MSc Business Analytics: Operational Research and Risk Analysis / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course description

Loading
Student Insights: Natthanit Sucheewakul MSc Business Analytics: Operational Research & Risk Analysis
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