Business Analytics MSc Level: Postgraduate taught Subject: Business, Management and Finance Year of entry: 2026 Study options Mode of study On campus Full-time MSc | 1 year | Start date: September 2026 Key facts School Business School College College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Programme website Masters in Business Analytics Study location Central Area Accreditation Not available Apply now 19 to 21 November 2025: Postgraduate Virtual Open Days Join us live to explore postgraduate taught and research study at Edinburgh and gain key insights before you apply. Register now Overview About the degree programme In the age of Big Data, organisations hold more information about their business environments than ever before. There is growing demand for employees who can anaylse data to gain insights and out-think competitors. Our full-time Masters programme in Business Analytics will help you develop the analytical skills needed to make informed decisions that drive organisational success. During your studies, you will enhance your understanding by combining theoretical knowledge with practical application. Study options This programme runs for one academic year, starting in mid-September and ending in August. Programme rankings 25th in the QS Business Analytics Master's Rankings (2025)34th in the QS Global University Rankings (2026) Programme benefits The University of Edinburgh is 34th in the 2026 QS World University rankings, offering a degree that is highly-regarded worldwide.The Business School's strong industry links offer practical experience, insights, and networking opportunities.An international community of students, alumni, and faculty will provide you with diverse perspectives and a global network.A dedicated Student Development team will be an integral part of your student experience, helping you develop your employability and maximise your potential in the global market. The Business School placed a strong emphasis on engagement with industry and collaborative, real-world projects that facilitated better connections among students and equipped us to address challenges effectively. This experience significantly influenced both my personal and professional development. It provided me with a solid foundation, enhanced my skills and increased my confidence. Dimitrios Petkidis MSc Business Analytics, graduated 2020 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. Full-time MSc Business Analytics (1 year) 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, including textbooks, dissertation field work, and optional treks. More information on additional costs Accommodation and living costs You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.Living costs include:foodutility billstravel, clothes, books and stationeryrecreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)Living costsAccommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.University postgraduate accommodation options and 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 At the Business School, we are keen to recruit the very best talent from all over the world. To this end, a number of programme-based and School-funded scholarships are available.Programme and School scholarships 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 programmeA 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 a distinct quantitative content.Your background should ideally include courses and/or experience gained in topics such as linear algebra, calculus, probability, statistics, and 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.Work experience is desirable but not mandatory.We strongly recommend that you take a python programming course, such as an online one, before attending the programme.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 in Business Analytics will provide you with the opportunity to develop the computational and analytical skills required by employers to manage increasing amounts of data.Business Analytics study overview Compulsory courses At the start of the programme, you study compulsory courses, which you take in semester one. These are the foundation upon which the whole Masters programme is built and ensure a common basis of knowledge across the different areas.Business Analytics programme structure Option courses 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. Full-time MSc Business Analytics (1 year) (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 2026. Teaching and assessment Teaching Learning will primarily be through:lecturesset readingclass discussionsexercisesgroup-work assignmentsproblem-solving in tutorialscase studies Assessment Assessment methods may include examinations, assignments, presentations or continuous assessment. In your final semester, your MSc dissertation brings all of the year’s 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 recognise, understand and apply the language, theory, and models of the field of business analytics. Alongside this, you will have improved your ability to effectively problem solve.Business 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 Where you will study Study location The University of Edinburgh Business School is ideally located in the heart of Edinburgh's vibrant city centre. As such, our students are well positioned to take advantage of the city’s cultural and social amenities. The balance of buildings, landmarks and green space makes Scotland’s capital an inspiring place to live and learn. For entrepreneurs and Business School students in particular, Edinburgh is one of the best places to be. The city has the second largest financial sector in the UK with a thriving, diverse economy. Consequently, the Business School has strong industry links and students benefit from networking and collaboration opportunities. Academic facilities Located in the University's Central Campus area, the Business School is a modern building which houses offices, lecture theatres, computer labs, syndicate rooms, and a café. As a postgraduate Business School student, you will have exclusive access to the Hub Library which provides access to business-related books, reports, news and data. The building also features a variety of spaces suitable for individual study, group work and video conferencing. 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 Hugely respected by global employers, our programmes provide students with access to world-class academics and courses that are underpinned by real-world insights. From data scientist to supply chain analyst, our MSc in Business Analytics can lead to a variety of specialised careers. Business Analytics career outcomes Professional links We regularly bring guest speakers to the School to talk to Business Analytics students about real, current practice. From alumni panels to our Employability and Careers Expo, you will also have a variety of opportunities to learn from and network with industry and business professionals.Business Analytics industry opportunities Graduate profiles Haneen Abdelqader Degree: MSc Business Analytics Year of graduation: 2023 Current work: Data and Analytics Consultant, FTI Consulting The Business School gave me essential technical and leadership skills and refined my ability to connect with others. Read Haneen'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 TeamTransitioning 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. They will support your career development through activity such as:one-to-one coachingthe Edinburgh Award in Global Employabilityalumni panelsthe Employability and Careers ExpoStudents can also benefit from workshops and one-to-one sessions that cover:CV adviceLinkedIn profile reviewscareers guidanceAssessment Centre practiceBusiness 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.Business 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 Due to high demand, the school operates a number of selection deadlines. We will make a small number of offers to the most outstanding candidates on an ongoing basis, but hold the majority of applications until the next published selection deadline when we will offer a proportion of the places available to applicants selected through the competitive process described on the school website.Full details on the admissions process and the selection deadlines are available on the Business School website:Admissions strategyDeadlines for applicants applying to study in 2026/27RoundApplication deadlineDecisions by115 October 20254 December 2025210 December 202519 February 2026311 February 202623 April 2026422 April 20264 June 2026510 June 202623 July 2026 Application fee A non-refundable application fee of £60 is payable before your application can be considered. You must pay this once you have submitted your online application and received your UUN (universal username), and before the application deadline of the round you are applying in. Application fee payment guide 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 Business Analytics (1 year) 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 Life at Edinburgh Our community The Business School has a vibrant community featuring students and faculty from a diverse range of nationalities and backgrounds. Across all postgraduate programmes, there is strong focus on collaboration, debate, and knowledge exchange. You will also benefit from the opportunity to create global networks with their classmates, industry professionals, and Business School alumni.Find out more about student life Accommodation We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programmeaccept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 Julystudy at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in SeptemberUniversity accommodation websiteAccommodation guarantee criteriaWe also offer accommodation options for couples and families.Accommodation for couples and familiesIf you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place Societies and clubs Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.SocietiesSport Clubs The city of Edinburgh Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. Find out more about living in Edinburgh Exercise, leisure and support facilities Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities that you might find useful day-to-day, including:sport and exercise facilitiesUniversity cafes and cateringEdinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) venues and shopsa multi-faith chaplaincy for all faiths and nonea University nursery (based at King’s Buildings campus) Health and wellbeing support You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.The support services we offer include: a student counselling service a health centre (doctor's surgery) support if you're living in University accommodation dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustmentsHealth and wellbeing support services Disability and Learning Support Contact General enquiries Enquiry Management Team futurestudents@ed.ac.uk Academic contact For academic programme and course-specific questions, contact the Programme Director. Jamal Ouenniche Programme Director Contact details Email: Jamal.Ouenniche@ed.ac.uk
