Business Analytics (MSc)

Program Overview

The MSc in Business Analytics program at the University of Galway provides students with the skills and knowledge to manage and develop business analytics within organizations. The program combines lectures, workshops, and hands-on tutorials to equip students with the in-depth knowledge and industry-standard skills to analyze data, extract insights, and transform them into business value. Graduates are prepared for careers as Data Analysts, Business Analysts, and other roles in the growing field of business analytics. The program is designed to meet the demands of the job market and align with Ireland's vision for its future.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MSc in Business Analytics provides students with the skills and knowledge to manage and develop business analytics within organisations. The programme is designed as a specialist course, which assists students in blending their existing talents with the technological skills and business knowledge needed to use and manage big data and business analytics in modern knowledge-based organisations. The programme is a taught Masters programme and consists of lectures, workshops, guest lectures from industry experts, and hands-on technology tutorials. Modules are assessed via continuous assessment, written assignments, applied projects and written examinations.

Programme learning outcomes:

Upon completion of the MSc. Business Analytics, students will have acquired industry-standard skills and in-depth knowledge to:

• Understand and be able to use specific Information Technology (IT) which is used in developing business analytics;
• Analyse and solve business problems using applied data analytics tools and techniques;
• Transform organisations managing data-driven innovations;
• Identify, analyse and solve applied problems in individual and team-based settings;
• Apply effective decision-making to global business problems;

Applications and Selections:

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System.

Requirements and Assessment:

• Semester One exams: December.
• Semester Two exams: April/May.
• A range of assessment methods are integrated and assessed throughout the programme.
These include projects, reports, presentations, and case studies.

Outline:

The MSc Business Analytics consists of 90 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System). All modules are worth 5 ECTS, with the exception MS5103 Business Analytics Project (30 ECTS).

Semester I

• MS805: Database Systems
• MS806: Business Applications Programming
• MS5104: Decision Theory & Analysis
• MS5105: Statistical Techniques for Business Analytics
• MS5107: Business Modelling & Analytics

Elective Modules (a total of 10 ECTS is required)

• MG557: Strategic Management (5 ECTS)
• MS809: Enterprise Systems
• MS810: Information Systems Security & Ethics
• MS810: Advanced Applications Programming
• MS5106: Data Science & Big Data Analytics
• MS5108: Applied Customer Analytics
• MS5103: Business Analytics Project (Group Project)

Career Development & Student Support:

Students are encouraged to actively avail of the career and personal support services that is provided as part of the MSc Business Analytics programme and the wider university.

Workshops tailored for business analytics students include:

• Masterclass talks - Representatives from companies including Pramerica, AIB, An Garda Síochána (Irish police service), and the Analytics Institute of Ireland discussed the benefits/challenges of embedding analytics in an organisation and the importance of management skills.
• Cross-cultural communication skills workshop (Accredited and facilitated by the Irish Council for International Students).
• Navigating graduate recruitment in Ireland.
• CV writing and interview preparation.
• Building a professional online profile using Twitter and LinkedIn.
Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).

Glossary of Terms:

• Credits: You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course.
You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
• Subject: Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together.
Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
• Optional: A module you may choose to study.
• Required: A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
• Required Core Subject: A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
• Semester: Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total.
For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.

Assessment:

• Semester One exams: December.
• Semester Two exams: April/May.
• A range of assessment methods are integrated and assessed throughout the programme.
These include projects, reports, presentations, and case studies.

Careers:

The MSc (Business Analytics) provides students with the skills and knowledge to manage and develop business analytics within organisations. This specialized programme is meticulously designed to equip students with the indispensable skills and knowledge necessary to master the art of managing and developing business analytics within organisations. The programme is tailored to address a critical need identified by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs in Ireland. As per their projections, an astounding 17,000 additional jobs in Business Analytics are anticipated to be created in the country over the coming years. To fill this burgeoning demand, we have crafted a curriculum that delves deep into the intricacies of data analytics, enabling students to become proficient in leveraging data to drive strategic decisions.

Graduate Roles:

• Data Analyst
• Business Analyst
• Credit Risk Analyst
• Computer Analyst
• Operation Specialist
• Global Customer Master Data Analyst
• Supplier Implementation Associate
• Tax Technologist
• Business Modeller
• Senior Business Analyst
• DevOps & Security Consultant
• HR Reporting Administrator

Other:

• The MSc in Business Analytics is firmly rooted in Ireland's National Skills Strategy 2025.
We prioritise providing skills development opportunities that are relevant to the needs of learners, society, and the economy. By doing so, we are not only preparing our students for prosperous careers but also ensuring they are equipped to contribute meaningfully to the overall development and growth of the nation.
• The programme is a taught Masters programme and consists of lectures, workshops, guest lectures from industry experts, and hands-on technology tutorials.
• Modules are assessed via continuous assessment, written assignments, applied projects and written examinations.
• Students are encouraged to actively avail of the career and personal support services that is provided as part of the MSc Business Analytics programme and the wider university.
• Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).

Fees: EU €11,140 p.a. (including levy) 2024/25 Fees: Tuition €11,000 p.a. 2024/25 Fees: Student levy €140 p.a. 2024/25 Fees: Non EU €20,000 p.a. (€20,140 including levy) 2024/25