Course Catalogue

Introduction to Business Analytics MGT5498

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: Adam Smith Business School
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Taught Wholly by Distance Learning: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course is designed to introduce learners to the concepts, techniques, and methods used to analyse an organisation's operational performance and enable them to make informed business decisions using business analytics skills. The course will discuss the different sources of data and information necessary for analysis, and how to turn an understanding of business analytics into a competitive advantage. 

 

At the end of this course, learners will understand the challenges in sourcing data in today's internet enabled world, what we can/cannot expect the data/information to tell us, and how we can analyse what we have to the best effect. Learners will also be introduced to the data visualization techniques to maximise the impact of data on decision-making, presentation, stakeholder engagement and stakeholder buy-in.

Timetable

This course is made up of 10-week asynchronous online sessions. Each session consists of a combination of recorded lectures or interviews, online activities, as well as case studies and recommended reading discussions.

Requirements of Entry

Students must be registered on one of the associated programmes listed in this course specification.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

1. Report; Individual; 1700 words; 100%; ILOs 1-2.

Course Aims

The course is designed to give participants knowledge of and experience with current quantitative business analysis techniques. Participants will also be taught how to implement these quantitative techniques in a business problem-solving and project management environment. This course introduces best practice for conducting analytical projects, and a baseline capability is established in spreadsheet modelling and quantitative methods.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Evaluate the strength and weaknesses of different reporting and collaboration tools to communicate critical business information.

 

2. Develop a Business Analysis solution for a realistic business solution by pulling together the learning points, analysis, and evaluation techniques

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions