With more and more businesses relying on statistical analysis to drive decision-making, the ability to extract meaning from data has become a highly valued skill. Data analysts play a key role in helping business leaders make informed choices, distinguish between effective and ineffective practices, cut costs, and solve key problems — they are, therefore, an integral part of any successful organizational team.

The Data Analysis online short course from the University of Cape Town (UCT) will introduce you to the fundamentals of data analysis and the broader potential of analytics in business. Over the course of eight modules, you’ll learn how data is collected, stored, organized, analysed, and interpreted, and you’ll be given the chance to practice data analysis techniques on real-world data sets. Ultimately, you’ll walk away with practical skills that you can apply immediately in your organization to address specific business needs in the areas of finance, sales, marketing, operational management, and human resource management.

Anyone interested in moving into the realms of data science and analytics will find this UCT online short course useful. The content is geared towards those eager to update their skill sets to remain relevant, as well as established professionals looking to unlock new opportunities within or outside their current organizations. Data analysts, and others who already work with data, can add to existing certifications by learning how to better leverage numbers to achieve results and drive growth. Students will need access to Microsoft Excel to complete the practical components of the course.