Data analysis has become a dominant force in the modern global business landscape, propelling business analytics careers to be at their peak. Professionals with analytical skills are in high demand.
Industries are looking for data-literate professionals with strong decision making and analytics skills, but also with financial acumen to develop strategies for their organisations.
This course will equip you with technical data science skills and non-technical management skills along with a deep understanding of the application of analytics within the context of financial management. You will develop an interdisciplinary understanding of the applications of analytics in a financial context through data collection, data visualization, statistical/pattern analysis, and data mining.
You will be exposed to modules such as corporate finance, credit risks and data analytics, as well as optimisation and decision modelling, along with modules which incorporate research skills and the latest analytical techniques and tools.
This degree is ideal for those who have previously been exposed to other disciplines and fields which perhaps incorporated data analytics skills or quantitative subject, such as economics, mathematics, physics, engineering or computer science.
It will also suit you if you have relevant professional experience and are contemplating of either furthering your career or making a career change.
Our modules are designed to meet the latest industry demands with course contents which are meticulously reviewed by our Business Advisory Board. siness Advisory Board. The board includes industry experts from organisations such as:
A dissertation component has been integrated as part of this programme. For this module, you will follow one of the following options:
You’ll also benefit from the expertise of the Centre of Operational Research, Management Sciences and Information Systems (CORMSIS), one of the country’s strongest analytics research groups. Your learning is informed by specialist research, and you can personalise your studies with optional modules. For example, you can choose to focus on:
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.
Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
Dr Steffen Bayer is the lead for this course. He is an Associate Professor at the University of Southampton Business School and Programme Leader for the MSc Business Analytics and Finance and MSc Business Analytics and Management Science. His research focuses on health service planning, including stroke and renal care, human resource planning and technology-supported healthcare delivery.
“This course is offering the exact modules that I intended to study to make a shift in my professional career. It’s tailored exactly to my needs and is a great course for anyone who wants to advance in analytics and finance.”
This course is based at Highfield.
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.
You’ll need a 2.1 degree in a subject which includes quantitative study such as:
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
We do not accept the following subjects:
If English is not your first language, you must show that you can use English to the level we require. Visit our English language pages to find out which qualifications we accept and how you can meet our requirements.
If you are taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), you must get at least the following scores:
If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before you start your course.
If you don’t meet direct entry requirements, you can apply to complete a Pre-Master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus.
You'll progress to your chosen course after successfully completing the programme. Find out more about Pre-Master's programmes for international students.
If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.
Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
On this master’s degree in Business Analytics and Finance, your studies will run for a full 12 months.
The first 9 months cover taught modules. There are 2 sets of exams, in January and in May. You will then work on your dissertation from June to September.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
You must study the following modules :
You must also choose from the following modules :
As well as learning practical techniques you’ll develop your critical evaluation, financial decision-making and mathematical modelling skills through:
You’ll also explore topics in more depth through:
You can gain specialist experience using analytics, modelling, coding and programming software using tools such as Excel, Python, SIMUL8 and SPSS. You’ll also learn to use SAS, a leading data analytics programme, to prepare you for the SAS base programmer certification.
Assessment methods vary between modules and may include:
Modules such as Credit Scoring and Simulation have a practical computer-based assignment, using commercial software, so that your mathematical modelling skills can be assessed.
You'll use the methods, techniques and skills you learn in the taught part of the course to write a 15,000-word dissertation. Your summer project will form the basis of this.
We’ll assign you a personal tutor, and you’ll have access to a senior tutor.
This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.
The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:
The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.
Download skills overview
Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:
Consultancy,
Technology,
Business,
Public Sector,
Finance.
*Example graduate job titles and job prospect statistics taken from The Graduate Outcomes Survey, which gathers information about the activities and perspectives of graduates 15 months after finishing their course.
Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.
Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.
Fees for a year's study:
If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.
Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.
Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.
Explore:
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course.
If you study part-time, you may not be eligible for this loan. Find out if you're eligible.
Scholarships of £9,000 and £5,000 are available to home fee paying students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s at the University of Southampton Business School.
Find out more about the Southampton Business School (MSc) Dean Scholarship (UK), including eligibility and conditions.
Scholarships of £9,000 and £5,000 are available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s at the University of Southampton Business School.
Find out more about the Southampton Business School (MSc) Dean Scholarship (International), including eligibility and conditions.
A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.
The deadline to apply for this course is Wednesday 2 September 2026, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
The deadline to apply for this course is Wednesday 19 August 2026, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
There is no application assessment fee for postgraduate courses starting in 2026.
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
References are not required for this programme.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We receive a high volume of applications for this course. This means you may not receive a response to your application for up to 12 weeks.
If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.
Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
