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Data Analyst Syllabus & Subjects: A Complete Learning Guide

By Rohit Sharma

Updated on Feb 26, 2025 | 10 min read | 1.3k views

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The demand for skilled data analysts has surged, with the global data analytics market expected to reach $132.9 billion by 2026. Businesses rely on cloud computing, real-time analytics, and AI to process vast datasets, making expertise in data visualization, predictive modeling, and SQL essential.

This guide breaks down the data analyst syllabus, detailing core subjects, industry-relevant tools, and in-demand techniques. Whether you aim to master Python, Power BI, or machine learning, this article will equip you with the expertise to analyze complex data, optimize business strategies, and advance your career!

Comprehensive Overview of Data Analyst Syllabus

The demand for data analysts is soaring as businesses use data-powered strategies like predictive analysis, customer segmentation, and real-time decision-making to stay competitive. 

With the rise of global enterprises, increasing data diversity, and challenges in seamless data integration, skilled analysts are crucial for extracting actionable insights.

This section offers a detailed breakdown of the data analyst syllabus, including a complete curriculum, semester-wise modules, entrance exam specifics, and career opportunities in data analytics.

Data Analyst Syllabus: Program Overview

Data analyst programs equip students with in-demand skills in data analytics, statistical modeling, and business intelligence. With the rise of AI, cloud computing, and big data, industries are actively seeking professionals who can extract insights from complex datasets. 

Below is a general overview of the program, including eligibility, admission process, fee structure, and career prospects. Specific details may vary based on the institution, course type, and location.

Category

Details

Program Level

Undergraduate (B.Sc, BBA, B.Tech), 

Postgraduate (M.Sc, MBA, PG Diploma), 

Certification Courses

Course Duration 6 months – 3 years (varies by program type)
Assessment Method University exams, projects, case studies, practical assignments
Eligibility Criteria 10+2 with Mathematics for UG programs, Bachelor's degree in a relevant field for PG courses
Admission Procedure Entrance exams (CAT, MAT, IIT JAM for PG), Merit-based/direct admission for certifications
Fee Structure UG: ₹50,000 – ₹2,00,000 per year; PG: ₹1,00,000 – ₹5,00,000 total; Certifications: ₹10,000 – ₹2,00,000 (one-time)
Expected Salary ₹4L – ₹12L per annum, depending on skills and experience
Leading Employers TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Accenture, Reliance, Flipkart, HDFC Bank
Advanced Study Options M.Sc in Data Science, MBA in Business Analytics, Specialized Certifications (AWS, Microsoft Power BITableau)

Also Read: Top 5 Data Analysis Courses to Pursue Online in 2025

Master data analytics with industry-relevant Data Science Courses by upGrad and gain expertise in AI, ML, and business intelligence.

A clear understanding of the program structure helps you choose the right academic path. Now, let’s break down the syllabus course-wise, highlighting the subjects covered at each level of study.

Data Analyst Syllabus: Course-Wise Breakdown

Data analytics programs are designed to equip students with technical expertise, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Whether pursuing a degree, diploma, or certification, learners study statistics, programming, data visualization, and machine learning. 

Below is a breakdown of courses and their key subjects, helping students choose the right academic path.

Course/Specialization

Subjects Covered

B.Sc in Data Analytics / BBA in Business Analytics
M.Sc in Data Science / MBA in Business Analytics
PG Diploma in Data Analytics
  • Statistical Analysis, 
  • Python, SQL, Power BI, 
  • Data Mining, Time Series Forecasting
Certification in Data Analytics
Specialized Courses (e.g., AI, FinTech, Healthcare Analytics)
  • Industry-Specific Case Studies, 
  • Machine Learning, Advanced Data Modeling, 
  • Blockchain Analytics
Practical Internship or Applied Project Work
  • Capstone Projects, 
  • Industry Internships, 
  • Real-World Data Challenges

Also Read: Certified Data Analyst: Steps to Certification, Key Roles, Salary, and More in 2025

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Knowing the subjects within each course is essential, but understanding their content, tools, and practical applications is just as important. 

The next section provides a deeper look into the specific topics, technologies, and real-world projects covered in each course.

Data Analyst Course Syllabus: Course-Wise Subjects and Tools

Data analytics programs follow a structured curriculum, covering core subjects, elective courses, and practical applications. Each semester introduces students to foundational concepts, industry-relevant tools, and real-world case studies. 

Below is a detailed breakdown of subjects, along with the tools used and key projects students will work on.

Semester

Subjects Covered

Tools & Technologies

Case Studies & Projects

Semester 1 Fundamentals of Data Analytics, Statistics for Data Science, Excel & SQL Basics, Introduction to Python MS Excel, SQL, Python Retail sales analysis using Excel
Semester 2 Data Structures & Algorithms, Data Cleaning & Preprocessing, Business Intelligence, Data Visualization Python (Pandas, NumPy), Tableau, Power BI Customer segmentation using Tableau
Semester 3 Probability & Hypothesis Testing, Exploratory Data Analysis, Big Data Fundamentals R, HadoopSpark Sentiment analysis on social media data
Semester 4 Machine Learning Basics, Predictive Modeling, SQL for Data Science Scikit-LearnTensorFlowPostgreSQL Loan default prediction using ML models
Semester 5 Advanced ML & Deep Learning, Time Series Forecasting, Cloud Computing for Data Analytics AWS, Google Cloud, PyTorch Demand forecasting for FMCG products
Semester 6 AI & Automation in Data Science, Data Ethics & Security, Blockchain Analytics AI-powered analytics tools, Blockchain frameworks Fraud detection in banking transactions
Final Semester (Capstone/Internship) Applied Project Work, Industry Internship, Real-World Business Case Studies Cross-platform tech stack based on specialization Capstone project with real-world dataset & internship experience

Key Highlights:

  • Importance: The syllabus builds a strong foundation in data handling, visualization, and statistical analysis, progressing to machine learning and AI applications.
  • Duration: Undergraduate courses typically span six to eight semesters, while postgraduate and diploma programs last two to four semesters.
  • Hands-on Learning: Courses emphasize case studies, industry projects, and real-world datasets to ensure practical expertise.

Also Read: Top Data Science Use Cases in Banking

background

Liverpool John Moores University

MS in Data Science

Dual Credentials

Master's Degree18 Months
View Program

Placement Assistance

Certification8-8.5 Months
View Program

Boost your data analytics skills with NumPy, Matplotlib & Pandas in upGrad’s free course. This prep course boosts your Python skills, focusing on key libraries: NumPy, Matplotlib, and Pandas, essential for data handling

Core subjects and tools provide essential skills, but specialization helps you stand out in specific industries. The next section explores specialization options to match your career goals.

Data Analyst Syllabus: Specializations

Data analytics programs offer specializations that help students develop expertise in specific domains. These specialized tracks focus on industry-specific applications, advanced analytical techniques, and emerging technologies. 

Choosing the right specialization enhances career opportunities in high-demand sectors such as finance, healthcare, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence.

Below is an outline of key specializations in data analytics, along with the core areas covered in each track.

Specialization

Key Areas Covered

Business Analytics Market Trends Analysis, Customer Segmentation, KPI Dashboards, Decision Modeling
Financial Analytics Risk Analysis, Fraud Detection, Algorithmic Trading, Credit Scoring, Investment Analytics
Healthcare Analytics Medical Data Processing, Patient Outcome Prediction, Electronic Health Records (EHR), Disease Tracking
Marketing & Consumer Analytics Customer Behavior Analysis, Campaign Performance Metrics, Sentiment Analysis, Ad Optimization
E-Commerce & Retail Analytics Inventory Optimization, Price Forecasting, Personalization Algorithms, Customer Churn Prediction
Big Data & Cloud Analytics Hadoop & Spark, Distributed Computing, Cloud Data Warehousing, Real-Time Analytics
Machine Learning & AI Analytics Deep Learning, NLP, Image Recognition, AI Model Deployment, Reinforcement Learning
Supply Chain & Logistics Analytics Demand Forecasting, Route Optimization, Inventory Management, Supplier Risk Analysis

Also Read: What is Supply Chain Analytics? Why is it Important?

Master supply chain analytics and efficiency with Introduction to Supply Chain Management by upGrad. Get an overview of the essentials of supply chain management, how supply chains operate, plan a supply chain, and use supply chains to achieve success.

Also Read: Data Analyst Salary in India in 2025 [For Freshers & Experienced]

A structured syllabus sets the foundation, but a clear learning path ensures mastery. Next, explore a step-by-step roadmap to success in data analytics.

Data Analyst Course: Your Strategic Roadmap to Success

Becoming a data analyst requires a structured approach, covering foundational concepts, practical tools, and industry applications. This step-by-step roadmap guides learners from the basics to advanced topics, ensuring a clear learning path. Below is a strategic plan, including recommended courses, books, and project ideas to enhance your skills.

Step 1: Build a Strong Foundation (Beginner Level)

Key Topics:

  • Introduction to Data Analytics & Career Paths
  • Fundamentals of Statistics & Probability
  • Data Types, Data Cleaning, and Preprocessing

Recommended Courses & Books:

Project Ideas:

  • Analyze sales data to identify trends
  • Create dashboards using Excel or Google Sheets

Step 2: Learn Essential Programming & Data Handling (Intermediate Level)

Key Topics:

  • Python & R for Data Analysis
  • SQL for Database Management
  • Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA)

Recommended Courses & Books:

Project Ideas:

  • Clean and analyze customer data using Pandas
  • Write SQL queries to extract business insights

Step 3: Master Data Visualization & Business Intelligence

Key Topics:

  • Creating Interactive Dashboards
  • Business Intelligence Tools (Power BI, Tableau)
  • Data Storytelling & Decision Making

Recommended Courses & Books:

Project Ideas:

  • Build a sales performance dashboard
  • Visualize COVID-19 data trends

Step 4: Learn Machine Learning & Predictive Analytics (Advanced Level)

Key Topics:

  • Supervised & Unsupervised Machine Learning
  • Regression, Classification, Clustering
  • Time Series Forecasting

Recommended Courses & Books:

Project Ideas:

  • Predict house prices using regression models
  • Build a recommendation system for an e-commerce store

Step 5: Work on Real-World Projects & Industry Case Studies

Key Topics:

  • Big Data Technologies (Hadoop, Spark)
  • Cloud Computing for Data Analytics
  • Model Deployment & Automation

Recommended Courses & Books:

  • Book: Big Data: Principles and Best Practices by James Warren
  • Tool Focus: Hadoop, Spark, AWS, Google Cloud

Project Ideas:

  • Analyze social media sentiment on trending topics
  • Build a fraud detection model for banking

Step 6: Apply for Internships & Build Your Portfolio

Key Actions:

  • Contribute to open-source projects (Kaggle, GitHub)
  • Work on freelance data analysis tasks
  • Participate in hackathons & competitions

Resources to Explore:

  • Kaggle Data Science Challenges
  • Turing & Upwork for freelance projects

Portfolio Checklist:

Showcase at least 3-5 real-world projects
Include GitHub repositories & interactive dashboards
Write data-driven case studies on LinkedIn or Medium

Final Step: Career Advancement & Specialization

Key Actions:

  • Network with industry professionals on LinkedIn
  • Apply for data analyst roles in your preferred domain
  • Keep learning with specialized certifications (AWS, Google Cloud, Tableau, etc.)

Recommended Certification Courses:

  • Microsoft Power BI Certification – Microsoft Learn
  • AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty

Also Read: How to Become a Data Analyst with No Experience in 2025?: A Complete Roadmap

A structured learning path is crucial, but industry-aligned training and mentorship make the difference. Explore how upGrad supports your data analytics journey.

How Can upGrad Support Your Data Analyst Journey?

Building a successful career in data analytics requires more than just theoretical knowledge—it demands practical experience, industry mentorship, and career support. upGrad stands out with its global university collaborations, hands-on projects, and strong hiring network, helping learners transition into high-demand roles. 
Why Choose upGrad?

  • Industry Recognition: Trusted by 300+ hiring partners with an average salary hike of 57% for learners.
  • Global Collaborations: Programs designed with IITs, IIIT Bangalore, Duke, Liverpool John Moores University, and more.
  • Real-World Learning: Capstone projects, case studies, and mentorship from 700+ industry experts.
  • Career Support: Resume-building, interview prep, hackathons, and 1:1 mentorship to help secure high-paying jobs.

Looking to accelerate your career? Book your free personalized career counseling session today and take the first step toward transforming your future. For more details, visit nearest upGrad offline center.

Unlock the power of data with our popular Data Science courses, designed to make you proficient in analytics, machine learning, and big data!

Elevate your career by learning essential Data Science skills such as statistical modeling, big data processing, predictive analytics, and SQL!

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Reference Link:
https://businessleadersreview.com/global-data-analytics-market-expected-to-reach-132-9-billion-by-2026/

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What qualifications are needed to become a data analyst?

2. Can I become a data analyst without prior experience?

3. What are the essential skills for a data analyst?

4. How long does it take to complete a data analyst course?

5. Are there online courses available for aspiring data analysts?

6. What industries employ data analysts?

7. Is coding knowledge necessary for data analysts?

8. What is the average salary of a data analyst?

9. Do data analyst courses include practical projects?

10. Are there free resources to learn data analysis?

11. What tools are commonly used by data analysts?

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