Business Analytics with Professional Practice - MSc

Structure and exit awards

MSc (250 credits). Alternatively, you may like to consider the MSc Business Analytics (185 credits) route that does not include professional practice and is available both full-time and part-time. Please note that all students will enrol in the full MSc degree initially.

Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching comprises a combination of face-to-face tutor-led seminars, tutorials, case studies, field trips, projects and online directed learning as part of a blended learning approach. The 'capstone' module for the course is either a 'live' project for a client, a business start-up proposal, or a master's research dissertation. Each of these options is intended to draw together elements of the taught course. The dissertation or project will be facilitated, monitored and assessed by tutors within QMU and, where appropriate, by staff within the organisation in which it is undertaken.

Assessment will take a variety of forms, including infographics, dashboards, reports, group and individual presentations. In our assessment methods, we focus on enabling you to demonstrate practical skills alongside theory, making you particularly attractive to potential employers.

Placement

If you choose to undertake the Business Consultancy in Practice module as your capstone project, you will have the opportunity to negotiate with an external client on a piece of ‘live' consultancy work. This course includes a semester-long professional internship, providing valuable industry experience and the opportunity to apply your analytical skills in a real organisational setting.

Teaching hours and attendance

If you are studying full-time, teaching normally takes place over two or three mid-week days, comprising both classroom-based and industry learning. You will also be required to carry out independent learning to support your formal teaching. Your specific timetable will depend on whether you are studying full-time, part-time, or an individual module. Learning time varies across modules. Timetables are normally available approximately one month before you commence your studies.

Delivery pattern

This course runs over four semesters. The information below is intended to show how it is delivered.

September entry (Four Semesters)

• Semester One (Autumn): - Taught Programme (September to December)
• Semester Two (Spring): Taught Programme (January to April)
• Semester Three (Autumn): Internship (September to December)
• Semester Four (Spring): Dissertation (January to May) 

January entry (Four Semesters)

• Semester One (Spring): Taught Programme (January to April)
• Semester Two (Autumn): Taught Programme (September to December)
• Semester Three (Spring): Internship (January to April)
• Semester Four (Autumn): Dissertation (September to January)

Class sizes

There are normally around 20-30 students. Sometimes, you may have lectures with additional students on other courses who are studying the same modules.

Teaching staff

You can read more about the teaching staff on this course at the bottom of this page. Please note that teaching staff is subject to change.

You will study the following modules:

• Data Analytics for Management Decision-Making (15 credits): This module explores the sources of data, how it is collected, processed, and presented, and then continues the data lifecycle by considering how it is used in informed decision-making processes within contemporary enterprises. With so much data noise, how can a business be certain that the data they are using is reliable and valid? How can they then link that to a primary function within management and leadership when making decisions? 
• Statistics and Analytics for Data Visualisation in Business (15 credits): In this module, you will explore data and the questions it can answer. Using existing datasets, you will develop research questions, describe variables and relationships, calculate basic statistics, and present results clearly. You’ll gain a robust quantitative foundation, practical problem-solving techniques, and knowledge in data analysis for business problems. The module covers handling data programmatically without being software engineers, using state-of-the-art software for visualising, investigating, and sharing large datasets, including dealing with missing data, variable groups, and graphs.
• Systems Analytics and Data Architecture (15 credits): This module provides a strategic view of business information systems and their data structures to support analytics and business re-engineering. It covers methods for analysing and designing information systems using object-oriented methods. Students will learn about the system development lifecycle, professional standards, and roles at each stage. The module includes specifying system requirements and using systems analysis and design techniques to solve business information system problems. Additionally, students will apply object-oriented approaches, such as Unified Modelling Language (UML), to develop complex information systems projects.
• Business Forecasting and Data Modelling (15 credits): Business forecasting and data modelling are essential in business analytics. This module covers forecasting, predictive analytics, and data modelling, employing various methodologies to meet evolving business needs. You’ll learn to distinguish true signals from noise, perform forecasting using time-based data, and apply techniques like regression, classification, clustering, Bayesian, and machine learning. Practical exercises will help you solve common business problems and assess the effectiveness of solutions. Ethical considerations and limitations of predictive models are also explored.
• Contemporary Issues in Business and Society (15 credits): This module aims to enable you to develop a well-grounded understanding of the theory and practice of international management and to relate it to events at the global and national levels. Utilising the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a discursive element within the module, the ways in which businesses can positively contribute to achieving these will be critically evaluated. This module also explores what it is to be a master's student so that all students enrolled on the course can access this higher level of postgraduate education in an effective manner. 
• Finance for Management (15 credits): This module develops your critical understanding of essential management accounting and finance topics in a business environment, enabling you to gain a high-level understanding of how financial information informs and supports accurate management decisions. This module is accredited by CIMA.
• Strategic Management (15 credits): This module focuses on assessing what’s important, determining how to get there, and avoiding potential pitfalls. By focusing on long-term, sustainable success, strategic management enables practitioners to avoid the noise of day-to-day operations. The module incorporates strategic concepts, tools and techniques that organisations can employ to assess their environment and resources and make strategic decisions towards long-term success. This is a mandatory module for all Queen Margaret Business School MSc courses. Much of the knowledge and skills developed in this module are transferable and useful in a broad range of management functions.
• Research Methods Problems and Solutions (20 credits): Research has an important role within academic studies but is also a core skill for managers and leaders within contemporary enterprises. This module is designed to develop both theoretical research knowledge and practical insights into the purpose, nature, execution, and value of research approaches and how these can be effectively utilised in the solving of problems in the context of academic knowledge creation or organisational professional practice.
• Professional Practice Internship (60 credits): Upon completion of the taught courses above, you will also undertake an internship in an area where you plan to develop your career. Working with the Internship team, you will source and develop an internship in partnership with both the internship provider and the university. During your internship, you will work towards achieving the learning aims and outcomes you have set, and you will reflect on your experience for your assessment. The internship experience is supported by an academic internship specialist, and a taught programme supports all students through this process. 
• Dissertation (60 credits): In addition to the Internship, you will also complete a 12,000-word Dissertation after the internship programme has been completed. It will enable you to develop, plan, and critically evaluate a piece of research in the relevant degree-subject area, written up as a dissertation. This offers the opportunity to conduct a substantial academic research project around a research topic of your choice.

Graduates of the MSc Business Analytics will be well equipped for a variety of roles, including:

• Business Analyst
• Data Analyst
• Business Insight Manager
• Management Information Systems (MIS) Specialist
• Management Decision Systems (MDS) Specialist
• Business Consultant

If you opt to complete the Business Incubation Programme module, you will work with mentors, QMU’s Startup Studio (and associated 'Bright Red Triangle' package of enterprise support) and our on-campus Business Gateway to develop a new start-up business or social enterprise of your own choice. 

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a UK honours degree or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in an appropriate discipline. We also welcome applicants with an ordinary degree who can show a period of relevant post-graduation work experience in a managerial role.

International: You will be required to provide evidence of English language competence at no less than IELTS 6.5 with no individual component score less than 6.0.

Other information

Fees for this course are calibrated to incorporate all transport and activities on field trips as well as practical classes. View our Fees and Charges page for more information.

Disability/health conditions

If you have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or learning disability, it should not stand in the way of your studying at QMU. However, if you are not sure whether your disability might be a barrier in your studies or in relation to the professional standards, please contact the disability service who will be able to have a conversation with you about reasonable adjustments and supports available to you.

Applying for this course

For more information on applying, or to apply for this course, please follow the links in the 'Start your application' box at the top right of this page.

Application deadline

Home: End of August for September 2027 start and end of December for January 2028 start.

International: 26 July for September 2027 start and end of November for January 2028 start.

Please note applications may close sooner should the course become full.

Contact Max Liang (Programme Leader) or contact Admissions

More information on our forthcoming open events

Students studying on the MSc Business Analytics programme during the period of accreditation are welcome to join the loA as Student members.

As members of the loA, students will join the largest community of analytics and data science professionals of its kind and they will gain recognition for their skills and experience in this discipline. Membership of the loA enables communication and collaboration among analytics & data science professionals and gives access to a range of benefits to support students and professionals throughout their career.

The benefits of membership include:

• Access to the IoA's web portal containing the latest news and educational materials. This includes access to over 350 online training courses via Datacamp, as well as training courses developed by the loA
• Invitations to exclusive, member-only webinars
• Networking opportunities with like-minded professionals through the IoA's annual and regional conferences
• Peer support via their online forum
• Use of the official designation of the loA once Member status has been achieved

Upon the successful completion of their programme, students will be able to upgrade to Associate member status and will be able to apply for Member status sooner than those not studying on an accredited programme.

• The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2027/28 Entry - Terms and Conditions (Postgraduate).
• The information on this page is correct at the time of posting (October 2026) but is subject to change. In the event that modules change, QMU will seek to use reasonable endeavours to ensure that there is no detrimental impact on students. Please keep an eye on this page for updates.