MSc Data Analytics and Technologies: Extended
Course Overview
Data skills are in-demandA survey of 9.2 million UK job adverts found that just over one in ten roles required data expertise (1). Across the economic spectrum, there is a growing need for professionals who can unlock the potential of data, turning raw information into actionable insight. From healthcare, government and public services to marketing, telecommunications and the energy sector, data skills are highly transferable between industries. The University of Bolton's MSc Data Analytics and Technologies: Extended is open to computing graduates and those with extensive relevant work experience wishing to launch their career in data analysis, data visualisation and the technologies that underpin these essential business activities.
Supporting you to become the 'complete package'
Employers are not looking for 'robots' that process data – they are looking for well-rounded human beings with a combination of high-level technical expertise and essential interpersonal and employability skills, such as leadership, communication, critical thinking, teamwork and problem-solving. We draw expertise from across the University to ensure you gain the vital mix of hard and soft skills necessary for career success. In addition, our extensive links with regional and national employers offer opportunities for masterclasses, networking and individual industry-based projects. Overall, this course gives you the opportunity to develop extensive knowledge of data analytics and a broad grounding in technology solutions, coupled with essential skills development for business and leadership. Together, these attributes will take your CV to the next level.
Mastering the data
Our experts will support you as you develop an extensive knowledge of data analysis principles and methods and gain a broad grounding in technology solutions. We'll focus on high-impact areas such as digital marketing and how web culture, social media and digital technologies affect consumer behaviour. You'll be encouraged to explore how consumer psychology, marketing and business intelligence concepts are applied in areas such as web analytics, email marketing, search engine optimisation and online advertising. We'll guide you as you learn how to use a selection of data analytics software packages and apply this knowledge to contemporary case studies in a hands-on way to extract and present valuable insights from the data. This course offers you the skills to interrogate and make sense of data, unlock vital insights and communicate your discoveries.
Helping you pursue Amazon Web Services (AWS) certification
To ensure you have the skills to manage and store data effectively, we'll support you in developing a critical understanding and practical ability in the use of core IT infrastructure, architecture, processes and technologies. This will be particularly helpful when you undertake cloud-based data analysis. Companies are increasingly using the public cloud, so they need professionals with the skills to design, deploy and manage applications in cloud computing. Therefore, we offer specific materials to help you pursue AWS certification as a Cloud Practitioner (2). AWS certification emphasises hands-on experience and best practice, meaning it stands out for its rigour and thoroughness in evaluating your skills. As the market leader in the cloud computing space, AWS certification demonstrates and validates your technical cloud knowledge and skills, helping you stand out to employers.
Future-proof your career
Big data, cyber laws, consumer data analytics and AI are revolutionising and transforming how people do business. Being able to adapt and work effectively in a digitally enriched business environment is a key skill employers require. Our MSc Data Analytics and Technologies: Extended degree offers an innovative approach that will help you to become your own career coach. We'll take a multi-faceted approach to help you gain a combination of academic, analytical, business and professional skills that will prepare you for a career as a data analyst, as well as provide a sound basis for doctoral-level study. We'll use tried and tested, research-informed coaching and training methods to support your development and help you form clear plans for your future. You'll undertake individual industry-based projects and create a body of work that focuses on your progression into employment. Completing this course will extend your skills and increase your self-confidence so you can compete for your dream job, secure a promotion or build your own business.
(1) https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/dynamics-of-data-science/ accessed on 31 August 2023
(2) Please note: to achieve AWS certification, you'll need to commit to significant additional independent study. Achieving AWS certification is not part of the learning outcomes for this master's degree.
Would you prefer to complete your course over a different timeframe? We also offer this course full-time over 12 months or part-time over 24 months. For details of the 12-month course, please visit our full-time MSc Data Analytics and Technologies course search web page. Alternatively, to find out more and apply for the 24-month course, please visit our part-time MSc Data Analytics and Technologies course search web page.
Highlights
- Dr Selva Pankaj, the author of 'Thinking into Character – A Proven Methodology for the Creation of Success & Self-Fulfilment', is a valued partner of the University whose work will support you in developing business and career planning skills, confidence and knowledge.
- By studying for your postgraduate degree with the University of Bolton, you can develop your knowledge of data analytics and technologies while experiencing life at our supportive, student-focused, multicultural campus in the heart of the North West of England.
- Our industry‐engaged staff have strong links with organisations across the range of public, commercial and industrial sectors, offering opportunities for industry masterclasses and lectures, joint projects, and networking.
- We offer you opportunities to develop extensive knowledge of key data analysis principles and methods and a broad grounding in technology solutions.
- Working with local and regional public bodies, we offer you the chance to participate in data-focused hackathons that use outcomes to benefit communities.
- This MSc is part of the University of Bolton's 'Career Development Masters' suite, offering shared modules that give you a wider business perspective. Inspired by the graduate training programmes of major companies, these modules will help you develop high-level employability and transferable skills and apply them in your career.
Key Features
- Teaching and supervision are delivered by dedicated staff chosen for their expertise and experience in fields relevant to data analytics and big data, relevant technologies and your professional development needs.
- We offer an engaging programme of visiting speakers so you can enjoy masterclasses with industry professionals, gaining insights into contemporary issues, developments and practices in data analysis, digital technologies and the broader commercial environment.
- We'll offer you opportunities for interdisciplinary work and collaboration.
- We'll also support you in gaining lifelong learning skills, which will help you take ownership of your professional development for the future, maximising your potential for success.
- Upon graduation, you'll be able to showcase your expert knowledge to employers through your Professional Dissertation. This independent and substantial body of work will demonstrate your mastery of an aspect of data analytics and technologies, as well as your postgraduate-level skills in research and critical thinking.
- By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Nearby Manchester is one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, and the Northwest of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline, and heritage.
Entry Requirements
- Normally, you should have at least an upper second class (2.1) honours degree in a computing-related subject.
- For applicants without a first or upper second, a lower second class (2.2) honours degree will be considered on a case-by-case basis (particularly for candidates with good relevant industrial experience).
- You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
- We'll consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
Data is rewriting the rules of many professions, and employers from government departments to technology start-ups are scrambling to recruit professionals to help them make sense of it. The demand for workers with specialist data skills is enormous. The global big data analytics market was valued at over US$240 billion in 2021, with significant growth expected in the coming years (3). Organisations from across the economic spectrum seek to recruit people with data science skills, and the opportunities for professionals are exciting. It's worth noting that the average salary for a data scientist in the UK is 55% higher than the national average, with more experienced professionals attracting even higher wages (4).
Our MSc in Data Analytics and Technologies offers a postgraduate route into this in-demand and varied career. It's an ideal bridge into data analysis and technologies if your undergraduate degree is in a computing-related subject area. Additionally, it's an excellent option if you've worked in a relevant field, gaining degree-level knowledge through experience and self-study rather than formal education.
As a graduate of this master's degree, you'll possess an impressive all-around combination of skills and knowledge. In addition to a solid theoretical and practical understanding of data analytics and technologies, you'll be able to demonstrate essential interpersonal and people skills, such as collaboration and teamwork, negotiation and persuasion. You'll clearly understand the contexts in which data analysts work, coupled with commercial awareness and business-relevant knowledge. You'll also possess high-level academic skills in research, critical thinking and curiosity. Not only will all this help you become established early on in your career, but you'll also be primed to take on leadership roles. Moreover, you'll have the lifelong learning, problem-solving and decision-making skills needed to adapt to new challenges throughout your career.
(3) https://www.statista.com/statistics/1336002/big-data-analytics-market-size/ accessed on 31 August 2023
(4) https://uk.jobted.com/salary/data-scientist accessed on 31 August 2023
What can I do with this qualification?
Data analysts are in high demand across all sectors, and data analytics roles are diverse. You may be involved in looking for trends and patterns to help companies make business decisions, predict demand for goods or services, or check quality control standards in areas like food and drug testing. There are also many roles in marketing and marketing research; for instance, in opinion poll design and analysis, analysing trends in consumer feedback and search engine optimisation for websites.
Organisations in areas such as finance, consulting, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, government and education all need professionals to help mine and analyse large datasets, draw conclusions and present these insights to managers so that they can drive the business forward. Big data has intensified the need for analysts who can create data dashboards, graphs and visualisations to communicate trends to business leaders and other stakeholders. Conversely, small and medium-sized enterprises need consultants to help them make business decisions based on their data on an ad hoc basis, so you could consider starting your own business to support their needs.
Completing this course will open a multitude of doors, and you'll be well prepared to seek employment or promotion, or become self-employed using the enterprise and innovation skills you've developed as part of the course. You'll also be invited to continue your education via the MPhil and PhD degrees available at the University of Bolton.
Alternative career options
Depending on your prior qualifications and experience, after graduation, you can also use this master's degree as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Some possibilities include:
- Leadership and management
- Use of technology in enhancing business and industrial processes
- Solutions driven business and industrial investigation
- Marketing and public relations
- Social media management
- Information systems management
- Cyber security
- Social enterprise
- Policy management
- Education and teaching
- Advising and consultancy
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
Home students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Home fee of £6,167 for the academic year 2024/25.
International Fees
Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £15,950 for the academic year 2024/25.
Bursaries
Click here for more information on our Master's Bursaries.
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2024-25 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
You may apply directly to the University using the University's online application form. Please select your chosen start date from the list below:
You should have to hand:
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Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
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Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
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Details of any employment history including name, address, dates and role
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Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
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Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already input.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@bolton.ac.uk
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Apply online: University of Bolton MSc Data Analytics and Technologies: Extended - 27 January 2025
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Apply online: University of Bolton MSc Data Analytics and Technologies: Extended - 22 September 2025
International Applicants
Thank you for your interest
In order to determine your suitability for this course as an international student and also to confirm you meet any initial eligibility criteria, we need you to answer a few short questions.
Teaching & Assessment
Our academic and professional staff will use various teaching and learning strategies to help you gain and develop appropriate concepts, knowledge and skills. You can expect practice-based enquiry, self-directed study, lectures, seminars, tutorials, presentations and work-based learning. Scheduled sessions will be held in the evening, allowing full-time and part-time students to study together and offering opportunities for those working in professional/industrial environments to present live case studies.
It's important to realise that the time spent with a tutor during formally scheduled activities is only a small part of the learning time identified for a module. You'll also be expected to spend significant time in guided independent study, such as general background reading, preparing for seminar activities and working on assignments. We're committed to supporting you throughout your learning journey. Over time, our guidance will purposefully become less structured and prescriptive. This will encourage you to develop confidence and independence in your studies and take responsibility for managing your learning time as you increase autonomy.
The assessment strategy for the programme is designed to help you achieve the overall aims of the curriculum, as well as the learning outcomes for individual modules. As well as assessing your achievement, it helps to organise and develop your learning. Assessment feedback can help you build your skills and an understanding of your strengths and weaknesses.
The types of assessment you'll be required to complete fall into two general categories: formative and summative. Formative assessments help in learning and developing knowledge and skills. Summative assessments, on which grades are allocated, reflect the quality of the learning that has been achieved. Formative assessment will occur via tutorial discussion, group workshops including peer and tutor review, and guidance on work in progress. Formative feedback will be provided face-to-face via discussion, online or in written form. Summative assessments consist of both practical and applied theoretical work. These will include a range of assessments, including practical projects, written work, presentations and portfolios.
This programme adopts a blended learning and teaching style, including online delivery and engagement where appropriate.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Professional Practice
- Research Methods
- Data Analysis and Visualisation
- Big Data Analytics
- Data Mining and Machine Learning
- Business Analytics
- Health Informatics
- Marketing Analytics
- Project
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 84% Practical exams 16% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 83% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 17% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
