Competitive advantage and innovation in the digital world involve the accurate analysis and insights offered by big data – huge data sets that are constantly being generated – in order to improve effectiveness and efficiencies across several business areas, such as operations management and marketing.
In order to exploit the insights provided by big data, business analytics and the effective use and understanding of data is crucial. This is a rapidly developing field, which is exhibiting massive demand from industry for qualified individuals in this area to take up roles in management globally.
You will develop your knowledge of the organisation, administration and governance of this data, as well as hone your analytical, organisational and leadership skills. The programme is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in this dynamic field or continue their studies to PhD level.
Developed in collaboration with industry contributors and partners including PepsiCo and AstraZeneca, the programme is also underpinned by multidisciplinary research.
Accreditation
The University of Liverpool Management School (ULMS) is one of an elite group of institutions worldwide to hold the gold standard ‘triple-crown’ accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Semester one
The 12-month programme consists of five compulsory modules and three optional modules followed by the Main Project over the summer period on completion of Semester two (a choice of either EBUS635 or EBUS621).
Compulsory modules
Data Mining and Machine Learning (EBUS537)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
This module is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the key issues, principles and techniques in data mining and machine learning. The module will introduce pervasive data analysis techniques and their applications, which are fundamental for business analytics practitioners and for financial analysts.
Digital Business Technology and Management (EBUS603)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
This module will give the student a critical awareness of the management approaches and technologies used in the development and delivery of digital business and AI solutions. This will include types of digital businesses and their innovation, management approaches, data related technologies, emerging AI and machine learning technologies for digital businesses.
Big Data Management (EBUS622)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
The module aims to provide unique exposure to current business opportunities, challenges and developments associated with running or expanding digital business enterprises. It introduces students to the key aspects of big data management and examines how big data can drive decisions and actions, both operational and strategic.
Optional modules
OPERATIONS MODELLING AND SIMULATION (EBUS504)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
This module will give students an understanding of the role of modelling and simulation in the development and improvement of business processes in a commercial environment. Important elements include analytical techniques of systems, statistical aspects of modelling and system dynamics. Extensive use will be made of a variety of commercially available modelling and simulation tools such as Matlab and Witness.
SERVICE OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT (EBUS634)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
Services are an increasingly visible and important facet of everyday life. The UK economy is described as a service economy, and effective service operations management is of critical importance now to public, private and third sectors alike. This module will familiarise students with the concepts, principles, practices and problems typically associated with service operations. Service operations management covers the full lifecycle of service planning, building and operation and is concerned with the continued provision of service quality in the face of changing circumstances, such that customer value expectations continue to be met. The module will focus on key service operations best-practices and provide students with an overview of prevailing theoretical debates. Contemporary research in public and third sectors will be used to provide real-world perspective on key principles.
PROJECT AND PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT IN ORGANISATIONS (EBUS614)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
Project management has cemented its position as a key management paradigm, enabling organisations to efficiently achieve their goals in a constantly changing business environment complicated by risks, uncertainties and competitor pressures. The global economy implies yet another level of complexity inherent to the management of large-scale geographically distributed project teams. This module introduces cutting-edge principles and best practices of project management and discusses how they relate to the competitive product development. This module provides students with the necessary tools, techniques, and analytical skills required to strategically manage new and existing projects within the current uncertain business environment. The module seeks to provide participants with a broad understanding of the key project management elements such as: project scheduling, resource budgeting, quality assurance, and risk management / mitigation, all of which provide measurement of institutional project performance. It addresses the principal techniques used to identify, assess, measure, control and manage projects and their associated risks.
Global Maritime Logistics (EBUS632)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
Maritime logistics is resulting from the convergence of ‘maritime transport’ and ‘logistics and supply chain management’. The underlying concepts of maritime logistics are value-adding and integration. This module is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the key issues in maritime-associated transport chains and the principles, tools and techniques to tackle these issues mainly from the quantitative/analytical perspective. This module complements EBUS609 Logistics and Physical Distribution, which mainly takes the qualitative perspective. The module will be delivered using lecture, group discussion, case study, journal article discussion, and computing practice, and will be assessed using coursework (lab report and essay).
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
Semester two
The 12-month programme consists of five compulsory modules and three optional modules followed by the Main Project over the summer period on completion of Semester two (a choice of either EBUS635 or EBUS621).
Compulsory modules
Digital Strategy (EBUS605)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
The aim of this module is to give the student a comprehensive understanding of the processes involved in developing a digital business strategy, leveraging the transformative capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Important elements include an examination of the approaches to strategy formulation, an evaluation of the emergent digital business models, business process re-design for digital business, digital business applications and technologies, and managing and planning for digital business with a particular emphasis on harnessing AI technologies to optimise operational efficiency and drive strategic agility. Extensive use will be made of case study material to illustrate real-world applications of digital strategies enhanced by AI.
Big Data Analytics for Business (EBUS633)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
This module will introduce students to techniques for big data analytics and their applications for very large datasets in different organisations and settings. In particular, it will familiarise students with existing platforms and software tools used for big data analytics and develops core skills and expertise needed by data scientists for processing and visualising big data. The module will also establish the importance of big data science for business intelligence and describes major opportunities and limitations for running or expanding digital business enterprises.
Optional modules
LOGISTICS AND PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION (EBUS609)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
This module will provide students with a thorough grounding in contemporary logistics operations and business management. Specific topics include intermodal operations, transportation selection, warehousing and distribution management, 3PLs, tendering for contracts, reverse and green logistics services, port centric maritime logistics, the concept of adding value in logistics and optimising logistics operations.
ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS WITH SAP (EBUS612)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
This module will focus on introducing strategies, approaches and technologies of enterprise systems, e.g. ERP systems, and the actual ERP system implementation with use of SAP S4/HANA.
The module provides students with knowledge of enterprise system architecture and technologies in general, and roles and functions of enterprise systems and business information management for digital business and supply chain management in particular. The module will introduce the development history, functional characteristics and real cases of enterprise information systems in a digital business and supply chain environment, e.g. applications based on SAP, Oracle, etc.
The module also helps students to understand how enterprise systems and business information management functions are integrated into real-time supply chain management and business networks from the experience of SAP S4/HANA implementation. Through this learning, students will get the chance to understand how data is managed on SAP S4/HANA, understand how business process is integrated, automated and optimised on this system, and how machine learning and AI-based tools are embedded in ERP systems.
Global Corporate Strategy (ULMS519)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
The module aims to give students a thorough understanding of global corporate strategy. The theoretical foundations of strategy are developed and the factors that distinguish international strategy from domestic strategy are examined. The major drivers of international strategy are considered and discussed in terms of the formation and implementation of international strategies. The module also considers the possible internal organisational systems that can be used to construct and implement international strategies and assesses the advantages and disadvantages of the major types of organisational systems. The models of international strategy are considered and applied to key issues such as entry mode, developing competitive strategies, and dealing with problems of institutional and cultural distance between home and host locations. The dynamic nature of strategy is considered by investigation of strategies to adapt to changing competitive, institutional and technological environments.
Sustainable Supply Chain Management (EBUS636)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
This module provides a critical understanding of the role of sustainability in supply chain management. The module develops a strategic perspective of supply chain management and illustrates how sustainable practices need to be imbedded within the strategic sourcing process. Using a concept known at the ‘supply wheel’ the module explores every aspect of strategic supply management, taking students through a logical thinking process to enable them to analyse, decide on strategic direction and understand the problems and issues around implementation.
On completion of the module, students will be equipped with a toolkit of methods to enable them to understand and evaluate the impact of sustainability issues on supply chain management across the manufacturing and service sectors.
This module is delivered in twelve three-hour lectures which are predominantly case based. The lectures will be highly interactive, students will be expected to work on case studies during the lecture and to contribute to class discussions. This will enhance their understanding of the materials and build confidence and presentation skills. In addition, there will be support from electronic materials, such as podcasts and video summaries of lectures. The module will use a core text book and supplement this material with current academic and practitioner based thinking on the various subject areas discussed.
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
Final project
The 12-month programme consists of five compulsory modules and three optional modules followed by the Main Project over the summer period on completion of Semester two (a choice of either EBUS635 or EBUS621).
Compulsory modules
BUSINESS SIMULATION AND ANALYSIS (EBUS635)
Credits: 60 /
Semester: summer
This module will support students to develop complementary sets of skills for strategic analysis and assessment of businesses through both teamwork and individual action, conducting independent theoretical and practical research to address set questions in areas related to operations, technology, supply chain and project management within an academic framework, and for developing a strong conviction of contemporary management challenges in business networks. The module will offer students the opportunity to engage with a range of key topics and activities related to strategic thinking, business analysis, benchmarking and teamwork, where they will handle an engaging business project in a simulated environment as well as process data from real world cases. The module will provide learning of the process of analysis and assessment of businesses from both theoretical and practical aspects, and gives the student the opportunity to exercise efficient project management.
MSC PROJECT (EBUS621)
Credits: 60 /
Semester: summer
Comprising two elements: research methods introduces students to the principles and practices of researching and writing dissertations and results in an agreed outline plan of work for the dissertation and a completed literature review. The dissertation, itself, will be undertaken over the summer period and will involve the implementation of the research work plan and the completion of a 15,000 word dissertation.
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
How you'll learn
Modules are taught using the latest active learning techniques including business simulations, real-world case studies, coding in higher-level programming languages (e.g. RStudio, Python), business analytics software (e.g. Tableau, Qlik, SAP), interactive participation software, lecture capture, tutorials and project work.
The principal forms of teaching are lectures and seminars or computer labs, with most sessions normally supported by additional resources such as hand-outs and online materials accessible via the virtual learning environment (Canvas).
In addition, a concerted effort has been made to include a significant amount of case study material and practical work in order to demonstrate the application of principles and theories delivered within the main lecture programme. The practical elements of the programme take the form of both team-based and individual or self-directed exercises.
Following semester two you will complete either the Business Simulation and Analysis or MSc Project with the support of an academic supervisor.
Teaching time will account for an average of 10 hours per week and you should anticipate an additional 20 hours of self-directed study and group work.
How you're assessed
In semester one and two, you will take modules totalling 120 credits. The Business Simulation or Project option completed during the summer period is worth 60 credits and students will be supported by their academic supervisor.
Students are required to complete 180 credits to achieve a full MSc.
Subject to meeting specific criteria outlined by the University, students will graduate with a Pass, Merit or Distinction.
Assessment tasks are varied and some may be designed specifically to meet the learning outcomes of a particular programme of study, but students can expect to be assessed via coursework, essay, group work, presentations, case studies, negotiation exercises, reports and examinations. The weighting of individual components will vary from one module to another. All assessment information is included within the module specification.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The School has a thriving international master’s community with a comprehensive, interdisciplinary programme of social and extra-curricular events and dedicated careers and employability support.
MSc Business Analytics and Big Data at the University of Liverpool Management School
Learn more about the MSc Business Analytics and Big Data programme at the University of Liverpool Management School, including our research-focused teaching.
Virtual tour
Supporting your learning
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
A dedicated student services team can help you get assistance with your studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
What students say...
As an international student, I consider it a privilege and a fantastic opportunity to study at a triple-accredited Russell Group university. This is one of the main reasons I chose the University of Liverpool Management School, and it has never let me down. Additionally, I did my research before selecting the university regarding the professors teaching my course, and I was impressed by their expertise.
The Management School’s master’s programmes have been designed from the ground up to prepare you for success in your chosen career. We have close ties with local, national and international organisations and constantly review the content of our programmes to meet the demands of top graduate employers.
Career support from day one to graduation and beyond
From the moment you start your master’s programme, you’ll have access to a specialist, in-house careers team and one-to-one careers guidance, workshops, seminars and employability initiatives.
Through exposure to strategic initiatives in the management of Big Data, as well as case-based workshops and practical application developments for data mining, analysis and visualisation using industry-leading software, graduates of the programme shall find themselves well-equipped to meet the many challenges associated with strategic, operational and technological adaptation in the digital enterprise.
Alumni have secured jobs with the following companies:
Hampshire Bank Trust
Ericcson UK
Amazon
Liverpool Association for Space Engineering Research
Future
In roles such as:
PCB engineer
Reward Analyst
Lead Commercial Analyst
Business solution architect
Fees and funding
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year
£14,250
International fees
Full-time place, per year
£30,000
Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about fees and funding.
Additional costs
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Normally a Physics, Mathematics, Computing, Engineering, Management or related disciplines at 2:1 standard from a UK university, or an equivalent academic qualification from a similar non-UK institution is required.
We are able to offer a level of flexibility for applicants. Those with a 2:2 honours degree will be considered on an individual basis.
Non-graduates with very extensive professional experience and/or other prior qualifications may also be considered.
International qualifications
If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, you could be eligible for a Pre-Master’s course. This is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. It’s a specialist preparation course for postgraduate study, and when you pass the Pre-Master’s at the required level with good attendance, you’re guaranteed entry to a University of Liverpool master’s degree.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
English language qualification
Requirements
IELTS
6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0
TOEFL iBT
88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 19, writing 19, reading 19 and speaking 20. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.
Duolingo English Test
120 overall, with no component below 105
Pearson PTE Academic
61 overall, with no component below 59
LanguageCert Academic
70 overall, with no skill below 65
PSI Skills for English
B2 Pass with Merit in all bands
INDIA Standard XII
National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English. Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English.
WAEC
C6 or above
PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH
Do you need to complete a Pre-Sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-Sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.
Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.
Contact us
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
