Surrey Business School and SAS jointly announce SAS module accreditation

Surrey Business School and SAS, global leader in Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Data Management, are delighted to jointly announce the first SAS accreditation of a module on a UK university degree, as part of Surrey Business School’s MSc Business Analytics programme.

L-R: Prof Tim Dunne, University of Surrey Provost, Geoffrey Taylor, Global Academic Programme Manager for SAS, Glyn Townsend, Senior Director for Education at SAS, Prof Ali Emrouznejad and Dr Colin Fu, Surrey Business School and Prof Steve Wood, Surrey Business School Dean.

Starting from the 2023/24 entry year, the course’s ‘Data Mining and Text Analytics’ module will facilitate a comprehensive understanding of data mining and web analytics techniques, as well as equip students with the skills to apply them effectively with real data in a business context for intelligence gathering and decision making. This will now be enhanced by holding a SAS Specialisation accreditation.

Geoffrey Taylor, Global Academic Programme Manager for SAS UK & Ireland, noted the benefits of the module utilising SAS software.

“The assurance for prospective fee-paying students that their course is viewed as fit-for-purpose by major players in the analytics industry in terms of 1. its taught content, 2. the practical experience gained of real-world business problems, and 3. it’s utilising state-of-the-art analytical software.

“Moreover, each successful graduate of the course will be awarded a unique SAS Digital Skills Badge stating the specific skills gained. Think of the badges as a blockchain for validated SAS skills. SAS Digital Badges are discoverable by employers searching for SAS and other skills via the Credly platform, making the individual badge holder immediately visible to employers all round the world. In this way SAS Digital Badges democratises opportunity and opens the world of data analytics to talented graduates wherever they may be.

“SAS is delighted that Surrey Business School is the ‘first mover’ for SAS Specialisation in the United Kingdom, and wishes the course leaders and students every success with the SAS components of the course.”

SAS Digital Badges democratises opportunity and opens the world of data analytics to talented graduates wherever they may be.

Programme Director, Dr Colin Fu also added: “I am thrilled that our MSc Business Analytics programme has been endorsed by SAS as a Tier 1 academic specialisation, making it not only one of the leading programmes in the field but the first academic institution in the UK to be awarded such an accolade. This endorsement recognises the exceptional quality of our programme and the rigorous academic standards that we maintain, and also reflects our commitment to providing students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the rapidly growing field of data analytics.

“Our MSc Business Analytics programme offers a blend of theoretical and practical learning experiences, including hands-on training with SAS software, ensuring that our graduates are well-prepared for successful careers in data analytics. Our expert faculty members provide students with individual attention and mentorship, ensuring that they have a solid foundation in statistical analysis, data visualisation, and machine learning techniques.

“The endorsement from SAS further validates the relevance and rigor of our programme. Our students will now have access to SAS software and certification programmes, making them highly desirable to potential employers. We are proud to be recognised by SAS as a leader in this field, and we look forward to continuing to provide our students with the highest quality education possible.”

Our MSc Business Analytics programme has been endorsed by SAS as a Tier 1 academic specialisation, making it not only one of the leading programmes in the field but the first academic institution in the UK to be awarded such an accolade.

Directors of Business Analytics in Practice, Prof Ali Emrouznejad and Prof James Aitken said: “We are excited to see that our MSc Business Analytics at Surrey Business School has been endorsed by SAS, a leading provider of analytics software and solutions. This endorsement is a testament to the quality of our programme and its ability to prepare students for careers in the rapidly growing field of business analytics.

“We look forward to collaborating further with SAS in the future and leveraging their expertise to enhance our Centre for Business Analytics in Practice. This partnership will provide our students with valuable opportunities to learn from industry experts and gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools and technologies. We encourage all our students to take advantage of this incredible opportunity and leverage SAS resources to accelerate their learning and career growth.”

Head of Business Transformation, Assoc Prof Dr Abhijit Sengupta said: “I am delighted to see that the Data Mining and Text Analysis module has received a SAS accreditation. It is an important step in establishing MSc Business Analytics at Surrey as a pioneering programme of study. The accreditation will go a long way in ensuring excellent student outcomes and satisfaction. I look forward to working collaboratively with SAS in the future.”

Dean of Surrey Business School, Prof Steve Wood said: “I am delighted to announce that the Data Mining and Text Analysis module of our MSc Business Analytics programme has been accredited by SAS, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to academic excellence and relevance in business analytics. I greatly welcome this great milestone, and I look forward to the benefits it will bring to our students and the Surrey Business School.”

Read further information about the MSc Business Analytics course and for further information about SAS's range of analytics software and solutions, visit the SAS website.