Finding the best online MBA with Data Analytics programme

Deloitte’s The Analytics Advantage indicates the growing importance and adoption of data in today’s complex business environments. Here’s a summary of how the businesses surveyed use data to drive business intelligence and operations. They used it:

• as a competitive resource – more than 80% state data supports their corporate strategies.
• for better decision-making – 49% assert that the greatest benefit of business analytics is the ability to make informed decisions.
• for growth – 96% feel analytics will become more important to their organisations in the next three years as they advance data technologies and use cases. None of the respondents believe data will become less important over time.

Our reliance on data in our personal and professional lives shows no signs of stopping. Statista reports that the global big data analytics market – valued at $240 billion in 2021 – is expected to see significant growth over the coming years, reaching over $650 billion by 2029.

As such, tech-forward business leaders are always on the lookout for the next generation of data and business-minded individuals to help them achieve their goals.

What is the difference between data analytics and data science?

Data analytics is a component that sits within the broader, more comprehensive field of data science. Its primary focus is examining historical data to uncover trends, draw conclusions, and guide decision-making. While data science incorporates aspects of analytics, it also encompasses components such as statistics, specialised programming, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) to reveal actionable insights.

What are the benefits of studying an online MBA programme focused on data science?

MBA programmes equip learners with better skills, confidence, nuanced understanding, self-knowledge, and valuable global networks. In addition, MBA students – whether enrolled in an online degree or studying on-campus – all gain fundamental, business-related technical skills, managerial skills, and operational management skills to succeed in complex global business environments.

While specific course content varies from programme to programme, topics covered generally include aspects of logistics, traditional and digital marketing, accounting, economics, sales, strategic management, and leadership. Alongside core business fundamentals, many MBA courses now offer opportunities for specialisation – such as human resource management, business data analytics, supply chain management, entrepreneurship or finance – that directly cater to your career aspirations, goals and interests.

Choosing to study an online MBA degree programme with a particular focus on data analytics will develop you into a confident data-driven decision-maker and leader. There are a whole host of benefits from a business analytics MBA that will prepare you for senior roles in diverse business settings and boost your overall competitiveness and employability.

For example, you’ll be able to:

• evaluate, apply and interpret analytical insights from large, complex datasets – and use them to inform business decisions
• develop expertise across a range of data science, data mining, predictive analytics, data management, data analysis and data visualisation tools and techniques
• integrate your critical understanding of leadership and management into local, national and global contexts
• choose the most relevant and impactful methods and strategies to address problems and achieve strategic business goals
• use your risk management expertise to appraise situations, manage challenges, and recommend opportunities for business transformation and innovation
• synthesise and communicate complex, multifaceted information in a highly professional, concise manner that meets business needs.

Plus, by choosing a flexible – and often more cost-effective – distance learning MBA, you’ll be able to study in a way that suits you, factoring in your existing lifestyle and commitments.

What are the possible career paths for a Master of Business Administration with Data Analytics degree?

Your online MBA with Data Analytics will prepare you to excel in senior leadership, management and analysis roles – across any industry. Your unique combination of business acumen and technical training will be transferable across a variety of data-focused business and research positions, as well as executive, general management, business administration, and operations management roles.

According to the Association of MBA’s International MBA Survey 2020, the most popular industries that MBA graduates join are:

• consultancy
• banking and finance
• information technology
• education
• energy
• government
• engineering
• healthcare
• manufacturing.

Here are just a handful of the many roles you might choose to take up with your postgraduate MBA degree:

• Chief Data Officer
• Chief Analytics Officer
• Financial Analyst
• Business Analyst
• Business Analytics Specialist
• Business Intelligence Analyst
• Operations Analyst
• Supply Chain Analyst

What are the entry criteria for an online MBA degree?

Generally, you’ll be required to have three years’ professional work experience as well as an undergraduate/bachelor’s degree at 2:1 or above to meet the admissions requirements for MBA programmes. Some institutions also require students to pass the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) to demonstrate their academic abilities. GMAT scores take into account problem-solving, analytical writing, verbal, and graphic analysis skills.

How do I choose the best online MBA programmes to suit my needs?

There are a wealth of different MBAs to choose from these days, offered by universities, business schools, and other higher education providers.

First, consider what you want to gain from the course – including whether you’d like to specialise in a specific area – and find a course with content that aligns. For example, if you see yourself working heavily with data in a future role, choosing an online master’s degree with a business analytics concentration is a natural fit. Next, you’ll want to factor in elements such as subject rankings, accreditation, pricing, full-time or part-time study options, assessment and coursework requirements, enrolment options, and course duration.

It may also be helpful to check websites such as AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate School of Business) and Prospects for more information and guidance.

Lead the way in our data-driven business world with a business analytics MBA

Advance your business management skills – and use specialist, in-depth knowledge of data to achieve organisational aims – with the University of Abertay’s online MBA with Data Analytics programme.

Develop the skills and understanding to land hands-on senior leadership roles in organisations that place data at the heart of their operations, on a highly flexible, 100%-online programme. Elective modules cover topics such as global people management, project management, budgeting and financial control, leadership in changing environments, data-led decision making, information systems, strategic management, business analytics, programming tools (such as Python), marketing analytics and marketing management, and more.