Key information
‘Big Data Specialist’ is projected to be the fastest-growing job globally through 2030, while analytical thinking tops the list of in-demand skills, with 70% of employers identifying it as essential (World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report, 2025). The MSc Business Analytics from Edinburgh Business School positions you to change or advance your career with in-demand analysis and consultancy skills.
- Level
- Postgraduate
- Delivery type
- Self-paced
- Degree qualification
- MSc
- Location
- Online
- Duration
- Flexible
- Start date
- Open enrolment
Programme overview
1st
Top university in Scotland for producing CEOs (Novuna Business Cash Flow).
Top skills
MBA courses aligned with top five skills in the WEF Future of Jobs report, 2025.
200+ years
Founded in 1821, we are a leading UK university with 200+ years of in academic excellence in business and industry.
Designed for professionals at any stage of their career, this flexible, 100% online master’s helps you learn without pressing pause on work or life. You’ll gain both the technical and strategic skills employers need, from big data and predictive modelling to communication and consultancy.
Analytical thinking is now the world’s most in-demand skill. This MSc gives you the power to understand data, think strategically and lead with confidence in a data-driven world.
Data-driven organisations are 23x more likely to acquire customers and see an 8% profit increase (Mckinsey & BARC research). This MSc empowers you to harness that competitive advantage – turning insight into action.
Throughout the MSc Business Analytics, you will:
- Build advanced analytical and quantitative skills using modern business data tools
- Learn to visualise, interpret and communicate data effectively to decision-makers
- Apply analytics to solve real-world challenges through case studies and projects
- Develop consultancy-level problem-solving, communication, and storytelling skills
- Future-proof your career in a rapidly evolving digital economy
Study at your own pace, from wherever you are in the world. With our flexible 100% online model, you can enrol at any time, start when suits you and structure studies to fit your life.
Start with just one course
We’ve made it simpler than ever for you to start your MBA. With performance-based admission, you only need to pay for and then pass your first course to join the full programme. No application, no barriers. Get started today and build the competitive edge that sets you apart.
Enrol nowStudent experience
Edinburgh Business School is a mission-led, global hub of business knowledge and research.
With a long-tradition of offering inclusive, experiential learning for the ambitious leaders of tomorrow, we leverage our campuses Online, and in Edinburgh, Dubai, and Malaysia to create maximum worldwide impact.
You’ll learn from world-leading academics and researchers at the forefront of analytics, economics, and digital transformation. Our faculty contribute to global research projects such as the UKRI EPSRC Tomorrow’s Engineering Research Challenges and are award winners for sustainability and data innovation.
Course content
You decide how to start. Choose the number of courses you take at a time and the order you study them.
You’ll complete nine courses – six core, one optional specialist course and a reflective portfolio – totalling 190 credits to earn your degree. Each course takes around 200 hours of study. Most students finish the full MBA in two years, but you can go faster – or take longer if you need. Flexible, practical, and built around your career.
Core courses
- Business Analytics
- Network Analysis
- Big Data Analytics for Business
- Delivering Successful Projects
- Business Consultancy
- Financial Decision Making
- Business Analytics Reflective Portfolio
Optional courses
- Performance Management for Business
- Strategic Change Management
- Systems Thinking
Expand your learning with Coursera Career Academy
As a Heriot-Watt Online student, you get unlimited access to Coursera Career Academy’s library of certificates from global leaders like Google, IBM, and Meta. Learn the digital, leadership, and technical skills you need, exactly when you need them, to complement your degree and stay ahead in a rapidly changing world.
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Fees and funding
At Edinburgh Business School you can start with just one course and pay as you learn, or enrol in multiple courses at once.
Online Fees Calculator
Please select the programme you wish to study and your country of residence.
Funding opportunities
Pay per course
All our programmes offer the flexibility to pay course-by-course, allowing you to spread the cost of your tuition over the lifetime of your studies.
20% upfront fee reduction
Benefit from a 20% fee reduction when purchasing all courses upfront for this programme. Select all courses when you enrol for this reduction to be automatically applied.
20% Alumni Discount
If you are a Heriot-Watt alumnus, you qualify for 20% off your programme fees. For more information on how to claim your alumni discount contact hwonlineapps@hw.ac.uk.
Emerging Economies
Edinburgh Business School offers an Emerging Economies rate to residents of selected countries, which allows eligible students to reduce their programme fees by over £3,000.
Employer Sponsorship
Securing funding from your employer can help with financing your studies. For more information contact hwonlineapps@hw.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Performance-based admissions
At Edinburgh Business School, we believe that ambition and potential should open doors – not traditional qualifications. Our performance-based admission route allows you to start studying without standard entry requirements – no application needed.
You can enrol and prove your capability by passing your first course. Once successful, you’ll continue towards your full degree. This inclusive route recognises your potential, giving you the opportunity to earn a globally respected business qualification on your own terms.
Additional entry routes
Standard entry requirements
If you have traditional qualifications, you may also be eligible to start through a standard or international entry route. Typically we require a recognised first or second class honours degree, or equivalent professional qualification.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL)
We are committed to providing study opportunities to applicants who have a wide range of prior experiences and recognise that some students entering our online programme will have completed prior academic study in subjects that align closely to this programme. Where this is the case, students may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
- Applying for RPL: We can only consider requests for RPL at the time of application to a course of study.
- Maximum credits: You may be eligible to be granted exemption for a maximum of 20 credits.
- Eligibility: The qualification may be valid for RPL only if gained with the last 5 years. Evidence will need to be provided.
- Cost breakdown: The overall cost of your programme will be determined by whether you are awarded RPL for a 20-credit course, in which case you will not be required to register for that course. Programme fees can be found under the fees and funding section.
For more information contact hwonlineapps@hw.ac.uk.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, or your first degree was not taught in English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.
If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Why Heriot-Watt
We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes and 5th in the UK, which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country. We're also ranked 1st in Scotland for producing CEO and MDs (Novuna Business Cash Flow 2023).
We're Scotland's most international University, with five global campuses and a global community of 60,000 online students and alumni from over 158 countries. Our online programmes are designed and developed by the same faculty who teach on our global campuses - expert academics and leaders in research and innovation who work alongside industry to find solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges.
Together, we shape your future.
30+ years
With 30+ years of online education experience, we're experts in designing our programmes to meet the needs of our diverse, global student community.
500+
From day one, you get access to 500+ industry courses on Coursera Career Academy – courses from global titans Google, IBM and Microsoft.
6000+
Join a global community of 6,000+ online learner professionals – engage in discussion forums, attend live webinars and collaborate across borders.
Employability
With our flexible model you can earn while you learn, build your CV, and apply new skills right away. Get free access to 500+ industry credentials and dedicated Careers Service support.
Our graduates now work at
Your Online experience
Explore Heriot-Watt Online as a student
Speak to an advisor
Not sure where to begin? Our Enrolment Advisors can help you choose the right pathway for your goals. Whether you want to take a single course, earn an MBA Essentials PGCert, or work towards a full MBA, they’ll guide you every step of the way – ensuring your journey is tailored to your career ambitions.
Speak to an Enrolment Advisor
