Complete data analytics degree subject guide

The demand for data professionals is growing fast. A data analytics degree can open doors to a wide range of industries – including finance, healthcare and marketing. 

So whether you’re interested in spotting market trends or streamlining business strategies, a data analytics degree is sure to equip you with everything you need to make a real impact in today’s data-driven world.

From entry requirements to course duration and potential career paths, this guide will help you decide if a data analytics degree is the right choice for you. 

What is data analytics?

Data analytics is the process of examining raw data to find patterns, trends, and insights – helping businesses make smarter decisions, improve products, and save money. 

As more and more companies adopt a data-driven approach, data analysts are in high demand across various sectors – from marketing and research to government and finance. That’s why a data analytics degree is a great option if you’re not yet sure which industry you want to work in.

What is a data analytics degree? 

For most entry-level data analyst jobs, you’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree. During a data analytics degree, you’ll explore subjects like computer science, statistics, and programming – and get hands-on with tools like SQL, Python, and data visualisation. 

Exploring different areas during your degree can help you figure out which fields interest you the most, so you can build a better idea of where you might want to take your career in the future. Once you have an industry in mind, you might be able to focus your studies by specialising in fields like economics, finance, business, or healthcare.

Although not every university offers a specific data analytics bachelor’s degree, more and more now offer related courses as the demand for data professionals continues to grow. Computer Science, Statistics, and Economics degrees cover similar content to a data analytics degree.

Do I need a master’s in data analytics? 

An undergraduate degree is usually enough to kickstart a career in data analytics. However, some companies may prefer candidates to have a master’s degree in data analytics or a related field. 

If you’re looking to advance your career in data analytics, a master’s degree can give you an edge over other candidates, potentially leading to a higher starting salary and more opportunities to progress in your career. 

What do you need to get a data analytics degree?

While entry requirements vary from university to university, you’ll typically need 112 – 120 UCAS points from 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent. Universities may prefer for you to have relevant A levels like Maths, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, IT or Economics.

How long does it take to get a data analytics degree? 

How long it takes to complete a data analytics degree really depends on you. Do you need​​ to fit your studies around other commitments? Or would you prefer to accelerate your learning, so you can kickstart your data analytics career as soon as possible? 

You can finish a data analytics degree in 3 years if you choose to complete your degree full-time, or in 4 years if you choose a sandwich course with a work placement. 

Completing a work placement is a great way to gain hands-on data analytics experience, build industry connections, and boost your chances of landing a job soon after graduating.

How much does a data analytics degree cost?

The price of a data analytics degree varies. A typical undergraduate degree in the UK costs approximately £9,250 per year, totalling around £27,750 for a typical 3-year BSc degree course. An online learning degree might be a cheaper option. 

As for postgraduate degrees, completing a MSc Data Science and Analytics will cost around £9,900.

You can take out a student loan to cover your course fees and potentially some of your living costs too. 

Some universities even offer scholarships or bursaries, which are available to students who meet certain criteria. Make sure to check with the university you’re applying to, to find out if there’s any funding support available to you.

How to get a degree in data analytics 

How to apply

The application process varies depending on the university, but you’ll generally need to submit your academic history and a personal statement.

Personal statement tips

Your personal statement should highlight your interest in data analytics and showcase your problem-solving skills. Be sure to mention any relevant experience you have, or related projects you’ve worked on.

Online options

There are many online data analytics degree options available if you need more flexibility in your learning schedule. These programmes allow you to study at your own pace, making it easier to balance your degree with other commitments. 

Many online degrees offer the same curriculum and accreditation as on-campus courses, so you won’t have to compromise on the quality of your education. 

At FutureLearn, we offer a range of online data analytics degrees from world-class universities. You’ll find degrees of all different levels, including online data analytics master’s degrees.

Job satisfaction and job market growth

With data-driven approaches on the rise, the demand for data analysts is expected to keep growing across various industries, making it a solid choice of degree.

If you enjoy working with numbers and solving puzzles, a career as a data analyst could be a good fit for you, bringing you job satisfaction for many years to come. 

Career paths for those with data analytics degrees

Data analytics can provide a fulfilling and exciting career, full of unique opportunities in our data-driven business landscape. 

Businesses are always on the lookout for skilled professionals who can use data to drive better performance. With a data analytics degree under your belt, you’ll be armed with skills that will give you a leg-up against the competition.

Having a data analytics degree can also open doors to other careers, with many data analysts going on to work as data scientists. If you’re thinking of transitioning to a data science role later in your career, a master’s degree in data science or a related field might help you unlock more opportunities.

Salary prospects for data analytics jobs 

According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a graduate data analyst is £30,207 per year. Once you’ve gained a few years’ experience and progressed to a data consultant, you could earn an average of £74,294 according to Reed. 

As you move through your career as a data analyst, you might consider how you’d like to progress and what additional qualifications can help you get there. Certifications, like the Certified Analytics Professional or Cloudera Certified Associate Data Analyst, can lead to career progression and a higher salary.

Types of degrees in data analytics

There are a range of data analytics degrees on offer, across both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. You can even choose to complete your degree online, if an on-campus course isn’t the right fit for you.

If your chosen university doesn’t offer a specific data analytics degree, they might offer a related course instead. There are many degrees that can help prepare you for a career in data analytics, including:

• Computer science
• Data science
• Analytics management
• Applied mathematics 

Why get a data analytics degree 

Almost every industry – whether it’s tech, healthcare, finance, or marketing – relies on data to make smart decisions. So companies are always looking for skilled data analysts – and many entry-level data analyst jobs require an undergraduate degree. 

A degree in data analytics not only helps you build essential skills but also provides networking opportunities with professionals in the field. Plus, entry level data analyst jobs come with above-average starting salaries, and there’s plenty of room for growth as you gain experience.

Providing you with lots of transferable skills, a data analytics degree will open up a range of career options for you. Whether you want to stay in data, become a consultant, or move up to management, a data analytics degree will provide you with a solid foundation for a career in the data field.

What does a data analytics degree cover?

A data analytics degree covers a range of topics to equip you with the skills you need to work with data. You’ll learn about:

• Data collection and cleaning: You’ll find out how to gather data from different sources and clean it to make sure it’s accurate and ready for analysis.
  
• Statistical analysis: You’ll explore how to apply statistical methods, simulations, and optimisation techniques to analyse data and uncover meaningful patterns.
  
• Data analysis software: You’ll gain hands-on experience with industry-standard data analysis tools.
  
• Programming languages: You’ll be taught how to code in industry-standard programming languages like Python, R, and SQL, which are essential for analysing and manipulating data.
  
• Data properties: You’ll develop an understanding of different data properties, learning how to interpret and work with structured, unstructured, and big data sets.
  
• Data analytics techniques: You’ll learn about both classical and modern data analytics techniques, teaching you to handle various data challenges and extract valuable insights.
  
• Modelling: You’ll learn how to use data modelling techniques to analyse and predict outcomes based on the data you’re working with.
  
• Machine learning: You’ll explore statistical machine learning, discovering how to build models that can learn from data and make accurate predictions.
  
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): You’ll also learn how to apply AI techniques to automate and enhance data analysis.

By the time you finish your data analytics degree, you’ll have the skills to collect, analyse, and interpret data in various industries – so you can take your career wherever you want to go.

Is a data analytics degree right for you?

There are a few things to consider when it comes to deciding if a data analytics degree is right for you. 

First things first, do you enjoy working with numbers, patterns, and problem-solving? Data analytics involves analysing large sets of data, identifying trends, and making data-driven decisions. If you’re curious about how data can inform strategies and solutions, a data analytics degree could be a great fit.

What are your career goals? Data analytics opens doors to various industries like tech, finance, healthcare, marketing, and more. If you’re looking for a role with growth opportunities and the potential to earn a higher than average salary, a data analytics degree will set you on the right path to achieve your goals.

What skills do you want to gain? A data analytics degree teaches valuable skills like statistical analysis, programming (in languages like Python and SQL), data visualisation, and machine learning. If you’re excited about building a technical skillset that can be applied to real-world challenges, a data analytics degree could be a good fit.

Thinking about the job market? Data analysts are in high demand across many industries. With the increasing reliance on data-driven decision-making, the data field is expected to continue growing. If job security and progression opportunities are important to you, good news – a career in data analytics offers both.

Skills you’ll learn during a data analytics degree

A Data Analytics degree teaches you key skills like:

• Statistical analysis
• Programming in Python, SQL, R
• Data visualisation
• Data cleaning and preparation

You’ll also develop soft skills, like communication and problem-solving, that are essential for presenting your findings and collaborating with others. 

To get a job in data analysis, you’ll need a set of specific technical skills, including: Statistics, R or Python programming, SQL (Structured Query Language), Data visualisation, Data cleaning and preparation. You’ll learn all of these on your data analytics degree. 

Online options for data analytics degrees

There are plenty of online data analytics degree options. Online degrees offer you more flexibility, so you can fit your studies around other commitments.

At FutureLearn, we offer a range of online data analytics degrees from world-class universities. You’ll find degrees of all different levels, including online data analytics master’s degrees.

How will you be assessed on data analytics degrees

Data analytics degrees are assessed in a variety of ways. This might include:

• Written work – including reports, essays, and exams.
• Group work
• Presentations
• Projects

How difficult is a data analytics degree?

Although software and tools do most of the maths for you, you must still understand the basics to be able to analyse results properly. So if you’re not confident in your maths, you might find a data analytics degree more challenging.

In addition to maths, you’ll also need to develop advanced technical skills during your data analytics degree. This includes becoming proficient in various software platforms, programming languages, and tools such as SQL, Python, R, or Excel, which are used to manage and analyse complex datasets. These skills can take time to master, especially if you’re new to programming or working with large-scale data systems.

But if you love problem-solving, working with cutting-edge tools, and seeing the impact of your work, a data analytics degree could be a great fit for you.