The business landscape is constantly changing, with the digital revolution serving as a primary driving force. While it presents organisations with the overwhelming challenge of staying ahead of the curve, it opens up plenty of avenues for those who want to make a career in the domain.
So how does an MBA in business analytics fit into the picture?
Let’s look at why pursuing an MBA in business analytics is more than worth it:
With the burgeoning volume of data organisations collect, there is an acute need for skilled data scientists and business analytics professionals who can extract insights from data. The demand for these professionals is high across organisations, from MNCs to startups. An MBA in business analytics will help you gain industry knowledge and train you in techniques to extract useful data to drive business decisions.
MBA analytic syllabus covers core business concepts and domain knowledge with quintessential MBA topics such as management, leadership, finance, marketing, and so on. It also covers topics specific to business analytics, including data science, data mining, and regression analytics, to name a few. Enrolling in an MBA business analytics program implies you will gain these valuable skills and make yourself more credible to employers.
An MBA in business analytics will make you eligible for a wide range of career paths. Some available career options in the field are data analyst/scientist, management analyst/consultant, business intelligence analyst, operations research analyst, and many more. The skillsets you acquire through the program will prepare you for taking on dynamic job roles in the data science and analytics field.
MBA programs are known for real-world experience and exposure, and an MBA in business analytics is no exception. While learning in the program, you will have opportunities to gain real-world experiences through industry-standard projects, internships, company visits, and practical business simulators. These experiences will expose you to real work environments, allowing you to test your skills in practical business situations.
The syllabus of MBA business analytics gives significant weightage to data science and analytics topics. These include multivariate data analysis, data mining, regression analytics, marketing analytics, and so on. Besides, the curriculum imparts core management and leadership skills along with other MBA program fundamentals.
MBA in business analytics for you if you have business acumen, an aptitude for statistics, and an analytical bent of mind. The in-demand and challenging program is perfect if you’re looking to launch your career in applied analytics. However, there is no strict rule around this.
Nevertheless, a flair for analytics and strategic decision-making with the ability to view business from a data-driven perspective makes an MBA in business analytics worth pursuing.
Anyone who wants to establish a rewarding career in the corporate and business world or has an entrepreneurial vision can pursue an MBA in business analytics. Besides, fresh graduates, senior business executives, working professionals with 2-3 years of experience, and candidates keen on making a career as data scientists or other analyst roles can also enrol in the program.
Regardless of the career path, an MBA in business analytics course is challenging, and candidates must be willing to give their complete dedication and effort to ensure progress.
Candidates seeking admission into the business analytics MBA program must meet the minimum eligibility criteria. These conditions are generally applicable across all MBA-offering institutes, and any candidate who does not meet them will not be considered for admission.
The eligibility criteria for MBA in business analytics are as follows:
Candidates must have completed a Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks in aggregate from a recognised university/institute. Some MBA colleges and institutions may require a higher minimum cut-off mark.
Students belonging to reserved categories like SC/ST/OBC are eligible for relaxation and usually require a minimum of 45% marks in graduation for admission to MBA colleges.
It is mandatory that candidates complete graduation from any stream before applying for anMBA in business analytics.
Candidates who have passed the final year graduation examination and are awaiting results are also eligible to apply.
Valid scores in national-level MBA entrance exams such as CAT, MAT, CMAT, and the like are considered for admission to MBA in business analytics courses.
Working professionals who meet the above mentioned criteria are eligible to apply and must submit their work experience details while filling out the MBA application forms.
Candidates seeking an MBA in business analytics must have a dynamic skill set. It helps them land a job and increases their future growth prospects.
Below we list some of the crucial skills candidates need to excel in business analytics career paths:
Probability and statistics
Python(for general programming)
R(for statistical analysis)
Statistical software(SAS, SPSS, Sage, Mathematica, MS Excel, and others)
Data retrieval in database management systems (DBMS)
SQL(for data retrieval)
Tableau, PowerBI,Qlik Sense, and other data visualisation tools
Apart from the core technical and analytical skills, candidates pursuing MBA in business analytics must have the essential soft skills to complete their business analytics skill sets.
The following soft skills are indispensable for success in a business analytics career:
Critical thinking- Business analytics professionals must be able to view data critically to understand what data is relevant and needs analysis.
Problem-solving- A career as a business analytics professional and related roles is challenging. Candidates must be a natural problem-solver and be able to drive business decisions through statistics, predictive analytics, and logical thinking.
Communication skills -Professionals in analyst roles must have excellent interpersonal skills to present their findings efficiently, accurately, and in a manner understandable by all stakeholders.
An MBA in business analytics prepares aspirants to work for data-driven organisations. Many colleges in India offer business analytics courses with curricula focused on business intelligence and analytics domains.
The list below includes the top ten institutes in India offering an MBA in business analytics:
1. Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad
2. Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore
3. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur
4. Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM) and Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development (SCMHRD), Pune
5. Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai
6. Symbiosis Centre for Information Technology (SCIT), Pune
7. SP Jain School of Global Management, Mumbai
8. School of Management Studies, University of Hyderabad
9. Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Mumbai
10. Chandigarh University, Mohali
Job roles candidates get offered after completing an MBA in business analytics primarily depend on their skill set, domain knowledge, work experience, and in some cases, the employer.
Following is a list of job roles typically offered to students with an MBA in business analytics:
Data Scientist
Data Analyst
Business Analyst
Big Data Analyst
Qualitative Analyst
Supply Chain Analyst
Predictive Modeller
Market Research Analyst
Business Intelligence Expert
Data Mining Expert
Data Warehousing Expert
Business Analyst (Project Manager)
Business Analyst (Industry Expert)
Technical Team Lead
Data Analyst SAS Programmer
MBA in business analytics is a course with a thrust on data and analysis. As such, it has tremendous scope in the fast-changing global business landscape.
Descriptive analytics refers to the simplest form of analytics that uses current and past data to identify relationships and patterns. While descriptive analytics doesn’t dig deep into data, it is useful for identifying change over time and supplies trends to drive further analysis and decision-making.
Predictive analytics is a form of advanced analytics that uses historical data to predict future developments. Companies use predictive analytics to investigate data patterns to find risks and opportunities. Predictive analytics uses a combination of statistical modelling, machine learning, and data mining techniques.
Prescriptive analytics leverages data to formulate optimisation techniques and determine a practical course of action to improve present and future business productivity and performance. It promotes data-driven decision-making and gives recommendations on what should be done next.
We can estimate the scope of an MBA in business analytics to span the following business segments:
Sales and marketing
Companies can leverage analytics to study customer responses to their marketing campaigns. It involves investigating customer purchasing behaviour trends, their needs and preferences, average income, and other factors that affect buying patterns. Companies can utilise this received data to target their marketing campaigns to the right demographic and curate products that align with customers’ requirements.
Customer experience
Top-notch customer experience is the key to business success. Therefore, it is crucial to understand customers' buying preferences, purchasing patterns, and what they expect from a brand. Business analytics enables companies to gain an in-depth understanding of their customers. It allows brands to tailor products and services that maximise customer satisfaction and ensure long-term customer loyalty.
Finance
Data science and analytics play crucial roles in business finances. When done correctly, data analysis gives insights into business transactions and forecasts potential future financial scenarios. An analytical approach toward business expenditure facilitates effective financial planning, efficient resource allocation, and improved decision-making. In other words, financial analytics shapes business strategy through data-driven insights.
Supply chain management
Business analytics can streamline supply chain processes and help companies reduce overhead costs. It facilitates forecasting the timing and frequency of orders, understanding which products are in demand, and ensuring enough inventory to meet those demands. Analytics allow companies to strategise their supply chain operations while scaling sustainably.
Human resources
Hiring and recruitment are critical business aspects since the quality of hires directly impacts an organisation’s productivity and performance. Thus, companies look for HR professionals with a background in business intelligence and data analytics to promote data-driven decisions in hiring and recruitment. Specialists understanding human resource analytics can leverage data analysis to hire and onboard employees who can be assets to the company.
As far as the career opportunities are concerned, candidates with an MBA in business
analytics have good prospects of directly landing senior position job roles like operations analyst,
management consultant, and supply chain analyst. Even if a candidate starts with an entry-level position, they can
quickly climb up the corporate ladder with the relevant business analytics skill set. A career after an MBA in
business analytics is also rewarding in terms of salary prospects, job flexibility, and work-life
balance.
Business analytics is a lucrative and rewarding MBA program, with business intelligence and business analytics integrated into a traditional MBA program. Candidates can choose specialisation according to their area of interest in the program's second year.
An MBA with a concentration in business analytics focuses on the statistical and analytical aspects of handling data to solve business problems. The goal is to train candidates using analytical tools and data analysis methodologies to drive data-centric business decisions and actions while also honing their managerial and leadership skills.
While a traditional MBA in business analytics program runs for two years, the course duration can vary depending on the type of MBA you enrol in.
In terms of program duration, an MBA can be of three types:
Full-time MBA (Two Years) -A full-time MBA program spans four semesters distributed across two academic years. While the program's first year covers the course fundamentals, the second year focuses more on internships and specialisations.
One year full-time MBA -A one-year MBA packs almost the same course content as a two-year program. However, the program is more intensive and fast-paced, with less time dedicated to each model. However, you will still have the chance to choose the specialisation of your choice.
Executive MBA - An Executive MBA is a part-time program but is often completed within a span of two years or less. However, these are mostly meant for working professionals who bring work experience to the table.
It is essential to know the syllabus before applying for an MBA in business analytics. The table below gives the syllabus for business analytics specialisation in MBA to help you understand the subjects and topics you will learn within the program:
First Year |
|
Semester I |
Semester II |
Quantitative Methods |
Operations Management |
Management Information Systems |
Financial Management |
Managerial Economics |
Human Resource Management |
Marketing Management |
Optimisation Analytics |
Financial Accounting |
Financial Analytics |
Statistical Analysis |
Business Intelligence |
Data Modelling |
Stochastic Modelling |
Organisational Behaviour |
Research Methods |
Second Year |
|
Semester III |
Semester IV |
Predictive Analytics |
Operations and Supply Chain Analytics |
Marketing Analysis |
Strategic Management |
Risk Management |
Big Data Analytics |
Data Mining |
HR Analytics |
Simulation Modelling |
Project Management |
Analytics System Analysis and Design |
Professional Development |
Industry Internship |
Elective Paper |
Subjects in MBA business analytics are divided into core and elective papers. Students can choose a specialisation based on their area of interest in the second year of the two-year postgraduate program. MBA business analytics also offers internship programs and capstone projects for students to get hands-on learning experiences in real-world environments.
Core subjects in MBA business analytics:
Business Analytics and Intelligence
Supply Chain Analytics
Digital Marketing
Social Media Analytics
Social Entrepreneurship
Corporate Valuation
Model Business Decision
Research for Marketing Decisions
Brand Management
Elective subjects in MBA business analytics:
Operations Strategy
Global Securities Market
Corporate Governance
Multivariate Data Analysis
Business Forecasting
Indian and International Perspective
Infrastructure Development
MBA in business analytics is a widely sought-after postgraduate professional program that provides aspirants with the skills, experience, and exposure they need to succeed in a corporate. However, the program may not be right for everyone, mainly due to the following factors:
MBA programs are touted to be intensive and hectic. In addition to the theory papers and classes, you have to engage with numerous assignments, projects, and extracurriculars. Whether you are pursuing a two-year course or a part-time program, you must be willing to devote your full commitment, engagement, and hard work to complete the course successfully.
MBA programs are a significant financial investment, especially if you are pursuing one from a reputed institute. Premier MBA colleges in India and abroad have hefty course charges, which mostly exclude lodging expenses and other miscellaneous fees. The relatively high costs of an MBA can be a financial burden that keeps many students from applying for the program.
Choosing whether to apply for an online MBA in business analytics or take the traditional campus-based course is confusing for most students. While you may be well-versed with what campus life offers, signing up for an online program can seem intimidating at first. However, online MBA programs have emerged as a popular option among many aspirants, and for good reasons.
Here’s what an online MBA business analytics course can offer over its offline counterpart:
With an online MBA, you can take your classes at your convenience with 24/7 access to course materials, video lectures, and other resources. An online MBA is a practical option if you have professional or personal commitments.
Online MBA programs are usually less expensive than on-campus programs. The tuition fee for an online MBA is significantly less. Moreover, you can save on transportation and accommodation costs since you do not have to travel or relocate to take online classes.
Online MBA programs are usually offered by globally-recognised colleges and institutions or are at least accredited to one. These online platforms become a networking ground for students and professionals from all over the world, a great opportunity if you are looking to expand your connections.
According to Mordor Intelligence reports, the global business analytics market had a valuation of USD 67.92 billion in 2020 and is forecasted to reach USD 103.65 billion by 2026. The industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.3% over the forecast period 2021-2026.
The Indian analytics and data science market is also poised to expand and play a critical role across industries and sectors. In FY 2021, the analytics domain market size in India increased to USD 45.4 billion, up 26.5% from the previous year’s valuation. While the analytics domain accounted for 23.4% of the IT/ITES market size in 2021, the current expected CAGRs for the sectors are expected to drive the analytics industryto contribute 41.5% of the IT/ITES market by 2026. Notably, 34.2% of analytics professionals in India are engineering graduates, whereas about 21% are MBA postgraduates.
The demand for MBA in business analytics courses has shot up in recent years and for good reasons. To begin with, the emergence of big data has led to an increased need for business analysts and data scientists across organisations of all sizes. It is impossible to analyse and extract insights from data with only a few professionals skilled at the job, considering the massive volumes of data businesses generate. Therefore, organisations are keen on hiring skilled analysts who can fuel business growth through data-driven decision-making. Attractive salary packages, broad scope, and a wide range of career opportunities motivate candidates to studyMBA in business analytics. Together, these factors have led to the accelerating demand for MBA business analytics courses in India.
The salary of business analytics professionals in India ranges from INR 1.3 LPA to INR 30.7 LPA, with an average of INR 8 LPA.
The salary of business analytics professionals in India primarily depends on the following factors:
Experience -Salary for freshers and entry-level positions are typically the lowest and increase as a candidate gathers more work experience.
Type of company -The salary will differ with the company or the employer, such as the government or public sector, MNCs, startups, Fortune India 500 companies, and conglomerates.
Industry -Salaries of business analytics professionals also differ with the industry, such as financial services, IT services and consulting, manufacturing, research, analytics, and so on.
Job location -Jobs in metro cities or tier 1 cities of India (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, and Ahmedabad) will pay more than other locations.
The estimated average annual salary of fresher business analytics professionals in India is from INR 1.7 LPA to INR 2.2 LPA. One year of experience may take the average annual salary to 8.4 LPA.
The estimated average annual base salary of a business analyst in the United States is USD 82,250, excluding a yearly cash bonus of USD 4,000 and other benefits.
The business analytics professional salary in the United States depends on the following factors:
Years of experience -Professionals with more experience draw higher salaries than freshers or entry-level positions.
Company/Employer -Some of the top companies hiring business analysts in the United States are Google, Microsoft, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Oracle, and PG&E, to name a few.
Location -Salaries of business analysts in the United States differ with the job location. Some of the highest paying cities include New York, Washington DC, and Dallas.
The estimated average annual salary of a business analyst with 1-2 years of experience in the United States is USD 78,441.
1000+
Top Companies
50%
Average Salary Hike
Top 1%
Global Universities
Put the presentation skills learned in the course into practice through a video presentation.
Find and describe a major change management case (e.g. Apple upon Job’s return, Tesla, Rimac, Microsoft under Nadella, Shell under Watts, etc.)
MBA in business analytics is among the most in-demand and sought-after management courses today. From MNCs to startups, organisations of all sizes across every industry and sector are showing a greater preference for business analyst professionals with an MBA degree to assist in data-driven decision-making.
An MBA in business analytics emphasises business intelligence and data science. It is a better option than a regular MBA if you have a flair for statistics and analytics with sharp business acumen.
While an MBA in business analytics requires statistics and basic programming skills, it does not involve extensive maths, coding, or knowledge of computer science.
MBA in business analytics is one of the most popular courses under MBA, which deals with the data analytics parts of a business. Apart from learning the core fundamentals of a business, you also get to learn about the data-driven perspective of a business. This course helps students leverage different analytical tools to work through data sets and retrieve valuable insights for brands and organisations.
You can seek a handful of career options once you complete your business analytics course. Most fundamentally, you can obtain opportunities for the role of business analyst, data analyst, HR analyst, Supply Chain analyst, financial analyst, and various high-paying jobs in India and abroad.
Once you complete your bachelor’s degree, you are good to go for an MBA in business analytics. However, it is always preferable if you gain some work experience before joining the course.
No, coding is not necessary to pursue business analytics. However, it can be a perk if you know programming languages and can write codes.
Absolutely, yes! As more businesses leverage data-driven statistics to make decisions and make predictions, an MBA in business analytics is a future-proof degree. The current market is overflowing with the demand for expert analysts, and future projections also reflect the same, thus, making it an excellent choice for candidates.
MBA course content is centred on subjects such as decision analysis, marketing, supply chain, predictive modelling, optimisation etc., preparing candidates to take on managerial roles. On the other hand, the content of MS includes core engineering subjects such as ML, programming languages such as Python, and R, domain knowledge of SAS, SQL and Hadoop etc. The opportunities are more in technical roles.
MBA and MS can be one hot selling combination in the current market. Companies would go above and beyond for candidates who have both the knowledge of business management and data analysis.
Apart from clearing exams like CAT or GMAT, you must have a basic understanding of programming languages, especially Python. You also need to understand statistical languages and programmes like SQL and Hadoop. While these languages are not necessary to get into a business analytics MBA course, eventually, you would have to learn them, so better start early.
In order to do MBA in business analytics, the candidate must graduate with a bachelor’s degree with 50%. Apart from that, most prestigious colleges prefer the candidate to have work experience, even internships in the related field.
MBA in business analytics from IGNOU is a distance MBA course which covers the syllabus of any other business analytics course, such as AI, supply chain, marketing analytics, forecasting etc. The total course is charged approximately INR 38K, which students can also pay in instalments. The course is undoubtedly low-cost. However, it might not be the best if you are new to the field.
BITS Pilani ranks amongst the top 30 B-Schools in India; therefore, it’s fair to say that their MBA courses are very effective. The courses are often compared to the MBA courses of IITs. Hence, one must consider it.
Of all the IIMs, IIM Bangalore is considered the best IIM that provides MBA in business analytics. The course will help you deepen your understanding from the basics to the advanced level. The resources and management of the institution are also unparalleled, so it’s undoubtedly the best choice.
Usually, to become an investment banker, you need to pursue an MBA in financial management. Apart from that, you can also opt for MS in finance and then apply to become an Investment banker.
Almost every medium to a large company is looking for candidates with business analytics. However, some of the top companies on the list include Deloitte, TCS, Cognizant, Accenture, IBM, Wipro etc.
Business analytics primarily teaches candidates to analyse and apply data sets for the profit of an organisation. Whereas, Information systems enable the candidates to become skilled with the latest technologies and help an organisation’s overall performance.