Business Analytics and Decision Sciences MSc

Businesses are increasingly collecting large amounts of information about their customers and activities. This ‘big data’ is big news with the media, businesses and government as they consider how to use this mass of information in a meaningful way.

Analysts use their expertise to make sense of this information, interpret it and uncover hidden patterns and important insights, enabling evidence-based business decisions. As a result, they’re in very high demand with employers on the lookout for analysts in every sector.

This course gives you an insight into business analytics and explores how organisations can thrive during the big data revolution. You’ll develop decision-oriented, quantitative analytical skills in a management context, and learn to sift intelligence from the growing volume and variety of data collected on many aspects of life.

Combining theoretical concepts with practical application, you’ll develop a unique mix of quantitative and behavioural skills relevant to data analyses, effective decision-making and management.

Course Highlights

• This course brings together the technical side of analytics, with psychological understanding of decision making. You’ll be will exposed to current debates from both areas.

• Graduate with a powerful combination of technical analytical skills, and business communication skills.

• You’ll be taught by internationally recognised academics and business practitioners from our Centre for Decision Research, who are actively engaged in the latest research, advising businesses, governments and international bodies. They share this expertise and knowledge with you in the classroom.

• Benefit from the growing wealth of expertise and resources in the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics on campus.

• Join the Leeds Data Science Society, a group of diverse individuals at the University who share an interest in 'big data' and analytics. The society continues to grow and hosts a number of workshops and events throughout the year.

Find out more about studying your Masters at Leeds University Business School.

This course will build your knowledge and understanding of how business analytics can provide evidence to support management decision-making. You’ll learn how to use different evidence-based approaches to make effective decisions, developing your skills in quantitative analysis.

You’ll learn to use advanced analytical techniques such as forecasting, predictive modelling, clustering and optimisation while having the opportunity to apply your decision-making skills to real-life business and management scenarios. With the support of leading researchers in this constantly shifting landscape, you’ll also gain an understanding of research methods and consultancy.

A range of optional modules allows you to gain specialist knowledge that suits your interests or career plans.

The course culminates in a dissertation or project, enabling you to apply your learning to a topic of your choice. This is an opportunity to explore the very latest insights with the support of an academic supervisor who shares your passion and interest.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Business Analytics and Decision Sciences MSc in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Learning and teaching

You’ll be taught using a range of methods including lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops. The rest of your time will be spent in independent learning, which allows you to develop your skills in research and analysis.

Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your programme and modules.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Assessment methods emphasise not just knowledge, but essential skills development too. This may include formal exams, group projects, reports, computer simulation exercises, essays and written assignments, group and individual presentations and reflective logs.

This diversity enables you to develop a broad range of skills as preparation for professional life.

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a related subject. Must have a sound grounding in quantitative subjects, typically through some university-level study in subjects such as statistics, management science, computer science or mathematics.

International equivalents

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Business Management and Enterprise (6 weeks) and Language for Business: Business Management and Enterprise (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. You could study a part-time online course starting in January, or a full-time course in summer. Find out more about online pre-sessionals.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Application deadline:

We operate a staged admissions process for this course with selection deadlines throughout the year.

If you do not receive an offer in a particular round, you will either be notified that your application has been unsuccessful, or we will carry your application forward to be considered in the next round.

Please see our How to Apply page for full details and the application deadlines for each stage.

Apply

Documents and information you’ll need

• A copy of your degree certificate and transcript, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying
• Two academic references
• A personal statement
• An up-to-date CV
• Your approved English Language test* (if applicable)
• A letter of sponsorship, if you need one.

* Applicants who have not yet completed an approved English language test may apply for a Masters course prior to taking a test.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023

Fees

• UK: £15,250 (total)
• International: £27,500 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.

Scholarships and financial support

We’re offering 50 Business School Excellence Scholarships to UK and International students starting one of our Masters courses in 2023. These scholarships offer a 50% fee reduction and will be awarded to particularly deserving applicants who demonstrate excellent academic, professional and personal achievements.

You do not have to submit a separate application for our Excellence Scholarships - you will be automatically considered when your course application is reviewed.

International Excellence Scholarships (International applicants)

Masters Excellence Scholarships (UK applicants)

Read more about Masters Funding and Scholarships.

Graduates of the MSc Business Analytics and Decision Sciences can expect to have the quantitative skills to analyse complex business information and use the resulting intelligence to inform business decisions.

You will be ideally placed to pursue a career in analytics and decision-making, general and specialist management roles in a range of industries, or as a business or market analyst. Our recent graduates are now working in roles such as a business analyst at eBay, data analyst at Amazon, head of information at an NHS trust, business analyst at Transport for London, operational researcher with The Home Office, business analyst at Capital One, data and analytics consultant at KPMG, operational research analyst for the Department of Health and advisor in business intelligence for Dell International LLC.

Employers in both private and public sectors are actively seeking graduates with these skills, and trends show that the career opportunities are fast increasing.

Demand for experts in business analytics is growing rapidly and the University of Leeds is at the forefront of developments in this area.

Links with industry

Students on this course engage with senior leaders from the world of business as part of our Leaders in Residence initiative. Successful and established business professionals will share their experience at speaker events and guest lectures to help you connect the theory of your course to real world practice.

Careers support

As part of this course, our dedicated Professional Development Tutor will provide tailored academic and careers support to help you achieve your career ambitions.

You can expect expert advice and guidance on your career choices, help in identifying and applying for jobs, support to boost your employability, as well as one-to-one coaching on developing the professional skills you will need to start a successful career, and how to evidence these to prospective employers.

You’ll also benefit from the University’s award-winning Careers Centre, where you can access range of support to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions, even after you graduate.

Read more about our careers and professional development support.