Difference between M.Sc. and MBA in business analytics programmes

If you feel like you’re reading about business analytics a lot, you’re listening to the proper people. Business analytics is a varied, booming sector that is attracting firms from a variety of industries, including technology, healthcare, and more—and now is the ideal time to join it.

The skills, statistical methodologies, and technologies that firms use to study and evaluate past business data and performance are referred to as business analytics. Executives receive critical insight into strategic decisions and corporate planning as a result of this effort. Let’s deep dive into the difference between M.Sc. and MBA in business analytics.

What role does a master’s degree play in a career in business analytics?

Business analysts and data scientists are in high demand, making master’s in business analytics an exciting subject to work in. Operational research analysts (who evaluate a company’s internal business risks) earn an average of USD 86,200 per year, according to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, with anticipated job growth of 25% between 2019 and 2029—faster than other professions.

According to the research of data scientists’ and predictive analytics professionals’ (PAPs) wages, 83 percent of PAPs have an advanced degree (68 percent have a master’s degree and 15% have a Ph.D.). 94 percent of data scientists have a master’s or doctoral degree (50 percent and 43 percent, respectively). 

What is an MBA degree, and what does it entail?

MBA programs are aimed at giving students a broad understanding of how businesses operate; the skills and knowledge learned in an MBA degree may be applied to a variety of industries. An MBA program is meant for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree and have some work experience. Students examine the issues that real businesses face today and learn how to lead organisations through them. Whereas most full-time master’s degree programs last two years, MBAs are available in a number of formats and schedules to accommodate your individual needs.

What is an M.Sc in Business Analytics?

An M.Sc. in Business Analytics trains students to handle and analyse large data collections as well as commercial difficulties. Students learn in-demand programming abilities in programming languages such as SQL, Python, Apache Hadoop, R, and Spark as part of their study. They also develop and improve their interpersonal and communication abilities. With a master’s in business analytics, you’ll learn how to turn complex data into useful information that executives can use to make decisions.

What’s the difference between an MBA and an M.Sc. in Business Analytics?

The difference between M.Sc. and MBA in business analytics is that an MBA concentrates on the entire administration of enterprises, organisations, and projects, whereas an M.Sc. in Business Analytics is more analytical and concentrates on using data to make strategic decisions. MBA students strengthen their soft skills, such as problem-solving, teamwork, and communication, in addition to the technical skills required to run a business.

Curriculum

Coding, analytics, database management, and data mining, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation are all covered in an intensive M.Sc. Business Analytics program. In this master’s in Business Analytics, you’ll learn business planning, and communication with stakeholders. You may study law and ethics, but the emphasis is on analytic tools and methodologies.

An MBA program with a data science concentration — which covers statistical analysis, advanced analytics, and data management — provides a broader perspective on the corporate world. Operations, communications, stakeholder connections, negotiating skills, business model, as well as personnel, risk, supply chain, and financial management are all covered in this multidisciplinary programme.

Length of programme

An online MBA may take two years or longer to finish if you study part-time. This will be determined by the number of courses you are taking. The online M.Sc. in Business Analytics program, on the other hand, is usually shorter, lasting between 12 to 18 months along with projects and internships.

What may each degree be used for? 

While particular job titles may vary, MBA graduates typically work in the management field, managing people and budgets, coordinating projects, and evaluating progress and success.

Here are some entry-level career opportunities for MBA graduates:

• Product Manager
• Product Expertise
• Business Adviser
• Senior Financial Analyst
• Project Manager
• Manager of Information Technology (IT)
• Marketing Director
• Manager of Human Resources
• Manager of Finance

Here are some entry-level work opportunities for M.Sc. Business Analytics graduates:

• Data Analyst
• Analyst for Business Intelligence
• Senior Data Analyst
• Consultant in Analytics

What are the requirements for each degree?

MBA and M.Sc. Business Analytics degree requirements differ by school, so check the admission criteria for the programmes you’re interested in.

The following certificates are required for MBA and M.Sc. Business Analytics programmes:

• An undergraduate degree from regionally accredited college or university (domestic students) or a U.S.-comparable bachelor’s degree (international students)
• Scores on the GMAT or GRE
• IELTS/TOEFL score (this is a proof of English proficiency requirement for international applicants born in a country where English is not the official language)
• An official certificate from each university, college, or community college that you have attended
• Purpose Statement
• Recommendation letters
• Appropriate Application Forms (provided by the programme)

MBA programme – gained skills and competencies

An MBA program can help students build skills and competencies that will help them improve in the corporate world. These abilities include the following:

• Leadership: MBA schools stress the need of providing direction to staff, explaining the company’s strategy, and taking responsibility for the quality of products and deadlines.
• Liaison between corporate stakeholders and employees: Managers and leaders must act as liaisons between business stakeholders and employees. Students in an MBA program are exposed to various sorts of communications that occur in businesses and are required to practise both verbal and communication skills.
• Data-driven decision-making: MBA graduates understand the necessity of making data-driven decisions. Being a leader entails more than simply giving the organisation direction; it also necessitates the creation of plans
• Technical proficiency: MBA students are exposed to the expanding technology demands of the corporate world, from new software applications to the development and deployment of emerging technologies such as blockchain.
• Companies seek out leaders who can motivate staff, are knowledgeable about their markets, and are efficient at seeing projects through to completion, thus developing these qualities is critical for individuals aspiring to managerial or C-level positions.

M.Sc. in Business Analytics programme – acquired skills and competencies

M.Sc. graduates frequently acquire the advanced abilities required to succeed in the industry. Among the skills learned are:

• Critical thinking: M.Sc. Business Analytics coursework exposes students to a variety of difficulties that put their ability to solve problems logically to the test. Graduates usually join the job equipped to provide their companies with analytical and creative answers to business problems as a result of their practice.
• Technical skills: M.Sc. Business Analytics programs focus on teaching students how to handle data mining, infrastructure management, and quantitative modelling. When recruiting these types of employees, firms search for these expertise.
• Effective communication: Understanding how to perform the duties of, say, a data analyst and understanding how to convey to colleagues and executives how that business function delivers ROI are fundamentally distinct difficulties. M.Sc. Business Analytics programs help these professionals develop a language and communication style that accurately and clearly communicates the purpose and significance of their job to other employees and stakeholders.

M.Sc. Business Analytics graduates with these talents can find work in organisations looking for someone with the expertise, technical knowledge, and professionalism to help them grow their business.

What do businesses prefer?

While both an MBA and an M.Sc. can get you hired in the industry if you receive them from top universities and training institutes, they both require individuals to have analytical skills in order to make judgments and manage processes in the company. Both MBA and M.Sc. degrees can be quite effective in the analytics business. While the question of which degree is superior is frequently disputed, many employers place a greater emphasis on the talents that an individual brings to the table rather than the degree.

What’s the best degree for you?

There is no right or wrong option when it comes to choosing a degree programme! Both programmes are meant to help you advance your career in different ways. Consider whether you want to concentrate in data and analytics or develop general management abilities when selecting a programme. If you’re thinking of specialising, an M.Sc. might be the way to go. 

An MBA may be a good alternative for you if you wish to improve your company management skills. Whether you want to advance your existing work or seek new professional development options, a master’s degree will help you achieve your goals. So the question of MBA or MSc in business analytics which is better completely depends on your skill set and career requirement.

You can pick between a UGC-entitled online MBA and an online Master of Science in Business Analytics Programs at Online Manipal. You’ll find a demanding curriculum, world-class teachers, and plenty of networking possibilities here. While developing key relationships and honing your leadership abilities, you’ll discover how to solve today’s corporate difficulties. Whichever degree you pick, you’ll get the knowledge and skills you’ll need for the exciting future professions in business analytics and data engineering.

With an online M.Sc. Business Analytics or MBA from Online Manipal, you may choose the professional path that’s right for you and offer yourself a powerful advantage.