Data and Decision Analytics (Online Learning) MSc Level: Postgraduate taught Subject: Business, Management and Finance Year of entry: 2026 Study options Mode of study Online learning Part-time MSc | 24 months | Start date: September 2026 Key facts School Business School College College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Programme website Masters in Data and Decision Analytics (Online) Accreditation Not available Apply now 15 October: Postgraduate Online Learning Essentials Find out what it’s like to study online at Edinburgh, with insights into learning, community and the support available to online postgraduate students. Register now Open Days on Demand Dive into an extensive selection of programme-specific session recordings hosted by our Academic and Professional Services staff. Watch the recordings Overview About the degree programme In the age of Big Data, organisations are looking for people who can confidently carry out data analysis and translate data into effective decision-making. Our part-time, online Masters programme in Data and Decision Analytics teaches students how to apply cutting-edge business analytics and computing tools to make data-driven decisions in a plethora of business areas. During your studies, you will experience a mix of live online sessions and flexible online learning activities, combining academic study with practical experience. Study options This programme is delivered part-time and takes 24 months to complete, with start dates in September each year. Programme benefits The University of Edinburgh has been delivering online degrees since 2005, with more than 11,000 graduates from over 180 countries.We are experts in online learning and have a strong track record of providing the best experience possible, working closely with academic teams to design a fully online degree that works well for both the educators and our students. The programme's rigorous curriculum provided me with a solid foundation in statistical analysis, machine learning and data visualisation techniques, and I’ve been able to apply these skills in my current role. Lahiru Alahakoon MSc Data and Decision Analytics, graduated 2025 Meet our Masters of Change Our alumni share career stories, course highlights and how their time at the Business School shaped both their career and personal life. More alumni stories Fees, costs and funding Tuition fees Tuition fees by award and duration Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year. Part-time MSc Data and Decision Analytics (24 months) tuition fees Graduate discount If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.Find out how to receive your graduate discount Deposit If you receive an offer of admission, either unconditional or conditional, you will be asked to pay some of your tuition fees in advance as a deposit.The deposit for this programme is £2,500.You will need to pay this deposit within 28 days of receiving your unconditional or conditional offer of admission. Costs Additional programme costs When budgeting you will need to consider potential additional costs. As this is an online programme, you will also require, and need to budget for, relevant IT equipment and broadband internet in order to pursue your studies. More information on additional costs Funding opportunities Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:borrowing moneytaking out a loanfamily supportpersonal savingsincome from workemployer sponsorshipscholarshipsExplore sources of funding for postgraduate study Search for other funding opportunities You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site. Scholarship search tool Entry requirements These entry requirements are for the 2026/27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027/28 academic year will be published on 01 July 2026. Qualifications Entrance to our MSc programmes is strongly competitive. You can increase your chances of a successful application by exceeding the minimum programme requirements.Important points to note when applying for this programme A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent in an area related to management science, operational research, statistics, econometrics, mathematics, physics, computer science, engineering, or business and management with mathematical-related courses.Your background should ideally include courses and/or experience gained in basic mathematics, such as standard concepts of calculus and linear algebra, probability, statistics, and/or computer programming.If you have a UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent in an unrelated subject we may consider your application if you have relevant work experience.All students are recommended to have their own laptop for this programme. International qualifications To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list. Where you studied - Select a country or region -AfghanistanAlbaniaAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLithuaniaLuxembourgMacau-SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMoldovaMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPacific IslandsPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTogoTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanZambiaZimbabweMy country or region is not listed English language requirements You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:an English language testa degree that was taught and assessed in Englishcertain professional qualifications English language tests we accept We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher: IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component. Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components. Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 6 in each component. Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 135 in each component. How old your English language tests can be Tests no more than two years oldThe following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:IELTS AcademicTOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)Trinity ISEOxford ELLTOxford Test of English AdvancedTests no more than three and a half years oldAll other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality. Degrees taught and assessed in English We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.UKVI list of majority English speaking countriesWe also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).Approved universities in non-MESCHow old your degree can beIf you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country. Find out more about our English language requirements Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.English language requirements Programme details What you will study The MSc Data and Decision Analytics will provide you with the opportunity to explore predictive and prescriptive analytics, and access state-of-the-art electives that will enable you to use the most innovative and efficient methods to solve data and decision analytics problems.Data and Decision Analytics study overview Compulsory courses In year 1 of the programme, you study compulsory courses. These are the foundation upon which the whole Masters programme is built and ensure a common basis of knowledge across the different areas.Data and Decision Analytics programme structure Option courses In year 2 of the programme, through the selection of various option courses, you can tailor your studies towards your career interests. Find courses for this programme Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed. The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme. Part-time MSc Data and Decision Analytics (24 months) (2025-2026) We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative. Disclaimer Detailed programme information for 2026/27 will be published in Spring 2027. Teaching and assessment Assessment Assessments will consist of coursework. You will be required to submit your projects and essays through Learn and Turnitin, and feedback will be provided through the same system. In year 2 of the programme, your MSc dissertation brings all of your learning together in a piece of work unique to you. Learning outcomes We believe that by the end of this programme, you will be able to make use of state-of-the-art machine learning methods to predict and understand data behaviours.Data and Decision Analytics learning outcomes Support for your studies You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need. How we support you Our academic staff The University of Edinburgh Business School has over 157 academic staff members from across the globe. Their research explores some of the most pressing problems facing society, proposing innovative and evidence-based solutions.During your postgraduate studies you will work closely with faculty members, benefiting from their knowledge, experience, and commitment to high-quality teaching. Our researchers' partnerships with national and international collaborators further enriches your learning.Meet our faculty Online learning How online learning works This degree programme is taught entirely online. There is no need to come to the city or University campus. All learning and teaching takes place within our virtual learning environment (VLE). Through the VLE, you can: access all your learning materials and study resources, including e-books and library resourcesinteract with your tutors and classmates An online degree from the University of Edinburgh is academically equivalent to an on-campus postgraduate degree and involves the same level of work overall. The qualification you get is of equal value. Your degree certificate will not mention that you studied the programme online. Time commitment This programme is designed to be fully flexible to fit around your schedule. You can study in your own time and access all your learning resources, such as reading lists, discussion forms and slides from anywhere in the world. If there are live online sessions, you can watch a recording later in the virtual learning environment at a time convenient to you. Typically, you will need to dedicate around 10 to 20 hours per week to your programme although managing this is up to you. This may also vary from course to course, and the time commitment may increase when assignments are due. See 'Find courses' in Programme details for more information about study time commitment Equipment and software needs To study this online programme, you will need access to: a computer or laptop the internet the latest version of a web browser As an online student, you will have access to a range of software you can download to help you complete your coursework, including Microsoft Office 365. IT support is available if you have technical difficulties. IT and computing help Support for online students As an online student, you will have access to a range of support services throughout your time at university if you need them.These support services include:academic support servicesebooks and ejournals within the librarythe disability and learning support serviceEnglish language supportskills development courses on LinkedIn Learningemail-based sessions delivered by the Counselling Servicesupport for students who are parents Our online students not only have access to Edinburgh’s excellent resources, but also become part of a supportive online community, bringing together students from around the world. Careers and further study Accreditation Not only is the University of Edinburgh Business School part of a world renowned University, but it is also accredited by the three most influential business accreditation bodies: the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)the EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)the Association of MBAs (AMBA).This triple accreditation highlights the quality of teaching and excellence of research at the Business School. Career opportunities We expect the programme to open a range of career pathways in analytics for our graduates or to allow them to progress further within their existing career. These might include roles such as:Analytics associatesBusiness analystsData scientistsOperational research consultantsSolution architects Graduate profiles Citra Dini Yatie Degree: MSc Data and Decision Analytics Year of graduation: 2025 Current work: Senior Manager, PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia My MSc enables me to innovate and initiate progress. Read Citra's story Careers Service Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your wider student experience at the University, providing:tailored adviceindividual guidance and personal assistanceinternships and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)access to the experience of our worldwide alumni networkWe invest in your future beyond the end of your degree. Studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success, whatever shape that takes.Careers Service Student Development Team Transitioning into a future career after achieving a degree is a priority for our students. Our dedicated Student Development team will be an integral part of your student experience, helping you maximise your potential in the global market. Data and Decision Analytics career development Applying How to apply Applications are only accepted via our online application portal. By applying online, you will be redirected to the relevant page on the University site where you can begin the process.Data and Decision Analytics application guidelines If you are considering applying to more than one programme, you should be aware that we cannot consider more than 5 applications from the same applicant. When to apply Programme start date Application deadline There is no EUCLID data available for this programme. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible so that we have enough time to process your application. This is particularly important if you are also applying for funding. Application fee There is no fee to apply to this programme. What you need to apply As part of your online application, you will need to provide: a personal statementdetails of relevant knowledge/training skillsYou will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:copies of your degree certificates and academic transcripts that confirm your current or final marksreferencesevidence you meet the English language requirementscertified translations if your original documents are not in EnglishWhen you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide. Apply Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for. Select programme - Select a programme -MSc Data and Decision Analytics (24 months) After you apply Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.Checking the status of your applicationWe will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.Receiving our decisionWhat to do if you receive an offer:Receiving an offerAccepting an offerSubmitting supporting documents Contact General enquiries Enquiry Management Team futurestudents@ed.ac.uk Academic contact For academic programme and course-specific questions, contact the Programme Director. Douglas Alem Programme Director Contact details Email: Douglas.Alem@ed.ac.uk
