MSc Business Analytics

Programme structure

The MSc Business Analytics course combines core and optional modules across the three terms of your one-year course.

You will study seven core modules, alongside either two elective modules and a dissertation, or three elective modules and the Business in Practice module. Please note that availability of modules and delivery modes of modules may vary.

Our modules

In your three terms at WBS you will study seven core modules, alongside either two elective modules and a dissertation, or three elective modules and the Business in Practice module.

How you'll be assessed

You'll be assessed by a mixture of individual and group assignments, and examination.

Data Management

The main aims of the module are to familiarise you with spreadsheets, relational databases, SQL and tools designed to work with big data.

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Analytics in Practice

Learn how to structure and conduct an analytical project including visualisation and communicating the project's results to the end-user.

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Business Statistics

Gain a foundation in the analysis and presentation of quantitative data and cover the basic elements of statistics that are essential for business analysis.

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Optimisation Models

Develop your interest in, and knowledge and understanding of, various optimisation models to support decision-making in organisations.

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Understanding Business for Analysts

This module will focus on the key structures that Business Analytics operates within, providing you with a foundation of understanding of the purpose, structure and roles within an organisation, in order to aid the context of analytics topics throughout the course

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Advanced Analytics: Models and Applications

This module will introduce you to advanced analytics using different optimisation models and demonstrate them with applications in a range of areas.

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Advanced Data Analysis

The module provides an opportunity to pursue a more advanced area of analytics, building on the core module in Business Statistics. 

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These are indicative optional modules which may vary year-on-year.
Financial Analytics

Gain an introduction to financial analytics by applying various techniques, including analytical, statistical, and mathematical, to financial market and investment portfolios

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Forecasting

Get an introduction to current quantitative forecasting methods, and develop practical competence in their use.

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Strategy Analytics

Develop skills to successfully help companies to develop and rehearse strategies using modelling and analytical techniques that support a strategic planning process.

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Supply Chain Analytics

Get an understanding of various (analytical, mathematical and statistical) techniques to analyse supply chain performance and to identify inefficiencies and risk factors in operational, managerial and financial aspects of a supply chain.  

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Pricing Analytics

Gain the conceptual understanding, practical skills and experience in using programming tools for you to model and analyse demand, and to use the outcomes to optimise pricing or product availability decisions in an automated fashion.

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Text Analytics

This module offers an introduction to text analytics and the analytics of unstructured data.

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Discrete Event Simulation

Students will learn the theoretical underpinnings of discrete-event simulation and gain practical experience in problem solving using commercial simulation software.

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Dissertation

The dissertation option is a 10,000 word piece of work, either as an external consultancy project or individual applied research, allowing you to focus on real-world business analytics problems.

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Business in Practice

Taught over 2 intensive weeks and incorporating an innovative and exciting business simulation, you'll put business theory into practice through academic lecture input and expert practitioner insights. 

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Our online platform

Our unique online learning platform my.wbs will act as the hub for your learning experience, hosting all of your teaching materials, key information from your CareersPlus and Programme Teams, and our online classroom: wbsLive.

Your learning experience

Your course will be taught through an exciting mix of face-to-face and online learning, utilising the format most suitable to the content, and in a way that helps you balance your workload and make the most of opportunities for extra-curricular activities.

Teaching and assessment will vary to fit the subject being studied. Our faculty have designed your learning experience to fit the subject being studied, with a variety of teaching and assessment styles. 

Your teaching will take the form of lectures and webinars, supported, where relevant, by guest speakers from industry to balance theory and practice. 

Your learning will be assessed by a mix of exams, individual assessments, group work, project work, and tests. Group and project work will enable you to collaborate and gain new perspectives from your international cohort, preparing you for working in teams within a global work environment. 

Programming skills

We support the learning of multiple programming languages with access to a variety of interactive online materials, covering R and Python (provided by Data Camp). Several modules feature the application of such programming languages in their syllabus.

Choice of Dissertation or Business in Practice route

Dissertation route

If you are considering further academic study (PhD) or are looking to develop your theoretical and practical understanding of current business problems and you would like the opportunity to research a topic relating to business analytics, the 10,000-word dissertation will enable you to test and apply the techniques and theories you have gained. Your dissertation project will either focus on business analytics problems that arise in the real world, or on a consultancy project undertaken for a real organisation. 

 You will be supervised and supported throughout and will usually submit your dissertation in early September. 

In total you will study seven compulsory modules, two optional modules, and complete a dissertation. 

    Business in Practice route

    If you would like to develop further applied skills and specialist knowledge to suit your career aspirations, you can complete your studies with our applied Business in Practice module. You will develop deep functional and industry expertise with practical insights from our faculty and our CareersPlus & Corporate Relations team. 

    In total you will study seven compulsory modules, three optional modules, and also complete the Business in Practice capstone module.