Postgraduate MSc
Business Analytics with Placement
Are you a critical thinker with the ability to analyse and interpret data? Are you looking to gain practical experience, as you study?
Are you a critical thinker with the ability to analyse and interpret data? Are you looking to gain practical experience, as you study?
Business analytics is the process of predicting the needs of an organisation and analysing the effectiveness of past and present activity. This sought-after and growing business discipline is a strategic necessity for any organisation.
Our MSc Business Analytics with Placement course is delivered by published academics and in collaboration with industry leaders. You’ll learn the skills, technologies, applications and practices to become an expert in interpreting and analysing enterprise data effectively.
Taking a 12-month placement allows you to gain work experience in the UK or overseas as part of your Master's. While the placements are self-sought, we offer support through extra-curricular engagement with our dedicated placements team. Opting for this course with a placement takes the length of your course to up to two years. This course is also available with an Internationally Incorporated Masters (IIM) specifically designed for the needs of international students.
Watch our Postgraduate Placements video here.
You’ll learn about advanced spreadsheets and systems, Big Data, business statistics with Python and forecasting. You will finish your master's with a detailed report with the support of a dedicated expert supervisor. At the end of Stage One, you start your Placement.
A minimum of a second-class UK degree, or an equivalent internationally recognised qualification in any subject area is needed for this course. Basic quantitative skills are essential.
All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.
Please see our International Student website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information. Due to visa restrictions, students who require a student visa to study cannot study part-time unless undertaking a distance or blended-learning programme with no on-campus provision.
This course requires a Good level of English language, equivalent to B2 on CEFR.
Details on how to meet this requirement can be found on our English Language requirements webpage.
Examples:
IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component
PTE Academic 63 with a minimum of 59 in each sub-test
A degree from a UK university
A degree from a Majority English Speaking Country
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This list is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
In Stage 1 you take all compulsory modules, and pick one from the available optional modules, either 'Supply Chain Analytics' or 'Warehousing & Global Transportation Management'. These modules are all designed to give you crucial skills and critical insights into Business Analytics and the ability to apply these skills to solve problems and take opportunities.
This module offers you a thrilling path to becoming a skilled and forward-thinking data expert. You will unleash the power of data and artificial intelligence for a competitive edge in the world of big data analytics. This module dives into two key areas.
The first is theoretical foundations where you will uncover the theories behind big data analytics, text mining, and social media data mining, learn to create impactful data visualisations and explore real-world applications addressing current industry challenges.
The other is practical skills and insights, where you will gain hands-on experience with SQL, NoSQL databases, Apache Spark, and Python, and develop the expertise to solve complex business problems, becoming a data-driven leader capable of leveraging big data for significant business value.
The aim of this module is to enable students to use spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel) to structure, analyse and solve a variety of business problems related to practical issues such as sustainability and healthcare.
It will also provide the students with actionable knowledge of Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) as a means to automate Excel functionalities and create user-friendly applications.”
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Simulation allows you to experiment with digital models of real-world processes to make evidence-based decisions. You will use industry standard simulation software to develop complex models for a variety of contexts such as healthcare and manufacturing. By the end of the module you will gain an understanding of the simulation modelling process so you can go on to develop simulation models and support real world interventions aiming for efficiency and effectiveness.
In this module, you will look at a variety of complex real-world business and management type problems, learn structured decision-making modelling and solution techniques such as linear programming, network models, and integer programming, and perform analysis by hand and by Excel/OPL-CPLEX software. The aims of these techniques are to improve system efficiency, increasing profits or reducing cost and hence the module is related to achieving almost all the Sustainable Development Goals (e.g. SDGs #9 and #12 on industry infrastructure, transportation and logistics design etc.).
Employers are in search for individuals who possess logical thinking, analytical capability, leadership, communication and the ability to work under pressure. This module develops the essential knowledge and skills for students to successfully navigate the course of study and culminate in completing a consultancy project. It has the following themed workshops: Essential data skills: statistics and programming for business analytics; Develop soft skills: how to write a powerful business report; and Develop personal development skills: reflections on the business analytics challenge.
Large volumes of data are usually produced by supply chains. By identifying trends and producing insights, supply chain analytics aids in making sense of all this data.
Supply chain modelling and analytics skills are in high demand and are a must-have for a successful supply chain management career. You will learn to formulate key activities of the supply chain while emphasizing both the need for formulation and implementation. These include Networks and Routing Transportation models, Resource Allocation and Production Scheduling models, Inventory management models, and Project Management.
You will learn how to use analytics techniques, such as Forecasting, Regression, Descriptive analytics, Probability and Decision Analysis and Optimisation, which can be applied to improve supply chains’ efficiency and effectiveness by enabling data-driven decisions.
As critical components of supply chains, warehousing & global transportation management decisions have massive impact on global business & trade.
Throughout the course, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of warehouse operations, including layout optimisation and the analytics behind inventory management. You will explore the transportation systems that enable global trade gaining insight into the documentation, techniques, and systems that enable global movement of goods.
Emphasising real-world applications, this module equips you with the skills to analyse logistical challenges, implement efficient solutions, and foster a competitive edge for organisations with a focus on sustainability. Upon completion, you will emerge with a nuanced understanding of warehouse management principles and transportation logistics, prepared to tackle the demands of the supply chain world.
In stage 2, you will choose one of our capstone modules, either 'The Business Analytics Challenge' or the 'Professional Placement/Internship'.
The Professional Placement/Internship module will give you the chance to work in a business as part of your degree, getting real world experience alongside your learning. Whereas the Business Analytics Challenge is the perfect module for you to prepare for a career as a consultant. You'll pitch solutions to real organisational problems and create a consultancy report, demonstrating your skills and knowledge.
Whichever option you choose, you will be engaging with real problems in real businesses, giving you crucial experience and expanding your network.
Following these modules you will go on your placement. Your placement consists of two modules: Industrial Placement Experience and Industrial Placement Report. The Experience module is assessed as pass/fail only and the Report module is graded on a percentage scale. The chance to gain real industry experience as part of your MSc course gives you a real edge in the job market and boosts your career options.
The Year in Industry Placement Exit Interview provides students with a structured opportunity to combine work experience or entrepreneurial activity with academic study. It allows students to develop and reflect on managerial and/or professional practice in real and often complex situations, and to integrate this with the study of the relevant subject(s) of your main degree programme. Students develop, reinforce and apply professional and/or technical expertise in an employment or entrepreneurial context. The Year in Industry Placement Exit Interview requires students to reflect on and evidence their experiences in relation to both their university studies as well as to a wide range of employability skills. Students will further enhance their critical thinking, communication, professional behaviours and resilience.
The Year in Industry Placement Experience provides students with a structured opportunity to combine work experience or entrepreneurial activity with academic study. The Year in Industry allows students to develop and reflect on managerial and/or professional practice in real and often complex situations, and to integrate this with the study of the relevant subject(s) of your main degree programme. Students develop, reinforce and apply professional and/or technical expertise in an employment or entrepreneurial context. The Industry Placement requires students to document their experiences in relation to both their university studies as well as to a wide range of employability skills. To be able to undertake this module it is necessary for the student to secure a placement. The placement should be appropriate to the student’s degree and experience. The length of the placement should normally be at least 39-44 weeks. Students will further enhance their critical thinking, communication, professional behaviours and resilience.
This module provides students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired from other modules in the MSc Business Analytics program. Working with real-world business analytics challenges derived from either a company partner's dataset or an expert-curated dataset, students collaborate in groups to solve practical problems that require both application-oriented thinking and teamwork. These challenges encompass a diverse range of tasks, including analysing marketing campaigns, ranking credit risks, optimising capital investments, forecasting sales trends, simulating patient flow through hospitals, and extracting patterns from large datasets.
Thinking about a career in a private sector? Or maybe you’re contemplating a career in the public or voluntary sector? Then this could be the module for you. This module builds on your previous subject specific learning, and enhances your understanding of how organisations operate in practice. You have the opportunity to gain experience whilst still on the postgraduate course and apply learning gained on the course. You will be able to reflect on the placement experience and how this relates to your academic knowledge. You will further enhance your critical thinking, communication, professional behaviours and resilience. Placements/Internships are not guaranteed and the University Careers and Employability team will be supporting you every step of the way.
We use a variety of teaching methods, including:
Classroom-based learning is supported by the latest online technologies and learning platforms.
Your progress on this course is assessed through a variety of means, including:
This course embeds employability into our teaching, learning, and assessment practices. We work with employers and industry partners in order provide all of our students with exceptional career development support and opportunities to develop skills, knowledge, and experiences to thrive in their future careers.
From the moment you start with us, our efforts are focused on helping you gain the knowledge, skills and experience you need to thrive in an increasingly competitive workplace. As part of the course, you may wish to undertake a Placement to work on a real business case study as part of your capstone Research project. Go on our Business Start-up Journey and transform your idea into a business through ASPIRE. Our qualified careers practitioners provide support for up to three years after graduation.
For course aims and learning outcomes please see the course specification.
Our lively and active postgraduate community is brought about in part by our strong research culture and by the close community between our staff and students. Staff publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings and books and embed their research in their teaching.
Students have regular contact with their course and module conveners with staff on hand to answer any questions and to provide helpful and constructive feedback on submitted work. Also, all students on our postgraduate courses take part in our ‘Ambition in Motion’ programme – a set of supportive workshops which ensure that students are progressing through their learning journeys smoothly.
You can also get involved with extra-curricular academic and social activities with guest lectures, talks and workshops organised by our academic staff, research centres and the ASPIRE team.
Our Canterbury campus provides a welcoming environment and a close-knit student community. Kent Business School is based within the Sibson Building which opened in 2017 and its impressive design won the RIBA Regional and National Award. It houses well-equipped lecture and seminar spaces, as well as breakout spaces for group work, Bloomberg suite, computer labs, a dedicated MBA suite, and our ASPIRE Lab Space. There is also a cafe on site.
The School is conveniently located at the University of Kent’s campus, close to continental Europe and with easy access to London. World-famous Canterbury Cathedral is situated in the heart of the historic city centre, just a 25-minute walk or a short bus ride.
Kent Business School has close links with: Universität Innsbruck; Beijing Normal University - Bay Area International Business School; ESSEC Business School; Neoma Business School; Rennes Business School; EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht; Freie Universität Berlin; City University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong Baptist University; University of Hong Kong; Institut Teknologi Bandung (The Bandung Institute of Technology); Università Carlo Cattaneo in Castellanza; Università degli Studi di Bologna; Università degli Studi di Firenze (University of Florence); IE Madrid; Stockholm University.
All students registered for a taught Master's programme are eligible to apply for a place on our Global Skills Award Programme. The programme is designed to broaden your understanding of global issues and current affairs as well as to develop personal skills which will enhance your employability.
Our world-class academics influence management strategies and practices world-wide through our outstanding research projects and direct involvements with industry. We address some of the biggest challenges of our time such as sustainability and responsible leadership to drive progress and create better business globally.
At its core, our research strategy is about delivering a sustainable tomorrow - a theme that Kent Business School embodies in all areas. We want to answer the big questions - How can innovation that enables sustainable long-term economic growth be created and supported? How can sustainable business practices improve environmental and social conditions? These are the problems we are here to solve.
We are global leaders advancing knowledge through constant collaboration and promotion of innovative research. We collaborate with local, national and international business, but we don't stop there. We have forged partnerships with other academic institutions and organisations such as the NHS. This wider focus allows us to advance towards our goal of a sustainable tomorrow.
Research Departments
Department of Accounting and Finance – The Department enjoys a significant international presence and reputation in several fields, including critical accounting, accounting history, sustainability accounting, corporate finance, banking and options pricing and performance.
Department for Analytics, Operations and Systems – The Department offers world class education and conducts internationally leading research in operational research, data analytics, operations management, information systems and sustainability.
Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship and International Business – The Department brings together experts in the areas of three key management disciplines promoting interdisciplinary teaching and research as well as cross interdisciplinary knowledge exchange.
Department of Leadership and Management – The Department is a cross-disciplinary community dedicated to tackling complex business and societal challenges. Our teaching and innovative research encompasses the economic, psychological, social, political, and technological contexts in which organisations operate worldwide.
Research centres
The Centre for Logistics and Sustainability Analytics – The Centre helps companies to address a wide range of transport, logistics, and supply chain problems with sustainability considerations.
The Centre for Productivity and Workplace Performance – The Centre contributes to the evidence base for competitiveness, environmental growth, regional productivity, technology and innovation.
The Centre for Quantitative Finance – Providing quantitative analysis of issues in the financial markets for businesses and policymakers.
Dynamic Publishing
Staff publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings and books. Among others, they have recently contributed to: Journal of Corporate Finance, British Journal of Management, Organizations and Society, European Journal of Operational Research, Journal of Environmental Management, Financial Accountability & Management, Journal of Banking and Finance, Management Science, Transportation Science, International Journal of Operations and Production Management, British Journal of Management, Journal of Business Venturing, Entrepreneurship, Theory and Practice, British Journal of Management, Journal of International Business Studies, Journal of World Business, Research Policy, European Journal of Operational Research, European Journal of Marketing, International Journal of Research in Marketing, International Marketing Review.
From the moment you start with us, our efforts are focused on helping you gain the knowledge, skills and experience you need to thrive in an increasingly competitive workplace. As part of the course, you may wish to undertake a Placement or to work on a real business case study as part of your capstone Research project. Go on our Business Start-up Journey and transform your idea into a business through ASPIRE. Our qualified careers practitioners provide support for up to three years after graduation.
Our careers and employability support at Kent Business School is designed to make sure you are ready to hit the ground running when you graduate, when you study with us you can expect:
Additionally, the Postgraduate Employability Edge programme, available to postgraduate students at Kent Business School takes place from Welcome Week until the end of your studies and is designed to enhance your career prospects further.
Our MSc Business Analytics graduates find work in public and private sectors, both overseas and in the UK, in a wide range of companies and organisations, including:
Many of our students also stay local and find job opportunities regionally in small and medium firms or even set up their own businesses as well-equipped entrepreneurs.
The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy. If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk.
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy. If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk.
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Next steps
Learn more about the application process or begin your application by clicking on a link below.
You will be able to choose your preferred year of entry once you have started your application. You can also save and return to your application at any time.
Supporting your success
Kent ranked top 40 in The Times Good University Guide 2025.
Fees and funding
Kent has risen 11 places in THE’s REF 2021 ranking, confirming us as a leading research university.
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