Find pre-arrival advice and key dates for the MSc Data and Decision Analytics (Online).

Below, you’ll find a welcome message from your Programme Director and an overview of the structure of your upcoming programme. Please take the time to read these pages carefully. We look forward to seeing you in September.

Programme Director's Welcome

Dear Class of 2025/26,

I am delighted to welcome you to the University of Edinburgh's groundbreaking online MSc in Data and Decision Analytics. This programme represents a significant milestone for us, meticulously crafted to offer a wonderful experience for professional and personal growth. We are hosted by the Management Science and Business Economics (MSBE) group of the University of Edinburgh Business School, which is one of the top-ranked Management Science groups in the UK. Here, you will learn directly from a faculty of distinguished academics whose world-class research doesn't just inform but defines the leading edge of business analytics.

We are proud to deliver a unique programme that combines cutting-edge disciplines of optimisation and machine learning. These aren't just "trendy" subjects; they are the fundamental pillars transforming how decisions are made across every sector. Through this programme, you will not only sharpen your analytical skills but also cultivate the strategic insight to influence your organisation’s trajectory, driving performance with data-driven clarity.

As you may know, the MSc Data and Decision Analytics (Online) is a well-structured two-year program. The first year includes compulsory courses, followed by a second year dedicated to specialized optional courses and your culminating academic dissertation. Unlike other online programs, we heavily rely on weekly live lectures and tutorials, which will be delivered online by our expert scholars for 10 weeks each semester. Your active participation in these live sessions is not just important for academic success; it is fundamental to unlocking the full depth of your learning and building invaluable connections within your cohort.

In online education, community building is essential for successful learning. However, we cannot create a strong community without your engagement. Therefore, I encourage you to immerse yourselves in every facet of this programme: delve deep into the challenging academic content, seize the enriching training opportunities provided by our dedicated Student Development Team, and please, never hesitate to reach out to us for any support you may need.

We are eagerly looking forward to meeting you soon. In the meantime, please take some time to explore the joining pages designed to equip you with essential information. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Douglas Alem
Senior Lecturer in Business Analytics
View Douglas's Profile
Structure and Option Courses

Information on the structure of the MSc Data and Decision Analytics (Online).

Programme Structure