Overview
Start date: September 2025
Duration: 12 months full-time
Fees: UK - £24,100 and Overseas - £43,500
Application deadline: Applications are open from 14 October 2024 close as follows - Applicants who require a visa: applications close on 04 April 2025 at 17:00 UK time, Applicants who do not require a visa: applications close on 29 August 2025 at 17:00 UK time.
Entry: Minimum of 2:1 honours or equivalent in a relevant discipline - for contextual offers, head to the Entry Requirements section of the prospectus. International students, please note that UCL’s English language requirement for this programme is a 'Level 2' - further details regarding this can be found at the UCL English Language Requirements page.
Apply to MSc Business Analytics
Programme
The explosion of complexity, data, and technology is disrupting industries and creating new windows of opportunities for organisations, globally.
But understanding the technology alone isn’t enough. These organisations need talented people who can take data, understand it, visualise it, communicate it, and subsequently transform it into a powerful strategic asset, capable of uncovering previously untapped opportunities, reducing costs and inefficiencies, and leading them to high growth.
Join us on this one-year MSc in Business Analytics at the UCL School of Management to put yourself in a strong position for data analytics and leadership roles as you develop the key skills needed to unlock the true value of data and how it is revolutionising areas like strategy, marketing, and operations.
On this programme, you’ll deeply understand the nuances of data, its potential and its limitations, as well as develop the statistical and computational skills to:
- Make effective use of the latest analytics tools and methods
- Frame complex, data-driven business problems
- Analyse data with the right statistical techniques
- Communicate analytics results to senior leadership, business partners, and customers
The UCL Business Analytics programme provides a rigorous, practical foundation in these critical skills and provides a platform for careers with global companies and high-growth businesses tackling world-scale problems allowing you to tap into our partnerships to grow your network and skills further.
Programme structure
On UCL’s Business Analytics MSc programme, you’ll develop a rigorous understanding of how companies use data to make decisions and improve business performance.
This is achieved through a combination of modules designed to explore how data and analytics are transforming key areas of business (such as decision-making, strategy, marketing, and operations), with modules that provide you with the statistical and computational foundations needed to make effective and intuitive use of the latest business analytics tools and platforms.
During the year, you’ll undertake six core modules, and two optional modules, and complete a Consulting Project/Dissertation.
You’ll gain experience in many data analysis techniques, such as computational thinking, validation and testing models, manipulating datasets, regression models, and statistical modelling. Many of your modules will also require the use of leading business analytics tools like Python. You’ll also have the opportunity to apply your learnings through a double-credit-bearing Consulting Project/Dissertation in your third term.
Due to the high calibre of our UCL School of Management graduates, particularly from the MSc Business Analytics programme, if successful, the skills you’ll take away will enable you to find employment in companies ranging from global corporations and consulting firms to high-growth startups in finance, retail, and technology sectors.
In the workplace, you’ll find yourself well-equipped to influence company strategy and decision-making, driving business performance with confidence by transforming data into a powerful strategic asset, steering you towards a successful career trajectory in leadership.
Programme delivery
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and project work. Assessment methods used in the programme include examinations, tests, quizzes, individual coursework, group coursework, presentations and a dissertation project.
You’ll typically study four modules in Term One and four modules in Term Two, of which two are selected from the optional module list. In Term Three, you’ll undertake the supervised dissertation project.
Each taught module is delivered over 10 weeks, with three contact hours per week comprising lecture content and interactive components. Some of the modules may have additional workshop sessions.
In addition to the aforementioned contact hours, spend approximately 7-12 hours a week for each module on assessment and independent study to further develop the skills and knowledge covered in lectures and seminars.
You’ll also be expected to complete a significant amount of independent study beyond tutor-led sessions. The total number of weekly hours will vary according to the weekly activities being undertaken.
Modules and terms
Term One
You’ll take the following four core modules in Term One:
This provides a foundation for how companies create value and competitive advantage in complex, innovation-intensive, data-driven environments. It will introduce strategy frameworks for goal setting and performance evaluation, and examine the descriptive, explanatory and predictive nature of data. Ethics, privacy and security considerations will be discussed.
Marketing Analytics addresses how to use data analytics to learn about and market to individual customers. This course examines the premise behind customer-centric marketing, helps you understand the customer lifecycle and customer profitability, and introduces analytical and statistical modelling of customer information.
Underpinning the new analytics that are transforming key areas of business is foundational mathematics. This course will refresh your knowledge of algebra, statistics and calculus before moving onto econometrics with various Bayesian and regression models. It concludes with an introduction to the mathematical basis for supervised and unsupervised approaches to machine learning.
Computational models and concepts for business analytics need to be implemented with tools and technologies. The course will cover computational thinking, experimental methodology, preparing datasets and empirical methods for training, validation and testing models.
Practical sessions will provide a general introduction to programming in Python and look at the standard implementation of useful algorithms.
Term Two
You’ll take the following two core modules in Term Two:
Predictive Analytics will build on the foundational courses in Term 1 to explore techniques from data mining, statistics, modelling and machine learning in greater detail. We will analyse current data to make predictions about future events across a variety of industry use cases with support from companies and practitioners.
This course explores in greater depth how data and analytics can unlock value in these key business areas and build the insight and skills required to define and deliver practical, high-impact business analytics projects that improve business performance.
In addition to the two core modules, you’ll study a choice of two optional modules in Term Two from the indicative list below. These modules are designed to develop practical analytical skills in high demand by potential employers.
Please note that the list is subject to change each year. Optional modules can change for a variety of reasons including but not limited to updated learning outcomes, lack of demand, and resourcing. For questions about optional modules, please contact us via email at: mgmt-ba@ucl.ac.uk.
COMP0142 Machine Learning for Domain Specialists
Term Three
Consulting/Dissertation Project
In Term Three, you will undertake a practical consulting project with a range of organisations that have provided a challenging analytical project. Projects require the application of skills learned in terms one and two. The projects have historically required students to work with leading-edge tools and techniques, resulting in a dissertation report of 12,000 words and a 15-minute presentation.
Core modules in Programming for Business Analytics and Predictive Analytics in Terms One and Two respectively, provide a foundation for delivering an analytical solution that flows naturally into the Term Three Consulting Project/Dissertation.
For your dissertation project, you may choose between three distinct types of projects, each offering unique experiences and enhancing future career opportunities.
Type One: Research Projects - Unveiling New Perspectives
These projects focus on exploring problems through traditional research methodologies, drawing upon existing theories, models, and frameworks sourced from published papers and articles.
These projects are intellectually stimulating, pushing you to critically analyse and synthesise existing knowledge to uncover better solutions or novel approaches.
An example of this type of project focused on predicting stock price movements.
Type Two: Technical Projects - Pioneering New Solutions
These projects are focused on applying existing or new technical solutions to problem areas, leveraging advanced tools and techniques to address challenges that even the collaborating organisations may not have the expertise to solve.
An example of this type of project involved predicting machine failure using telemetry.
Type Three: Consultative Projects - Bridging Research and Practice
These projects blend elements of both research and technical application. The projects are driven by a collaborative dialogue between the student and the partnering organisation, focusing on delivering tangible business value.
An example of this type of project involved analysing supporters’ free text responses to understand donor motivations and sentiments towards a charitable cause.
We’ve outlined a more detailed overview of the three types of dissertation projects you can undertake in the MSc Business Analytics programme.
To view information about the modules on this programme, enter the module code (eg MSIN0093) in UCL’s Online Module Catalogue.
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available. Please check this page in Spring 2025 for the exact 2025/26 structure.
Teaching Team
The teaching team brings together people with experience of how companies are evolving their management practices in a complex, interconnected and data-driven world and how they are employing the latest business analytics platforms and tools to make decisions and improve business performance. Module Leads can be found on their relevant module catalogue pages.
The core teaching team includes:
David Alderton, Programme Director
Alastair Moore, Assistant Professor
Anil Doshi, Assistant Professor
Zhenyu Zhang, Assistant Professor
Karima Dyussekeneva, Lecturer (Education)
Wei Miao, Assistant Professor
Course Dates
Full-time (one year):
mid-September 2025 - mid-September 2026
Location
The majority of classes are taught at Level 38 and Level 50, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, which is UCL’s home within London’s global business district. Some optional modules will take place at the Bloomsbury campus, which will also be open to you.
Applications
Student Profile
Our students are, and always have been, selected on the basis of their talent and potential, whatever their personal, social or national background.
UCL was the first English university to admit students regardless of race, class or religion, and the first to admit women students on equal terms with men.
UCL degree programmes require you to think critically and creatively, tackle ambitious projects and develop the leadership and entrepreneurial skills that will stand them in excellent stead for their future lives and careers. Our innovative evolving Business Analytics MSc programme embodies this approach to postgraduate study. You will join an international cohort of students drawn from a wide variety of backgrounds.
Your Application
We are aiming to prepare the next generation of “data native” leaders who can take data and transform it into a powerful strategic asset for any organisation.
The UCL School of Management is highly competitive. When reviewing your application, we would like to understand how the programme could help you achieve your career goals, and what skills you will bring to enrich the classroom. More specifically:
- Why do you want to study Business Analytics at a postgraduate level;
- What particularly attracts you to this programme and to the UCL School of Management;
- How does your academic and professional background meet the demands of this challenging programme;
- What your post-degree aspirations are and how does your success on this programme support them?
The personal statement is an opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver and is a right fit for you. Please use this part of the application to show us your uniqueness, critical thinking, and personality, as well as your academic prowess. We want to see well-rounded individuals who have something more than good grades to bring to the table and are passionate about business, technology, and data.
Apply to MSc Business Analytics
Entry Requirements
We are looking for intellectually curious, self-motivated students who are passionate about business, technology and data.
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Academic Profile: The minimum entrance requirements are an upper second-class (2:1) Bachelor’s degree from a UK university or an overseas equivalent and a strong aptitude for quantitative analysis. Applicants are likely to have studied a range of degrees including business, engineering, computer science, economics, and psychology. International Students may ascertain qualification equivalents from the UCL international students website.
Contextual offers: We normally require an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applicants with lower second-class degrees (i.e. UK 2:2 or the overseas equivalent) may be considered if their application is supported strongly by relevant experience. In exceptional circumstances, we will also consider applicants without higher education qualifications provided they demonstrate a significant track record in this or a related field.
UCL Admissions checks all qualification equivalencies before forwarding application forms to our School. The UCL School of Management is unable to comment on international qualifications.
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Career Aspirations: Focused on helping global companies and high-growth businesses use business analytics to tackle world-scale problems.
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English Language Skills: Applicants whose first language is not English must be able to provide evidence that their spoken and written command of the English language is adequate. UCL’s preferred English language qualification is the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A ‘Level 2’ is required for the Business Analytics: i.e. an overall grade of 7.0, with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the subtests.
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Application Process: Qualifications are assessed only once an application has been submitted. The equivalency of overseas qualifications cannot be assessed unless a full application with all supporting documentation such as degree transcripts, references, etc. has already been submitted to UCL.
Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.
A staged admissions process is in place for this programme. This means that when you apply, your application will be considered with all others that have submitted before the deadline. This enables us to ensure that all applications are considered fairly and equally.
Applications submitted, and considered complete by 9 December 2024 can expect to receive a response on their application by 10 February 2025.
Applications submitted, and considered complete by 21 February 2025 can expect to receive a response on their application by 25 April 2025.
Applications submitted, and considered complete by 18 April 2025 can expect to receive a response on their application by 6 June 2025.
Please note that our 'response' may include being informed that your application is being held for further review against other applicants. All applicants will receive a response no later than 5th June 2025.
Interviews
If you meet the entry requirements and are suitable for the programme, you may be invited for an online interview via Kira Talent. Those invited to interview will have a window of 7 calendar days from receipt of the email to complete the interview. Your failure to complete their interview within this window would lead to an unsuccessful application.
Contact
For further information regarding the Business Analytics MSc please contact the Programme Administrator via: mgmt-ba@ucl.ac.uk. For further queries regarding admissions please see the UCL Postgraduate Admissions Webpage.
Tuition Fees and Scholarships
Tuition Fees
The 2025-2026 fees are UK - £24,100, and Overseas - £43,500. Learn more about tuition fees.
All full-time students are required to pay a fee deposit of 10% of the full tuition fee for this programme (£2,410 for a UK student and £4,350 for an Overseas student).
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships are available through UCL for all years of study. Competition for scholarships is fierce, however, and to stand a chance of being chosen you will need to show evidence of commitment and the potential for high achievement.
Application for scholarships and bursaries must be made either when confirming your place before the start of your studies.
For more information on scholarships and financial support, please visit Funding and Scholarships
Additional Costs
This programme does not have any compulsory additional costs outside of purchasing books or stationery, printing or photocopying.
This programme may include opportunities for students to undertake optional international study trips. The costs of such trips are usually covered by students although some elements may be subsidised or grants available depending on the destination, organisational and support responsibilities. On average, costs would be around £1,000 to £1,750 depending on the trip location, personal flight preferences and spending habits as well as the prevailing exchange rates.
For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.
Why choose us
The Business Analytics MSc at the UCL School of Management is unlike any other degree in the UK. It provides you with an opportunity to develop an in-depth understanding of how companies are transforming data into a powerful strategic asset and a rigorous foundation in the key skills needed to build a successful career in global businesses.
The Business Analytics MSc will help you develop:
- A critical appreciation of data, its potential and limitations, how data can be used to improve business decision-making, and how it can create value and competitive advantage in complex, interconnected, data-driven environments.
- A unique knowledge bank and understanding of relevant statistical and computational techniques and how they can be applied in practice to business analytics problems.
- An understanding of how data and analytics can provide the basis for new business models and new products and services.
- The insights and skills required to frame business analytics problems accurately and clearly, and define and deliver practical, high-impact business analytics projects that improve business performance.
- An understanding of the opportunities that can be unlocked through business analytics in specific management areas such as strategy, marketing, operations, etc.
- An ability to cogently communicate analytics results to a broad range of non-specialist audiences, from business executives and partners to customers.
- A solid knowledge of the contemporary issues, challenges, and breakthroughs impacting business analytics in a global and societal context.
Importantly, you’ll acquire the awareness, background, and skills necessary to become responsible citizens, employees, and leaders who can contribute to tackling some of the world’s most difficult social and economic problems.
The programme is taught by the UCL School of Management, which focuses on creating disruptive research and preparing entrepreneurial leaders for the complex, interconnected world of the future. As the Business School of UCL, a university currently ranked 9th in the world (QS, 2025), the School of Management holds the 2nd place for business and management research in the UK, with 95% of our research outputs rated by REF (2021) as “world-leading & internationally excellent”.
With a campus located in the iconic One Canada Square, situated in the heart of Canary Wharf, London’s global business and financial hub, you’ll find yourself among professionals across all backgrounds of business, finance, consulting, accounting, and start-ups, with head offices in and around Canary Wharf.
As a UCL student, you’ll also have full access to UCL’s iconic Bloomsbury campus, a district famous for its cultural and educational institutions, situated in the heart of London.
Find yourself on a campus surrounded by the global headquarters of some of the world’s largest and most influential companies, such as HSBC, JP Morgan Chase, Barclays, Citibank, Deloitte, and many others. You’ll also benefit from our extensive industry networks. We have close links with many global companies and high-growth businesses. You can view a full list of our employer connections on the UCL School of Management Careers page.
Careers
Our careers team work with students to enhance their employability, provide tailored individual careers support and facilitate connections with employers globally. Please visit our Careers page for further information.
UCL is consistently ranked as one of the world’s very best universities and employers are keen to meet our students to discuss the opportunities they offer. In addition to the bespoke activities within the School of Management, you also have access to the central UCL Careers provision.
The UCL School of Management postgraduate students benefit from dedicated career support via our experienced team of Careers Consultants and Employer Engagement Professionals. This support can be categorised into three main areas:
1. The Careers and Professional Development Programme
These are a suite of in-person and online Career Electives throughout the year spanning three streams (Explore Your Options/ Find Opportunities/ Prepare to Apply) and key sector preferences for students.
During your time on the programme, you are strongly encouraged to attend a minimum of four Careers Electives in the autumn and spring terms, in line with your personal career journey.
2. One-to-one Support with our Career Consultants
All students are strongly advised to book a 1:1 appointment in the first eight weeks of term to discuss how to make the most of your year ahead and support with CVs, applications, interviews, and assessments.
3. Online Resources
These include:
- Access to AI CV checking software VMock
- Prepare and practice video interviews via InterviewStream
- Interactive interview courses via eCareersGrad
- Case study coaching and preparation via CaseCoach
- Practice psychometric and aptitude tests via UCL Careers' free online resources
- Careers advice video content via UCL Careers' CareersLab
- Learn the skills, strengths, and qualities employees are looking for via UCL's Careers' Skills Hub
The Graduate Outcomes Survey (graduating classes 2018-2021) shows that 96% of those surveyed (and who are eligible to work or study) secured highly skilled work in a variety of high-skilled companies, or HE-level study within 15 months of graduating from the MSc Business Analytics programme.
The UCL Graduate Outcomes Survey also showed that the top companies graduates went on to secure roles in were:
- Accenture
- Bloomberg
- Burberry
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- Expedia
- HSBC
- IBM
- JP Morgan Chase and Co
- Lloyds Banking Group
- McKinsey and Company
- Moodys
- PwC
- Travelodge
- Visa Europe
- XAI Asset Management
For classes graduating 2018-2021, the top three job titles among Business Analytics graduates were; Data Analysts, Management Consultants and Business Analysts and Programmers and Software Development Professionals.
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FAQs
Those who have studied in English or completed at least 12 months of academic education leading to an awarded qualification in a country that UCL considers to be "majority English-speaking" may not be required to provide further English Language qualification/test results.
More information on our English language requirements can be found on the prospective student pages.