Data Analytics and Business Economics - Master's Programme

Have you noticed how Netflix and YouTube send you suggestions based on your previous views? How Spotify makes suggestions based on what you have listened to in the past? How Amazon shows similar products that you might be interested in based on previous purchases?

These are companies that are known for their use of “big data” and analytics to predict and steer customer behaviour. Today, most organisations are heavily reliant on big data and need to harness the information their data provides and to use it to improve their operations. Organisations are searching for analytically talented individuals with statistical and programming skills that also understand the business-economic context, as well as the relevant legal and ethical boundaries. This multidisciplinary programme is designed to solve business problems by integrating statistics, economics, business, informatics and law. Close collaboration with our dedicated private sector advisors ensures that the programme provides relevant competences and meets the demands of the labour market.

During the programme

In this programme you will learn how to write your own computer code, how to manage data, how to use statistical machine learning tools in order to explore and deduct hidden patterns from data, and how to draw conclusions from them. These technical skills form the backbone of the programme, and they do so because our private sector advisors deem them necessary. You will learn these skills while at the same time developing an understanding for what matters in business and economics. You will also learn about the relevant data legislation, and why it is important to ensure regulatory compliance when working with sensitive data. You will develop your communicative and collaborative skills. Hence, you will learn not only how to work the numbers, but also how to communicate your results.

The programme provides rigorous, hands-on training, and it does so through a blend of lectures, seminars, case assignments, computer labs and self-studies. Technical know-how is best developed face-to-face. Most training is therefore done in this way, although some parts will be digital.

Accepted students are expected to have basic technical knowledge, be willing to study at fast pase, and to actively engage in learning. They are also expected to be proactive and independent, taking charge of their own education, time management, and seeking help when needed.

Career prospects

Be it the travel industry, technology, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, consulting, banking, finance, or insurance, transforming data into insights that can enhance decision-making is a key challenge for companies of every size, across all industries. Organisations in both the private and public sector are therefore looking for experts who have the capacity to use data to make informed decisions.

Graduates from the MSc in Data Analytics and Business Economics are at a competitive advantage as organisations are looking for people who are not only fluent in the language of data and statistics, but who also understand how to apply that data in the business-economic context. This layered skillset enables them to communicate effectively with clients, programmers, managers, data scientists, and policy makers to drive strategic decision-making.

Programme graduates can expect to take on roles such as Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, Data Analyst, Business Intelligence Analyst, and Data Engineer. Potential employers include large companies from across sectors, tech companies, financial and governmental institutions, and consulting firms.