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data-analytics

Data Analytics MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert

Developed in collaboration with SAS, a world leader in the field, the course emphasises the concepts, techniques, development and application of business intelligence systems through industry-relevant software tools.

Block teaching designed around you

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive community. That’s why most of our postgraduate taught students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You will benefit from more regular assessments and feedback, a better study-life balance, and a simplified timetable that provides more time for work, professional development, caring responsibilities, and everything else that's important to you. Our block-taught courses are informed by industry practice, often accredited by professional bodies, and are delivered by passionate and talented academics, who will help you develop the skills to achieve your goals.

Read more about block teaching

Overview

Professionals with the ability to interrogate datasets by applying analytical techniques to describe and predict business performance are in high demand worldwide. Designed to equip you with the technical expertise needed for a career in industry, this course will prepare you for roles in analytics by developing your technical expertise and professional skills in business intelligence.

The first semester modules focus on core topic areas such as business intelligence and analytics, data warehouse design and big data applications, enabling you to gain insights into large multivariate datasets and apply your problem-solving abilities to explore business opportunities and challenges faced by data scientists when using business intelligence systems.

In the second semester you will apply your technical knowledge and further progress your analytical expertise by focusing on specific data science subject areas such as data mining techniques and methods. You will also be encouraged to demonstrate your technical and analytical abilities in response to real-world problems during your final-semester individual project.

Our graduates leave with sought-after skills for business intelligence and data mining roles within any field of data science. Opportunities also exist for further academic study towards a doctorate degree and a career in research.

Key features

  • With our 50-year history of teaching computing, you will benefit from established academic expertise, as well as gaining insight into real-world problem solving from our SAS-accredited staff.
  • Enhance your employability by developing substantial knowledge and skills in the deployment of SAS industry-standard software.
  • Sharpen skills by using software and techniques such as Apache Spark and the Hadoop Distributed File System to demonstrate data mining and machine learning algorithms.
  • Access dedicated computing laboratories, fully equipped with HP dual-boot and all-in-one computers and a high-performance file server.
  • Gain an insight into real-world issues and solutions through our research groups. You will have the opportunity to attend guest lectures and seminars to expand your understanding of the impact of current research.
  • Boost your career prospects through an optional one-year placement year in industry*, where you will be able to build contacts and transferable skills. Past students have completed placements with management consultancies, retailers and companies including Bosch Thermotechnology.

*Country restrictions apply

The MSc in Data Analytics will provide you with the skills required to design, build and use business intelligence systems, not only for traditional online reporting but also enable you to build forecasting and predictive models. You might not be able to predict the future but you can come pretty close to modelling it to allow businesses to make strategic decisions

Dr Anthony Williams, Senior Lecturer

 

Scholarships:

DMU offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships and bursaries to help you realise your academic ambitions.

International Scholarships

Find out about available scholarships and country specific fee discounts for international students. 

 

Student success:

Microsoft crowns DMU students as winners in 2022 UK University Cloud Challenge

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Information Systems Management MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert

DMU has been shortlisted for the Postgraduate Award in the 2024 Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs), as voted for by students.

  • UK
  • EU/International

Programme code: I20071

Location of study: De Montfort University campus

Start date: September, January

Duration: 

12 months (September start), 18 months (January start)

Fees and funding: 

2024/25 full-time fees for UK students: £9,500 per year

Find out more about course fees and available funding.

How to apply

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

Programme code: I20071

Location of study: De Montfort University campus

Start date: September, January

Duration: 

12 months (September start), 18 months (January start)

Fees and funding:

2024/25 full-time tuition fees for EU and international students: £17,600 per year

Find out more about course fees and available funding.

How to apply

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

Entry criteria

You should have the equivalent of a British Honours degree (2:2 minimum) in a relevant subject.

We are happy to consider equivalent qualifications from anywhere in the world.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.

English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

 

 

If you have no formal academic qualifications but do have extensive industry experience we will consider your application on an individual basis.

If you feel you would like to talk to us about your qualifications before submitting an application please do not hesitate to call or email using the contact details below.

Structure and assessment

 

Course modules

Teaching and assessments

Industry association

 
  • Data Analytics Infrastructure
  • Big Data Applications
  • Data Mining Techniques and Methods
  • Project proposal, Planning and project management (PPPM)
  • PGT Project

See detailed module descriptions


Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

 

 

Teaching will normally be delivered through formal lectures, informal seminars, tutorials, workshops, discussions and e-learning packages. Assessment will usually be carried out through a combination of individual and group work, presentations, reports, projects and exams.  

The course is run in association with SAS, the leading independent vendor in the business intelligence industry, and you will gain substantial SAS software skills as part of your study.

First semester modules introduces business intelligence, analytics and data infrastructure as well as big data applications so that you can gain insights and practice of using business intelligence systems and analytics programming to exploit multidimensional data sets.

In the second semester you are exposed to a variety of data mining techniques and methods available and interpreting the statistical results in relevant problem domains. A further module prepares students to undertake an individual research project. This project module allows you to undertake extensive research into an aspect of big data, and/or provides an opportunity to develop and demonstrate your analytical and processing abilities in response to a given practical problem.

Contact and learning hours 

Students will normally attend around 12 hours of timetabled taught sessions each week, and can expect to undertake around 24 further hours of self-directed independent study and research to support your assignments and dissertation per week.

The Data Analytics MSc was developed and is run in conjunction with SAS.

SAS is the world's largest independent business analytics company. It provides an integrated set of software products and services to more than 45,000 customer sites in 118 countries. Across the globe, both the public and private sector use SAS software to assist in their efforts to compete and excel in a climate of unprecedented economic uncertainty and globalization.

 

SAS

Facilities and features

 
Placements
Placements
Placements
 

Facilities

The Computer Science laboratories in Gateway House provide 80 computer workstations for students to use. The space is divided into four interconnected laboratories each with 20 machines (20 HP PCs running Windows/Linux).

There are printing facilities available, internal network access and digital projectors to aid your learning. All the machines are connected via the Faculty of Technology network to a dedicated, high-performance file server for storage and backup of students' work. Many of the software packages are open source, which means students can download and run the software at home.

The computer science laboratories include individual and group study areas, and you will benefit from a computing laboratory reserved exclusively for use by postgraduate students.

Library and learning zones

On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available. 

As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our Library website, e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose. 

We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including the Virtual Learning Environment, Collaborate Ultra, DMU Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub. 

The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live LibChat, online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our Learning Services, and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.

More flexible ways to learn

We offer an equitable and inclusive approach to learning and teaching for all our students. Known as the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), our teaching approach has been recognised as sector leading. UDL means we offer a wide variety of support, facilities and technology to all students, including those with disabilities and specific learning differences.

Just one of the ways we do this is by using ‘DMU Replay’ – a technology providing all students with anytime access to audio and/or visual material of lectures. This means students can revise taught material in a way that suits them best, whether it's replaying a recording of a class or adapting written material shared in class using specialist software.

Opportunities and careers

Find the people who will open doors for you

DMU's award-winning careers service provides guaranteed work experience opportunities DMU Careers Team
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Placements

During this course you will have the option to secure a work placement*, an invaluable opportunity to put the skills developed during your degree into practice. This insight into the professional world will build on your knowledge in a real-world setting, preparing you to progress onto your chosen career.

Our Data Analytics MSc students have recently taken up placements at Bosch Thermotechnology, Chai Factory,  BHGE PPS (Part of a Baker Hughes GE Company) and CEVA Logistics.

Our Careers Team can help to hone your professional skills with mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and an assigned personal tutor will support you throughout your placement.

 

*Country restrictions apply

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DMU Global

This is our innovative international experience programme which aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons – helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world.

Through DMU Global, we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.

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Graduate careers

This course prepares graduates for business intelligence and data mining roles within any target industry. There is a very high market demand for SAS expertise, and our graduates will be able to take up such opportunities. You will also be well placed to take up more general management and business information systems development roles within industry, and to undertake academic research in this field.

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