MSc Data Science for Business

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Build your knowledge, skills and experience of data analytics for a successful business career in roles requiring data driven decision making and analytical acumen.

Key facts

Award Masters / MSc, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate
Start date September 2021, January 2022
Duration MSc full-time: 12 months, MSc part-time: 24 months
Mode of study Part-time, Full-time, Campus based, Stand-alone modules

Changes at Stirling

Find out about important changes including how you'll be taught, start dates and how we're making campus safer.

This exciting MSc Data Science for Business is the first in Scotland to be developed with inputs from SAS, a global leader in business analytics solutions; leading financial services organisation HSBC and The Data Lab to ensure it meets industry needs.

This MSc course provides you with a deep understanding of the industrial and scientific relevance of advanced analytics and their application in strategic and operational decision-making. The course addresses the acknowledged shortage of business leaders and managers with a detailed working knowledge of data analytics. As a graduate you’ll have a highly sought-after blend of data analytics, business acumen and advanced management skills.

You can develop specialist skills by choosing elective modules from finance, computing science and management. You’ll work on real life consultancy-style projects alongside industry leaders in data analytics. Our extensive network of external organisations across all sectors provides opportunities to build your knowledge, skills and experience for a successful career in business analytics roles.

The Data Lab

We work closely with The Data Lab, an internationally leading research and innovation centre in data science. Established with an £11.3 million grant from the Scottish Funding Council, The Data Lab enables industry, public sector and world-class university researchers to innovate and develop new data science capabilities in a collaborative environment. Its core mission is to generate significant economic, social and scientific value from data. As a student you’ll benefit from a wide range of learning and networking events that connect leading organisations seeking business analytics skills with students looking for exciting opportunities in this field.

The University of Stirling Management School

At the University of Stirling Management School, the principle of responsible business, policy and practice is central to everything we do. This vision helps us to equip our students effectively with the skills to act as global citizens, capable of addressing the needs of society. As a member of the Chartered Association for Business Schools, we have strong links with industry and were recently awarded the Small Business Charter for engagement with local and regional enterprise.

Top reasons to study with us

You’ll have the opportunity to work on real life consultancy-style projects

The flexible design of the degree course means you can specialise in finance, marketing or data science and management

The course is endorsed by The Data Lab — one of Scotland’s innovation centres that helps universities develop new data science capabilities in a collaborative environment

Course objectives

Over the two semesters of taught classes you’ll:

Acquire knowledge, skills and experience for a successful career in data driven roles
Understand the applications and implications of data analytics in organisations across different sectors
Develop knowledge and skills of data analytics tools and techniques for business decision making
Enhance your capabilities and confidence for championing data analytic projects
Enhance and develop critical, analytical, interpersonal and other transferable skills

Preparing Business Leaders of the Future

Postgraduate education at the University of Stirling Management School goes beyond text books and lecture rooms, we also focus on your personal and professional development.

Our unique Flying Start Leadership programme equips you with the awareness, knowledge and techniques essential for building a successful career. These range from practical skills, like effective public speaking, to developing ways to work under pressure in difficult situations and manage conflict.

Preparation for International students coming to study in the UK

Prepare for Success is an interactive web learning tool for international students who are coming to the UK to study. Take a look at the Prepare for Success website to get more information.

Flexible learning

If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.

Research overview

The University of Stirling Management School is rated among the top 25 in the UK for Business and Management research, according to REF 2014.

64% of our research outputs were classified as world-leading and internationally excellent in terms of their originality, significance and rigour. We were ranked 14th in the UK in terms of research impact with over 60% of our research impact judged to have outstanding reach and wide-ranging impact on the policies of public, private and governmental organisations.

Entry requirements

Please select your country of residence:

Academic requirements

A minimum of a second class Honours degree or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.

Other routes of entry

If you don’t currently meet the academic requirements for this course, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need for direct entry.

Explore INTO Stirling programmes to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available for this course and others at the University of Stirling.

English language requirements

Due to disruption in English Language testing caused by COVID-19, we are accepting alternative English Language tests (including online English Language Tests).

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

IELTS Indicator 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill
Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill
IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition Test 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
Trinity ISE II Pass overall with a Pass in each sub-skill, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
Duolingo 95 overall with a minimum of 90 in all sub-skills
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill

Last updated: 1 February 2021

For more information on ways that you can meet our English language requirements, including options to waive the requirement, please read our information on English language requirements.

Pre-sessional English language courses

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.

Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.

Course details

Through a series of core modules, you’ll gain the knowledge, skills and experience for a successful career in data analytic roles. You’ll also develop an understanding of the ways data analytics is used in organisations across different sectors. This will be achieved through data analytics theory and practice, with many opportunities to work with real data sets. You'll also have the opportunity to work with our industry partners, through consultancy projects, as well as bringing their expertise into the classroom.

Semester one involves four compulsory modules. There are two compulsory modules in semester two, plus one or two other modules of your choice. During the spring and summer semesters you may have the opportunity to carry out a consultancy project tackling a critical business challenge. This will give you an opportunity to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills you develop throughout your degree.

Modules

The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery in the current academic intake of this course. These may be subject to change in future years as the University regularly revises and refreshes the curriculum of our taught programmes.

Course Details

Teaching

Teaching is carried out a through a mix of lectures, tutorials, case studies, role playing, computer simulations, fieldwork exercises, site visits, guest speakers and company projects.

Assessment

Much of the assessment is continuous. Assessed work is often conducted in groups, developing your teamwork and communication skills.

Your final assessment will involve a dissertation or project report.

Course director

Dr Najib Murad

+44 (0)1786 467380
datascience@stir.ac.uk

Fees and funding

Fees and costs

Select fee status:

	2020/21	2021/22
Students from the UK	£7,000	£9,350
Overseas (non-EU) students	£16,950	£20,845
EU students	£7,000	£20,845

Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.

If you need to extend your period of study or repeat study, you will be liable for additional fees.

If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

Tuition fee loans

Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £10,000 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs. EU students commencing their studies in academic year 2020/21 can also apply for tuition fee support, but may not be eligible to receive funding for living costs.

English students can apply for a loan of up to £11,222 per year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.

Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £17,489 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.

Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £5,500 from Student Finance NI.

For EU students starting studies in the academic year 2021/22, we will offer a fee discount of 40%. This is subject to eligibility criteria.

Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.

If you need to extend your period of study, you will be liable for additional fees.

If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

We offer a range of funding options for overseas students.

Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.

If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.

If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

Additional costs

There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.

Scholarships and funding

If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.

Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.

Cost of living

If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.

EU and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.

Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling

Payment options

We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay

After you graduate

The Stirling MSc Data Science for Business was developed in partnership with industry and is designed to produce graduates with the skills that companies need.

Demand for people with data analytics skills is projected to grow rapidly. Average salaries are higher in data analytics jobs than the IT average and the skills shortage will make that gap bigger.

The Tech Partnership UK estimate that:

big data professionals earn on average 31% more than other IT professionals
77% of companies say it is difficult to recruit people with the big data skills they need.

A 2014 report by Egon Zehnder and the Kellog School of Management states that “all leaders need a working knowledge of data science” and that “there is no lack of data scientist, rather a lack of data-ready managers”. Our Masters course helps you to become a pioneering, data-driven leader. You’ll graduate with a blend of skills in data analytics and business management.

HigherEd Global Talent Portal

As a Management School student, you have access to the HigherEd Global Talent Portal where you’ll find internship, trainee positions, apprenticeships and graduate positions from companies around the world. It helps international students looking for placements back at home and local students that want to explore an international experience.

The global talent portal is in addition to all other existing initiatives and resources available for you through the Careers and Employability Service, and the Target Connect vacancy and events system.

Employability skills

Everything you do while studying here is designed to help you build the personal skills that will make you stand out to future employers.

The course has a high level of engagement with industry, research and recruitment partners in the course design, delivery, project work and skill development activities.

Advance your career with work experience

On this Masters in Data Science for Business you may have the opportunity to enhance your career prospects by taking part in work based project designed to prepare you for the next step on the career ladder.

Consultancy projects

If you’re seeking to enhance your employability and add value to a business client you may have the opportunity to undertake a 3-month consultancy project over the summer, as an alternative to the traditional dissertation.

Consultancy projects allow you to work with an organisation to investigate a ‘real-world’ issue, enhance your transferable business skills and make professional connections that may lead to a job offer in the future. Current clients range from start-up businesses to international organisations in public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

Watch our video to find out more about how taking part in a project with a local business can help increase your employability skills.

What our students said

View more student stories

Jewel Nguyen
Vietnam
MSc Data Science for Business

I studied MSc Data Science for Business and what I liked most was the diversity of students on the course, with students of different backgrounds, countries and ages.

Read Jewel's story

Anita George
India
MSc Data Science for Business

The employability and personal development workshops held as part of my course were instrumental in helping me build the transferable skills required to go into the workplace.

Read Anita's story

Domenico Di Stefano
Italy
MSc Data Science for Business

The innovative and successful structure of the course was exactly what I was looking for.

Read Domenico's story

View more student stories

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MSc Data Science for Business

Key facts

Changes at Stirling

Overview

The Data Lab

The University of Stirling Management School

Top reasons to study with us

Course objectives

Preparing Business Leaders of the Future

Preparation for International students coming to study in the UK

Flexible learning

Research overview

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

Other routes of entry

English language requirements

Pre-sessional English language courses

Course details

Modules

Course Details

Teaching

Assessment

Course director

Fees and funding

Fees and costs

Additional costs

Scholarships and funding

Cost of living

Payment options

After you graduate

HigherEd Global Talent Portal

Employability skills

Advance your career with work experience

Consultancy projects

What our students said

What next?

Which course would you like to apply for?

MSc Data Science for Business

Key facts

The Data Lab

The University of Stirling Management School

Preparing Business Leaders of the Future

Preparation for International students coming to study in the UK

What our students said

Related courses

What next?

Which course would you like to apply for?