Business Analytics

MSc

  • Entry year 2025 or 2024
  • Duration Full time 1 year

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • 10

    10th for Master's in Business Analytics (UK)

    QS Business Master's Rankings (2025)

  • 11

    11th for employability in the UK

    QS Business Master's Rankings (2025)

  • 28

    28th for Master's in Business Analytics (Europe)

    QS Business Master's Rankings (2025)

Course overview

We live in a world where analytical decision-making happens every second. Data is collected about everything in order to construct, operate and maintain systems. If you want a career in decision support, operational research, industrial engineering or management science, the MSc Business Analytics is the ideal programme for you.

This course will train you in analytical decision-making. Not only do you learn the theory of business analytics, but also how to apply it in practice. This involves generating relevant business insights using data-driven methodologies and tools. Our programme is one of the few to teach the entire business analytics life cycle, covering descriptive, predictive and prescriptive analytics.

We have excellent partnerships with industry business analytics practitioners. We constantly update this programme to reflect the dynamically changing landscape of business analytics. We place a very high emphasis on creating graduates with skills that are valuable in the job market. For example, you will experience a real-life analytics project as part of your course.

Lancaster University is a pioneer of analytics in the UK and Europe. We were one of the first universities in the UK to establish an Operational Research department, which developed into Business Analytics. For more than 50 years, we have been at the forefront of applying analytics to business in teaching and research.

Our academics are leaders in fields such as forecasting, optimisation, simulation and stochastic modelling. You will learn technical aspects like machine learning and data mining. We also have domain expertise in logistics and supply chain analytics, healthcare analytics, sports analytics, network analytics, marketing analytics and pricing analytics.

Our graduates become business analysts, data scientists, analytics engineers, and logistics consultants, and some also pursue academic research. Many students receive job offers while still studying.

Course content

The MSc in Business Analytics comprises compulsory and optional modules plus a project. The compulsory modules ensure that you have a firm grounding in important subjects. The wide range of optional modules allows you to specialise in subjects that particularly interest you.

During your first term, from October to December, you will study four core modules:

  • Operational Research and Prescriptive Analytics
  • Statistics and Descriptive Analytics
  • Python Programming for Problem Solving
  • Analytics in Practice

The second part of the course runs from January to May and includes the Forecasting and Predictive Analytics module plus three optional modules.

From May to September, you will choose one of the two dissertation modules.

  • Dissertation (Industry)
  • Dissertation (Research)
See the course structure for more information on each module.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

2:2 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in a quantitative discipline such as Mathematics and/or Statistics or Engineering. Businesss and Management degrees with a very strong quantitative component may also be considered. Information Technology and Computer Science degree are only suitable with very strong quantitative content.

Marks should be consistently at 2:2 level throughout your undergraduate studies.

Previous studies need to have included topics such as mathematics, probability, statistics, econometrics, game theory, data analysis, operations research, simulation, and business modelling. Prior study in computer programming is not required.

If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.

Additional requirements

For recent graduates, relevant experience can be an advantage but is not essential. For other applicants, work experience in analytics and/or data modelling is required.Ideally, no more than five years should have elapsed since previous full-time study.

English language requirements

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.

If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.

Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

Pre-master’s programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored pre-master’s pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University master’s degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Course structure

You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

Core

core modules accordion

Optional

optional modules accordion

Fees and funding

Location Full Time (per year) Part Time (per year)
Home £16,270 n/a
International £32,760 n/a

General fees and funding information

Additional fees and funding information accordion

Scholarships and bursaries

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities.

Scheme Based on Amount
Based on {{item.eligibility_basis}} Amount {{item.amount}}

We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important Information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.