MSc in Business Analytics in the UK in 2024



Pursuing an MSc in Business Analytics in UK is becoming popular among international students. With the way data sciences are exploding, organisations around the world are placing data as their top priority in the process of decision making. Between 2015 and 2020, the UK economy benefited from data analytics by an average of about £40 billion a year – about 2% of its GDP. This trend has only been on the rise in the years after.

This field of business analytics brings together statistics, quantitative analysis, consumer behaviour, strategising and technology to collect, collate, visualise, understand and analyse large amounts of data for a business and use it to plan for the future in order to get a competitive advantage. So, if you are looking for a career in this field this article is for you.


Why Study a Masters in Business Analytics in the UK?


There are a number of reasons why international students choose the UK to do their masters in business analytics. Let us take a look at some of them.

  • Top Universities: Without a doubt, the UK is home to some of the top universities in the world. Looking past even the general rankings, of the top 100 schools in the world for a postgraduate degree in business analytics, 15 of them are located in the UK. These schools train you in business intelligence and data analytics through both teaching and hands-on work such as case studies, projects, internships and placements.
  • One year masters courses: An important reason why international students choose the UK is because their masters degrees are typically for only one year, unlike those in the USA, Canada or Australia. You get to save on time, your investment, and kickstart your career a year sooner.
  • Industry involvement: As you will see in the following section where we discuss the individual courses, most b-schools in the UK work in close connection with the industry. This includes working professionals and experts coming for lectures, seminars or professional development workshops. The coursework is also framed in correlation with the job market to meet prospective employer expectations.
  • Graduate Route: Another advantage of studying in the UK is the Graduate Route. On completing your degree, you can stay in the UK for up to 2 years while either working or looking for a job.
  • Demand for analysts: There is a significant demand for business data analysts with over 75% of UK companies turning to data for their marketing decisions. So, there is a growing need for skilled professionals who can handle both the technological and the analytical aspects of this field.

Top Universities For MSc in Business Analytics in the UK


In this section, we will be looking at some of the best universities for business analytics masters in UK. We will be looking at the general framework of these masters for international students, the eligibility criteria, fees, intake and the employability rate of these programmes.

World University Ranking University Fees
6 Imperial College Business School £41,000
14 Warwick Business School £35,550
17 Manchester Alliance £27,000 – £31,000
22 University of Edinburgh Business School £31,300
51-60 Durham University Business School £35,000
61-70 Leeds University Business School £30,250
71-80 Bath School of Management £29,000
71-80 Lancaster University Management School £31,500
71-80 Nottingham University Business School £28,600
81-90 Bayes Business School £30,000

1. Imperial College Business School


Source: Imperial College London

The postgraduate b-school of Imperial College London, Imperial College Business School is ranked 3rd in Europe for masters in business analytics by Times Higher Education ranking and 6th in the world by QS WUR. It is the top course for MS Business Analytics in London. The core modules of this programme include data structures and algorithms, database technologies, machine learning, maths and stats for data analysis, network analytics and data visualisation. The elective modules range from digital marketing or healthcare analytics to supply chain management. The coursework is application based where you will apply what you have learnt to a practical project wherein you will gain consulting experience, complete a work placement, or conduct a research report. If admitted, the b-school also gives you some online pre-study modules to prepare yourself for the programme.

Fees

The annual tuition fee for all students is £41,000. By applying earlier, you can be considered for the Imperial Excellence Scholarship through which you can be awarded up to £10,000.

If you are applying for the online part-time version, then the fee is £34,400.

Intake

This b-school follows a rolling admission procedure which means they consider applications throughout the year. However, since the programme is highly competitive, it is recommended that you apply early. If you want to be considered for the scholarship, then the application deadline is on 19 January 2024 (2nd round) and 29th March (3rd round). The academic year begins in September 2024 and goes on for 1 year.

You can also apply for the part-time version of the same course which is an entirely online programme. It takes 24-36 months to complete.

Employability

On successful completion of this programme, you will have the skills to take on roles such as a business analyst, data scientist or a consultant. You will also be able to code in programming languages such as Python and R and delve into data science or the pure tech world, should you choose to. The Imperial College Business School has one of the highest employability ratings at 99%, 6 months after graduation. Nearly 50% of the graduates are employed within the United Kingdom, while most of the others have chosen to seek employment elsewhere.

2. Warwick Business School


Source: University of Warwick

A department of the faculty of social sciences of the University of Warwick, Warwick Business school ranks 14th in the world and 2nd for MSc/ MA in Business Analytics in UK. The school has a triple accreditation – from AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA. It is the first UK b-school to be triple accredited. Their masters in business analytics programme will teach how to gain business insights from big data by using state-of-the-art technology in data analytics. You will also learn project management by working on consultancies with real clients. Completion of this degree involves finishing seven compulsory modules, two optional modules, and a dissertation. Alternatively, you can choose the “Business in Practice” route instead of a dissertation.

Fees

The tuition fee for overseas and EU students is £35,350. The Warwick Business School also has a postgraduate scholarship corpus of over £1 million that you can apply for. Scholarships typically range between 10 and 50% of the tuition fee.

Intake

  • Application deadline: July 2024
  • Start Date: September 2024
  • Duration: 1 year full-time.

Employability

In 2022, the University of Warwick was one of the top 6 universities targeted by the most number of top recruiters. You will also have access to the WBS CareerPlus team that provides one-on-one career guidance. In the 2022 cohort, nearly 92.8% of the graduates were in full-time employment within six months of course completion. 36.7% of students who successfully completed this postgraduate course went into financial services or the technological sector.

3. Alliance Manchester Business School


Source: Alliance Manchester B School

Triple accredited by AACSB International, AMBA and EQUIS, the Alliance Manchester Business School comes under the purview of the University of Manchester. It is one of the largest campus-based b-schools in the UK that is ranked 3rd for its research power.
The University of Manchester MSc Business Analytics has two different streams for you to choose from. The first is Business Analytics with Operational Research and Risk Analysis and the second is Business Analytics with Strategic Management. The latter focuses on international business issues and problem solving.

Fees

If you are found the operational research route, the tuition fee is £31,000. The strategic management specialisation costs £27,000 for foreign students. You can apply to the Alliance MBS Masters Scholarships for International students.

Intake

Course begins: September 2024
Duration: 1 year full-time, There is no part-time variant of this programme.

Employability

This business analytics MSc has been designed for someone who wants to get into the world of analytics and development, forecasting or take up individual consultancy projects. Recruiters who often employ from Alliance Manchester include Accenture, AlixPartners, Bank of China, Co-operative Bank, Deloitte, Electricity and Water Authority, EY, Fujitsu, IBM, LATAM Airlines, National Trust, Sony Music, Shell, Standard Chartered Bank and The Nielsen Company.

4. University of Edinburgh Business School


Source: University of Edinburgh Business School

This b-school located in Scotland is next on the list of top universities offering an MS in business analytics in UK. The University of Edinburgh Business School ranks 22nd in the world for this particular programme. The compulsory modules include predictive analytics and modelling of data, basics of data analysis, mathematical programming for prescriptive analysis and Python programming which becomes the foundation of Machine Learning. There are also a number of optional courses that will allow you to create a niche for yourself. There is also a compulsory dissertation module that will also train you in the specifics of research.

Fees

The tuition fee for overseas students is £31,300.

Intake

While the final application deadline is in June 2024 for a September 2024 entry, it is recommended that you submit your application before the first or the second round dates which fall in October or December of the year prior to entry. It is a 1 year master in business analytics course in UK.

Employability

Nearly 68% of the graduates have gone on to work in IT or Finance sectors while the remaining have created careers in education, management consulting, transportation, and retail. Job titles have included Asset Management Analyst, Business Analyst, Business Predictive Analytics Officer, Data Analyst, Data Science Specialist, Project Manager and Senior Financial Analyst.

5. Durham University Business School


Source: Durham B-School

Established in 1965, the Durham University B-School is the faculty of business of the University of Durham. While a masters in business management is highly ranked in this school, they stand 5th for their master in business analytics in UK. The coursework is designed in such a way wherein you will learn to gain insights from data using different decision-making techniques, algorithms, machine learning and natural language systems for social media analytics.

Fees

The tuition fee for both international and UK students is around £35,000.

Intake

  • Application deadline: Final deadline is in June. However, it is recommended for international applicants to apply in the first or second cycles which end in November and February respectively.
  • Start Date: September 2024
  • Duration: 1 year full-time.

Employability

The school also has an International, Engagement & Careers programme that will help you build the necessary skills when you meet prospective employers. Considering the fact that the school’s alumni are spread in over 140 countries, it is safe to say that Durham graduates are valued by employers around the globe.

6. Leeds University Business School


Source: LeedsU

Located in West Yorkshire, England, this triple accredited b-school is next on our list of top places for an MS Business Analytics in UK. Ranked in the 61-70 range in the world, this school offers an MSc titled Business Analytics and Decision Sciences.

The goal of this programme is to train you to develop decision-based quantitative analytical skills by bringing together business psychology and technology. You will also have the opportunity to work closely with Leeds Institute of Data Analytics and the Centre for Decision Research who are actively involved, in an advisory role, in multiple businesses, governments and international bodies.

Fees

The tuition for overseas students for two semesters of study is £30,250.

Intake

  • The school has a staged admission process with selection deadlines throughout the year.
  • The start date is September 2024. There is no other intake.
  • It takes 1 year of full-time study to complete this masters degree. There are no part-time variants available.

Employability

By studying in Leeds b-school, you will have access to their dedicated professional development tutor who will provide you with tailored career support. Throughout the programme, you also get to interact with senior leaders/ professionals in the industry and gain real world knowledge. To pursue a career in analytics or decision-making, the common recruiters who come to Leeds include eBay, Amazon, NHS trust, Transport for London, The Home Office, Capital One, KPMG, the Department of Health, and Dell International.

7. Bath School of Management


Source: University of Bath

Awarded “triple gold” in the Teaching Excellence Framework in 2023, the Bath School of Management is one of the top ten schools in the UK for business analytics. The University of Bath MSc Business Analytics programme is designed to teach you how to convert data into knowledge. You will also gain practical experience in computer programming and using the latest analytics softwares. The school offers this course in partnership with IBM, Qlik, WinPure and the Women in OR & Analytics Network.

Fees

The tuition fee for foreign students is £29,000 per year.

Intake

  • Application deadline: June 2024
  • Start Date: September 2024
  • Duration: 1 year full-time on campus
  • You can choose the 100% online MSc and complete it in 24 – 36 months.

Employability

Graduates of this degree go on to careers in a range of areas, start their own business or begin a PhD. 87% of the 2022 graduates had already accepted job offers within 3 months of completing the course.

8. Lancaster University Management School (LUMS)


Source: LUMS

A department of the Lancaster University, LUMS has a highly reputed course for master in business analytics in UK. This course is ranked 26th in Europe by QS rankings. At the outset, it brings together the theory and practice of business analytics, and is one of the few programmes to teach the entire Business Analytics life cycle, covering Descriptive, Predictive and Prescriptive analytics. The university also has a dedicated Operations Research department and courses are taught by experts in the fields of forecasting, stochastic modelling, optimisation, simulation, network analytics, healthcare analytics and so on. You will also learn technical aspects like machine learning and data mining.

Fees

For overseas students, the fee is £31,500 per year. You can apply for the MSc Business Analytics Fulgoni Scholarship or the Robinson Scholarship besides the general LUMS scholarships.

Intake

Course begins: September 2024
Duration: 1 year full-time. There is no part-time option for this programme.

Employability

The university ranks 9th in the UK for employability and many students get job opportunities and offers even when studying. The department works in close relation with corporates and organisations who also prefer LUMS alumni. Graduates have gone on to take senior roles such as management scientists or other leadership roles.

9. Nottingham University Business School


Source: NUBS

Situated in Jubilee Campus close to the Nottingham city centre, the Nottingham University B-School (NUBS) is another of the elite international b-schools with triple crown accreditation. With campuses in the UK, China and Malaysia, they have an unparalleled global reach. Taught in collaboration with multinational companies, it is one of the notable courses for MS in business analytics in UK. You will also have access to the Neo-demographic Laboratory for Analytics in Business (N/LAB) which is  a state-of-the-art teaching, data visualisation and research facility of the school.

Fees

The tuition fee for foreign students is £28,600.

Intake

Start date: September 2024
Duration: 1 year, full time.

Employability

86.2% of all postgraduates from NUBS were either employed or signed up for further studies within 15 months of graduation. The average salary of those employed was £31,419.

10. Bayes Business School


Source: Bayes

Affiliated with the City, University of London, Bayes offers one of the best programmes for MS business analytics in London. They follow a learning by doing teaching style that is aided by the latest technology. Bayes also offers pre-courses in basics such as Python and R Programming so that you will be prepared to begin your business analytics journey. The dissertation projects are created hand in hand with industry partners so that you get to apply your skills on real world scenarios.

Fees

The school has uniform fees for UK, EU and international students. The tuition for this programme is £30,000.

Intake

  • Application opens: November
  • Start date: September of the subsequent year
  • Duration: 1 year, full-time.

Employability

The school works in close association with Bank of England, Ekimetrics, Government Actuary’s Department, Rolls-Royce and Vodafone UK. Graduates have also gone on to work with Directorate-General for Innovation and Technological Support European Parliament, Bloomberg, MediaMonks, EY, HSBC UK and Accenture.

A few more options for Master in Business Analytics in UK

  • MSc Business Analytics and Management Sciences Southampton Business School
  • MSc Business Analytics Aston Business School
  • MSc Business Analytics Exeter Business School
  • MSc Business Analytics and Big Data Liverpool Management School
  • University of Bristol MSc Business Analytics
  • MSc Business Analytics University of Surrey
  • MSc Business Analytics Coventry University

Eligibility Criteria & Admission Requirements for Masters in Business Analytics in UK


Let us take a look at the entry requirements for for an MSc/ MA in business analytics in UK

  • Academic Requirements: First class or an upper second class honours degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics or a quantitative economics degree. Your quantitative experience typically should include topics such as advanced calculus, probability, statistics and linear algebra. Some universities might even require you to take an online maths test to deem your eligibility.
  • Work Experience: Work experience is not mandatory for this programme. That said, a relevant work experience of 1 – 3 or a maximum of 5 years is what will be considered and can boost your resume. Most universities require their applicants to have completed their previous educational qualification not more than 5 years before applying for this course.
  • Prerequisite knowledge: Most universities also require you to have a functional knowledge of some computer programming languages such as SQL, R and Python.
  • Standardised Tests: As a rule, GRE/ GMAT are not mandatory when applying for MS Business Analytics in UK. However, a well balanced GMAT score of 650+ or 159+ in the GRE quantitative section can add weight to your application. It is also recommended for applicants who do not have strong academic qualifications.
  • English language Requirements: An international applicant must take up IELTS, TOEFL or any of the other recognised tests to meet the English language requirements. A minimum IELTS Academic score of 6.5 – 7.0 or a TOEFL iBT score of 92 – 105 is required.

Documents to meet entry requirements

  • Academic transcripts in the prescribed format with international evaluation
  • Standardised test score cards, if applicable
  • English test scores
  • Proof of work experience, if applicable
  • Statement of Purpose/ Personal essay
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • CV
  • Passport
  • Proof of finance

Cost of Studying MSc in Business Analytics in UK


Let us now answer the question, “How much does it cost to pursue a masters degree in business analytics in UK as an Indian student?”.

It is important to note that the figures shown are average costs and approximations to give you a general idea. The actual costs can vary depending on your selection of courses, the universities and the city that you will be living in.

Cost Amount in Pounds
(Approx figures per year)
Amount in INR
(Approx figures per year)
Tuition (Range) £25,000 – £40,000 Rs 25 – 40 lakhs
Living Costs
Rent (On Campus) £4,000 – £7,000 Rs 4 – 7 lakhs
Rent (Off campus, shared living) London – £9,000
Rest of UK – £6,700
London – Rs 9 lakhs
Rest of UK – Rs 6.7 lakhs
Food £1,800 – £2,200 Rs 1 – 2.5 lakhs
Transport £1,000 Rs 1 lakh
Health Insurance £470 Rs 50,000
Utilities £650 – £800 Rs 65,000 – 80,000
Average Total Living Expenses £14,400 – £16,800 Rs 14 – 17 lakhs

Scholarships to Study Masters in Business Analytics in UK


For international students, financial aid is another important aspect to consider when pursuing higher education abroad. So, while planning for your application, it is also important to plan for scholarships or bursaries that will help with your finances as you apply to some of the best business analytics colleges in the world. Typically, a scholarship is awarded based on merit while a bursary is offered on the basis of financial need.

As an international student, it is important to look at four sources of financial aid

  • Scholarships from home government
  • UK government scholarships for international students
  • Department/ University scholarships
  • Awards/ grants/ scholarships from external charitable organisations.

That said, here are some you can consider for your masters in business analytics in UK.

  • British Council Scholarships
  • Chevening Scholarships
  • Commonwealth Scholarships
  • Rhodes Scholarship
  • Felix Scholarships
  • Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships
  • Dr Manmohan Singh Scholarships
  • Global Study Awards
  • Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships

Career Opportunities and Jobs After Studying MSc Business Analytics in UK


Role of an analyst: As a business analysis graduate, your role in any organisation can be multifaceted. You could be involved in planning and development, strategising and marketing or for solving business problems . It could be limited to one project or you can be the analyst for the company as a whole. It all depends on the nature and scope of the organisation that you will be employed in. That said, there are few organisations in the world that are not dependent on data and its analysis. So, the scope of job opportunities is wide and varied.

Average Salary: As a junior analyst, the average salary is about £25,000 to £35,000. With experience, business analysts can earn anywhere from £40,000 to £70,000. If you add executive or leadership roles into this mix, especially in the finance sectors, salaries can be as high as £100,000.

Designations: The typical roles given to a business analysis graduate are

  • Business architect
  • Business systems analyst
  • Enterprise analyst
  • Management consultant
  • Process analyst
  • Product manager
  • Systems analyst

You can also branch out and be hired as

  • Machine learning engineer
  • Data architect
  • Statistician
  • Data analyst
  • Chief technology officer (CTO)
  • Chief data officer (CDO)
  • Application architect
  • Project manager
  • Market research analyst
  • Business/analytics translator
  • Data scientist

Demand in UK: Data Science has boomed in the last couple of years because a whopping 75% of organisations in the UK have prioritised data-driven marketing strategies. This also comes with a proportional increase in budgets allocated for marketing efforts based on data. This has also resulted in a significant skill shortage of business analysts with the technical knowhow to read, analyse and strategise based on  the information available. This skill gap is not just limited to the UK but is prevalent almost all over the globe.

Frequently asked questions


Is MSc Business Analytics in UK worth it?

Yes, absolutely. There is a demand for these graduates; UK universities are some of the best in the world; you can gain a masters degree in one year; and the courses are constantly updated based on the latest technological innovations.

Which university is best for MSc Business Analytics in UK?

The Imperial College Business School is at the top of the list, according to 2024 QS Rankings for Masters in Business Analytics in UK. Worldwide, it ranks 6th.

Who is eligible for MSc Business Analytics UK?

Anyone with a first class undergraduate degree in quantitative subject and/or relevant work experience can apply for this programme. Check out our section on Eligibility criteria for a more detailed picture.

Is business analytics a good degree in UK?

Yes, the UK is a top choice for many students to study business analytics. It has some of the best colleges in the world and a thriving industry of data science which requires professionals who can keep up with technological advances.

Does MS in Business Analytics have scope in the UK?

Yes. We are living at a time where organisations worldover are turning towards data to make business decisions. This opens up the scope for business analytics graduates to create niche areas of professional expertise for themselves.

Can I get a job after studying a business analytics course in the UK?

Yes. Do check out the Careers section of this article to the prospective roles and salaries. That said, having studied in the UK with a student visa, you are eligible for the Graduate Route wherein you can live and look for jobs/ work in the UK for up to 2 years.

How to apply to UK universities with TC Global?


While studying MSc in Business Analytics in UK can be very thrilling, the prep and paperwork of it all can get overwhelming. The easiest way to reduce your stress is to sign up with TC Global.

We simplify international education, learning, and mobility through connecting students, universities, and a global community on a single platform where there are over 1000+ education providers and over 80,000+ courses.

Our platform enables students to study anywhere in the world in just a few steps. From search and discovery and finding the right course fit for you, to the application process, student visas and departure – we see you through it all.

To move forward with us, download our app or visit tcglobal.com and sign in to create an account on our student platform and onboard with us in quick, easy steps.! 🚀

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Date added
04.11.2023

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