27 Aug 2024
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Master of Analytics (Online) in Australia

Develop essential analytical skills to thrive in data-driven roles and lift business performance.

Analytical chart presentation to live audience

Overview

A Master of Analytics is a rigorous and well-balanced program for analysts who want to make an impact on business decisions. Students learn advanced data analytics alongside consulting and people management skills.

This degree is designed to produce graduates who can manipulate data skillfully and perform a business analyst role. The program covers the full range of technical subjects while instilling the strategies and soft skills needed to convert data insights into practical, real-world outcomes.

By completing the program, you'll unlock numerous job opportunities and position yourself for career success. You'll develop skills to be at the forefront of leveraging data to drive prosperity.

Why This Degree Is Worth It

For anyone with the academic aptitude and an interest in this field, the case to study for an analytics master's degree is compelling. This program allows you to build a comprehensive skill set covering all essential aspects of data analytics.

From data collection to visualisation, students gain expertise in the technical foundations. What sets this program apart is an emphasis on additional skills crucial to influencing decision-making. Additional topics include communication, people and business management, and strategic thinking.

Business intelligence skills

As depicted in the graphic, an analytics university program is ambitious. The aim is for students to develop a broad skillset that gives access to a vast range of analytical jobs. Graduates have the technical capabilities of a data analyst, coupled with the strategic awareness to be a business analyst.

With the rising value of data analysis skills, employers seek professionals with technical expertise to exploit data. But they also want the full package, someone who can go beyond technical tasks to actively shape company strategies. Graduates of this program are positioned to become highly sought-after professionals.

UNSW Online - Master of Analytics

The Master of Analytics program at UNSW Online is for working professionals to develop advanced analytic capabilities. The 12-subject program develops expertise to influence business decisions, imparting skills of high value across industries. You can specialise in General Analytics, Marketing Analytics or Human Resource Analytics. The program is part-time and accelerated, allowing you to graduate in two years without compromising your career. No time away from work is required to earn this flexible degree.

Comparisons With Other Masters

A Master of Analytics distinguishes itself by blending technical proficiency with the capacity to shape strategies. By comparison:

  • A Business Analytics degree generally has less technical and more strategy content.
  • A Master of Data Analytics is similar but potentially more narrowly focused on analytics.
  • Data Science programs focus extensively on programming and data manipulation.
  • Marketing Analytics courses specialise in applying analytics to marketing problems.
  • An MBA prepares professionals for leadership positions, not to be dedicated analysts.

Related: Business Analytics vs Data Science

The Masters in Business Analytics is a high-paying degree focused on the decision-making stage of data analysis. Classes contain a mixture of technology professionals and those with a business background.

Technical competency is needed to do well in a Business Analytics degree. However, compared to an Analytics program, you may spend more time exploring how to use analysis as a tool to meet pressing business needs.

Related: Is a Masters in Business Analytics Worth It?

Data scientists are required to have deeper mathematical and programming skills than data and business analysts. A business analyst may, for example, use custom database programming written by a data scientist.

Subjects you may encounter in a Master of Data Science include data wrangling, data mining, machine learning, multivariate analysis, and neural networks. Program participants should have a strong mathematical and technology background.

Marketing analytics is an important function for many businesses, especially those with a strong digital marketing presence. You can specialise in this field with a Masters in Marketing Analytics.

Spend extra time on topics such as customer analytics, social media, and digital analytics. Adding analytics to your marketing skills expands the professional roles available, including the ability to manage data-driven campaigns.

The difference between an MBA in Business Analytics and a dedicated Analytics Masters is significant. An MBA is primarily a management degree used to target executive or leadership roles.

Analytics is a single subject in many MBAs, amount to about one-twelfth of the program. By specialising in business analytics, you expand analytical content to 3-4 subjects and develop a real strength.

Related: What You Can Do With an MBA in Business Analytics

What You'll Study (Course Structure)

A Masters in Analytics is a 12-subject program. At UNSW Online, there are 8 core subjects, 3-4 electives and often a capstone (end-of-program) project. Electives can be chosen to achieve a General Analytics, Marketing or HR specialisation.

Core subjects

  • Analytics (ANL) and Business
  • Database Management
  • Data and Ethics
  • Data Visualisation & Communication
  • Introductory Data Analysis
  • Managing People, ANL & Change
  • Predictive ANL
  • Principles of Programming

General Analytics major

  • Choose 3 electives from 7 options
  • General Analytics Capstone

Marketing Analytics major

  • Foundation of Marketing ANL
  • Managing Customer ANL
  • Social Media & Digital ANL
  • Marketing Analytics Capstone

Human Resource Analytics major

  • Choose 2 electives from 13 options
  • Human Resources Analytics
  • HR Information Systems

UNSW Online - Graduate Certificate in Analytics

The Graduate Certificate in Analytics from UNSW Online is a pathway to the Master of Analytics, so you complete four subjects that count towards the degree. Participants have the flexibility to choose four from 14 subjects in the larger curriculum. With part-time study, the grad cert can be completed in less than 8 months. Bachelor degree graduates from any discipline are eligible, as well as professionals with 3+ years of experience.

UNSW Online - Graduate Diploma in Analytics

The Graduate Diploma in Analytics from UNSW Online is a 16-month program consisting of 8 subjects chosen from the master's program. Unlike a graduate certificate, this diploma develops expertise broadly across eight courses. Marketing and HR specialisations are available. It’s a strong choice for professionals who want a well-rounded skill set that enhances their analytical skills and ability to make impactful business decisions.

Career Opportunities

A master’s degree in analytics creates numerous job options beyond obvious roles like data analyst and business analyst. Participants gain specialised skills that open doors to professional, management, and leadership roles.

  • Professional roles: marketing analyst, HR analyst, data scientist, digital marketing strategist, business intelligence analyst, operations analyst, customer insights specialist, data engineer
  • Management roles: analytics manager, campaign manager, HR data manager, business analytics manager, data operations manager, marketing analytics manager, performance analytics manager
  • Leadership roles: chief data officer, director of marketing analytics, strategic HR leader, head of business intelligence, director of data strategy, chief analytics officer

These roles span industries and career levels. With the flexibility to customise your program through electives, there are almost limitless job opportunities arising from the degree.

Is a Masters in Analytics Easy?

Easy is not the right word to describe a master's degree in analytics. As an advanced degree in a technical field, it must be considered challenging. At a minimum, applicants need solid foundations in mathematics, statistics, and logic.

Two related challenges make the degree at least moderately difficult. The first is the breadth of skills required to be a competent analyst, including database management, programming, statistical modelling, and use of analytical tools. Secondly, some topics can be individually difficult or uninspiring.

However, academic success in this field relies more on consistent effort, problem-solving abilities, and a genuine desire to learn, rather than intellectual brilliance. If you are comfortable with technical tasks and can sustain focus for extended periods, you are well-positioned for success in the program.

Related: How Hard Is Data Analytics to Learn and Do?

† Online courses are available in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Gold Coast, Newcastle. Australia-wide.