Analytical skills, data analysis and cloud computing all feature within LinkedIn's top 10 skills companies need most in 2023. Rapid development of the Internet and digital technologies has fuelled the demand to harness the power of the huge volume of available data now at an organisation's disposal. Employers need people who can manage and make sense of data, providing insight and recommendations to improve future business performance. Combining leading expertise from across both Keele Business School and the School of Computer Science and Mathematics, our course will deepen your understanding of the technical and commercial implications of data-driven solutions. <br><br>Business analysts guide businesses to improve their decisions, processes, products and services through data analysis bridging the gap between IT and business to improve organisational performance, create efficiencies and add value to the business. Grounded in theory and practice, our MSc focuses on developing your understanding of business, management, data analytics and data science within a global context.<br><br>With unique access to the combined expertise across Keele Business School and the School of Computer Science and Mathematics, youll gain a deeper insight into how businesses run their operations within today's challenging economy. At the same time developing the technical skills and knowhow to identify, manage and analyse the most appropriate data sources to evaluate their performance.<br><br>Referring to real-life business examples and, where possible, working to solve actual client problems, youll gain a comprehensive understanding of the operational, human and environmental factors that influence performance within a business context, as well as the different quantitative and qualitative research approaches you can use to analyse these. Well look at the options for collecting data from various sources to support analytics programs, how to construct and quality assure datasets, the process of perform different forms of analysis and effective ways to summarise and present information in a way that senior management can understand.<br><br>Youll graduate with a blended technical and commercial toolset that enables you to not only analyse organisations from different perspectives strategically, functionally and operationally but also come up with solutions that are technologically feasible and financially and functionally viable.<br><br>Designed to provide a rapid immersion into the field of business analytics, this programme is suitable for almost anyone who is required to evaluate business performance, or aspects of it whether you work in a for-profit business, government or non-profit.<br><br>The programme also includes options that allow you to tailor the content to more closely suit your own backgrounds and interests. For example, if you have existing computing skills you can choose to study more advanced topics on the mathematical theories behind AI and data science. You are also given a choice of modules that allow you to specialise within a specific area of business such as marketing, finance, human resource management and sustainability.