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MSc

Business Analytics (HDA Top-up)

Top-Up course for students who have completed the Operational Research Specialist Apprenticeship and are looking to take the next step in the studies.

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Key information

Start
September
Location
Canterbury
Study mode
1 year full-time
Fees (per year)
UK: £3,900
International: £3,900
Typical offer
Operational Research Specialist Apprenticeship - Level 7
All entry requirements

Overview

Have you recently completed your Level Operational Research Specialist Apprenticeship? Put a cap on your studies at Kent by topping-up to a full Masters degree in Business Analytics and gaining a more widely recognized qualification.

Designed for the MSc Top-up builds on what you learned during your SLA, helping you to master the skills to interpret, analyse, and present complex data, informing stakeholders and facilitating nuanced data-driven decision-making. 

You'll work on an independent dissertation under the supervision of one of our academics, that will allow you to apply what you've learned and make an impact on your organization.

The course

What you'll study

The following modules are what students will typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations.

Stage 2

Higher and Degree Apprenticeships may opt to continue to Stage 2 in order to be eligible for the MSc Business Analytics by passing the module below. 

Compulsory modules currently include the following

How is business analytics applied in the real world? Guided by an academic supervisor and potentially collaborating with a company, you'll tackle diverse and intriguing practical challenges, ranging from analysing marketing campaigns to optimising capital investments and ranking credit risks. By bridging theory with real world application, this module empowers you to effectively apply the knowledge and skill set acquired across various modules within your course.

How you'll study

Postgraduate taught modules are designed to give you advanced study skills, a deeper knowledge of the subject, and the confidence to achieve your ambitions.

Entry requirements

Operational Research Specialist Apprenticeship - Level 7

Successful completion of a Operational Research Specialist Apprenticeship - Level 7. You must have successfully completed all modules as part of PG Diploma and undertaken End Point Assessment (EPA). 

In order to top-up to a Master’s degree you must take an additional 60 credits as applicable, on payment of a top-up fee.

All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.

Fees and funding

The fee for the MSc Top-up is a flat £3,900. Speak to your employer about whether they are able to support you with covering this fee.

For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.

Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy.

The 2026/27 annual tuition fees for UK postgraduate research courses have not yet been set by the Research Councils UK. This is ordinarily announced in March. As a guide only, the full-time tuition fee for new and returning UK postgraduate research courses for 2025/26 is £5,006.

Your fee status

The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.

You'll need regular access to a desktop computer/laptop with an internet connection to use the University of Kent’s online resources and systems. We've listed some guidelines for the technology and software you'll need for your studies.

General additional costs

Find out more about student accommodation and living costs, as well as general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.

Kent Future Student Scholarships

If you are starting at Kent in September 2025, you could qualify for our new Kent Future Student Scholarships:

Search our scholarships finder for possible funding opportunities. You may find it helpful to look at both: 

International scholarships

Research

Kent is a leading research university, meaning that you will be informed about new discussions and developments by the people making them. This means your work will have real potential to make a difference.

Staff research interests

Full details of staff research interests can be found on the School's website.

Your future

Embedded employability: developing career-enhancing skills

From the moment you start with us, our efforts are focused on helping you gain the knowledge, skills and experience you need to thrive in an increasingly competitive workplace. 

Our careers and employability support at Kent Business School is designed to make sure you are ready to hit the ground running when you graduate, when you study with us you can expect:

  • 1-2-1 personalised Career Coaching with qualified and experienced coaches.
  • Pre-arrival guidance for international students to support navigating the UK labour market
  • Mentoring opportunities through professional bodies, business leaders and Kent alumni
  • Workshops and events designed to support your career planning, finding and securing work and work experience, and professional development, including insights from industry.
  • Access to careers fairs, live projects/competitions with employers and networking opportunities.
  • Plus access to extracurricular professional development and skills courses run by industry professionals.

Postgraduates earn

£6,000
more per year than graduates (Graduate Labour Market Statistics, 2021).

A degree can boost average lifetime earnings by over

£300,000
Graduate employment outcomes - Universities UK

Ready to apply?

Learn more about the application process or begin your application by clicking on a link below.

You will be able to choose your preferred year of entry once you have started your application. You can also save and return to your application at any time.

Apply now

Everything else