Program structure
The MSc in Business Analytics program is an expansive educational journey. And every journey needs a good map. The program structure shows your road to graduation: where you’ll go, what you’ll learn and what you’ll do. On this page you can see all the compulsory and elective subjects and courses on the program.
Bridge the gap between computing & business.
Program Content
Pre-Program
JULY - SEPTEMBER
July - September 2023
Depending on their academic background, students in the MSc in Business Analytics will be required to complete one of two Pre-Programs:
1. Business Integration Path (BIP)
For students with a non-business academic background. This course starts 3 weeks before the beginning of the regular Master's program classes and includes an online module.
Online module: 1st July 2024 - 25th August 2024
4 self learning online courses that have to be completed before the beginning of the on campus classes.
- Finance: An Introductory Online Course
- Financial Accounting: An Introductory Online Course
- Management Communication: An Introductory Online Course
- Quantitative Methods: An Introductory Online Course
On campus classes: 26th August 2024 – 13th September 2024
covering the following subjects:
- Business Policy
- Introduction to Finance
- Introduction to Marketing
- IT for Managers
- Managing People
- Operations and Logistics
2. Pre-Program in Data Science
2nd September 2024 - 13th September 2024
For students with an academic background in business. It comprises the following subjects:
- Intro to SQL and non-SQL Databases: If you want to analyse data, find patterns, or build big data applications, then you must first understand data and databases and know how to query and retrieve data. In this course, you will learn SQL and the main offers in relational databases, including non-SQL databases.
- Python for Data Science: If you want to work in data science and business analytics you need to know programming. This is a basic skill. Two main languages dominate the scene: Python and R (with newcomers such as Julia). In this course, you will learn the basics of Python programming with a focus on data science and scientific programming.
- Computer Science 101: This course teaches the essential ideas of Computer Science for a zero-prior-experience audience. Computers can appear very complicated, but in reality, computers work within just a few, simple patterns. In this course participants will play and experiment with short bits of "computer code" to bring to life to the power and limitations of computers.
- Intro to R: This course uses R for exploring statistics and analytics. We will approach inferences and causality relationships – together with the most common fallacies and basic elements of hypothesis testing, distributions, and descriptive statistics in R.
Welcome Week
SEPTEMBER
Official Program Start: 16th September 2024
The Esade Welcome Week is designed to help you hit the ground running from day one. You'll get to know the Esade management teams, find out how the Masters in Business Analytics fits into the broader context of the business school, and enjoy a full run through the program's academics and career services. You'll learn what we expect of you. We'll help you make your time at Esade a success by sharing some proven tips and guidelines. Teamwork is a key element of the program and you'll have the opportunity to get to know the other MSc participants first thing as you begin your journey together.
The Esade Welcome Week is mandatory.
Term 1: Foundations | 20 ECTS
SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER
Business in Society (4 ECTS)
- Understand and manage ethical, social, and environmental issues related to business. It aims to provide students with tools to integrate these issues into an ethical framework, translate them into specific company values, engage stakeholders, and implement a culture of social entrepreneurship or intrapreneurship
Cloud Computing (4 ECTS)
- Covers the basics of cloud computer infrastructures, with a focus on modern Computer Engineering using leading Cloud Platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS). The course aims to provide a deep understanding of cloud infrastructures, security, and their application in data science projects.
Artificial Intelligence I (4 ECTS)
- Covers advanced topics in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Gain practical experience in implementing and fine-tuning AI and machine learning models. The curriculum provides a deep understanding of AI technologies, their application in business, and their impact on society and the environment.
Data-Driven Transformation (4 ECTS)
- Focuses on transforming existing businesses from a product-centric archetype to a data-driven solution business model. It aims to provide students with the skills to extract intelligence from data, understand the technological and analytical features of big data, and lead the analytical transformation in their companies.
Competing with Artificial Intelligence & Cloud (4 ECTS)
- Focuses on understanding the impact, methods, and approaches of AI and Cloud in various industries and sectors. It delves into how AI and Cloud have transformed different sectors and reviews the salient characteristics of their usage. The course also explores the economic aspects behind the AI disruption, such as zero marginal cost, investments transformed into variable costs, and virtually infinite scalability due to the use of Cloud Platforms.
Study Tours & Skills Seminars | 5 ECTS
JANUARY
International Study Tours (2023/24)
All the destinations are open to all students, have limited spots and may vary from one academic year to the next .
- Los Angeles - USA - UCLA Anderson - Marketing Strategies in a New Digital Era (+)
- Milan - Italy - Bocconi - Italian Fashion & Luxury (+)
- Seoul - South Korea - KUBS - Digital Transformation in Asia (+)
- San Francisco - USA - The Silicon Valley Experience (+)
- CEMS- Singapore - NUS - Doing Business in Asia (+)
- Sustainability - Spain - Esade - Food, Nature and Supply Chains (+)
- Cape Town - South Africa - University Of Cape Town - Doing Business in Africa (+)
- Bangalore - India - India Institute of Management at Bangalore IIMB - The Science of Data Driven Decision Making (+)
- Toronto - Canada - Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto - New paradigms of finance, threats of opportunities? (+)
- Dubai - Dubai - American University of Dubai - The role of currencies in Finance (+)
- Washington DC - USA - McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University - Public Affairs & International Political Economy (+)
- St Gallen - Switzerland - University of St. Gallen - Investing into capital markets: a global view from a Swiss perspective (+)
- Nagoya - Japan - NUCB Business School - Doing Business in Asia: deep dive into Japanese culture (+)
- Toronto - Canada - Smith School of Business, Queen’s University - Analytics and AI in North America (+)
Places are subject to availability
Skill seminars
- 3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping
- Brand/ Communication Immersion Program, Profession in Action
- Business Storytelling
- Challenge Based Innovation for Artificial Intelligence (CBI4AI)
- Create and Communicate your Personal Brand
- Effective Communication in the Virtual Environment
- Emotional Intelligence resources for a successful career
- Empowering Excel
- Gateway seminar: E-Commerce & Technology
- Gateway seminar: Fashion
- Gateway seminar: Sports
- Managing Development in Emerging Countries
- Negotiations in tough environments (Inter-organisational negotiation)
- Python for Data Sciences
- R for Data Sciences
- Rhetoric for Public Speech, Persuasion and Inspiring Others
- Sales/Consulting Immersion Program, Profession in Action
While all students can opt for all offered Study Tours / Electives if they fulfil prerequisites, they have to enrol through a bidding process where students from certain programs might have preference for courses more relevant to their Master and spaces are limited in each course.
Terms 2: Specialised Courses | 15 ECTS
FEBRUARY-APRIL
This module will allow you to acquire a deeper understanding.
Specialised courses:
Artificial Intelligence II (3 ECTS)
- It is a continuation of AI topics not covered in the AI I course and delves into areas such as AI explainability, robotics, reasoning, natural language, search and constraint satisfaction, complex networks, and multi-agent systems. The course aims to provide students with a deep understanding of these advanced AI topics and their applications
Cloud Platforms - AWS (3 ECTS)
- Provides a deep understanding of modern Computer Engineering using the leading Cloud Platform, Amazon Web Services (AWS). The course covers various aspects, including an introduction to the AWS Cloud, AWS infrastructure, the data layer, and the compute layer and aims to equip students with the necessary skills to navigate cloud platforms successfully, understand the unique infrastructure of cloud platforms, and work with fundamental building blocks such as the data and compute layers.
Data Analytics with R (3 ECTS)
- Designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of data analysis using the R programming language. R is widely used in big companies and institutions for data science and analysis, making it a valuable skill for students pursuing careers in this field.
Innovation and Business Models (3 ECTS)
- inspire and empower students to become entrepreneurs or managers in digital enterprises. It focuses on the dynamism of entrepreneurship, the ever-evolving spirit of innovation, and their central role in economic growth.
Thinking with Data (3 ECTS)
- Focuses less on the technical aspects of data analysis and more on the conceptual ones. It emphasizes how to think about data before and during the analysis process. The course aims to develop students' ability to approach data strategically and make informed decisions based on data insights
Terms 3: Electives | 10 ECTS
MAY - JULY
The wide range of electives offered during this term will allow you to tailor the program to your specific career goals.
2023/24 Electives
Electives offering may very from on academic year to the next. The following list are examples of the current offering (2023/24):
MIBA electives:
- Advanced Artificial Intelligence Topics
- Advanced Manufacturing & Logistics
- Advanced Programming in Python
- Collective Intelligence: Human + Machine + Business
- Data-driven prototypes: Hands-on design of AI product demos
- Digital Product Management
- Fintech: Technology Innovation in Financial Services
- Leading Persuasively for Innovation
- Recommender Systems
- Strategic Management of Disruptive Innovation and Exponential Technologies
Free electives:
- Challenge Based Innovation for Artificial Intelligence (CBI4AI)
- Family Business Management
- Global Environmental Challenges and the Business Response
- In search of Principles for a Life Philosophy: Lessons from Art, History and Economics
- Leading with Impact
- Re-Imagining Capitalism
Open electives from other MSc's
- Agile Software Development
- Blue Economy
- Business Impact of Life Sciences
- Co-creation strategies
- Design & Marketing
- Digital Banking and Digital Currencies
- Digital Marketing
- Entrepreneurship Finance & Venture Capital
- Excellent consulting: The challenge of international collaboration and corporate change
- Global Supply Chain
- Global Talent: Managing People in Multinational Corporations
- Implementing Integrated Communications
- Industries 4.0 and IoT
- Innovation through Design Thinking
- Project Management
- Social Entrepreneurship and Impact Investments
- Strategic and Business Consulting
- Strategic Key Account Management
- Tools for web and mobile apps
While all students can opt for all offered Study Tours / Electives if they fulfil prerequisites, they have to enrol through a bidding process where students from certain programs might have preference for courses more relevant to their Master and spaces are limited in each course.
CAPSTONE PROJECT | 4 ECTS
FEBRUARY - JULY
A fundamental part of your learning experience will be a real life, non-simulation project with a leading company. The project will be structured in some in-company meetings and off-site work. It is a real business analytics project with real data that you will present and discuss with the company. Mentors and coaching sessions will help you through the process. This gives you the authentic experience needed for working in business analytics, and the opportunity to get to know and experience the everyday work of a data scientist.
Summer term: Master's Project | 6 ECTS
JULY - SEPTEMBER
MASTERS PROJECT/INTERNSHIP
You can choose from three different formats:
- Business Plan, aimed at fostering an entrepreneurial spirit
- In-Company Project, based on a professional internship (optional) or company project
- Master Thesis, aimed at demonstrating your research abilities
You will receive full support from your tutors, regardless of the format chosen. You will also have to complete a prior preparation session.
Graduation
LATE OCTOBER
MASTERS PROJECT DEFENSE & GRADUATION
What to do after your MSc
CEMS
Extend your studies by one more year, including a 8-week internship abroad. CEMS offers an incredible international experience.
Double Degrees
Spend a second year in one of our prestigious partner schools around the world and earn an official degree from both institutions (External Double Degree), or combine two complementary ESADE MSc programs to suit your personal career goals (Internal Double Degree).