Business Analytics

Entry requirements

The MSc in Business Analytics programme is designed for graduates from either a business background (with evidence of strong quantitative content) or a tech background (including numerate scientific disciplines with strong computational content). You will need a UK first or upper second class honours degree or international equivalent. in one of the following:

• Business
• Computer science
• Related subject with strong quantitative component.

Please note: The application process will open 1 October for entry the following academic year.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Our MSc in Business Analytics will equip you with the skills and knowledge to harness AI-driven analytics for gaining competitive business insights from big data.

With businesses increasingly relying on Artificial Intelligence and advanced analytics to understand and predict customer behaviour, optimise internal processes, and manage suppliers effectively, this programme prepares you to navigate and lead in this data-driven world. In a supportive, research-led learning environment, you will explore the complexities of big data, machine learning, and natural language processing, applying cutting-edge AI techniques to extract key insights and drive strategic decision-making.

You will benefit from the programme’s strong international connections and gain hands-on experience with AI-powered analytics on the International Field Trip.

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to engage with industry leaders and renowned scholars through Business School presentations, featuring major global multinationals and leading academic experts.

Delivered full-time over one year, the programme is a collaboration between the Business School and the Department of Computer Science, leveraging expertise from both fields to provide a well-rounded education in AI-driven business analytics.

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. Ranked 11th out of 117 universities in the Complete University Guide 2026, the Department delivers high-quality teaching and research and offers a friendly and inclusive place to study and work for all.

World class Business Education

50th in the World - QS Global Business Masters Rankings 2026: Business Analytics

Your programme

Your MSc Business Analytics programmes consists of a set of core modules beginning with an in-depth understanding and introduction to Business Analytics, through to modules that will provide you with an appreciation of, and the ability to apply, a range of predictive and prescriptive business-analytics techniques. A highlight of the programme is the International Field Trip, with the programme culminating in the Business Analytics Project.

Practitioner insights: Guest Speaker Programme

As part of the programme, you will be encouraged to attend presentations by leading academics and professionals who are specialists in your particular area of interest. Combining critical and progressive thinking with practical insight, past speakers have included representatives of major global multinationals and leading scholars, combining critical and progressive thinking with practical insights.

Course structure

Year 1 modules

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. You'll also explore, strategy formulation and implementation under conditions of changing political, economic, sociocultural, and technological conditions, industry competition and firm resources. The module will also provide you with an appreciation of specialist techniques to aid analysis of the competitive and contextual environment.

Data Analytics in Action

in explores key analytical and machine learning techniques used in business analytics. You will gain practical experience in applying AI-driven models and data visualisation methods using the appropriate tools.

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. Crucially, you will also learn about the ethical and security implications in managing such data-driven innovations.

Natural Language Analysis

introduces cutting-edge techniques for automated text analysis, focusing on data preparation for machine learning, advanced NLP methods, and their applications in business analytics. You will explore generative models, sentiment analysis, and large-scale text analytics to extract insights from unstructured data.

Retail Analytics

enables you to understand the role of data in the decision-making process undertaken by management in the retail and distribution industries. You will cover topics such as retail management, communication and customer relationship management and the data requirements for market segmentation.

Data Analytics for Strategic Decision-Making

provides an appreciation of, and the ability to apply a range of predictive and prescriptive business-analytics techniques. The module will also enable you to implement those predictive and prescriptive business-analytics models using appropriate software, whilst showing how business analytics can help companies make better decisions - storytelling with data to promote data-driven decision-making.

Data Analytics in Action - International Field Trip

With travel and accommodation costs fully funded by the University*, the International Field Trip aims to provide you with the experiential learning needed to acquire an inside perspective of operating globally. You will visit a series of data-intensive participating organisations, where you will analyse each organisation using a structured learning approach and present your analysis to the representatives of the participating organisations. This activity provides an excellent opportunity to apply your academic learning to a real-world challenge, whilst enhancing your employability through exposure to new cultures and ways of working in international companies.

*Documentation will be provided by the Business School to aid your visa application, however, if you are unsuccessful in obtaining a visa for the field trip, no refund on fees will be provided.

Business Analytics Project

The 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. You will be able to choose a project by either working with a host organisation or by producing an issue-led investigation which is not focused on just one organisation but instead examines a specific business analytics issue. This project will be supervised by a faculty member and is an opportunity for you to develop your insight and present your analysis and ideas in a scholarly and professional manner.

Information for international students

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

Fees and funding

For further information see the course listing.