Business Analytics

Course overview

Understand one of the fastest-growing areas in modern business and society today and study data science and analysis on our BSc Business Analytics degree at Aston University.

Our data-rich society demands effective solutions, from strategic business decisions to ensure a company’s survival, through to approaches to government policy using data sets on public health.

Business Analytics at Aston University offers a unique mix of general business studies in the first year, followed by more specialised business analytics tools and techniques as you progress your degree, and real-world examples of how these apply to a breadth of settings.

"One of the main reasons I wanted to study at Aston University was due to the University’s reputation of being exceptional for business and management with triple accredited programmes. This later provided me with a plethora of technical knowledge and skills to deploy both analytical and managerial practices into the business world."

Jordan Best

Why Business Analytics at Aston University?

Recognised for quality

Aston Business School is proud to be among 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation

Professionally accredited

This programme leads to accreditation or exemptions from several professional bodies, including ACCA, CIMA, and CII

Earn more

Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, earning on average £36,100 five years after graduating (Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2023)

Safe in our hands

Ranked in the top 20 in the UK for 'graduate prospects - outcomes' (business and management studies; Complete University Guide, 2023)

Gold standard teaching

Aston University was awarded Gold - the highest possible rating for the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)

66th in the world

We’ve been ranked as 66th in the world for business and management studies (QS World University Rankings By Subject 2024)

Inspiring academics

We have a worldwide reputation and inspirational staff who can pass on the benefit of genuine commercial experience.

Careers and Placements

Whatever your Aston University journey, we're here to help. Discover what's possible with Careers and Placements.

Course description

BSc (Hons) Business Analytics

Our BSc (Hons) Business Analytics degree will equip you with the skills and training to use the most relevant tools to inform and influence decision-making when it matters most. You’ll study a mix of general business studies with more specialised business analytics tools and techniques.

What we will provide
First-class teaching in the UK’s second-largest city, delivered by a diverse array of staff who will inspire and excite you. The BSc (Hons) Business Analytics degree is informed by our research-active teaching staff whose strong consultancy backgrounds and employer links ensure you are taught relevant and in-demand aspects of the subject.

We are also an Adobe Creative Campus meaning you will have access to top-notch software licenses, including Adobe and Solidworks, commonly used in industry.

What you will provide
You will need to demonstrate a passion for data and an understanding that this is a fast-paced environment. It is important you learn how to adapt a growth mindset to your studies – understanding that intelligence and success come from applying yourself, a willingness to learn and an ambition and drive to excel.

What skills we teach
You will develop data analytical skills and become familiar with working with spreadsheets, databases, and data modelling to apply them in various roles. You will learn to work on projects in a fast-paced environment and be able to analyse data and provide insight to help inform decision making and problem solving for the organisation.

Placement year
We all know that taking a placement year will boost your employability – it’s what makes Aston University graduates some of the most employable in the country. It’s for this reason that we encourage every student to take one. The placement year gives you the chance to put theory into practice, gain relevant work experience, and develop professional and transferable skills.

The placement year is compulsory for BSc (Hons) Business Analytics students. International students can request permission to opt out of the placement year, but we strongly recommend that it is completed where possible.

Career prospects
As an Aston University Business Analytics graduate, you will be equipped for a range of different career options. Our recent graduates have gone on to work across the public, private and third sectors for organisations including: Amazon, Channel 4, Jaguar Land Rover and J.P. Morgan.

How you will learn

Our teaching approach is both modern and innovative. Alongside traditional lectures and training in the latest analytical tools, you'll gain valuable hands-on experience during your placement, enhancing your overall learning. At the beginning of your course, you'll be assigned a personal tutor for individual study guidance. Module tutors are readily available to answer questions, and all lectures are recorded for future reference.

Our emphasis is on practical knowledge application, with guest lectures from prominent business leaders and mentoring programs offering unique insights. Our renowned Visiting Professors, top UK business figures, share their expertise and expectations from students and graduates.

Complementing traditional teaching, our virtual learning environment provides electronic support materials. You'll have access to the University Library's extensive collection of over 25,000 books and electronic journals. University-wide services like the careers service, Jobshop, counselling and advice services, sports facilities, and Chaplaincy enhance your overall university experience and prepare you for your professional career.

Aston University also offers an array of extracurricular activities, including clubs and societies like Aston Bright Futures, which works with leading businesses across various sectors. These activities not only enrich your student experience but also help you explore your specific interests and career pathways.

What you will learn

You’ll study how analytical and computing tools can be applied in a business setting to provide fresh insight and tackle complex problems. The course doesn’t just focus on data, but focuses on optimisation, forecasting, prescriptive analytics and descriptive analytics.

First year

In the first year you will study a mix of general business studies topics that will provide a foundation for the rest of your degree. Modules include Mathematics and Statistics for Business, Operations Management, Accounting for Business and Informational Technology in Business.

Second year

You will begin to specialise in business analytics subjects, tools and techniques that can be applied in practice. Modules include Optimisation and Decision Analytics, Data Visualisation and Software for Analytics.

Placement year

The Aston University placement year forms an integral part of your educational journey and gives you the chance to put theory into practice, gain relevant work experience, and develop professional and transferable skills. Our award-winning careers and placements team are on hand to support you through every step of your placement journey.

Placement stories

This course offers an Exchange Partnership Second Degree Pathway, meaning you could study overseas at one of our partner institutions during your placement year and graduate with two undergraduate degrees for the price of one.

Exchange Partnership Second Degree Pathway

Final year

The final year continues with further specialisation in business analytics, with modules including Data Mining and Big Data, Simulation, Effective Management Consultancy and Performance and Efficiency Analytics.

Tolu Olugunju Business and Politics student

My placement year experience

Tolu Olagungu completed two placements as part of his degree - at Redbull and Mercedes Benz. His experiences opened his eyes to the world of opportunities out there.

Discover Tolu's journey

Course objectives

Provides familiarity with tools for mathematical and statistical modelling in the business setting and an appropriate level of skill in comprehending problems, formulating them mathematically and obtaining solutions by appropriate methods.
Enables you to gain the ability to apply the core concepts, principles, and tools of business analytics in well-defined contexts, showing judgement in the selection and application of tools and techniques.
Provides familiarity with computer technology used in business analytics.
Develops your ability to communicate straight forward arguments, methods, results, and conclusions derived from both quantitative and qualitative in a concise, accurate and clear fashion.
Enables you to work effectively as an independent/self-managed/self-regulated learner and as part of a team.
Demonstrates graduate-level transferable skills and learning approaches needed for continuing professional development of yourself and others.

Modules

Modules and learning outcomes

Year 1 modules

In your first year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Introductory Accounting for Business	15
Mathematics for Economics	15
Information Technology in Business	15
Introduction to Marketing Management	15
Principles of Operations Management	15
Statistics for Economics	15
Principles of Macroeconomics	15
Principles of Microeconomics	15
Total	120

Year 1 outcomes

On successful completion of the first year, you will be able to:

Develop your knowledge of a diverse range of management and business topics at the introductory level, covering operations, accounting, IT, economics and marketing.
Use key business analytics skills to manipulate data, evaluate, estimate, and model business problems, functions, and phenomena. Identifying and evaluating solutions to simple business problems.
Understand the role and significance of analysis when dealing with business issues.
Represent analysis and analytical plans graphically.
Demonstrate working effectively as independent and self-managed learners to complete tasks by deadlines.

Year 2 modules

In your second year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Optimisation and Decision Analytics	15
Business Analytics in Practice	15
Data Visualisation	15
Programming for Data Analytics	15
Econometrics 1	15
Econometrics 2	15
Total	90

You will choose two of the following optional modules:*

Module Title	Credits
Systems Analysis	15
Enterprise Systems	15
Cloud Computing for Business	15
Intermediate Microeconomics	15

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

Year 2 outcomes

On successful completion of the second year, you will be able to:

Be introduced to a range of business analytics concepts, tools and techniques and have gained some experience in applying this knowledge in practical settings.
Understand the basic ideas behind each analytical tool/model so to be able to ‘translate’ practical problems into a mathematical/statistical model and its solution back into the context of the problem.
Communicate the results of your analysis in clear/professional reports and compelling visualisations using appropriate software tools.
Design models of different business activities/functions/situations that can be used to inform business decisions.
Undertake a robust piece of econometric analysis.
Operate effectively as part of a team to arrive at sound business decisions.

Placement year modules

You will spend your third year on placement. You will be fully supported throughout the process by our award-winning Careers and Placements team.

Placement year

Module Title	Credits
Integrated Placement Year	120

Placement year outcomes

On successful completion of the placement year, you will be able to:

Identify and explore an organisational issue, using analysis recommend appropriate action for the organisation.
Evaluate the use of academic theories in analysing real-life issues and in supporting recommendations.
Demonstrate intercultural awareness in your work or international study context.
Reflect upon and articulate your own learning, and plan and implement strategies to build upon your learning.

Final year modules

In your final year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Simulation	15
Effective Management Consultancy 1	15
Performance and Efficiency Analytics (DEA)	15
Business Analytics Project	30
Business Analytics and Data Mining	15
Total	90

You will choose two of the following optional modules:*

Module Title	Credits
Macroeconometrics (Time Series)	15
Microeconometrics	15
Effective Management Consultancy (T2 only)	15
Strategic Management	15
Operations Strategy	15

*Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

Final year outcomes

On successful completion of the final year, you will be able to:

Understand advanced concepts in business analytics and have some first-hand experience in the tools needed for these concepts/models to be applied in practice.
Modify and apply different tools and techniques so that they better fit to the business issue at hand.
Present the results of complex analysis to managers using a variety of formats.
Carry out original work in business analytics (with external guidance), demonstrating critical research skills in the interaction between the business process, business environment with data analysis techniques.
Critically assess a complex business-related issue/situation and provide insights to its nature, with a view of solving a problem or improving existing practice.
Utilise prior knowledge and experience in the area as a foundation for further independent study and professional development.

We regularly review our modules to provide the best possible teaching and learning experience, incorporating academic developments, student feedback and employer feedback.

There may be some change to some of the modules on this course for 2025/26 entry.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any changes to modules at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints may mean it isn’t possible to take some module combinations. The structure of some courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Entry requirements

A Levels
BBB (standard offer)
BBC (with EPQ or Core Maths minimum grade B)
BBC (contextual offer)
Contextual offers
Aston Ready is our contextual offer scheme that could reduce your undergraduate offer by one or two grades. Assessed at the point of application, there are no additional forms to fill in.

Contextual offer criteria

BTEC Extended Diploma – DDD (standard offer)

BTEC Extended Diploma - DDM (contextual offer)

The University also accepts the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate/BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma and BTEC Level 3 National Diploma/BTEC Level 3 Diploma for entry onto degree programmes, provided that they are studied in combination with other qualifications that are equivalent to three full A2 Levels.

31 points overall in the IB diploma with grades 5,5,5 in 3 higher level subjects.

Minimum score of 5 in Maths at Standard level.

We accept the QAA-recognised Access Diploma which must consist of 45 credits at Level 3.

You must obtain a minimum of 21 credits at distinction and the rest must be at merit or distinction.

Please note that we do not accept the English and Maths components within the Access qualification and you must meet the GCSE entry requirement.

The following T Levels are accepted qualifications for this course:

Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction - grade D
Digital Production, Design and Production - grade D
Education and Childcare - grade D
Onsite Construction - grade D
Building Services Engineering for Construction - grade D
Digital Business Services - grade D
Digital Support Services - grade D
Health - grade D
Healthcare Science - grade D
Science - grade D
Accounting - grade D
Finance - grade D
Management and administration - grade D
Design and development for engineering and manufacturing - grade D
Maintenance, installation and repair for engineering and manufacturing - grade D
Legal Services - grade D

5 GCSE grades A*/9 – C/4 to include:

GCSE Maths – grade B/5
GCSE English Language or English Literature – grade C/4

Year 1 entry: We may consider applicants for year 1 entry who are undertaking a first year degree elsewhere. You must meet the GCSEs and A Level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.

Year 2 entry: Please note that second year transfers are not part of the standard admissions process and is up to the discretion of the admissions team and tutor. Applications are only considered if there is space on that year of the programme. Typically, applicants for second year entry must meet the GCSEs and A Level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. Alongside this you must have successfully passed (or be expected to pass) your first year with 120 credits on an equivalent programme at another recognised university with very similar module content. The equivalency of the programme is reviewed by the Admissions Tutor and you will be required to provide an official copy of the programme specification of this. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.

Year 3 entry onwards: We will not be able to consider any application for Year 3 or final year.

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the centre of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study, it’s also a great place to live.

Qualifications in your country

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

English language requirements

International students can enter at Year 2 of this course having completed an undergraduate year one programme at the required academic level with approved teaching partners ONCAMPUS Aston or NCUK.

Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and, as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability. Our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Find out more about applying

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Immigration Route

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

UK students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:	£9,250
During placement year:	£1,250

International students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:	£18,250
During placement year:	£2,500

Fees listed are for 2024 entry. For Sandwich courses the placement fee is £1250 for Home/UK students and £2,500 for International students. For Home students: Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies. For International students: The International students fee is a fixed annual fee for the duration of the Programme, except whilst on placement when a placement year fee applies.

More information on fees

For Home students: Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy.

For International students: The International students fee is a fixed annual fee for the duration of the Programme, except whilst on placement when a placement year fee applies.

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

Explore our scholarships

Assessment

Assessment is provided through a mix of coursework and examinations. In addition, you will also be assessed on your portfolio that will be produced as part of your placement experience. You will reflect on your experience and evidence your analysis of a situation identified within the placement organisation which draws on learning from your previous studies.

Career prospects

Our BSc (Hons) Business Analytics programme will prepare you for a range of careers across the public, private and third sectors. Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, according to the 2023 Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO). This data shows that five years after graduation, employed Aston University graduates have the 15th highest median salary among all UK Higher Education Institutions, with a median salary of £36,100.

Business analytics graduates are in high demand and are employed in a variety of settings including banks, consultancies, government departments, charitable and not-for-profit organisations. Roles our graduates have gone on to secure include:

Management analyst
Consultant
Data analyst
Business intelligence analyst
Market research analyst
Data scientist

Our graduates have gone on to work for organisations that include the Cabinet Office, E-ON, The Royal Bank of Scotland and Ford Motor Company.

Dreaming big

Ali-Reza Panjwani talks about his experience at Aston University and how it propelled him to becoming an executive director at J.P. Morgan in New York City.

Discover Ali-Reza's journey

Aston Business School graduates achieve some amazing things - whether it's setting up their own businesses, landing competitive graduate schemes, or making real differences within their communities.

Hear from our graduates

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

Alumni services

Simba's journey beyond graduation

After Aston, I went on The Apprentice

Sunjay's journey beyond graduation

After Aston, I worked with Kylie Minogue

Christine's journey beyond graduation

After Aston, I founded a global football franchise

Frequently asked questions

Why study business analytics?

Our Business Analytics course is informed by our research-active teaching staff whose strong consultancy backgrounds and employer links ensure you are taught relevant and in-demand aspects of the subject.

You’ll study a mix of general business studies with more specialised business analytics tools and techniques, as well as learning through lectures, training, and hands-on practical experience on your placement – all of which makes for a great learning experience that prepares you for your career.

What is the Exchange Partnership Second Degree Pathway at Aston Business School?

You can deepen your knowledge and stand out from other graduates whilst gaining a fantastic learning experience overseas. The Exchange Partnership Second Degree Pathway is similar to an exchange programme, but during your placement year you’ll follow a particular curriculum, setting you on the track for our partner institution’s degree award. This means, if successful, you will graduate with two undergraduate degrees.

Exchange Partnership Second Degree Pathway

How will a placement year benefit me?

Business analytics is one of the fastest-growing disciplines in business and our graduates are in high demand. This is not only down to the things you learn and the practical approach to learning you’ll experience, but the breadth of skills you’ll develop on your placement.

Not only do business analysts need to understand the context and application of tools and techniques, they also need to be able to inform and influence decision-making. These skills are developed through your placement year and demonstrate to employers that you can apply them in a workplace setting. A placement also helps you to understand the type of career you may want to pursue once you graduate.

Find out more

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

Discover Birmingham