MSc Business Analytics: Operational Research and Risk Analysis

Year of entry: 2025

Overview

Degree awarded
Master of Science (MSc)
Duration
1 year
Entry requirements

We require a First or Upper Second class honours degree (2:1, with 60% average) from a UK university or the overseas equivalent in a quantitative subject such as mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering, computing, management science or economics. 

When assessing your academic record we take into account your grade average , position in class and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.  We particularly welcome applicants from institutions of high ranking and repute.

Full entry requirements

How to apply

Apply online >>

NOTE: There is a non-refundable application fee of £60. You should be prompted to pay this within the application portal before you can submit your application. We cannot consider applications until you have paid the application fee. 

Applying to multiple programmes

Course options

Full-time Part-time Full-time distance learning Part-time distance learning
MSc Y N N N

Course overview

Learn the fundamental theories, approaches and analytical toolkit of data analytics, decision sciences, applied operational research and statistics.

QS Ranking:  2nd in the UK and 10th in the world

Open days

Meet us at an event to find out more about our master's degree courses.

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Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2025, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • MSc (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): £19,000
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £34,000

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.

Refund Policy

Due to the competition for places and limited availability, our courses require a deposit of £1000 to cover non-recoverable costs and secure your place. The deposit will be deducted from your tuition fees when you register on the course.

The deposit is non-refundable, except in the following situations:

  • you fail to meet the conditions of your offer (see below for further information); and/or
  • you are refused a visa or entry clearance to enter the UK (proof must be submitted)

If an offer has been made specifying an English Language condition which you do not meet, the Admissions Team will require the official certificate of an English Language test taken after the date of offer as evidence that you have attempted to meet your offer conditions for a refund to be approved. The English Language test certificate provided with your application documents will not be accepted as proof that you have attempted to meet your offer conditions as such a certificate will predate the offer.

If an offer has been made specifying an academic condition, the Admissions Team will require the official university documentation showing that you have not met this academic condition from the institution at which you have studied, as evidence for a refund to be approved.

The Admissions Team reserves the right to refuse to refund of any deposit that does not meet with the requirements outlined above.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

Contact details

School/Faculty
Alliance Manchester Business School
Contact name
Master's Admissions Office
Email
Website
https://www.alliancembs.manchester.ac.uk/study/masters/msc-business-analytics-operational-research-and-risk-analysis/
School/Faculty
Alliance Manchester Business School was established in 1965 as one of the UK's first two business schools. Today, we are the UK's largest campus-based business and management school, and 'Original Thinking Applied' is at the heart of everything we do. Find out more .

Courses in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

We require a First or Upper Second class honours degree (2:1, with 60% average) from a UK university or the overseas equivalent in a quantitative subject such as mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering, computing, management science or economics. 

When assessing your academic record we take into account your grade average , position in class and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.  We particularly welcome applicants from institutions of high ranking and repute.

English language

For the latest information on demonstrating your English proficiency for those whose first language is not English, please see our language requirements .

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Other international entry requirements

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements see entry requirements for your country .

Application and selection

How to apply

Apply online >>

NOTE: There is a non-refundable application fee of £60. You should be prompted to pay this within the application portal before you can submit your application. We cannot consider applications until you have paid the application fee. 

Applying to multiple programmes

Advice to applicants

Your statement of purpose should cover the areas outlined below: 

  • Tell us why you are interested in the MSc Analytics: Operational Research and Risk Analysis course at Alliance MBS and how the course will impact on your future
  • Please list any other quantitative courses or qualifications you have taken in addition to your undergraduate degree
  • Describe what makes you an outstanding applicant and describe your potential to contribute to all aspects of the course.

How your application is considered

We can only process applications with the following documents:

  • valid English language qualification
  • first and second year transcript (scanned copies are accepted at the time of application)
  • statement of purpose (this is included as part of your application form, you do not need to email your statement of purpose directly to the Admissions Team)

Deferrals

To defer your offer to the following year, you must contact your admission officer to get a copy of the deferral form. You can only defer your place for one year.

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry. In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.

Course details

Course description

Learn the fundamental theories, approaches and analytical toolkit of data analytics, decision sciences, applied operational research and statistics.
  • Gain a solid theoretical foundation and quantitative skills, alongside practical problem-solving techniques
  • Apply your knowledge to real-life scenarios using case studies, individual and team consulting-based assignments, presentations and software tools
  • Use Enterprise packages as part of the `Data Analytics for Business Decision Making' unit. 
  • Choose from a broad range of options to meet your interests or career aspirations
  • Prepare for a career in consultancy, finance, retail, manufacturing, government analytics units, defence, IT systems, outsourcing and telecoms.

Special features

We run a core unit on Data Analytics which will introduce students to Enterprise Guide and Enterprise Miner and other specialized software tools.

Recent highlights  included guest talks and dissertation projects with a wide range of industry partners.

The course is closely linked with the Decision and Cognitive Sciences Research Centre , meaning that you benefit from teaching that incorporates the latest research. You may also find opportunities to collaborate with ongoing research projects and attend research seminars organised by the Research Centre. 

Coursework and assessment

Assessment varies depending on course units taken.  It may include a combination of individual course work, group project assessment and presentations, assignments, in-class tests and examination. 

The dissertation is normally undertaken.

Course unit details

During the course you will be taking 180 credits in all. The eight taught modules during semester one and two total 120 credits and consists of both compulsory and optional taught units which can be viewed in the list below.  

The core courses unit introduce you to mathematical principles and practical tools for Optimization, Decision Making, Data Analytics, Statistical Analysis, Simulation and Risk Analysis. Specific software packages include SPSS, Excel, Excel Solver, SIMUL8, iThink, Risk Solver, IDS, and Python.

Over the summer period, you will carry out your Research Dissertation, worth 60 credits.  Examples of recent dissertation project topics include:

  • Predictive analytics in direct marketing
  • Systematic risk modelling and analysis for enterprise risk management
  • Predicting the stock price using social media sentiment analysis
  • Data analytics in sports
  • Data analytics on the net-zero carbon goals of sustainable cities

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Risk, Performance and Decision Analysis BMAN60092 15 Mandatory
Mathematical Programming and Optimisation BMAN60101 15 Mandatory
Data Analytics for Business Decision Making BMAN60422 15 Mandatory
Applied Statistics and Business Forecasting BMAN71791 15 Mandatory
Global Operations Management BMAN70081 15 Optional
Strategic Supply Chain Management BMAN70111 15 Optional
Strategic Project Organising BMAN70391 15 Optional
Knowledge Management and Digital Strategy BMAN71652 15 Optional
Decision Behaviour, Analysis and Support BMAN73271 15 Optional
Supply Chain Logistics Management BMAN73672 15 Optional
Programming in Python for Business Analytics BMAN73701 15 Optional
Simulation & Risk Analysis BMAN73942 15 Optional
Financial Data Analytics & AI in Finance BMAN74222 15 Optional
Essential Risk Management for Business MCEL63402 15 Optional
Displaying 10 of 14 course units

Scholarships and bursaries

Read about available scholarships and funding .

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk

Careers

Career opportunities

There are many potential career roles for postgraduates with an understanding of analytical approaches in business and management - including job titles such as operational research analyst, systems analyst, risk analyst, financial analyst, performance analyst, business analyst, data analyst, marketing analyst, data scientist, business modeller, and operations, logistics, production, project, risk, quality, performance, or general manager.

Employers include general and specialist consultancies, the finance, retail and manufacturing sectors, government analytics units, defence and major 'solution providers' in IT systems, outsourcing and telecoms.

In many of these areas an MSc is generally accepted as highly desirable for developing an initial career in the field. In addition to preparing you for specialist professional work, the course is also a valuable preparation for further study and for research degrees.

Recent recruiters 

America Veintiuno, Aon, Bank of East Asia, BIP Consulting,  Dell, Deloitte, Google, Goldman Sachs, Hainan Airlines, HMR, HSBC, IBM, PwC, Bank of China, Royal Bank of Scotland, Saudi Aramco, Disney Analytics, Sky, Swiss Re, Infosys and Peak AI.

Read more about graduate career destinations >> 

Read about our Postgraduate Careers Service >> 

Read the latest information on visa changes and opportunities in the UK for international students >>