Data Science and Business Management, MSc
Introduction
This Master’s programme is designed to bridge the gap between data science and business management through an interdisciplinary approach that equips you with the critical business and data science skills necessary to establish or lead successful data science teams or enterprises.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MSc
- Duration
- 12 months or 24 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
Combining the study of Data Science and Business Management offers a strategic advantage in today's data-driven world. The world of data is undergoing a period of profound transformation as companies and organisations manage ever- increasing volumes and diversity of data. In response, the importance placed on data collection, management and analysis by organisations of all sizes is increasing all the time as businesses strive to stay competitive in today's market.
While the tools and techniques of advanced data science were previously largely confined to professionals with computing or other STEM backgrounds, the democratisation of data science means that business managers of all backgrounds can learn to unlock insights from data.
This Master’s programme is designed to make data science accessible to all by bridging the gap between data scientists and business managers through an interdisciplinary approach that fosters a holistic understanding of business dynamics and data analytics, enabling more accurate forecasting, targeted marketing, and improved operational efficiency, ultimately leading to smarter business strategies and better outcomes.
Our primary objective is to equip you with the critical business and data science skills necessary to establish or lead successful data science teams or enterprises. This includes a comprehensive understanding of both business management principles—such as leadership, digital marketing, HR, and market strategy planning—and the technical intricacies of data science, including coding, data collection and storage, data preparation and exploration, modelling, and predictive analytics.
What You'll Study
Compulsory Courses
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
- The Leadership Challenge (BU501H)
- Digital Marketing (BU506E)
- Introduction to Programming (PX5007)
Optional Courses
ONE of:
- PX5023 Image Analysis (15 credit points)
- PX5019 Data Visualisation (15 credit points)
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| EU / International students | £26,250 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | |
| Self-funded international students commencing eligible postgraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £8,000 tuition waiver - See full terms and conditions | |
| UK | £12,200 |
| Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year | |
Fee Information
Additional Fee Information
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships
All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students starting in September 2025 will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
Why Study Data Science and Business Management?
- Combining Business Management and Data Science provides you with a competitive advantage in today's jobs market.
- The programme combines courses from both business management and data science domains. For students with an interest primarily in business, this programme helps form an appreciation for the scientific underpinnings of extracting actionable insights from data. Conversely, students with a background in STEM or related fields learn how to translate their scientific expertise into real-world business applications.
- The programme culminates in a research project where collaborative supervision from experts in both departments is strongly encouraged. Your project allows you to delve deeper into topics that integrate business and data science topics, providing you with an opportunity to apply your knowledge in practical setting.
- The University of Aberdeen was ranked 12th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2025 and 15th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
- Ranked 1st Scotland in Student Positivity for Business Studies and Management Studies in the National Student Survey 2024.
- Ranked 8th in the UK for Business and Management in the Guardian University Guide 2025.
- Ranked 15th in the UK for Business, Management and Marketing in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
- Join an EQUIS accredited Business School. Out of more than 15,000 business and management schools around the world, just over 200 across 45 countries have gained the international-recognised mark of distinction.
- The Business School hosts three Professional Development Weeks a year. We invite external speakers from industry to enhance employability. These speakers bring real-world insights, experiences, and expertise, providing practical knowledge, inspiration, networking opportunity, and a deeper understanding of industry trends.
- The University of Aberdeen has a strong history and worldwide reputation in computing science, in particular around Data Science, Natural Language Generation and Artificial Intelligence and is home to the research success of ARRIA NLG - the global leader in the field of natural language generation (NLG).
- The University of Aberdeen is a member of the Turing University Network, a network of UK universities engaged in cutting-edge teaching and research in data science and AI.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
2:2 (lower second class) Honours degree or equivalent in any subject will be considered.
Please enter your country or territory to view relevant entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Eligibility details and further information are available on our dedicated page.
Aberdeen Global ScholarshipCareers
Combining Data Science and Business Management will enhance your career prospects in today's data-driven job market. The combination of business leadership skills and proficiency in data science you will gain on this programme will help lead to roles in business forecasting, targeted marketing, and using data to optimise processes.
This programme is designed to equip aspiring business managers with a unique blend of data modelling skills essential for deriving valuable insights from data as well as equipping students from a STEM background with the commercial knowledge to deliver real value for organisations.
As per data from Prospects.ac.uk, starting salaries for Data Scientists in the business management field typically range from £19,000 to £25,000. With a few years of experience, one can anticipate earning between £30,000 to £50,000. Moreover, seasoned professionals and contractors in this domain often command salaries exceeding £60,000, with some reaching over £100,000.
Upon completion of this program, graduates will be primed for a variety of rewarding career paths, including:
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- Data Architect
- Data Mining Engineer
- Data Scientist
According to a recent LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise report, Data Engineer emerges as one of the fastest-growing professions in the UK, further underlining the vast opportunities available in the field for aspiring business management enthusiasts.
Our Experts
You will be taught by and have access to a number of experts, many of whom are internationally renowned within their respective fields. These will include members of the Africa-Asia Centre for Sustainability.
- Programme Coordinator
- Professor Marco Thiel
- Other Expert
- Professor M Carmen Romano
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
World Class Facilities
The University of Aberdeen, established in 1495, is Scotland’s third oldest and the UK’s fifth oldest University. The university’s ancient campus reflects its long-standing academic tradition, with historic buildings such as King's College, which dates back to the 15th century. This blend of ancient architecture and modern facilities creates a unique atmosphere where students can experience the best of both tradition and innovation.
Sir Duncan Rice Library
The University’s award winning Sir Duncan Rice Library is listed in the “Top 20 spellbinding University libraries in the World”. It contains over a million volumes, more than 300,000 e-books and 21,000 journals.
Find out more
Aberdeen City
Named Scotland's Safest University City (Unbroken Britain Survey, Provident Financial, 2018) and is in the top 10 in the UK for places to live and work (PricewaterhouseCoopers, 2018).
Affordability
Aberdeen has been named the cheapest place for students to rent private accommodation in the UK. In 2024, StuRents reports that the average price of a student private rental property in the Granite City was just over £96 a week.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX