In the world of big data, companies capable of identifying patterns, trends and behavioural interactions are flourishing able to understand the needs and desires of their customers and delivering the products and services they require. Business analytics holds the key to unlocking this information, identifying actionable business trends based on historical performance and industry insights.
Our MSc Business and Management (Business Analytics) degree can boost your confidence when working within this sector by giving you the tools to make sense of the large amounts of data being produced across your business. This means you will be able to extract useful information from the data produced in departments such as marketing, sales, product development and customer services.
This blog will give you a better understanding of the benefits of a career in data analytics and how our course can help to make this possible.
What skills and theory will I learn on this course?
One of the main aims is to develop your managerial approach and your skills in order to thrive in the modern business world. The modules works towards achieving this goal with a significant emphasis placed on data visualisation, research methodology and business strategy.
The first module will develop your knowledge of both management accounting and management control principles fostering a critical insight into both the short term and long-term decision-making principles, applying data analytics to help support your conclusions.
You will then move onto explore the world of data management, modelling and design, alongside the theory which underpins this. One of the major learning outcomes is the ability to use industry standard programming languages and databases to evaluate and apply methodologies, tools and techniques used in data collection, cleaning, transformation, management and analysis.
Where can this course lead?
The demand for skilled data analytics professionals is anticipated to continually grow with companies leveraging analytics as a means of differentiating themselves from competitors in the marketplace. With such a growing demand it has led to the creation of a range of new professions and opportunities. This includes job titles such as Data Scientist, Financial Analyst, Marketing Analyst and Business Intelligence Consultant.
The analytical skills that you develop, as part of this course, are ideally designed to enable you to succeed in one of these types of positions, whether that be at a junior, managerial, or operational level within a business.
Do I have the option to shorten the length of my course?
The MSc Business and Management (Business Analytics) degree has an indicative duration of two years; however the actual duration of study may be longer or shorter depending on your speed of study. You can complete the course at a faster rate by doubling up on modules (dependent on availability), although minimum study durations do still apply.
We also offer this programme at a PG Cert and PG Dip level, which have respective indicative study durations of eight and sixteen months. Both qualifications can be used to gain an insight into the world of analytics management and allow you to progress in the field without committing to a full degree, but it’s also easy to progress onto a full Masters at the end of your short course, if you choose to.
What is it like being an online student?
We take great pride in the innovative way in which our courses are delivered through our state-of-the-art Virtual Learning Environment. This gives you complete flexibility to complete your studies at a time and place that is convenient for you. Many of our students continue to work while they study with us, supporting their families and picking up a new qualification at the same time.
All course content, study materials and assessment submissions are available and completed through the same online platform. This removes the need to visit an actual library or purchase additional textbooks as these are all available through our extensive eLibrary.
We restrict class sizes to a maximum of twenty students which makes it easier to get to know your different classmates. Our students come from a range of backgrounds, countries and cultures and we encourage you to interact with one another, sharing different ideas and concepts on course matter. By restricting class sizes, it also makes it easy for you to receive regular tailored feedback from your course tutor, so you know how you are performing.
Why choose to study at the University of Essex Online?
Your educational future is in safe hands when you study at the University of Essex Online. We received excellence for teaching, learning and academic support in the 2023 National Student Survey. We are also one of the most international higher education institutions in the UK, with students from over 170 different countries worldwide. This means you have the opportunity to learn not just from your tutors but also your classmates who come from a diverse range of countries and cultures.
What experience do I need to study this course?
We offer two different entry routes on to this course, recognising that students from both an academic and work experience centred background would benefit from the topics covered. To satisfy the academic entry route you need to hold an undergraduate degree from an approved institution, equivalent to a UK Honours degree, or a relevant qualification.
To be eligible for the course from a work experience route you need to hold a minimum of five years’ management level experience. However, students who do not meet this exact criterion may also be considered on a case by case basis. We would recommend contacting our Admissions team in order to discuss your options.
If you are ready to apply you can click here or you can find out more information on our MSc Business and Management (Business Analytics) course by downloading a prospectus.