Getting a Master’s in Data Analytics: What You Need to Know

A master’s in data analytics can help prepare you for a career in data analytics, whether you're already an established professional or looking to start a new career. As a result, a Master of Science (MS) in Data Analytics programme can cover everything from introductory to advanced courses, allowing course takers to learn new skills or deepen old ones.

Learn more about master’s degrees in data analytics, including whether you should consider pursuing one, the different types of degrees available, and courses to help you begin your data analytics journey. 

Overview: Master’s degree in data analytics

A master's degree in data analytics is a programme for individuals looking to enter the field through a career shift or those who want to advance their current careers by attaining a higher educational qualification. This course creates opportunities in various sectors and provides theoretical understanding and practical experience.

Explore some relevant details you need to know about getting a master's in data analytics to decide if this is the proper course to help you reach your goals, including how it compares to similar degree options.

Undergraduate degree vs. postgraduate degree in data analytics 

A postgraduate degree in data analytics is a level 7, whereas an undergraduate degree is a level 6. Whilst the content might be similar, a master’s degree offers greater depth of learning. Generally, you need an undergraduate degree or equivalent to be able to study for a master’s degree. 

However, to study for a master’s degree in data analytics, your degree can be in a different subject if you show a good understanding of numeracy and qualitative subjects. Degree subjects that lead nicely to a master’s degree in data analytics include maths, engineering, and economics. To enrol in a master's programme, you'll need a bachelor's degree, although some programmes will consider accepting students without a bachelor's if they have a certain amount of professional experience.

Curriculum

The exact curriculum you’ll follow as a graduate learner in data analytics will vary from programme to programme. Still, you can expect to take courses in such familiar topics as data analysis, statistics, and machine learning. 

To help you better understand what you can expect from a master’s programme, consider the curriculum for the University of Glasgow’s Master of Science in Data Analytics programme. Along with some optional modules, core models are as follows [1]:

• Probability

• Regression models

• Statistical inference

• Database theory and analytics

• Introduction to statistical programming in R and Python

• Advanced predictive models

• Bayesian statistics

• Big data analytics

• Data analysis skills

• Data mining and machine learning 

Is a master’s in data analytics worth it? 

Depending on your goals, resources, and background, an MS in data analytics could be well worth the effort. Typically, a master’s is a good option if you have a bachelor’s in an area other than data analytics and want to enter the field or continue studying data analytics from an academic perspective. Individuals who previously received a bachelor’s degree in a related field, like statistics or computer science, might consider obtaining a master’s in data analytics to gain a deeper understanding of the field and to market their skill set to potential employers. 

A bachelor’s degree in data analytics or a relevant subject like statistics, along with experience, is often sufficient for job seekers to land a role. However, a master’s could positively highlight your skills and abilities to employers, which is essential if you are changing careers, making you a more competitive applicant overall. Sometimes, an employer may even explicitly require a master’s degree for senior positions. 

Data analytics salary 

Working in data analytics can yield significant salaries, starting at £23,000 and reaching highs of £62,000 for more experienced data analyst professionals [2]. In general, across professions, master’s degrees are associated with higher pay and higher employment rates than undergraduate degrees. According to Explore Education Statistics data, postgraduates earn an average of £45,000 compared to £40,000 for those with an undergraduate degree. This data suggests having a master’s can provide a boost of nearly 12 per cent. Additionally, the data shows that those without a degree earn an average of £29,500, more than 40 per cent less than those with a master’s [3]. 

Data analytics jobs

You’ll find various jobs that a degree in data analytics can prepare you for. Whilst you can attain some of these jobs with a bachelor’s degree in data analytics, more senior roles may require an advanced degree, such as a master’s degree. 

Some of the positions you might consider pursuing with a master’s in data analytics include the following: 

• Data analyst 

• Business analyst 

• Data scientist 

• Statistician 

• Business systems analyst

• Business intelligence analyst

Masters in data analytics programme comparisons

Just as you’ll find numerous reasons to consider pursuing a master’s degree in data analytics, you’ll also find a variety of programme types to ponder. If you’re considering a future as a postgraduate learner, then you’ll want to consider these types of programmes before applying: 

Taught master’s degree in data analytics 

An in-person master’s degree is a programme where you attend classes alongside your peers in a real-world classroom. As a result, this option provides a more traditional university experience, including increased face-to-face time with your peers and instructors, often allowing you to have more direct guidance and networking opportunities. However, in-person degrees usually cost more and have a more rigid structure than other programme types. 

Master’s in data analytics online

Online master’s programmes are becoming increasingly popular due to their flexibility and generally lower cost of attendance. Although some programmes may follow traditional application timelines, others offer more relaxed admissions requirements allowing applicants to apply on a rolling basis. However, whilst these programmes usually provide more flexible schedules and cost less, they may offer fewer networking and mentorship opportunities than traditional options. 

Learn more about data analytics 

Data analytics is a vast and varied field that demands robust foundational knowledge and skills. Consider sharpening both with online learning available on Coursera. 

For example, the University of Michigan’s Data Analytics in the Public Sector with R Specialisation can help you build fundamental technical skills using the R programming language. With those skills on board, you’ll be able to gather, manipulate, analyse, visualise, and interpret data with ease to inform public policy and public administrative functions.

Alternatively, you might consider Macquarie University's Excel Skills for Data Analytics and Visualisation Specialisation, to delve into using advanced Excel functions, creative visualisations, and powerful automation features to bring data to life.