Business Analytics and Decision Sciences - MSc

The programme

The MSc in Business Analytics and Decision Sciences will provide a unique exposure to current business opportunities, challenges and developments in the area of Business Analytics, Big Data Management and Decision Sciences.
The programme will equip students with the highly sought analytics skills and prepare them to solve challenging and complex business problems and make optimised decisions in the big data driven environment. More specifically, the programme will provide the latest analytics tools to analyse and interpret data, forecast future trends and optimise courses of action.

Message from the Head of the Department:

The modern business world is described often as data-driven as a lot of attention and discussion is around the identification of the next “big” idea or the next unicorn (a term used to describe a company valued above 1billion). This programme responds to the shortage of analysts capable of understanding data (e.g. patterns and relationships) to identify opportunities and to offer valuable information to support senior management decision making. Sectors such as airlines, logistics, energy, marketing, banking, healthcare, insurance, handle big data and are revisiting their processes and practices to optimize operations and profitability. Therefore, graduates with the skills necessary to interpret data and support decisions will be well placed in the job market.

Dr Nikos Tsorakidis
Head of Business Administration & Economics Department

• Business Strategy and Analytics
• Programming for Business Analytics
• Big Data Management, Processing and Visualisation
• Econometrics
• Data Analytics for Decision Making
• Simulation and Risk Management
• Digital Marketing Analytics
• Research Methods for Business
• Dissertation /Research Project

Business Strategy and Analytics
This unit examines contemporary strategy frameworks along with business models and how data is used to form and evaluate strategic decisions. The focus will range from traditional large corporations to start-up ventures and examples will be used from various business functions including operations, marketing, finance, strategic planning. The unit also considers privacy, security and ethics issues.

Programming for Business Analytics
Business analytics has come into the foreground in last decade or so. The proliferation of the internet and information technology has made analytics very relevant in the current business environment. Analytics is a field which combines data, information technology, statistical analysis, quantitative methods and computer-based models into one. The latter are combined to provide stakeholders with all the possible scenarios required to optimize their decision-making process. Under this context the purpose of this unit is to provide a clear understanding of the programming requirements for effectively integrating business analytics skills into the students professional profile.

Big Data Management, Processing and Visualization
This unit explores in detail a range of the most relevant topics that pertain to contemporary management, processing and visualization practices, technologies and tools for Big Data environments. Main aspects and challenges of Business Intelligence and Big Data will be addressed by introducing most of the relevant technology strands and considerations in the areas of data stores, data warehouses, data integration architectures, distributed storage & processing, decision support systems, data science fundamentals & advanced analytics. Additionally, this unit provides hands-on experience, among others, to cutting-edge software platforms for Business Intelligence & Analytics (Tableau) and Data Science & Machine Learning (RapidMiner).

Econometrics
This unit is highly technical in nature, as it predominantly attempts to expose the quantitative aspects that people in the business profession must be acquainted with should they want to perform everyday tasks effectively. Topics such as decision analysis, inferential statistics, regression and correlation analysis, model specification, econometric problems, time series, and forecasting, provide the platform on which an insightful and vigorous analysis will be conducted.

Data Analytics for Decision Making
This is an integrative capstone unit that draws on the entire first semester of studies in order to equip students with the essential knowledge and tools to effectively translate data analytics into business value. It aims to develop their decision making (managerial) skills rather than train them as a data-science expert. Therefore, through this unit the students will get a perspective on how data models and techniques are used in practice.

Simulations and Risk Management
This unit provides an introduction to the theory and practice of risk management and an overview of simulation techniques supporting management decisions. Risk management is a multidisciplinary field involving economics, mathematics, finance and computer science. The purpose of this unit is to cover and contrast the main operational research simulation concepts and approaches: Monte Carlo Simulation, Discrete Event Simulation and System Dynamics. There is a focus on practical modelling work and students are introduced to a range of suitable software packages.

Digital Marketing Analytics
Companies have access to an unprecedented volume and variety of marketing data through websites, social media and ad campaigns. In this unit students will learn how predictive analytics is used in digital marketing, how key performance indicators are set to evaluate what has happened in the past and learn how to provide an assessment of what will happen in the future. The ultimate objective is to form strategies to improve marketing campaigns and develop strategies for optimal performance and ROI.

Research Methods for Business
In the first semester this unit provides essential information on academic presentation, referencing, research and writing skills, different approaches to research and proposal preparation. In the second semester the unit examines a wide range of research methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative, with reference to their philosophical base and practical application in marketing & management.

Entry requirements

View the application and admission requirements of the programme.

How to apply

If you wish to apply for this programme you may view details of the application process.

The Business Administration & Economics Department (BAED) of CITY College, University of York Europe Campus aims at providing all students with an intellectually stimulating and supportive environment that allows them to acquire important skills and competencies for their professional and personal life.

Business matters at BAED. Our undergraduate and postgraduate courses in management related disciplines are designed to challenge students’ thinking and inspire them to develop the advanced knowledge and analytical skills they will need to succeed in business.

Our academics continually work with international, national and regional businesses as part of their research and use their experiences to make their teaching relevant and up-to-date.
More about the Business Administration & Economics Department

Research at the Business Administration & Economics Department

The academic staff of the Business Administration & Economics Department

Contact the Business Administration & Economics Department

Recognition and Careers

Accreditation and Recognition
CITY College is strongly committed to quality education and academic excellence. It is officially accredited and recognised by top international accreditation bodies. Read more

Degree and formal qualifications
The degree and formal qualifications our graduates receive.

For Greek graduates only: Recognition of degrees

Career opportunities

Graduates of the MSc in Business Analytics and Decision Sciences may be employed as consultants, decision modelling or data analysts, members of technical/analytics teams supporting the decision making of middle and top management in different sizes of organisation operating in diverse sectors.

Career, Employability and Enterprise Centre

The Career, Employability and Enterprise Centre, focuses on helping students to set attainable career goals. It offers advice on CVs and cover letters, and on how to effectively handle job interviews. Through career fairs, and different internship programmes, the department aims at constantly bringing students in contact with prospective employers. 

Every spring we organize the Annual Career Fair presenting with an opportunity to get a first feel of job seeking. During the event students and alumni have interview opportunities with corporate recruiters and present their skills and abilities to potential employers. Large companies, organisations and multinationals from different industries across S.E. Europe participate every year in our Career Fair and offer employment and internship opportunities to our students and graduates.
More about our Career Services.

Contact the Career, Employability and Enterprise Centre at careers@york.citycollege.eu

The programme is taught by academic staff members who have extensive teaching and professional experience. Our academics continually work with international, national and regional businesses as part of their research and use their experiences to make their teaching relevant and up-to-date. The administration staff fully supports all processes of the department and provides a wide range of services to our students.

The academic staff & administration staff of the Business Administration & Economics Department