MSc Business Analytics
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Key information
- Mode of delivery
- Online
- Start date
- Open enrolment
- Duration
- 2.5 years
- Qualification
- MSc
Contact
Contact our enquiries team
Contact usOverview
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.
We understand that life can be unpredictable, and we want to ensure that our programme is as flexible as possible to accommodate your needs. Therefore, we've made it possible for you to study anytime, anywhere. We believe this flexibility will enable you to achieve your educational goals without compromising your other commitments.
Degree duration
On average it will take 200 hours to complete each course. On average, it takes two years to complete a full MSc, but it can be completed faster or over a longer period - you can choose your own pace. You can enrol at any time, begin your studies in a way that fits around your schedule. It also means that you are in control of your progress and decide whether you want to speed up, slow down, or take a break at any point in your studies. Throughout the programme, regardless of your schedule, you'll be able to learn alongside a diverse and global community of students and professionals and interact with peers and tutors in forums.
Who should study this degree?
The programme is ideal for seasoned professionals seeking to enhance their analytical skills, aspiring business analysts looking for a new challenge, as well as recent graduates looking to specialise in data analysis and decision making in a business context. Whether you have prior experience working with data, or simply have a keen interest in finding business solutions through innovative approaches, our MSc will set you up for success. Upon completion of the programme, you will be well-prepared for a variety of roles in the field of business analytics, including business intelligence analyst, data scientist, project manager or business consultant. With your newfound strategic and analytical abilities, you'll be equipped to drive data-informed decision-making, optimise business processes, and unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation. Enrolling in our MSc in Business Analytics will not only enhance your professional value but also provide you with the skills and knowledge sought by organisations worldwide.
Online learning delivery
A diverse range of engaging course materials, reading, notes and multimedia are made available to you online through the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), and are accessible 24/7 and to download for offline access. The VLE also links you with our expert academics and course materials through videos, webinars, articles, journals, assessments, and discussion boards.
Final course assessments are conducted online, meaning you can sit your assessment in the comfort of your own space. There are three assessment periods in each year, so you can choose when you sit your Final Online Assessments for each of your courses.
When you learn online, you'll also have access to dedicated support staff and resources to ensure you successfully complete your programme. To find out more please read below, or visit our Online learning delivery and support pages.
Student support
Whether you study online at home or with a learning partner you are 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. You can also access advice and support from the Student Support team throughout your studies, to graduation.
Course content
Year 1
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.
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
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.
The MSc is entirely modular and delivery is flexible, operating a learning rather than a teaching model and each course is designed for self-study. All courses are designed around a comprehensive online offering that contains all necessary learning materials and guidance for students to successfully complete their studies. A key part of this is the opportunity for students to engage with each other as part of a global multicultural learning community.
Assessment Policies
All 20 credit courses on this programme are assessed by a single summative timed online piece of coursework. Assessments include case studies, scenario analysis and essays. All courses are assessed three times per year aligned to Heriot-Watt University's major examination diets in April, August and December. The 40 credit reflective portfolio is assessed formatively as students progress through the programme before a summative portfolio, providing evidence and reflection on how they have implemented their learning in practice, is submitted in a final diet when the student completes their final course/s.
The pass mark for all courses is 50%. A candidate must pass all required course units to be eligible for the MSc award. Failing candidates are allowed a single resit in each course
Award with Distinction will be made to candidates completing an award with an average mark of 70% or more with no course failures.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
View fees for this course.
Additional fee information
The MSc degree comprises of seven courses including a Reflective Portfolio. You can study on a course-by-course basis and pay as you learn, or sign up for multiple courses at once.
Standard fee
Per course: £1,248
Full programme: £9,984
Emerging Economies fee
Per course: £848
Full programme: £6,784
All course fees include one assessment attempt. Each attempt after this point will be charged at £160.
If you want to enrol in live tuition for any or all of course courses, you can opt to at an additional charge. For more information, download the programme prospectus.
Additional information is available within our Frequently Asked Questions.
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
Diwali Community Scholarship Award (Online)
In celebration of Diwali, we are pleased to offer a 15% Diwali Scholarship on Edinburgh Business School online courses. This award is available to all new students who enrol in courses prior to 30 November 2024.
To apply, complete this short form and register for your first courses by the deadline.
20% Fee Reduction
Students on our online Edinburgh Business School programmes benefit from a 20% fee reduction when purchasing all courses upfront for their programme of choice*.
Take advantage and enrol today.
* This does not apply to PG Cert, PG DIP or DBA programmes.
Alumni Discount
If you are a Heriot-Watt alumnus, you qualify for 20% off your programme fees. For more information on how to claim for your alumni discount contact hwonlineapps@hw.ac.uk
Please note that these discounts cannot be applied simultaneously.
Entry requirements
Typically, you will hold a recognised first or second-class honours degree, or equivalent professional qualification. However, we run a performance-based admissions process which means that you can begin your studies even if you don't meet these requirements. Download the prospectus for more information on performance-based entry and the enrolment process.
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. Therefore, you may be eligible to be granted exemption for a maximum of 20 credits. A validation fee of £160 is payable on each exemption/credit transfer. Find more information in the FAQs.
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.
Online events
We host online events throughout the year, giving you the opportunity to speak to our academic teaching staff, meet students, find out what it is like to study using our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and discover how to enrol.
Lifelong connections
Upon completing your studies you will automatically join the UK's oldest alumni association The Watt Club, with 147k members worldwide.