Business Analytics

Year 1

You will take part in a common Foundation Year with other computing courses, which will introduce you to fundamental skills needed throughout the course, including programming, problem solving, databases and data analysis. You’ll also get course-specific classes to learn more about the fundamentals of data and of business.

Year 2

You will expand the skills and knowledge you gained in the first year. Your business knowledge will increase and project-based modules will allow you to practice it. A particular focus will be on communicating about data insights in a business context, with modules giving you the technical skills to produce visualisations and the soft skills to communicate effectively with various audiences. You’ll have the opportunity to select electives from a wide range of related disciplines.

Year 3

Adding to your data analysis skills is a key theme in the third year, giving you the technical skills to perform analysis of datasets in industry-standard environments. You will again have the opportunity to take part in project-based modules that allow you to utilise your skills on real business problems. Elective modules will let you extend your breadth of knowledge to areas of interest to you.

Year 4

In the first semester, you will learn about strategy and more advanced aspects of data management. You will also carry out a large data-based group project aimed at bringing together skills from across the course, including teamwork and management. In the second semester, you will undertake a large, individual capstone project on a suitable topic of your own choice, which will allow you to demonstrate all you have learned throughout the course.

Learning Methods

You will engage with the course through lectures, practical computing labs, group tutorials and project-based learning. Methods vary considerably and are chosen to be appropriate to the topic.

You will work across different schools, engaging with staff and students from different courses.

Access to our virtual learning environment, Moodle, is also provided giving you access from home to learning materials.

Activity Summary

Year 4

• Lectures - 40 students per group, 4 hours per week
• Seminars -20-30 students per group, 2 hours per week
• Project Supervision - 4 students per group, 2 hours per week
• Practical class or workshop - 40 students per group, 6 hours per week
• Independent Study - 16 hours per week

How long is a BSc (Hons) Business Analytics course?

A BSc (Hons) Business Analytics degree can be completed over 4 years.

Independent Study

Independent student is an essential part of reinforcing the knowledge and skills taught on the course. For computing modules, this typically involves reviewing lecture material and engaging in extra practical activities. For business modules, this may involve prescribed reading, preparing for tutorial assignments, or researching and writing course reports.

Assessment

Year 1

• 1 written assignment
• 2 reports
• 4 project outputs
• 1 practical skills assessment

Year 2

• 1 written exam with an average time of 3 hours
• 1 report
• 6 project outputs
• 1 oral assessment and/or presentation

Year 3

• 1 report
• 1 portfolio
• 5 project outputs
• 1 practical skills assessment

Year 4 

• 1 report
• 1 dissertation
• 2 project outputs

Staff Delivering on This Course

Many of the computing staff have strong relevant research backgrounds, particularly in Machine Learning. Business staff have worked in a range of professional backgrounds. This ensures the course remains cutting edge and professionally relevant.

Our staff members regularly feature in the Support and Teaching staff with Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) awards voted for by the students. Recently, the School has received multiple awards for Continued Excellence.

Many of our staff are Fellows or Senior Fellows of the Higher Education Academy or are working towards this. This is a professional recognition of practice, impact and leadership of teaching and learning.

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Placements

Optional, paid short (3 months, Summer) or long (12 months, Year-long) placements can be undertaken in this course.

You are supported in finding a placement through the University Placements Office. You will be supported during the placement by a dedicated Placement Coordinator within the school who oversees the placement modules. You will be assigned an Academic Tutor, who will conduct regular communications with you and your employer.

The confidence and experience you could acquire during a placement will make you more employable and put you one step ahead of the competition when you graduate.

Please note, placements are not guaranteed.

Study Abroad

You will have the opportunity to undertake an optional 12-month period of Study Abroad at one of our partner universities across the world. This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in a different culture, whilst gaining a valuable and tailored educational experience.

Job Prospects

This course was designed in response to a well-documented gap in digital and data skills in business, and the need for graduates with knowledge and understanding of data analytics, visualisation, and managing data led projects.

Is Business Analytics a good career choice?

The course prepares you for a career managing data-led projects or analysing business data. Job openings include:

• Business Analyst,
• Data Analytics Manager,
• Business Intelligence Analyst,
• Insight Manager.

Aberdeen is home to many multinational oil and gas companies and associated suppliers such as mainstream software houses, IT providers to major oil-related companies, specialist software consultancies, and venture capital start-ups, so graduates can seek employment locally. RGU is also involved in a number of commercial collaborations on a local, national and international scale with organisations such as BP, British Geological Survey, Wood Group PSN, Accenture, WIPRO and many Aberdeen-based software development companies, and you may benefit from the university’s links with some of these companies when it comes to securing placements or employment.

What is needed for a BSc (Hons) Business Analytics course?

Standard Entry Requirements

Year 1 entry

• SQA Higher: BBCC and two further passes to include English and Maths at National 5 grade C or above if not held at Higher.
• GCE A Level: CCC and two further passes to include English and Maths at GCSE grade 5 if not held at A Level.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: H3H3H3H3 and two further passes to include English and Maths at grade O3 or above if not held at Higher.
• IB Diploma: 26 to include a pass in Standard Level English and Maths at grade 4 or above if not held at Higher Level.

Year 2 entry

• SQA Advanced Higher: CC at Advanced Higher plus CC at Higher (4 subjects), one of which must be Computing or another numerate subject. English and Maths at National 5 grade C or above if not held at Higher.
• GCE A Level: BBC to include Computing or another numerate subject at Higher. GCSE English at grade 5 or above is required if not held at A Level.

Minimum Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for widening access applicants for entry to year 1 are:

• SQA Higher: CCCC and two further passes to include English and Maths at National 5 grade C or above if not held at Higher.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5, or an equivalent.

We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.