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Courses
Courses
Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make! View our courses and see what our students and lecturers have to say about the courses you are interested in at the links below.
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University Life
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About NUI Galway
About NUI Galway
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Business & Industry
Guiding Breakthrough Research at NUI Galway
We explore and facilitate commercial opportunities for the research community at NUI Galway, as well as facilitating industry partnership.
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Alumni, Friends & Supporters
Alumni, Friends & Supporters
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Community Engagement
Community Engagement
At NUI Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.
Business Analytics (MSc)
Course Overview
The MSc. in Business Analytics provides students with the skills and knowledge to manage and develop business analytics within organisations. The programme is designed as a specialist course, which assists students in blending their existing talents with the technological skills and business knowledge needed to use and manage big data and business analytics in modern knowledge-based organisations.
The programme is a taught Masters programme and consists of lectures, workshops, guest lectures from industry experts, and hands-on technology tutorials. Modules are assessed via continuous assessment, written assignments, applied projects and written examinations.
**Learn More - Business Analytics Infographic -**
Programme learning outcomes
Upon completion of the MSc. Business Analytics, students will have acquired industry-standard skills and in-depth knowledge to:
- Understand and be able to use specific IT which is used in developing business analytics.
- Analyse and solve business problems using applied data analytics tools and techniques.
- Understand and apply techniques for managing Information Technology in organisations.
- Identify, analyse and solve applied problems in individual and team-based settings.
- Apply effective decision making to global business problems.
Business Analytics Class 2019–20
Applications and Selections
Applications are made online via the NUI Galway Postgraduate Applications System.
Who Teaches this Course
Requirements and Assessment
Semester One exams: December.
Semester Two exams: April/ May.
A range of assessment methods are integrated and assessed throughout the programme. These include projects, reports, presentations, and case studies.
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
Applicants should normally hold a qualification from a university or other internationally recognised academic institution or authority, corresponding to Level 8 of the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), to a minimum standard of Second Class Honours (or equivalent). IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent, if applicable. The qualification must include an element of quantitative techniques, for example, graduates of Business Studies, Engineering, Computer Science, other Sciences, Mathematics or other courses that have some quantitative content.
Additional Requirements
Duration
1 year, full-time
Next start date
September 2021
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
100
Closing Date
Please refer to the offer rounds/closing date webpage.
NFQ level
9
Mode of study
Taught
ECTS weighting
90
Award
Masters
CAO
Course code
1MBY1
Course Outline
The MSc. Business Analytics consists of 90 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System). All modules are worth 5 ECTS, with the exception MS5103 Business Analytics Project (30 ECTS).
Semester I
- MS805: Database Systems
- MS806: Business Applications Programming
- MS5104: Decision Theory & Analysis
- MS5105: Statistical Techniques for Business Analytics
- MS5107: Business Modelling & Analytics
Elective Modules (a total of 10 ECTS is required)
- MG557: Strategic Management (5 ECTS)
- MS804: Systems Development & Project Management (5 ECTS)
Semester II
- MS802: Information Systems Strategy and Innovation
- MS809: Enterprise Systems
- MS810: Information Systems Security & Ethics
- MS810: Advanced Applications Programming
- MS5106: Data Science & Big Data Analytics
- MS5108: Applied Customer Analytics
- MS5103: Business Analytics Project (Group Project)
Career Development & Student Support
Students are encouraged to actively avail of the career and personal support services that is provided as part of the MSc Business Analytics programme and the wider university.
Workshops tailored for business analytics students include:
- Masterclass talks - Representatives from companies including Pramerica, AIB, An Garda Síochána (Irish police service), and the Analytics Institute of Ireland discussed the benefits/challenges of embedding analytics in an organisation and the importance of management skills.
- Cross-cultural communication skills workshop (Accredited and facilitated by the Irish Council for International Students).
- Navigating graduate recruitment in Ireland.
- CV writing and interview preparation.
- Building a professional online profile using Twitter and LinkedIn.
- A dedicated student support advisor for business school students.
- Employer and career events organised by the NUIG Careers Office throughout the year.
Curriculum Information
Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Glossary of Terms
- Credits
- You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
- Module
- An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
- Subject
- Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
- Optional
- A module you may choose to study.
- Required
- A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
- Required Core Subject
- A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
- Semester
- Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.
Year 1 (90 Credits)
Optional MG557: Strategic Management - 5 Credits - Semester 1Optional MS804: Systems Development & Project Management - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required MS5115: Business Analytics Major Project - 30 Credits - Semester 1
Required MS806: Business Applications Programming - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required MS805: Database Systems - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required MS5107: Business Modelling and Analytics - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required MS5105: Statistical Techniques for Business Analytics - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required MS5104: Decision Theory & Analysis - 5 Credits - Semester 1
Required MS5109: Business Analytics with SAP - 10 Credits - Semester 2
Required MS810: Information Systems Security & Ethics - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Required MS809: Enterprise Systems - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Required MS802: Information Systems Strategy and Innovation - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Required MS5108: Applied Customer Analytics - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Required MS5106: Data Science and Big Data Analytics - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Required MS5114: Advanced Programming for Business Analytics - 5 Credits - Semester 2
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
The MSc (Business Analytics) provides students with the skills and knowledge to manage and develop business analytics within organisations. It has been designed as a specialist programme to fill the 17,000 additional jobs in Business Analytics that will be created in Ireland over the coming years (Expert Group on Future Skills Needs in Ireland). The programme is also aligned with Ireland’s National Skills Strategy 2025 by placing a strong focus on providing skills development opportunities that are relevant to the needs of learners, society and the economy.
Graduates have found employment in:
Graduate Roles:
- Data Analyst
- Business Analyst
- Credit Risk Analyst
- Computer Analyst
- Operation Specialist
- Global Customer Master Data Analyst
- Supplier Implementation Associate
- Tax Technologist
- Business Modeller
- Senior Business Analyst
- DevOps & Security Consultant
- HR Reporting Administrator
*Learn More -Business Analytics Infographic*
J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics MSc Business Analytics Merit Scholarship
Details on our merit Scholarships for the MSc in Business Analytics commencing September 2021 will be published in Spring 2021.
For more information: business@nuigalway.ie. Please note that to be considered for this merit based scholarship, applicants must be accepted to their chosen programme, have achieved a H1 (or international equivalent) in their primary degree and must complete an online Scholarship Form.
Masterclasses
Examples of speakers in Business Analytics:
Speaker Name | Title | Affiliation |
Lorcan Malone | CEO | Analytics Institute of Ireland |
Dr. Gurchand Singh | Head of Garda Síochána Analysis Service | An Garda Siochana (Irish Police Service) |
Bill Schmarzo | CTO | DellEMC Global Services |
Paul Cashman | Business Analytics Manager | AIB (Financial Services) |
Peter McCrystal | Data Scientist | Pramerica (Financial Services) |
Pamela Devins | Career Development Consultant | NUI Galway |
Dr. Patrick Mikalef | Research Fellow | Norwegian University of Science & Technology, Norway |
Education in Ireland Blog:
Manish at NUI Galway tells us more about the benefits of choosing Ireland, Galway and MSc Business Analytics. Click here to read his blog.
Programme Director Dr Denis Dennehy is committed to Inclusive Teaching and Learning Practice, and the MSc (Business Analytics) received the NUI Galway Inclusive Teaching Team Award. More info>>
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
Fees: Tuition
Fees: Student levy
Fees: Non EU
EU Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €2,000 towards your tuition. You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee. An F5 grant is where SUSI will pay TUITION up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €224.
EU Postgraduate fee breakdown = EU tuition + student levy as outlined above.
Note to Non EU students: Learn about the 24 month Stayback Visa here.
Find out More
Programme Director
Dr Denis Dennehy
E: denis.dennehy@nuigalway.ie
Programme Administrator
Ms Melissa O’Hea
T: +353 91 492 308
E: BIS@nuigalway.ie
Quick Links
Feedback from Industry

Bill Schmarzo | CTO, IOT and Analytics, Hitachi Vantara Honorary Professor
I was impressed with the quality and thoroughness of the NUI Galway's MSc (Business Analytics) program and the enthusiasm of the students. Not only does the program teach the important fundamentals of business analytics, big data and data science, but they encompass that learning within a broader design thinking approach that seeks to get the most out of every student. The success of the program speaks for itself in the number of students who are placed in high positions of responsibility at some of the leading companies throughout Ireland and the EU.in Connect with Bill

Damien Mulligan | Finance Director, Kepak
We engaged with NUIG students for two business analytics projects as part of their MSc. Business Analytics programme. This involved the analysis of large datasets from one of our business units. In return Kepak were presented with a comprehensive report at the end of term, which included an excellent presentation of the student’s findings. We found this process very insightful, offering us alternative analysis of different trends within our business and a demonstration of the use of up to date analytic software and management dashboards. We are looking forward to working with them again in the future.

Paul McCartney | Head of HR ANAM
Our solutions have a heavy reliance on our ability to rapidly process data and deploy cutting-edge BI Analytic tools to our Mobile Operator clients. A great deal of this critical analytical work has been achieved by utilising the skills and competencies of students who we have hired from NUI Galway’s, MSc in Business Analytics. We have found the students from this course ideally suited to working within the Anam product portfolio. All the students we have hired present an in-depth knowledge and excellent understanding of Business Analytics and related tools. This has enabled them to transition into the commercial world quickly and add immediate value to the Company. Having access to students from this progressive course has greatly helped the Company succeed in this key area and we look forward to hiring many more of these excellent students on an annual basis.

Lorcan Malone | Chief Executive of Analytics Institute of Ireland
The NUIG MSc In Business Analytics is a hugely impressive programme. The combination of expert tuition with deep industry engagement means that programme graduates will be highly sought after by leading employers in the sector

Eddie Morris | Support Team Manager, Cloud Product Support, SAP
Graduates from the MSc. in Business Analytics come to us with an industry-ready skillset; they have the right blend of business and IT skills we are looking for. In our experience at SAP this means these graduates hit the ground running adding value to our organization from day one. The graduates we hired from this course impressed at interview describing in detail the outcomes and deliverables of the projects they were involved in. They continue to impress with their ability and capacity to learn and contribute.
Meet our Graduates

Emma Marlborough | HRIS Analyst at Facebook
I found the course is well designed to accommodate students of various backgrounds. My HR background has been complemented with new technological skills. Being given the opportunity to work with a client for my capstone project equipped me with essential consultancy experience, learning first hand about business challenges when using analytics.in Connect with Emma

Jonathon Lawlor | Business Intelligence Analyst at ANAM Technologies Ltd
The programme provided fundamental topics such as Decision Theory and Analysis, Applied Customer Analytics and exposure to cutting-edge disruptive technologies. The emphasis and encouragement to develop fundamental skills including, (i) reflective and analytical thinking, (ii) communication, and (iii) leadership have already been and will continue to be used for the rest of my professional career.in Connect with Jonathon

Neha Tyagi | Senior MI Analyst, Ulster Bank
The MSC. Business Analytics is a world-class course that is taught by qualified academics and researchers. It provided a positive student experience that included (i) international exposure to work with people from different countries, (ii) practical assignments, (iii) teamwork, and (iv) developing my communication skills.in Connect with Neha

Adrian Egan | Global Customer Master Data Analyst, MSD
The MSc in Business Analytics in NUI Galway offers great opportunities for people from diverse educational or professional backgrounds. It has an excellent blend of business and technical subjects that are in high demand by employers.in Connect with Adrian

Anamika Parashar | Assistant Vice President at Citi
Although I had worked in financial services prior to pursuing my masters at NUIG, this programme enabled me to develop effective communication skills, understanding of business problems and being able to translate that problem into a solution using business analytics. The MSc in business analytics has greatly enhanced my analytical, programming and research skills, which enabled me to secure a position as technology Business Analyst, Citi Group.in Connect with Anamika

Ahmed Elwardany | Business Insights Manager at LetsGetChecked
This programme enriched and developed my technical and business skills. It provided a solid foundation for transitioning my career towards business analytics through a blend of theoretical and practical learning activities. It was both a challenging and enjoyable journey that truly embraced cultural diversity in a friendly and supportive environment.in Connect with Ahmed

Rakshith Gowda | SAP/Tableau/Python/Cloud technologies Analytics developer
The pedagogy practised ensures that the course learning outcomes are met through hands-on activities using technologies such as SAP Business Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, Tableau, IBM SPSS, and SQL, R, and JAVA programming languages. Gaining experience as a Research Assistant LERO | The Irish Software Research Centre gave me an opportunity to work on an analytics-oriented research project between Dell Technologies and Lero.in Connect with Rakshith

Orla McHugh | Data Analyst at ESB
The M.Sc. in Business Analytics enabled me to gain a broad insight into the diverse areas within business analytics and to develop technical skills such as data mining and predictive analysis, which has enabled me to thrive in the analytics industry.in Connect with Orla

Sughosh Harve | AWS | DevOps | Kubernetes
I found the programme to be well structured and I liked the way it was presented in detail every week. I thoroughly relished every aspect of the course be it assignments, group work or the camaraderie with lecturers and my fellow classmates. I found the workshops and guest lectures conducted during the course of the programme to be very insightful.in Connect with Sughosh

Vernon D’Souza | Senior Data Analyst | Financial Services
“The inter-cultural experience, good rapport with lecturers, and modules that were structured to have a balance between business and technical domains with gradual exploration of deeper concepts such as decision making, statistics, data visualisation and project management are just a few of the many positive aspects of the MSc Business Analytics programme.in Connect with Vernon
Sinead Jacobsen - MSc (Business Analytics) Student
Sinead Jacobsen - MSc (Business Analytics) Student
Rakshith Gowda - MSc (Business Analytics) Student
Rakshith Gowda - MSc (Business Analytics) Student