Bachelor of Data Science for Business

Bachelor of Data Science for Business

Duration, scope and level

The Bachelor Programmes are three-year full-time studies, each of which comprises 60 credits. In total, a Bachelor's degree program comprises 180 credits. The credits are in accordance with the European ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) system.

Program of study: 
Bachelor of Data Science for Business
Credits: 
180
Language of instruction: 
English
Study mode: 
Full-time
Associate Dean: 
Jan Kudlicka
Candidate Profile

The Bachelor of Data Science for Business is a comprehensive three-year full-time program designed to provide you with a strong foundation in international business administration and specialized data science skills tailored for business applications.

In this program, you will delve into the world of data science, which involves using information technology, mathematics, statistics, and machine learning to solve complex problems. In today’s digital era, data science is essential across all sectors, including business. However, data science alone cannot guide you in asking the right business questions; a deep understanding of international business management, including its cultural, behavioral, theoretical, practical, and sustainable aspects, is essential.

If you like working with working with numbers and data, this bachelor’s degree is an ideal fit for you. You will receive extensive training in programming, data manipulation, and analysis through a variety of courses. These skills will be applied to real-world scenarios in marketing, accounting, finance, and economics, allowing you to gain valuable hands-on experience.

Upon completing your studies, you will be able to solve complex business challenges through critical and analytical thinking, blending your data science expertise with your business knowledge.

The program places a strong emphasis on teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills. It is entirely taught in English, and you will study alongside students from around the world, creating a diverse and international environment.

After graduating, you can pursue a career in international businesses or continue your studies with a master’s degree in various business fields you have been introduced to during your bachelor’s studies.

Learning outcome - Knowledge

Upon the completion of the studies, the student will possess in-depth knowledge and comprehensive understanding of the following key areas:

  • Business management principles in a global context, allowing them to effectively navigate international business environments.
  • Data Science foundations, in particular a strong foundation in mathematics, statistics, programming, data analysis, and research methodology to be able to effectively collect, organize, and analyze data from a wide range of sources.
  • Specialized data analysis techniques relevant to accounting, finance, marketing, and economics.
  • Impact of ongoing digital transformation on modern societies and economies, including the influence of data proliferation, the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, and the growth of financial technology on business strategies and decision-making processes.
Learning outcome - Skills

Upon the completion of the studies, the student will be able to:

  • Demonstrate proficiency in using programming languages and data processing applications for data manipulation, analysis, and visualization across various business contexts.
  • Effectively extract data from diverse sources, including internal company databases and external online resources, and employ techniques to systematically organize and clean data for analysis.
  • Apply relevant data analysis techniques, including machine learning and quasi-experimental techniques, to address complex business, economic, and financial challenges.
  • Assess various forms of risk and their potential impact on decision-making processes.
  • Proficiently communicate their analysis findings, including articulating assumptions, methodologies, and results, to diverse audiences in a clear and compelling manner, both in written and oral form.
Learning outcome - General Competence

Upon the completion of the studies, the student will be able to:

  • Apply robust analytical and critical thinking skills to analyze complex problems, identify effective solutions, and make informed decisions.
  • Exhibit an enhanced ethical awareness, recognizing and addressing the ethical implications of business practices and data management.
  • Understand the interconnectedness of business processes and decisions with resources, context, and values, fostering a comprehensive perspective on business operations.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of both ethical and legal considerations related to handling sensitive data, ensuring responsible data management practices.
  • Distinguish between causation and correlation, and comprehend the challenges in obtaining reliable estimates of policy impacts using non-experimental data.
  • Reflect on the opportunities and challenges presented by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence capacity, enabling them to navigate and harness AI’s potential with ethics and strategy in mind.
Course models
Bachelor of Data Science for Business
Information

The program includes 6 elective courses of 7.5 credits. This means that students have 45 credits to choose from in the 4th and 5th semesters, respectively. It is also possible to apply for an Internship (15 ECTS) instead of elective courses, or exchange (30 ECTS) throughout the whole 4th or 5th semester. If you go on exchange in the 4th semester, the core courses EXC 2110 Basic Financial Management and EXC 3580 Marketing Management and Strategy will be moved to the 5th semester.

CourseCourse type2025 Autumn2026 Spring2026 Autumn2027 Spring2027 Autumn2028 Spring
Core course
7.5
Core course
7.5
Core course
7.5
Programme course
7.5
Core course
7.5
Programme course
7.5
Programme course
7.5
Programme course
7.5
Core course
7.5
Programme course
7.5
Programme course
7.5
Programme course
7.5
Core course
7.5
Core course
7.5
Electives / Internship / Exchange 30 ECTS
Elective course
15
Electives 30 ECTS / Electives 15 ECTS + Internship 15 ECTS / Exchange 30 ECTS
Elective course
30
Core course
7.5
Programme course
7.5
Programme course
7.5
Programme course
7.5
Structure

The Bachelor Programmes at BI Norwegian Business School are, as a rule, composed of 60 credits with common courses (common courses for all or more programmes), 75 credits with programme courses adapted to the individual study program, and 45 credits with elective courses. The minimum course size is 7.5 credits.

It is possible to apply for admission to another bachelor's program after the first year of study. However, it may be necessary to take additional courses.

Students can apply for admission to the studies after the 1st and 2nd year completed at other colleges, provided that the applicant/student has covered the necessary subject areas or undertakes to take the necessary courses in addition. Specific requirements for subject composition are prepared for each study.

To obtain a Bachelor's degree from BI, at least 60 credits must be acquired at BI Norwegian School of Management.

Required progression

For students who are admitted to full-time multi-year programmes, there is a requirement for study progression in order to be able to move on to the next academic year. The requirements are:

A minimum of 30 credits (50%) must be completed and passed after the first year of study in order to be approved to the 2nd year.
A minimum of 60 credits (50%) must be completed and passed after the second year of study in order to be approved to 3rd year.

Some studies may require higher progression than this. The requirements for study progression for each study program are specified in the study contract. Students who do not satisfy the requirement for study progression are offered a one-year stay to address missing subjects and exams.

Workload
BI Norwegian Business School has set the norm that a full-time student should spend 1,600 hours per year. years of their studies. This means that a course of 7.5 credits will require a work effort of 200 hours including teaching, supervision, self-effort and examination. This is in line with the European standard set out in the Bologna Declaration. One of the key criteria is that credits can only be achieved through completed and passed work with an associated assessment of the performance and the learning outcome in relation to learning goals (= expected learning outcomes).

Approved in the Programme Committee
Thursday, September 26, 2024