MSc Data Science and Business Analytics

• Programme overview

• During your MSc year, you take five core modules, one optional module 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 and SQL 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 an optional module to suit your interests and career aspirations.

  Core modules

  • Software Development and Databases (COMP5000)

    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 database model.

  • Modelling and Analytics for Data Science (MATH501)

    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.

  • Big Data and Social Network Visualization (MATH513)

    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.

  • Contemporary Issues in Data Science (MATH514)

    This module utilises acknowledged experts to teach students about 'hot topics' in their field of data science. The content of this module will be dynamic and will evolve to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in data science. Current indicative content might include social media analytics, financial technologies, health data science, risk analytics and data science for sustainable development, for example.

  • MSc Dissertation and Research Skills (PROJ518)

    You will develop a methodical approach to research that helps propose research projects that are practically realistic and academically worthwhile. A substantial project will be planned and carried out using ethically suitable quantitative and qualitative research methods. The project will be reported through a high quality, scholarly and professional write-up, either as a formal dissertation or journal paper.

  • Business Analytics (MATH525)

    This module provides insight into business data analytical processes and how they can direct informed decision making in Finance and Business Applications. The module provides students with the ability to make good decisions based on business data. It introduces data sources and methods of analysis that can be applied to solve complex business decisions and guide business strategy.

  Optional modules

  • International Finance (ACF7003)

    This module will provide you with a wide perspective on international finance and how this relates to foreign exchange markets, derivatives markets and international parity theories. You will also undertake a thorough examination of managing currency risks with modern instruments of hedging.

  • Analysis of Financial Statements (ACF7004)

    This module will provide you with a broad overview of the financial reporting environment in which companies operate. You will be introduced to the analytical tools, which can be used to assess and compare companies within specific sectors. The concept of corporate governance and its impact on companies’ results and reputation will also be examined.

  • Social Media Theory and Practice (MKT7004)

    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.

  • Current Issues in International Business (STO7002)

    This module provides you with the opportunity to examine a range of contemporary issues within the context of International Business. The module adopts a cross-disciplinary approach, enabling discussion and debate within a range of stakeholder perspectives.

  • Operations and Project Management (STO7006)

    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. The module provides insights and practical knowledge through the acquisition and application of tools to enable students to lead successful operations and projects.

  • Hacking for MoD (COMP5015)

    An interdisciplinary and entrepreneurial module that provides students the opportunity to work with the Ministry of Defence and Intelligence Community to address the UK's emerging threats and challenges. It is an applied one that sees students form groups of teams that engage directly with complex, real world problems proposed by UK government sponsors.

  • International Business Strategy for Competitive Advantage (STO7012)

    Using case studies, you will focus on some of the strategies that have been most successful in achieving international competitive advantage.

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