We have been producing career-ready graduates since 1821. With our roots as the world’s first Mechanics Institute, Heriot-Watt is a pioneering university with a global reach.
At Heriot-Watt, learning goes beyond the lecture theatre. We tackle real world challenges through extraordinary research – from climate change to protecting our oceans, to advancing life-saving medical breakthroughs and shaping the next generation of AI. We are also committed to developing forward-thinking design and sustainable business practices that impact industries worldwide. On our campuses you’ll find some of the world’s most advanced facilities, while our strong industry links set you up for career success. This is why almost 90% of our graduates are in employment or further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
Student life
Explore facilities, and chat to staff and students
