Data plays a big role in influencing business strategies. Business analytics deals with the translation of raw data into meaningful insights, allowing companies to make better-informed decisions.

Business analysts use quantitative methods to analyse historical data to find trends and make business forecasts. Their insights can also be used to improve business operations and revenue growth.

This career requires an excellent grasp of mathematical subjects to understand and interpret data effectively, such as probability and algebra. Studying a business analytics degree can be a great first step towards honing your statistical expertise.

The academic credential can also help you stand out in the eyes of hiring managers as it serves as evidence of your analytical capabilities, giving you a competitive edge.

What you will learn in business analytics courses

Business analytics courses typically have similar core subjects to cover the essential knowledge and skills students should acquire. Some of the subjects include:

• Business statistics: Learn how statistical techniques are used to analyse data. This is used to make inferences that can justify business decisions. The subject may cover descriptive statistics, sampling distributions and discrete probability.
• Business analytics and information technology: Explore the various functions of business analytics and information systems in organisations. Some topics that may be covered include the use of hardware and software in businesses, telecommunications and enterprise business systems.
• Business law: Acquire an understanding of legal regulations that govern organisations and the business environment. Students may learn about the Malaysian legal system, formation of contracts and employment laws.
• Consumer behaviour: Gain knowledge of how various individual and socio-cultural factors can affect and predict consumption-related actions and manners of people and organisations.
• Quantitative research methodology: Obtain knowledge of the fundamental methods and skills required in business research. Some topics in this unit may include forms of regression, discriminant analysis and non-parametric statistics.
• Marketing analytics: Discover how to develop marketing campaigns by analysing data from past campaigns to identify areas of improvement.
• Introduction to digital business: Attain knowledge of how to optimise digital technologies to add more business value. Students may learn about digital marketplaces, various e-commerce models, and analytical tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.

Career opportunities in business analytics

The mathematical principles and skills you learn in business analytics courses can be applied in various roles across different sectors. Here is a list of jobs you can consider with a degree in this field:

Product analyst

• A product analyst performs market research to develop potential product features for the development team to execute.
• Other duties may include examining competitor products, demonstrating new product ideas to stakeholders and studying customer preferences by conducting surveys and focus groups.
• Average salary: RM3,000 to RM4,000 monthly.

Financial analyst

• As a financial analyst, you assist clients in finding investment opportunities and examining the results of their business decisions to improve profitability.
• Some of your responsibilities may involve tracking economic trends, preparing financial reports and helping with forecasting and budgeting procedures.
• Average salary: RM3,500 to RM5,900 monthly.

Operations analyst

• This position involves finding ways to improve an organisation’s policies and operations.
• You collect and examine the company’s information from different sources, such as employee interviews and sales history, to identify issues and recommend solutions to management.
• Average salary: RM3,600 to RM6,000 monthly.

Business consultant

• A business consultant develops business strategies for companies to grow their performance.
• You may also review the implemented strategies to identify issues and assess their effectiveness.
• Average salary: RM4,200 to RM4,900 monthly.

Customer service analyst

• This role involves reviewing an organisation’s customer service processes for areas of improvement.
• You will make recommendations to improve their efficiency to help them provide a better customer experience.
• Average salary: RM4,000 to RM5,000 monthly.

Risk analyst

• As a risk analyst, you will predict potential consequences a company may face from their business endeavours.
• Other responsibilities may include creating revenue forecasts, recommending strategies to reduce risks and ensuring compliance with government and industry legislations.
• Average salary: RM4,250 to RM6,750 monthly.

Business analyst

• Business analysts apply statistical methods to measure a company’s performance and develop strategies to help them achieve their business goals.
• You may also look for ways to improve business processes through workflow and technological upgrades.
• Average salary: RM4,400 to RM6,300 monthly.

IT business analyst

• An IT business analyst helps organisations address their business needs with technological solutions.
• You may also be involved in quality assurance procedures alongside system and user acceptance testing.
• Average salary: RM5,000 to RM6,000 monthly.

Business development manager

• As a business development manager, you will actively search and build long-term business relationships with new clients to increase your company’s revenue.
• Other duties may include crafting strategies for the company’s goods and services, negotiating contracts with business partners and delegating tasks to business development team members.
• Average salary: RM6,000 to RM8,500 monthly.

Top institutions offering business analytics degrees

Undergraduate level

Postgraduate level

FAQs about business analytics courses in Malaysia

Delve further in the field of business analytics

Gaining a business analytics degree can lay the foundations for a smooth entry into the competitive business world. The skills obtained from these courses can increase your marketability as they are highly relevant in an ever-changing industry that incorporates digital technologies, AI and automation. Start your journey today by exploring various business analytics courses in Malaysia at the top of this page.