Course summary

Our MSc in Business Analytics will enable you to play a key role in modern business by giving you the skills and knowledge to gain competitive business insight from big data. More reliance than ever before is being placed on analytics to help global businesses understand and predict customer behaviour, monitor their own processes and manage suppliers effectively. In a supportive and research-led learning environment, you will be able to explore this complex world and develop an understanding of the role of big data and apply the relevant analytical tools and techniques in order to gain key insight. You will benefit from the programme's strong international connections and will have the opportunity to experience data analytics in action on the International Field Trip. You will also be invited to attend Business School presentations by representatives of major global multinationals and leading scholars. The programme is delivered full-time over one year and is a collaboration between the Business School and the Department of Computer Science, reflecting the high levels of expertise and knowledge that exists across the two areas. The Business School itself is one of the longest established in the UK with a reputation for academic excellence and state-of-the-art learning facilities. It is also one of an elite group of institutions in the UK to be accredited by all three major business education accreditation bodies: the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).The Department of Computer Science is one of Durham’s newest academic departments, having rapidly grown to be a thriving home for staff, undergraduates, postgraduates, and visitors. Core modules Introduction to Business Analytics will provide you with an in-depth understanding at an advanced level of data structures appropriate to business analytics, how companies attempt different business and corporate strategies to achieve or maintain a competitive advantage. Data Analytics in Action provides an appreciation and understanding of the types of techniques used in business analytics and enables you to apply analytical models and data visualisation using the appropriate software. Learning from Data teaches the concept and provides practical tools in the area of machine learning, in which computer systems improve on the process and outcomes for exploring and interpreting data. Managing Data Driven Innovation introduces you to data-driven Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and outlines the theories behind such technologies as well as the challenges organisations face in using them. Natural Language Analysis provides you with an introduction to the cutting-edge techniques for automated analysis of text-based data and their applications, with a focus on preparation of such data for machine learning, advanced machine learning techniques for natural language analysis and the application of natural language analysis techniques within business analytics such as sentiment analysis and social media analysis. Retail Analytics enables you to understand the role of data in the decision-making process undertaken by management in the retail and distribution industries. Data Analytics for Strategic Decision-Making provides an appreciation of, and the ability to apply range of predictive and prescriptive business-analytics techniques. Data Analytics in Action - International Field Trip With travel and accommodation costs fully funded* by the University, your field trip will expose you to new cultures and ways of working. Business Analytics Project requires you to conduct an in-depth investigation into an issue which is applicable and relevant to business analytics, and which will be underpinned by business analytics approach, methods and techniques covered in the other modules.