MSc Business Analytics and Technologies: Extended
Business analytics helps organisations make better decisions by providing data-driven insights into customer needs, competitor strategies, and other market trends. If you're a graduate with a passion to improve business performance through data mining, analysis and visualisation, the University of Bolton's MSc in Business Analytics and Technologies will support you in developing a breadth of in-depth knowledge and practical capability, ready for a career in this rapidly developing field.
MSc Business Analytics and Technologies: Extended
Award
MSc
Start Date
26/01/2026
Duration
18 months
Mode
Full-time
Location
University of Bolton
Business analytics helps organisations make better decisions by providing data-driven insights into customer needs, competitor strategies, and other market trends. If you're a graduate with a passion to improve business performance through data mining, analysis and visualisation, the University of Bolton's MSc in Business Analytics and Technologies will support you in developing a breadth of in-depth knowledge and practical capability, ready for a career in this rapidly developing field.
Course Overview
Business analytics is crucial to the success of companies of all sizes, supporting managers to make informed decisions, streamline processes and plan effectively. Organisations need highly-skilled professionals to process and interrogate business data to identify the patterns, trends, and correlations that support them to optimise their processes for cost savings, improve customer experience and identify opportunities for growth. By studying the University of Bolton's MSc Business Analytics and Technologies degree you can develop essential knowledge and understanding of data analysis methods and business intelligence principles and practices while experiencing life at our supportive, student-focused, multicultural campus.A distinctive feature of this programme is the development of essential computer programming and data analytics skills; no prior expertise is assumed. We offer the knowledge and skills needed to interrogate and make sense of data, unlock vital insights and communicate your discoveries, so you can help turn business data into actionable insights that support good operational, tactical and strategic decision-making. Our expert and dedicated team will cover essential computing, data analytics, business, marketing, and life skills, including leadership, advanced analysis, creativity and problem-solving techniques. We'll support you as you learn to provide insight and analysis through clear visual, written and verbal communication.
Within each module, we'll explore relevant issues, strategies and practices, using live case studies, guest speakers from industry, and the latest research evidence. You'll have a choice of option modules covering specialist topics, and you'll agree on a capstone project with your supervisors that is completely tailored to your experience and specialism.
We focus on helping you develop industry-relevant knowledge and skills so that you are well-prepared for a career in business data analytics and technologies. We'll also support you in building lifelong learning skills so you can take ownership of your professional development for the future and maximise your potential for success.
Would you prefer to complete your course over a different timeframe? We also offer this course full-time over 12 months or part-time over 24 months. For details of the 12-month course, please visit our full-time MSc Business Analytics and Technologies course search web page. Alternatively, to find out more and apply for the 24-month course, please visit our part-time MSc Business Analytics and Technologies course search web page.
Highlights
- Bolton University's Master's in Business Analytics and Technologies emphasises working collaboratively with industry partners and offers a comprehensive programme of relevant topics.
- We continually monitor and update the content of our MSc programmes so they offer the best preparation for the industry.
- The success of our postgraduate students is directly related to the practical research aspects covered in the course laboratory work.
- For the coursework elements of the degree, you'll consider realistic scenarios that help prepare you for your postgraduate career. Completing this work will develop your understanding of the technical concepts underpinning business analytics and technologies and the outputs required by employers, such as reports to management.
- Completing a dissertation will build your subject specialist knowledge and understanding and provide a showcase of your skills, ready to impress employers.
Key Features
- Teaching and supervision are delivered by dedicated staff chosen for their expertise and experience in fields relevant to business information and big data, relevant technologies and your professional development needs.
- We offer an engaging programme of visiting speakers so you can enjoy masterclasses with industry professionals, gaining insights into contemporary issues, developments and practices in business data analysis, digital technologies and the broader commercial environment.
- Industry partners provide relevant, up-to-date input to our teaching and live student projects.
- Our team of highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic lecturers offer face-to-face sessions and one-to-one support, ensuring you can access help and advice when you need it.
- Upon graduation, you'll be able to showcase your expert knowledge to employers through your Professional Dissertation. This independent and substantial body of work will demonstrate your mastery of an aspect of business analytics and technologies, as well as your postgraduate-level skills in research and critical thinking.
- By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Manchester, one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, is less than 20 minutes away by train. Not forgetting, the North West of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline and heritage. This makes Bolton an ideal base from which to explore some of the best cultural and outdoor activities the UK offers.
Entry Requirements
- You should have at least a lower second class (2.2) honours degree (or equivalent) in any subject or five years of relevant work experience. You do not need prior experience in computer programming or data analytics.
- You must also have GCSE Mathematics at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9. Please get in touch with us for details of other acceptable qualifications. You'll need to attain a minimum mark in a diagnostic mathematics test if you don't have an acceptable mathematics qualification.
- If you wish to gain admission on the basis of five years of relevant work experience, you'll be required to attend an online or face-to-face interview and present evidence in the form of a portfolio of work and examples that demonstrate your suitability and aptitude for the course. The evidence should be presented in electronic format and attested by an independent person. The independent person could be a current or former lecturer or an employer with a more senior role than yourself. The University is looking for candidates who can demonstrate a clear style and commitment to their professional practice and who will benefit from experiencing this area of study.
- You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
- We'll consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
Companies the world over are harnessing the power of big data to understand business performance, identify market trends and gain competitive advantage. The demand for workers with the skills to transform raw data into actionable insights to improve business decisions is growing and highly-skilled, competent, creative professionals are needed by organisations across the economic spectrum.
Our MSc in Business Analytics and Technologies offers a postgraduate route into this in-demand and varied career. It's an ideal bridge into business data analysis and technologies, whatever your undergraduate degree specialisation. Additionally, it's an excellent option if you've worked in a relevant field, gaining degree-level knowledge through experience and self-study rather than formal education.
As a graduate of this master's degree, you'll possess a solid theoretical and practical understanding of business analytics and technologies. You'll be able to demonstrate essential interpersonal and people skills, such as collaboration and teamwork, coupled with commercial awareness and business-relevant knowledge. You'll also possess high-level academic skills in research, critical thinking and curiosity. Moreover, you'll have the lifelong learning, problem-solving and decision-making skills needed to adapt to new challenges throughout your career.
What can I do with this qualification?
Business analysts are in high demand, and business analytics roles are diverse. Big data has intensified the need for business analysts who can create data dashboards, graphs and visualisations to communicate insight to managers and stakeholders. You may find employment looking for trends and patterns that help companies make business decisions or predict demand for goods or services. There are also many roles in marketing and marketing research; for instance, in analysing trends in consumer feedback, determining the effectiveness of customer reward and loyalty schemes, and search engine optimisation for websites. Moreover, small and medium-sized enterprises need consultants to help them make data-driven business decisions on an ad hoc basis, so you could consider starting your own business to support their needs.
Alternative career options
Depending on your prior qualifications and experience, after graduation, you can also use this master's degree as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Some possibilities include:
- Leadership and management
- Use of technology in enhancing business and industrial processes
- Solutions driven business and industrial investigation
- Marketing and public relations
- Social media management
- Information systems management
- Cyber security
- Social enterprise
- Policy management
- Education and teaching
- Advising and consultancy
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
Home students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Home fee of £5,664 for the academic year 2025/26.
International Fees
Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £17,500 for the academic year 2025/26.
Bursaries
Click here for more information on our Master's Bursaries.
Important note regarding tuition fees: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
You may apply directly to the University using the University's online application form. Please select your chosen start date from the list below:
You should have to hand:
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Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
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Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
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Details of any employment history including name, address, dates and role
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Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
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Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already input.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@greatermanchester.ac.uk
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Apply online: University of Greater Manchester MSc Business Analytics and Technologies - 26 January 2026
International Applicants
Thank you for your interest
In order to determine your suitability for this course as an international student and also to confirm you meet any initial eligibility criteria, we need you to answer a few short questions.
English Language Qualifications
Have you completed an English Language qualification prior to application or have a valid exemption as per the list below? (The qualification/exemption must be uploaded with this application) E.g. Applicants from Nigeria/Africa must upload their WAEC or NECO certificate before the application is submitted for a prompt response and offer.
Acceptable English Language Tests – Undergraduate and Postgraduate
These tests must have been taken within 2 years of the start of the course
Test | Entry Requirements |
---|---|
IELTS Academic (taken within 2 years) |
Undergraduate programmes 6.0 with no band below 5.5 Postgraduate programmes as per entry requirements |
PTE Academic |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 No less than 59 in each component Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 No less than 59 in each component Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0 No less than 76 in each component |
TOEFL iBT |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Must meet the following component scores: Reading – 18 Writing – 17 Listening – 17 Speaking - 20 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Must meet the following component scores: Reading – 20 Writing – 19 Listening – 19 Speaking 21 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0 Must meet the following component scores: Reading – 24 Writing – 24 Listening – 22 Speaking 25 |
Other qualifications we currently accept (which do not require an additional SELT) | |
GCSE in English Language (from a UK awarding body) |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade 4 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade 5 |
Irish Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level English |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade C/C3 (20 points) Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade B/B3 (37 points) |
Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Level English |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade D/D2 (46 points) Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade C/C2 (66 points) |
IGCSE English as a First language (for syllabus 0500 Listening and Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate) |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade 4 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade 5 |
IGCSE English as a Second language (for syllabus 0510 Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate) |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade 4 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade 5 |
Cambridge Advanced English |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 170 points with no component below 160 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 180 points with no component below 170 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0 185 points with no component below 180 |
International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard or Higher Level English Language (Syllabus A) |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade 4 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade 5 |
International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard or Higher Level English Language (Syllabus B) |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade 5 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade 6 |
European Baccalaureate English Language |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade 70% Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade 80% |
European qualifications
English component - obtained within the last 4 years
Country | Qualification |
---|---|
Austria | Reifeprufungszeugnis/Maturazeugnis at 2.0 |
Belgium | Diplome d'acces a l'enseignment superieur/Diplome van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs at 75% |
Bulgaria | Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie at Grade 3 |
Croatia | Svjedodzba o Maturi at grade 4.0 |
Cyprus | Apolyterion at 15 |
Czech Republic | Maturitni Zkou'ce/Maturita at grade 2.0 |
Denmark | Studentereksamen/HF/HHX/HTX/IBB /Diplomingenior at grade 9 |
Estonia | Riigieksamitunnistus or Gümnaasiumilõputunnistus at 70% |
Finland | Ylioppilastutkintotodistus or Studentexamensbetyg at grade 5 |
France | Baccalauréat (le bac) or the Option Internationale du Baccalauréat at grade 12.5 |
Germany | Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife or Abitur or a Fachgebundene Hochschulreife at grade 2 / gut |
Greece | Apolyterion at grade 15 |
Hungary | Erettsegi at grade 4 |
Italy | Diploma di Esame di Stato at grade 8/80% |
Latvia | Atestats Par Visparejo Videjo Izglitib at grade 8 |
Lithuania | Brandos Atestatas at grade 8 |
Malta | Matriculation Certificate at grade C |
Moldova | Diploma de Bacalaureat or Atestat de Studii Medii de Cultura Generala at grade 9 |
Netherlands | Diploma Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs (MBO) or Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) at grade 8 |
Norway | Vitnemal-Videregaende Opplaering at grade 4 |
Poland | Swiadectwo Dojrzalosci / Matura at grade 70% |
Portugal | Diploma de Ensino Secundario at grade 14 |
Romania | Diploma de Bacalaureat (English with all components at B2) |
Slovakia | Vysvedcenie O Maturitnej at grade 2 |
Slovenia | Maturitetno Spricevalo at grade 4 |
Spain | Titulo de Bachillerato at grade 8 |
Sweden | Fullstandigt Slutbetyg Fran Gymnasiesk at grade C |
Switzerland | Maturitatszeugnis or Maturite Federal at grade 5 |
Ukraine | Aтестат про повну загальну середню освіту at grade 10 |
Acceptable International Regional qualifications
Must be obtained no more than 4 years before the proposed start date of the course
Country | Qualification | Grade |
---|---|---|
Bahamas | General Certificate of Secondary Education | Grade C in English |
Botswana | General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level | Grade C/4 in English |
Brunei | Cambridge O Level | Grade C6 in English |
Cameroon | GCE O level | Grade C in English |
Hong Kong | HKCEE | Grade C in English (Syllabus B) |
Hong Kong | HKDSE | Grade 4 in English |
Kenya | Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education | Grade C in English |
Malaysia | Malaysian 1119 | Grade 6C in English - IELTS 6.0 |
Singapore | Singapore Cambridge O Level | Grade C6 in English |
South Africa | South Africa National Senior Certificate | Grade 5 in English |
Tanzania | Certificate of Secondary Education | Grade C in English |
Uganda | Certificate of Education | Grade 6 |
Zambia | Zambia School Certificate | Grade 6 in English |
Zimbabwe | General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level | Grade C in English |
Caribbean Examination Council | General proficiency Grade III in English | |
Nigeria/Ghana | WAEC/NECO | Grade C6 in English |
I understand the English Language Qualifications/Exemptions. I will upload the evidence with this application or when I obtain the certificate or exemption.
Thank you for your interest
Please secure an approved English language qualification and then apply for the next intake.
backQuestion
Have you ever received a visa refusal for entry into the UK or any other country?
Thank you for your interest
Unfortunately we would be unable to sponsor under the Student Route Visa. If you do not require a visa to study in the UK please email us for further advice: intadmissions@greatermanchester.ac.uk
backYour Funding
Do you have full funding in place to cover your full tuition fees and living costs as required by UKVI? Please click here for more information.
Question
Have you read and understood the course entry requirements and confirm that you fully meet the requirements? (Please click on Entry Requirements tab above to ensure you comply with all the requirements for this course)
You may also refer to the following pages for information about International Qualifications equivalency: https://www.greatermanchester.ac.uk/international/your-country-entry-requirements/
For further assistance with international qualifications equivalency (paid service) – please refer to the ECCTIS website (previously known as NARIC): https://ecctis.com/Qualifications/FindTheServiceForYou.aspx
Thank you for your interest
Unfortunately we will be unable to proceed with your application as all entry requirements must be met.
backFinal Terms & Conditions
Please read the following:
- I understand that the university reserves the right to withdraw their offer at any stage once the quota for the course has been filled.
- I understand that I will be required to pay specific fees before CAS issuance is considered by the university.
- I must declare any agent or consultant at the start of my application and they must be on the list of approved agents. (We also have Branch Offices in Africa, South Asia, Middle East and Central Asia who fully manage applications in their respective regions.)
- I am able to complete the course in the normal duration.
- I am able to arrive on time for the published start date.
- I confirm that I will be 18 years old or more on the start date of the course.
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I understand that the following documents will be uploaded as part my application:
(a) Passport with at least 6 months validity before start of course.
(b) Personal statement (written by myself).
(c) CV if applicable.
(d) Previous qualifications.
(e) English language certificate or proof of exemption.
(f) Professional references if applicable.
(g) Bank Statements and TB Certificate if applicable at the CAS issuance stage. - I have read and understood all questions and answered them correctly and truthfully to the best of my ability and knowledge.
Congratulations
Based on the information supplied, we would like to invite you to apply for this course.
Apply Online
The University welcomes applications from international students from all over the world. We try to make the application process as simple and as fast as possible for our international applicants.
How you apply is determined by your current location and what you are choosing to study:
- Apply direct to the University. Links for the next available intakes of this course are shown below. Please click the link which will direct you to the online application form. Please read the user guidance before completing this.
- Apply via one of our approved in-country referral partners. A list of our partners may be found on the International pages of this website.
- Apply via UCAS for courses starting in September only – visit www.ucas.com.
Should you have any queries please contact the International Team on +44 (0) 1204 903110 or email international@greatermanchester.ac.uk
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Apply online: University of Greater Manchester MSc Business Analytics and Technologies - 26 January 2026
Teaching & Assessment
We use a blended learning approach, combining face-to-face sessions and practical work as appropriate. You can expect lectures, seminars, tutorials, discussion groups, guest speakers and master classes.
We'll also expect you to undertake considerable guided independent study; for instance, background reading, online activities, assessment work and preparation for sessions. We're committed to supporting you throughout your learning journey. Over time, our guidance will purposefully become less structured and prescriptive. This will encourage you to develop confidence and independence in your studies and take responsibility for managing your own learning time as you increase in autonomy.
Regarding assessment, you can expect a combination of written coursework, project work, oral assessments and portfolios. Summative assessments contribute to your final marks and are your chance to show you've met the learning outcomes for the course. Formative assessments, on the other hand, feature throughout your studies. While they don't contribute to your module or final marks, they inform and support your development by helping you build on your strengths, overcome any perceived weaknesses, and find the study strategies that best support your ultimate success.
This programme adopts a blended learning and teaching style, including online delivery and engagement where appropriate.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Professional Practice
- Research Methods
- Project
- Business Analytics
- Programming for Data Analytics
- Technological Innovation in Business
- Marketing Analytics
- Data Analysis and Visualisation
- Data Mining and Machine Learning
Assessment methods
Level | Assessment method |
---|---|
Level 1 | Coursework 100% |
Learning Activities
Level | Activity |
---|---|
Level 1 | Guided independent study 83% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 17% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.