Business Analytics

MSc

  • Entry year 2026
  • 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)

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

This programme 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.

Develop essential skills for success

Our MSc Business Analytics covers a combination of technical skills, critical thinking skills and soft skills.

You will enhance your programming in both R and Python, the two most popular languages in the areas of machine learning, statistics and data mining.

You will strengthen your skills in statistics, data analytics and visualisation. You will improve your problem structuring and problem solving. You will also hone your presentation, negotiation, and leadership skills.

All these skills enable you to develop the competence and confidence to contribute to the grand challenges faced by organisations.

Industry-relevant and real-world application

We have excellent partnerships with business analytics practitioners working in industry. We constantly update this programme to reflect the dynamically changing landscape of business analytics. We place a very strong emphasis on giving you skills that are valuable in the job market. You can complete an analytics project that solves a real-life problem as part of the programme.

A legacy of analytics excellence

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 the Department of Management Science. 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 expertise in logistics and supply chain analytics, healthcare analytics, sports analytics, network analytics, marketing analytics and pricing analytics.

Course accreditation

International Institute of Forecasters logo

Successful MSc Business Analytics graduates who are supervised by the members of the Centre for Marketing Analytics and Forecasting for their dissertations have the chance of being awarded the IIF Certificate in Forecasting Practice, which entitles them to use the credential "IIF Certified Forecaster". To be eligible for this certification, students will need to have achieved at least 60% in the required modules and pay a small fee to the IIF. One top-performing student will receive the certification for free.

Learn more about the International Institute of Forecasters accreditation

Careers

A Business Analytics degree can be widely applied across the business world. Our graduates go on to work for a wide range of companies, large and small, around the world, in a variety of roles.

Recent graduate destinations include:

  • Virgin Atlantic
  • Avanti West Coast
  • EY
  • Amazon
  • NielsenIQ
  • NHS
  • Asda
  • Perch Group
  • Ascertia
  • ITV
  • Sainsbury’s
  • Serco.

The roles our graduates have taken on include:

  • Data Scientist
  • Business Analyst
  • Insights Analyst
  • Account Executive
  • Financial Analyst
  • eCommerce Data Analyst
  • Customer Analyst
  • Strategy Analyst
  • Product Analyst
  • Fraud Specialist
  • Business Intelligence Developer
  • Business Consultant
  • Credit Analyst

With data-driven decision-making now central to business success, the demand for professionals skilled in business analytics is rapidly rising across industries. MSc Business Analytics graduates are equipped with a powerful blend of analytical, technical, and strategic skills, enabling them to transform data into actionable insights. This makes them highly valuable in sectors such as finance, healthcare, retail, technology, and consulting. As organisations continue to invest in data capabilities, MSc Business Analytics graduates are exceptionally well-positioned to drive innovation and shape strategic decisions in an evolving business landscape.

Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) is consistently ranked among the top business schools in the UK and globally, and students benefit from access to its dedicated careers support team, employer networking events, and a strong alumni network. The LUMS Careers Team offers mock interviews, CV reviews, and career planning sessions, helping students identify and pursue their ideal roles.

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 INTO Lancaster University for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Course structure

Detailed module information for this postgraduate programme will follow shortly. However, if you have any questions please contact the department.

Fees and funding

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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.

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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. Find out more about our Charter and student policies.