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Business at UEA
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Find out moreMSc Applied AI and Business Analytics with a Placement Year
Key details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- January 2027
Course options
Other Start Dates
Gain a competitive edge with a placement year
This course is also available with an integrated placement year, giving you the opportunity to gain valuable UK industry experience alongside your master's degree
Other Start Dates
Top 20
UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research Quality
UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research QualityCourse Overview
Why MSc Applied AI and Business Analytics with a Placement Year at UEA?
Bridge the gap between complex data science and strategic decision-making, making you an asset in today’s tech-driven economy. You’ll gain practical skills and learn how to use data and AI to solve real-world business challenges.
Why Choose UEA
- Business impact: Bridge the gap between business analytics, AI, and strategic leadership
- Practical skills: Master data-driven insights to solve complex business challenges
- Career-ready: Gain high-demand skills for a rapidly evolving global job market
What is MSc Applied AI and Business Analytics with a Placement Year?
Combine data science with business strategy to help organisations make smarter decisions and achieve better outcomes. On this two-year course, you’ll learn how to turn complex data into practical insights that create real business impact.
You’ll master machine learning and predictive modelling to solve complex, real-world commercial challenges. This hands-on approach gives you the confidence to apply AI and automation across a wide range of industries. In your second year, you'll complete a professional placement, gaining valuable real-world experience.
The curriculum bridges technical expertise and leadership, preparing you for high-impact roles in the global tech economy. You'll graduate ready to lead digital transformation and manage data-driven teams.
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Placement Year
This course includes an integrated placement year, giving you the opportunity to gain valuable UK industry experience as part of your Master's degree.
In your first year, you'll complete your academic studies, including your dissertation, while taking part in an employability programme designed to prepare you for the UK workplace.
In year two, you’ll secure an industry placement or complete three employer-led industry projects with different UK organisations. This extra year lets you apply your learning professionally, strengthen your CV with UK experience, and boost your global career prospects.
You’ll lead the search for your placement, supported by employability workshops, coaching, and guidance from our specialist placement partner.
If you’re unable to secure a placement, you’ll complete three employer-led industry projects with organisations across different UK sectors.
For more information, check out Postgraduate Placement Year(opens in a new window).
Careers
Career Pathways
With an MSc in Applied AI and Business Analytics, you could launch a career as a:
- Business Analyst: Use data to identify opportunities, solve problems, and improve organisational performance
- AI Strategist: Help organisations adopt and apply AI to achieve business goals
- Business Intelligence Analyst: Turn data into insights that support strategic decision-making
- Data Scientist: Analyse complex datasets and develop models to solve real-world challenges
- Cybersecurity Analyst: Use data and technology skills to help protect organisations from digital threats
Career Support
Business analytics and AI skills are in demand across every sector, from global corporations to public services and charities. This course helps you build the knowledge, practical experience, and professional profile employers are looking for. By working with the latest technologies, you’ll create a portfolio that showcases your technical skills, analytical thinking, and ability to solve real-world problems. You’ll also have access to Career Central(opens in a new window) for support with CVs, applications, interviews, networking, and career planning.
After the Course
After graduation, you’ll be ready to apply your AI and business analytics expertise across a wide range of industries and sectors. You’ll have the knowledge, practical skills, and professional profile sought by global employers. By working with the latest technologies throughout the course, you’ll graduate with a portfolio that showcases your analytical ability, technical expertise, and innovative thinking. Whether you choose to pursue a career in data, technology, consulting, or business strategy, you’ll be well placed to succeed in a competitive global market.
Study and Modules
Structure
You'll study core analytics to strategic leadership of business analytics and AI-based projects. You’ll learn to master the entire business analytics and AI lifecycle, from formulating a high-level strategy to overseeing its successful implementation. You’ll explore how to build bespoke AI coding solutions for business and learn how to combine AI with marketing.
You’ll study research methods to prepare you for your future dissertation or industry sponsored project. You’ll learn about the key methods and techniques used in business analytics and AI. In addition, you’ll have options to develop expertise in digital business, cyber security, or the transformation of business with digital technologies.
You can choose to do a dissertation which allows you to demonstrate your academic ability by conducting research that contributes to the fast-changing field of business analytics and AI. Throughout your dissertation, you’ll develop your analytical skills and critical thinking.
You’ll also have the option of doing an industry sponsored project that offers applied business analytics and AI experience. If you choose this option, you’ll work with businesses to harness your theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios, and you’ll acquire highly valuable work experience to help build a professional network and develop the skills necessary to excel in the workplace. You’ll also work directly with clients, understand their needs, and build business analytics and AI solutions to help change their business outcomes.
As an alternative to a dissertation or an industry sponsored project, you’ll also have the choice to deepen your operational and governance skills, highly sought after by employers. You’ll master the ethical and regulatory challenges of using data and learn project management methodologies to successfully lead complex analytics and AI-based projects from conception to delivery.
During your first year, you'll also take part in an employability programme designed to prepare you for your placement in year two. You'll build the skills and confidence to search for, secure, and succeed in a placement through workshops on CV writing, interview techniques, LinkedIn, and professional development.
You'll receive one-to-one support to help you plan your placement applications, refine your CV, and practise your interview skills. Sessions are delivered through a blend of online and in-person activities. Successful completion of the programme, including meeting attendance requirements, is required to progress to the placement year.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 40)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
In your second year, you'll complete a placement module, giving you the opportunity to gain professional experience. You'll receive dedicated support throughout your placement search, alongside workshops that help you reflect on your progress and strengthen your applications. If you don't secure an industry placement, you'll complete three employer-led industry projects, giving you the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience with UK organisations.
You'll complete a portfolio documenting your placement search, alongside a reflective report on your placement or industry projects. Both are assessed on a pass/fail basis.
By the end of the placement year, you'll have strengthened your CV, expanded your professional network, built confidence in your skills, and be well prepared for the next stage of your career, whether in the UK or internationally.
Compulsory Modules
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
You’ll learn through a variety of methods – including lectures, seminars, and hands-on business analytics and AI labs – always with a strong focus on applying your knowledge and skills to real-world business challenges. Just as in a professional setting, you’ll work both independently and in groups, building teamwork and leadership abilities. As your confidence grows, you’ll be encouraged to think more critically and analytically, tackling complex problems and assessing the strengths and limitations of established analytical techniques. Throughout the course, you’ll reflect on and justify your decisions, developing the professional mindset essential for future success.
Assessment
Assessment is primarily through coursework, demonstrations, presentations, and in-class tests. In many assignments, you’ll tackle real-world business problems for clients, building a portfolio of analytics work that showcases your skills. Each assignment includes a reflective element, helping you identify strengths and areas for improvement. You’ll also benefit from formative assessments—designed to test your knowledge and skills—before summative assessments, giving you the chance to refine and enhance your performance.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in January each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Any subject area.
Please note that if you have studied business before at undergraduate or postgraduate level, we recommend you check the modules carefully to make sure that this course is right for you.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in January each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Any subject area.
Please note that if you have studied business before at undergraduate or postgraduate level, we recommend you check the modules carefully to make sure that this course is right for you.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in each component).
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies(opens in a new window) for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, our UEA International Study Centre(opens in a new window) offers a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- UEA International Study Centre
If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, you may be able to study the International Pre-Masters programme offered by our partner UEA International Study Centre. This programme guarantees progression to selected Master's degrees if students achieve the appropriate grade. For more details, please click here:
International Pre-Masters in Business, Economics and Social Sciences
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2026/27 are:
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UK Students: £14,500
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International Students: £25,700
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
If you choose to take this course with a placement year, your tuition fees for the first year will be as shown above. An additional fee of £3,500 will apply for the placement year (see our FAQs page for further details).
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees(opens in a new window) for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form(opens in a new window).
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk(opens in a new window)
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students(opens in a new window) section of our website.