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 your course lead. Steffen’s research explores predictive analytics using simulation methods applied in different fields. He teaches the Simulation module. Read about Dr Bayer's research and publications.
“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 with an element of quantitative study such as:
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
We do not accept the following subjects:
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with ONCAMPUS. Learn more about the programmes available.
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: [email protected]
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 :
In this module we begin by looking at the types and sources of finance for a company. Next we seek to understand the cost of capital and the major theories that guide us. Next comes sources of long-term finance: capital, debt and hybrid finance. Finally, ...
The module will start by defining the concept of data analytics and demonstrating the processes in three steps: data pre-processing, data mining and post-processing. Next, we will zoom into the data mining step and distinguish three types of data mining:...
This module will provide you with a sound foundation in the application of the many tools and techniques of management science. You are expected to learn the tools and the applications of modelling, optimization, computing and programming in solving pract...
This module provides you with the opportunity to engage with econometrics theory focusing, in particular, on analysing financial markets and firms’ investment and financing decisions. The module will systematically prepare you with the necessary skills to...
You must also choose from the following modules :
Having learnt the basic techniques and principles of business analytics in semester 1 modules, this module will introduce you to a number of advanced applications of business analytics in practice. These include data management using database engines, GLM...
This module covers topics such as investment appraisal, evaluation of corporate investment, M&A, corporate governance issues in both theoretical and empirical aspects, and thus provides the knowledge which may be required for managers. The materials may b...
The dissertation stage of your Postgraduate programme involves an extended, independent investigation of a topic of your own choosing and the preparation of a dissertation of up to 15,000 words describing your work. You will have synchronous and asynchro...
The module aims to introduce the students to the basics of portfolio theory. Beginning with a summary of the reasons why both private investors and large institutional investors might wish to own share portfolios, the module progresses to consider how ris...
The module explores bank regulations as well as theoretical and practical techniques to measure market risk, interest rate risk and credit risk. It also discusses the theoretical and practical aspects of the risk management techniques employed in the fina...
The module will introduce students to time series models and associated forecasting methods.
This module aims to teach students the fundamentals of writing structured computer programs, applicable using any high level programming language. However, students will be shown the special features of Python that makes this language especially useful fo...
Portfolio Theory and Asset Pricing is designed to equip students with a profound understanding of the principles that govern investment decisions and the valuation of financial assets. The course delves into the core concepts of Modern Portfolio Theory (M...
The global and rapid growth of managing by projects in every sector, industry, and company type has led to the development of pan-sector theories and bodies of knowledge in project management. The specific nature of projects as temporary and unique activi...
The module provides an introduction to the theory and practice of Revenue Management
This module provides a practical introduction to the theories and techniques of simulation. The approach taken is very broad and covers different forms of simulation, including discrete event simulation, system dynamics and agent-based modelling. The mod...
The summer project dissertation stage of your Master's programme involves direct work with a company where you will need to develop a solution for a real problem they currently propose, as discussed in the project brief, and the preparation of a 15,000 wo...
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.
You’ll boost your salary potential by graduating with the business analytics and finance skills employers are looking for. Our graduates have gone on to work for financial, business and government organisations including:
While job titles and descriptions vary depending on the countries and organisations, some career opportunities would include:
Some of our industry partners offer one-to-one career development sessions and you’ll also be invited to our yearly analytics recruitment fair run by CORMSIS, which attracts a wide range of employers.
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
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. Find out if you're eligible.
A scholarship is available to home fee paying students studying an eligible postgraduate master's at Southampton Business School.
Find out more about the Southampton Business School Postgraduate UK Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.
A scholarship of £9,000 is available to international students studying for an eligible postgraduate master’s at Southampton Business School.
Find out more about the Southampton Business School Deans Postgraduate Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.
A scholarship is available to international students studying for an eligible postgraduate master’s at the Southampton Business School.
Find out more about the Southampton Business School Postgraduate International Scholarship, 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, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.
The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, 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 Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
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: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
