If you’re still choosing between different career paths, look no further. Earlier in this blog series, we explored in-demand careers in Australia, Canada, and the United States, along with post-secondary courses that set students up for success in these fields. Today, we’re looking at five master’s courses in the United Kingdom which prepare students like you for rewarding and in-demand careers. Whether you’re interested in data science or sports management, there’s something here for you!
An effective personal statement can help your study application stand out. Learn what’s important to include—and how writing one for a UK versus a US audience is different—on our blog.
Image Credit: University of Essex, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Business Operations Manager
Master of Business Administration (MBA) | University of Essex – Colchester Campus
1-year MBA
Business operations managers are leaders with excellent communication and delegation skills. They hire and supervise employees, strategize process improvements, and manage quality assurance. Ultimately, business operations managers are responsible for making their organization run more efficiently.
If this sounds like the next step in your career, consider leveling up your skills with the University of Essex’s one-year Master of Business Administration course.
Students expand their knowledge and skills in areas like:
- Accounting and finance
- Strategic marketing
- Sustainable operations
Essex MBA students work with business incubators, complete Director’s Workshops (where students relate current business issues to content taught in class), and create either a business plan, consultancy project, or dissertation through a final capstone project.
Look closer at how an MBA course works, from prerequisites to career pathways, and see if it’s right for you.
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Data Architect
Big Data Technologies | University of Westminster – Cavendish
1-year Master of Science
Data architects design blueprints for data management systems. After analyzing a company’s internal and external data sources, data architects create strategies to centralize, maintain, and protect this information. This allows employees to access key information efficiently, while safeguarding data from any threats.
In the UK alone, 1.9 million STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) professionals will be needed by 2035. If you’re interested in being a part of this rapidly expanding sector, then studying data science at the University of Westminster is a great next step. Plus, with a campus based in central London, you’ll be in the heart of the world’s best student city—and a global tech hub.
Its one-year Master of Science course in Big Data Technologies equips students with:
- An understanding of big data systems architecture
- Highly marketable, hands-on skills in the core technologies used in big data projects
- Option modules which explore topics like social media analytics, cybersecurity, and business analytics
This course prepares grads to work in fields ranging from health care and post-secondary education to computers, insurance, and software.
It’s loved by its students, and home to top learning institutions—just two of the reasons why London was named the #1 student city in the world.
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Data Scientist
Artificial Intelligence with Data Analytics (Optional Placement) | Teesside University
1- or 2-year Master of Science
If you’re curious and detail-oriented with experience in computer science and critical reasoning, consider a career as a data scientist. Data scientists analyze, process, and model data and interpret the results to help organizations scale their businesses.
Teesside University’s Artificial Intelligence with Data Analytics master’s course is ideal for students who want to strengthen their computer science skills, and shift their careers from programming to team leadership or design.
In addition to this course’s main focus on data analytics and AI, students will:
- Build their statistical methods and research skills
- Examine trends like supply chain analysis to see how they affect practical applications of software
- Develop stronger programming skills
If you choose the two-year course, you’ll strengthen your abilities with a work placement. It’s a great way to gain practical experience and build your professional network.
Curious about student work placements in the UK? Read our blog to learn more about the different options available to international students.
Image Credit: Dan / Library, University of Abertay, Dundee (via Wikimedia Commons)
Information Security Analyst
Ethical Hacking and Cyber Security | Abertay University
1-year Master of Science
Do you have strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills? Consider becoming an information security analyst. In this field, you’ll design and implement IT security systems to protect an organization’s networks from cyberattacks. Cybersecurity was named a top skill to build in 2024 by Forbes, and information security analysts are one of the most in-demand roles in the field.
If you’re interested in this career, consider studying at Abertay University in Scotland. Its one-year Master of Science course in Ethical Hacking and Cyber Security is fully certified by the National Cyber Security Centre, and is the only UK-based master’s course in ethical hacking.
This course builds students’ skills in:
- Digital forensics
- Penetration testing
- Malware analysis
- Information security management
- Buffer overflows
- Port scanning
- Password cracking
Choosing a career as an information security analyst will keep you on your toes, and graduates are likely to find work quickly.
Cybersecurity also made our list of top technical skills to develop in 2024.
Image Credit: Victuallers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sport Marketing and Sponsorship Manager
Sports Management | Loughborough University
1-year Master of Science
If you’re passionate about sports, then becoming a sport marketing and sponsorship manager could be a great career choice. These professionals use their business and athletic management knowledge to work in high level amateur and professional sport associations, global businesses, and with sports events.
If this sounds interesting, consider Loughborough University‘s Sports Management master’s course. This course is co-taught by the Loughborough Business School and the School of Sport, Exercise, and Health Sciences, bringing together the best of both fields. As the world’s top-ranked university for sport-related subjects for eight years running, you’ll be surrounded at Loughborough by students and faculty who are driven to excel.
Subjects this one year master’s degree course focuses on include:
- Organizational management and human resources
- Professional sport marketing strategies
- Sport policy governance
- Economics of innovation in the sport industry
Whether your career goal is to help plan the Olympics or work with brands like Adidas, as past graduates have, the sky’s the limit!
Ready to go? Explore more courses in the UK that will help you land your dream career on the ApplyBoard platform.
