Imperial Launches Online-Only Master’s in Business Analytics

Imperial College Business School have launched an online-only version of their existing MSc in Business Analytics. The MSc Business Analytics (part-time, online) will have the same core curriculum as the full-time, on campus course, but will be delivered entirely online.

The existing course aims to help graduates and young professionals to understand the content, relevance, and importance of big data problems facing businesses, taking a practical approach including a variety of machine learning, statistical, and operations research techniques with both faculty experts and external guest speakers.

The minimum academic requirement for both the on-campus and part-time, online version of the course is a UK 2:1 bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in business, economics, engineering, computer science, mathematics, statistics, physics, or a quantitative social science.

Fees for the part-time, online version will be £27,500 (US$38,9496) for the full two-year program.

Mark O’Shea is a current student of the on-campus program, and he enthuses about the usefulness of the course for aspiring professionals in the world of business analytics, and business in general: “I firmly believe that technology will disrupt all industries in the near future, and being equipped with the right combination of business knowledge and tech skills will be vital.

“I am very confident that what I am learning in this program will be useful to me in anything I choose to do.”

The part-time, online MSc Business Analytics has been designed for working professionals who may be unwilling or unable to complete the full-time on-campus program but want to develop their skills in business analytics.

Program director Professor Kalyan Talluri explains the value the MSc can give to a student in terms of their future career: “The future of work is being increasingly influenced by emerging technologies, the explosion of data, and digital innovations.

“Regardless of the position they hold or the industries they work in, business professionals will need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to operate effectively in this environment.”

Although the core material for both courses is the same, the delivery methods are not. Talluri explains: “The part-time online program uses videos and live sessions to keep online students engaged with each-other and on-track with their learning, however it also allows for greater flexibility in terms of activities, enabling students to dictate not only how they learn, but also where their studies can fit around their work and personal lives.

“To promote greater engagement and a sense of community, groups of students can see each other’s work and comment on it, helping to generate discussions and idea sharing. Faculty are also able to track progress individually and give feedback in the same manner as we would monitor and provide feedback to campus-based students.”

The online-only program has been developed by Imperial’s award-winning EdTech lab, who are also responsible for their celebrated Global Online MBA program.

Online and distance learning is continuing to grow in popularity, and the advantages of such programs for both students and universities are clear. Online learning makes education far more accessible, meaning students are less bound by their location, something that benefits the universities offering these courses just as much as students, as they have a larger pool of applicants.

Online programs are also more flexible, meaning students are less constrained by a fixed schedule, and can continue with professional and personal obligations. Plus, the part-time nature of online-only programs can make them more affordable, as students can work full-time while undertaking their studies, with none of the costs associated with relocation that they may incur on a full-time program.

Talluri emphasizes the importance of schools offering such online learning options: “We have seen significant increase in demand for online learning across all our programs from students and applicants and can only see this increasing as digital working and learning becomes more commonplace.

“Schools which have not yet ventured into this sphere may soon find themselves left behind.”