Home

Business Analytics MSc

London, Canary Wharf

Companies need people who can take data and transform it into a powerful strategic asset. This programme provides a rigorous, practical foundation in the key skills needed to unlock the value of data, and an in-depth understanding of how companies can use data to make decisions and improve business performance.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£22,700
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£41,000
Duration
1 calendar year
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 28 Jun 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor’s degree or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applicants must have a strong aptitude for quantitative analysis and are likely to have studied a range of degrees including: management, mathematics, engineering, computer science, economics, and psychology.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2
Please note that when applicable, students must meet Level 2 English in one single test.

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree


The world is changing; companies are capturing trillions of bytes of information about their customers, suppliers, and operations. This explosion of data is disrupting industries and creating new opportunities.

Companies need people who can take data, understand it, process it, extract value from it, visualise it, and communicate it. They need people who deeply understand data, its potential and its limitations, who can frame business problems, analyse data with statistical techniques, develop and maintain predictive models, and communicate analytics results to business executives, partners and customers.

Business Analytics is taught by UCL School of Management. It combines modules that explore how data and analytics are transforming key areas of business (strategy, marketing, operations) with modules that provide the statistical and computational skills needed to make effective use of the latest business analytics tools.

Business Analytics requires a combination of management insight, strong quantitative and analytical skills, and an understanding of the technology required to handle data at scale. The innovative programme prepares people for leadership roles in the next generation of innovation-intensive organisations.

The UCL School of Management works closely with global companies and high-growth businesses at the cutting-edge of management practice. 

Who this course is for

This is a postgraduate management degree programme designed for graduates with strong quantitative skills.

We are looking for intellectually curious, self-motivated students who are passionate about business, technology and people, and who are prepared to commit to a rigorous and intellectually demanding academic programme.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

Students will benefit from our extensive industry networks. The programme is taught at our Canary Wharf campus, on Level 50 and Level 38 of One Canada Square, placing students in the heart of Canary Wharf, London’s global business and financial hub. Students will also have full access to the Bloomsbury campus, a district famous for its cultural and educational institutions.

This programme prepares students for jobs in industries and organisations characterised by rapid changes in problems, opportunities and tools.

It delivers a practical experience of applying newly learned skills to a real business problem through the term three dissertation project.

It provides students with in-depth knowledge and understanding of business analytics, preparing students for working in complex, interconnected, data-driven environments.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Students will develop strong quantitative and analytical skills, an in-depth understanding of how companies use data to make decisions and improve business performance, and practical experience with leading business analytics tools.

They will be equipped to influence strategy and decision-making, and be able to drive business performance by transforming data into a powerful and predictive strategic asset.

Graduates of the Business Analytics programme will be likely to find employment in companies ranging from global corporations and consulting firms through to high-growth startups in the finance, retail and technology sectors.

Employability

As a graduate of this programme, you will be equipped to influence strategy and decision-making and be able to drive business performance by transforming data into a powerful strategic asset. You will be highly employable in global corporations and consulting firms through to high-growth startups in the finance, retail and technology sectors. 

Networking

Unique to this programme is a collection of “Connected Cohort” activities throughout the year, that allow students to connect with their peers and Alumni. Practical networking skills are developed, and personal networks launched that are fundamental to a successful career journey. 

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and project work.

Students typically study 4 modules in Term 1 and 4 modules in Term 2, of which two are selected from the optional module list. In Term 3 students undertake a supervised dissertation project.

Assessment is through examinations, individual coursework, group coursework and a dissertation project.

Each taught module is delivered over 10 weeks, with 3 contact hours per week comprising lecture content and interactive components. Some of the modules may have additional workshop sessions.

In addition, students spend approximately 7-12 hours a week for each module on assessment and independent study to further develop the skills and knowledge covered in lectures and seminars.

The total number of weekly hours will vary according to the weekly activities being undertaken.

For a full overview of the programme structure please visit the UCL School of Management website.

Modules

The programme consists of six core modules (90 credits), two optional modules (30 credits) and a dissertation project (60 credits).

Students can choose from the list of optional modules, however, there are some restrictions in the selection depending on timetabling and specialist groupings. Students will be made aware of the module selection process by the programme team. 

Core modules in Programming for Business Analytics and Predictive Analytics in Terms 1 and 2 respectively, provide a foundation in delivering an analytical solution that flows naturally into the Term 3 Dissertation Project.

These modules are complemented by Statistical Foundations for Business Analytics, which ensure that students have the necessary statistical skills to make effective use of the latest analytics methods and tools. Business Strategy and Analytics focuses on how companies create value and competitive advantage in complex, innovation-intensive, data-driven environments.

Additional core modules in Marketing Analytics and Operations Analytics explore in greater depth how data and analytics can unlock value in these key areas and build the insight and skills required to define and deliver practical, high-impact business analytics projects that improve business performance.

Compulsory modules









Optional modules











Technology and Collective Intelligence



Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Business Analytics.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Business Analytics MSc

Join UCL School of Management's virtual open day to learn more about the MSc Business Analytics programme. You will hear from the Programme Director, David Alderton, the programme team and current/former students about what it is like to study with us. You will also have the opportunity to ask the questions that are important to you.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £22,700
Tuition fees (2024/25) £41,000

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

All full time students are required to pay a fee deposit of £2,000 for this programme.

This programme does not have any compulsory additional costs outside of purchasing books or stationery, printing or photocopying.

This programme may include opportunities for students to undertake optional international study trips. The costs of such trips are usually covered by students although some elements may be subsidised or grants available depending on the destination, organisational and support responsibilities. On average, costs would be around £1,000 to £1,750 depending on the trip location, personal flight preferences and spending habits as well as the prevailing exchange rates.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

UCL East Scholarship

The scholarship works to support the ambitions of east Londoners by funding the fees and living costs of eligible Master's programmes including this MSc at UCL. Further details at: ucl.ac.uk/scholarships/ucl-east-london-scholarship.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

UCL East London Scholarship

Deadline: 20 June 2024
Value: Tuition fees plus £15,700 stipend ()
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

A staged admissions process is in place for this programme. This means that when you apply, your application will be considered with all others that have submitted before the deadline. This enables us to ensure that all applications are considered fairly and equally.

Applications submitted, and considered complete by 8th December 2023 can expect to receive a response on their application by 9th February 2024.

Applications submitted, and considered complete by 19th February 2024 can expect to receive a response on their application by 22nd April 2024.

Applications submitted, and considered complete by 17th April 2024 can expect to receive a response on their application by 5 June 2024.

Please note that our 'response' may include being informed that your application is being held for further review against other applicants. All applicants will receive a response no later than 5th June 2023.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £160 for both online and paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Business Analytics at graduate level
  • why you want to study Business Analytics at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Applicants who meet the entry requirements and are suitable for the programme may be invited for an online interview via Kira Talent. Applicants invited to interview will have a window of 7 calendar days from receipt of the email to complete the interview. An applicant’s failure to complete their interview within this window would lead to an unsuccessful application.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

UCL School of Management
UCL School of Management

mgmt-ba@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.