About this course

This accredited 4-year business analytics degree with placement will give you specialist skills to help organisations understand their customers and use data to make effective business decisions. You'll get a solid education in business, plus hands-on experience by spending a year on a work placement.

Your A level results will determine which core or compulsory modules you'll need to take.

You'll develop the mathematical skills needed to gain insights from a range of data sources, including the internet and social media.

On this BSc Business Analytics course with placement you can:

spend your third year on an approved industry placement in a business organisation
gain experience of industry-standard analytics software, including the most commonly used SAS (Statistical Analysis System) package
explore possible career paths by studying interdisciplinary modules, including languages and web design
learn the fundamentals of programming
put your knowledge into practice by working on a project to address a real-world industry issue
benefit from the expertise of our research-focused academics, as well as input from industry

You'll receive dedicated support from our Placements Office throughout this course. This is our means of driving collaboration between students and businesses, and ensuring you're supported as you apply your learning to real-world scenarios.

Our BSc Business Analytics with placement course is very flexible because you can choose some of the modules you'll study. For example, you can deepen your accounting and finance knowledge or study relevant business and management topics.

Accreditations

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

Changes due to COVID-19

Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2022 to 2023. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.

Find out more on our COVID advice page.

ODT

Download 2022-23 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

A-levels

AAB

A-levels additional information

Excluded subjects are General Studies.

The below subjects are considered as restricted. This means that we can accept one subject from the following list if combined with other academic subjects:

Applied subjects, Art; including Design, Fine Art, Photography, Textiles, Communication Studies, Communication and Culture, Creative Media, Creative Writing, Critical Thinking, Dance, Drama, Film Studies, Health & Social Care, Home Economics, Hospitality and Supervision, ICT/IT Leisure Studies, Media Studies, Music Technology, Outdoor Education, PE, Performing Arts, Public Services, Sports Studies/Science, Theatre Studies, Travel & Tourism, World Development.

Please note; Computing, Computer Studies, Product Design and Applied Business (single and double awards) are not considered to be restricted subjects

More information about A-levels

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: ABB and grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows: ABB

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level

More information about International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

BTEC

D in the Business BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AA from two A levels

DD in the Business BTEC National Diploma plus A grade from one A-level

DDD in the Business BTEC National Extended Diploma

RQF BTEC

Additional information

The University aims to recruit students from a wide range of backgrounds who we believe have the potential and motivation to succeed on our challenging programmes. We are committed to fair admissions and strive to ensure we give equal consideration to all applicants who possess the necessary knowledge and skills.

More information about BTEC

QCF BTEC

D in the Business BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AA from two A levels

DD in the Business BTEC Diploma plus A grade from one A-level

DDD in the Business BTEC Extended Diploma

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 6/B *).

* We can accept a grade 5 in GCSE mathematics if you achieve grade B in A level Maths, Physics, Economics, Geography, Psychology or Business.

Please note we can only accept grade 6 in GCSE mathematics if you are studying BTEC qualifications.

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

Years 1, 2 and 4 of this course are made up of a combination of modules.

Compulsory modules provide a thorough grounding in the key concepts of business and business analytics.

You can choose from a range of optional modules to reflect your personal interests or future career aspirations. Options may include topics like digital business models, and operations management.

You can broaden your studies by choosing:

You do not need to select your modules when you apply. Your academic tutor will help you to customise your course.

Year 3 is your industry placement year.

Year 1 overview

Compulsory modules cover accounting and practical management skills. They draw on different disciplines to explore the development of business concepts and key technologies, giving you greater insight into the contemporary business world.

The breadth of study in year 1 will also help you to identify areas of business that most interest you.

Year 2 overview

You'll study a number of specialist core and compulsory modules with a data analytics focus. These cover topics such as forecasting, simulation, optimisation, data mining and knowledge management.

You'll also choose from a range of optional modules.

Year 3 overview

This is your paid industry business analytics placement year. You'll spend a minimum of 32 weeks working in a real business. You'll learn new skills, apply the knowledge you've already acquired, and gain work experience that will boost your future career.

You'll be fully supported by the University throughout the year in industry. Students currently earn an average of £17,000 during their placement year.

Our students have spent their placement years in companies such as:

IBM
JP Morgan
L’Oréal
Morgan Stanley
Xerox
BMW Group
Nissan
The Walt Disney Company
Panasonic

Year 4 overview

You'll continue to focus on data analytics. You'll also pursue your interests by choosing from a range of optional modules.

For your final project you'll investigate a business problem or issue an organisation is facing and write a dissertation on it. This will put your analytical skills into practice, as you prepare for working life in your chosen career.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

For entry in Academic Year 2022-23

You must study the following modules in year 1:

Analytics Implementation I: Spreadsheets and Databases

This course provides essential knowledge and skills required to support students’ future learning in future data analytic modules. Without prerequisite knowledge in data analytics, this module will cover spreadsheet analytics and relational database t...

Business Analytics Programming I: SAS Base Language

This course provides part of the essential knowledge and skills required for conducting the Final Project module in the final year. SAS (Statistical Analysis System) is the leading data analytics software package. This module will cover the fundamental...

Introduction to Accounting and Finance

The course seeks to provide an introductory, but comprehensive overview of financial accounting, management accounting, and financial management to non-specialist students. The course is delivered with particular emphasis on helping students of management...

Introduction to Management

This module provides you with a broad view on key management related topics. It also provides a chance for you to gain hands-on experience on teamwork through preparation and delivery of a group presentation as part of the module assessment. The lectures ...

Introduction to Marketing

The module introduces you to the basic concepts of marketing and explains its function in today’s business environment. You will discuss principal theory and practice of marketing and how marketing builds value to the firm and the customer with examples a...

Predictive Analytics I: Regression and combinatorial techniques

Predictive modelling offers a lot of benefits to organisations: it can help them to improve their business decisions and which in turn will have a huge impact on their business and its profits. As a result, there is a huge demand for persons with predicti...

Prescriptive Analytics I: Fundamentals of Management Sciences

The module is designed to introduce a range of Management Science techniques, it is the level 1 module in the prescriptive analytics stream for the Business Analytics programmes. This module will describe many of the classical MS problems and solution te...

Realising Success

Welcome to the “Realising Success” module. This is where you are going to learn how to create a successful future and make the most of opportunities at university to maximise success and get yourself in a competitive position. The module is designed to e...

You must also choose from the following modules in year 1:

Foundations of Business Analytics

Business analytics is closely related to management science and operational research. It refers to the use of statistical methods and models as well as empirical data to support the process of making business decisions. This module provides general knowle...

Management Analysis

Management Analysis seeks to develop and enhance the basic mathematics and statistics knowledge and skills that are relevant to decision making in organisations. Management Analysis is a comprehensive module. It covers a wide range of fundamental quantita...

You must study the following modules in year 2:

Analytics Implementation II Visualising Data for Effective Communication

Referred to as the ‘the new oil’, the importance of data as a resource to modern society cannot be underestimated. Yet many individuals and organisations alike do not use data effectively, if at all. Effective use of ‘big data’, with its vast sizes and ...

Business Analytics Programming II: Algorithmic Thinking

Programming is a structured way of giving a computer unambiguous instructions to perform specific tasks. Knowledge and experience of programming not only improves your employability but it also teaches you analytical skills such as breaking down a problem...

Consulting: Context, Concepts and Practice

Management Consulting has enjoyed significant growth in the previous 40 years and plays a large and important role in the private and public sectors of most national economies. Despite, or perhaps because of this success, the role of management consultant...

Predictive Analytics II: Business Forecasting

This course provides part of the essential knowledge and skills required for conducting the Final Project module in the final year. Forecasting is the process of making statements about events whose actual outcomes (typically) have not yet been observ...

Prescriptive Analytics II: Simulation Business

MANG2002 introduces simulation. As an experimental technique, simulation is one the most widely used modelling techniques. This is because, unlike optimising techniques such as queuing theory, it requires few assumptions. As a result, analysts use it to s...

You must also choose from the following modules in year 2:

Digital Business Models

The emergence of the digital economy has unlocked new opportunities, leading to the creation of new innovations in data driven industries. New digital business models have also accelerated ‘creative destruction’, disrupting the existing business models of...

Financial Accounting 2

The module is intended to introduce students to regulation in financial reporting and to examine specific problem areas using a conceptual framework as a basis of the analysis. This allows an evaluation of current external reporting practice within the co...

Financial Econometrics 1

Financial Econometrics 1 provides you with the necessary skills to undertake quantitative research in finance. Lectures will introduce a broad range of topics (e.g. regression). However, you will discover that by understanding and applying some basic conc...

Financial Management

This module provides a deep insight in some key theories and topics in Financial Management. The module looks at how firms and corporation manage financial investment and decisions in the long term and short term. The module will discuss topics ranging fr...

Innovation, Technology and the Environment

This module explores the opportunities and challenges presented by the growing importance of the environmental agenda in the political, social economic and technological context. With increasing environmental awareness comes a need for commercially sustai...

Making Successful Decisions

This module considers the generic aspects of decision processes that take place at individual and organisational levels and demonstrates how various lines of enquiry and analytical techniques can help achieve better quality decisions. It draws sharp atten...

Management Ethics

This module discusses issues related to business ethics. It covers philosophical foundations of ethical theories, and applications of ethical theory to real-life case studies and hypothetical dilemmas. It also discusses causes and consequences of unethica...

Operations Management

Operations management is concerned with the management of resources for producing and delivering products or services. Case study material will be used in the module to illustrate many of the important issues faced by operations managers as well as coveri...

Portfolio Theory and Financial Markets

The module aims to develop understanding of the role of financial markets, security analysis and valuation, efficient market theory, asset pricing theory and portfolio management. This is an excellent module to understand the basics of finance, how financ...

Problem Structuring Methods

This module provides an introduction to problem structuring methods (PSMs): methods which can be used to assist individuals and teams in developing their understanding of the messy problems which are the reality of organisational life. Such methods tend t...

Research Methods in The Social Sciences

This module builds upon the material learnt in the first year in STAT1003. It aims to increase your knowledge of social science research strategies and methods of collecting data (both quantitative and qualitative). It does this by covering the whole rese...

You must study the following modules in year 4:

Analytics Implementation III: Knowledge Management, Methods and Ethics

As organisations have become more knowledge intensive, the ability to manage and create knowledge has become a matter of competitive survival. This module is intended to develop students a holistic view of business analytical intention and to understand t...

Analytics in Action I

Companies nowadays have collected a large volume of data from various sources. This module aims to introduce the key concepts of using ‘Big Data’ to support organisations in making decision. The module will start by defining the concept of data analytics....

Analytics in Action II

Having learnt the basic techniques and principles of business analytics in previous semester 1 modules, this module will introduce you to a number of advanced machine learning methods and their applications in practice. These include machine learning meth...

Final Project

This module serves as the final project/dissertation for the students studying Business Analytics and Business Analytics with Placement Year. The final project provides you with the opportunity to conduct a large piece of research work on a topic of inter...

Prescriptive Analytics III: Optimisation

Organisations are typically faced with many decision problems in the running of their operations and they strive to make better decisions by finding good, or ideally the best (optimal), solutions to such problems. This module is concerned with how decisio...

You must also choose from the following modules in year 4:

Applied Regression Analysis

This module will introduce a number of common methods for analysing survey data, focusing on regression analysis. The module will cover in depth linear and logistic regression analyses, before introducing further regression techniques such as ordinal and ...

Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Business

This module covers the development of the concept and the meaning of the term corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable business (SB); how CSR and SB models are being implemented in today’s corporations, its impact and likely future directions...

Managing High-Growth Businesses

The important contributions that high-growth firms make to the economy through their generation of revenue and jobs have long been recognised. Entrepreneurs often seek growth to maximise their returns, while others embark on a trajectory of ‘accidental gr...

Marketing in the Digital Age

The focus of this module is on the effectiveness of marketing in the context of today’s rapidly changing digital business environment. Marketing in the Digital Age offers an evolutionary, ‘digital’ perspective, beginning with its origins in customer relat...

Project Management

Project management is an integrated approach to achieve non-routine business objectives. This module aims to introduce the ideas, techniques and tools of project management as used in practice. Students will be equipped with both knowledge and underst...

Risk Management

This is a holistic module because it emphasises that its constituent topics dealing with diverse aspects of risk management are highly interconnected. Mastery of the subject is conceived as requiring a strong understanding of these interconnections. For e...

Strategic Operations Management

In today's highly competitive environment, though, strategic operations capabilities must be in place in order for organisations to provide goods and services that meet and exceed customer requirements. Key issues such as cost, speed, quality, flexibility...

Technological Innovation

Technological innovation is increasingly recognised as one of the most important sources of sustainable competitive advantage for businesses around the world. However, building an organization which can successfully and repeatedly create technological inn...

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

lectures
classes and tutorials
independent learning (studying on your own)

How you'll spend your course time:

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:

24%

Scheduled learning & teaching

76%

Independent learning

How we'll assess you

essays
individual and group projects
written exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 1:

40%

Written exam

60%

Coursework

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Libo Li is the course leader.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,250.
EU and international students pay £20,340.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.

Find out how to:

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

Business Analytics with Placement Year (BSc)