MSc Data Science and Business Analytics

You are in a prime position to pursue a wide variety of prestigious and extremely well-rewarded positions, which include, but are not restricted to: data analyst and data manager, research and business analyst, social media and business strategist, data scientist and data engineer.

• Equips applicants from all undergraduate degrees with broad professional competence in one of the world economy’s most sought-after postgraduate subject areas.
  
• Offers an equal number of taught credits in the three areas of analytics, computer science and business, with a wide choice of available business modules.
  
• Provides a flexible individual project in one or more of the three taught areas supervised by world-leading subject experts.
  
• Establishes high proficiency in the use and application of state-ofthe-art programming languages including R, Python, C#, SQL and NoSQL.
  
• Benefits from easy access to cutting-edge specialist labs and next-generation software and hardware on a single campus. You may access facilities such as our NVIDIA seed-funded GPU Research Centre and our High-Performance Computing Centre.
  
• Develops modern analytics expertise for obtaining business, scientific and social insights from big data sources and social media such as Twitter.
  
• Enjoy research-led teaching from leading academics with world-renowned expertise in data science, data analytics, statistics, computer science and business.
• Offers a range of general and merit-based postgraduate scholarships for local and international students.
  

• Programme overview

• During your MSc year, you take four core modules, two optional modules depending upon your interests, and complete a masters-level project over
  the summer. Student projects can be on data analytics, computing or business and can be a multidisciplinary mix of these areas. Throughout the programme you learn how to master sophisticated analytics techniques and professional software, including R tidyverse, Python, C# and QL/NoSQL databases, to handle and exploit big data, and to work as part of a project team. You also develop practical and professional competence in data science and business analytics, and learn to make strategic decisions in a broad range of business related practical situations. 

  In semester two you select optional modules to suit your interests and career aspirations.
  

  Core modules

  • ISAD517 Non-Relational Databases in a Big Data Environment

    The module provides an introduction to current and emerging practices for dealing with big data and large-scale database systems used by many social networking services. Students will analyse semi-structured datasets and choose appropriate storage structures for them. Two representatives of recent non-relational trends are presented, namely, graph-oriented (Neo4j) and document-oriented (MongoDB) databases, while Python scripts are used to pre- and post-process data.

  • MATH501 Modelling and Analytics for Data Science

    This module gives students an understanding of modelling and analytics techniques for Data Science. It supplies modern data modelling tool boxes for making strategic decisions in a broad range of Business related practical situations. It offers a hands-on introduction to Bayesian inference and machine learning. It provides additional practice in making professional presentations.

  • MATH513 Big Data and Social Network Visualization

    Sophisticated analytics techniques are needed to visualize today's increasing quantities of Big Data. Up-to-date R tools including dplyr for data manipulation, ggplot2 for visualization, and knitr/LaTeX for document presentation are studied. These are applied to database interrogation, social network visualization and sentiment analysis. The module provides considerable experience of writing professionally documented R code using RStudio.

  • PROJ516 MSc Project

    The student will complete a research or developmental project of their choosing (from a Project Catalogue, or self-proposed), and communicate their motivation, methodology, and conclusions through a formal dissertation. The project will build on their area of previous expertise.

  • SOFT562 Software Development and Databases

    This module will provide knowledge and skills in software development and database design. It will cover computational problem solving, abstraction and problem decomposition. The module will enable students to identify appropriate system requirements related to the relational model and to create advanced queries using SQL. The module will include structured programming and object oriented and event-based methodologies.

  Optional modules

  • ACF703 International Finance

    This module provides a wide perspective on international finance and how this relates to foreign exchange markets, derivatives markets and international parity theories. It also offers a thorough treatment of managing currency risks with modern instruments of hedging.

  • ACF705 Financial Statement Analysis

    This module provides the student with a broad overview of the financial reporting environment in which companies operate. It introduces the analytical tools which can be used to assess and compare companies within specific sectors. It also introduces the concept of corporate governance and its impact on companies, results and reputation.

  • MKT704 Branding and Marketing Communications

    The module analyses the key elements of the marketing communications, mix, and outlines and assesses their role and significance in developing and maintaining brands. The main themes of customer-based brand equity, brand positioning, managing brand elements, using integrated marketing communications to build brand equity and secondary brand associations are introduced and critically appraised through reference to contemporary journal academic literature.

  • MKT718 Social Media Theory

    This module exposes students to key concepts and theories relating to online communities and social networking. The module will provide the academic and conceptual basis for the development of effective social media engagement strategies such as, social media user behaviour, online community and personalisation.

  • STO702 Global Supply Chain Management

    One of the sweeping changes in the current global economy is global supply chain management (SCM). Effective management of global supply chains can take the advantages of not only global market but also global resources, to provide supply chains with formidable competitiveness. However, global SCM faces unprecedented challenges and can be more vulnerable because of their geographically long distance, high uncertainty and more sources of risks. This module will provide students with comprehensive knowledge in managing global supply chains, develop students, skills in analysing decisions related to global issues in SCM, and equip students with state-of-the-art technologies to move towards modern, professional and forward thinking supply chain specialists.

  • STO703 International Strategic Management

    This module focuses on the organisational structures and strategies appropriate to successful business management in a variety of different sectors and countries. It provides student with the opportunity to compare and contrast the practice of international strategic management in different business sectors, and within different cultural and economic contexts. The focus is on the managerial implications of a changing global business environment, the opportunities and threats of emerging economies and the impact this is having on dominant business management paradigms, structures and strategies.

  • STO704 Operations and Project Management

    This module will focus on the key challenges facing Operations and Project Managers. It will examine key topics such as the management of processes, quality improvement, capacity and demand management, project planning, resource scheduling and risk management, along with communication, organisation and leadership practices.

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest programme structure and may be subject to change:

MSc Data Science and Business Analytics programme specification 5764

A 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent, in any relevant discipline.

English language requirements

If English is not your mother tongue 6.5 IELTS with a minimum of 5.5 in any element in a secure English language test.

Plymouth University offers pre-sessional English language courses if you do not have this.

Prior knowledge of data analysis or statistics and/or work experience are not necessary.

When to apply

This programme starts in September. Applications can be made throughout the year, and we encourage you to contact the Programme Manager, Dr Luciana Dalla Valle, to discuss the programme.

Before you apply

• evidence of qualifications (degree certificates or transcripts), with translations if not in English, to show that you meet, or expect to meet the entry requirements
  
• evidence of English language proficiency, if English is not your first language
  
• a personal statement of approximately 250-400 words about the reasons for your interest in the course and outlining the nature of previous and current related experience. You can write this into the online application form, or include it as a separate document
  
• your curriculum vitae or résumé, including details of relevant professional/voluntary experience, professional registration/s and visa status for overseas workers
  
• proof of sponsorship, if applicable.
  

Disability services

If you have a disability and would like further information about the support provided by University of Plymouth, please visit our Disability Services website.

International students

Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email international-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Submitting an application

Once you are happy that you have all of the information required you can apply using our online postgraduate application form (the blue 'Apply now' icon on this page).

What happens after I apply?

You will normally receive a decision on your application within four weeks of us receiving your application. You may be asked to provide additional information; two academic/professional references, confirming your suitability for the course; or to take part in an interview (which in the case of overseas students may be by telephone or video conference) and you will be sent a decision by letter or email.

We aim to make the application procedure as simple and efficient as possible. Our Admissions and Course Enquiries team is on hand to offer help and can put you in touch with the appropriate faculty if you wish to discuss any programme in detail.

If you would like any further information please contact the Admissions and Course Enquiries team:

Telephone: +44 (0)1752 585858
Email: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk 

Admissions policy

More information and advice for applicants can be referenced by downloading our Student Admissions Policy Prospective students are advised to read the policy before making an application to the University.