MICA business analytics with AI syllabus: Who should apply?
A unit-by-unit walkthrough of the Business Analytics with AI syllabus from Masai in collaboration with MICA: the tools, the projects, how learning works week to week, the fees and who should apply.
Quick answer: The Masai × MICA Pay After Placement Certification Programme in Business Analytics with AI teaches business analytics across six units: business thinking and SQL, Excel and Python, Python for data analysis and Power BI, statistics and A/B testing, machine learning and AI, and a placement-readiness unit called Elevate. Classes are live and online, five days a week for three hours a day, over about six months. It is built for graduates aged 20 to 28 who want an entry-level analyst role, and it follows the pay after placement model: ₹99 for the qualifier test, ₹10,000 + GST to reserve your seat, and the main fee only after you join an eligible job.
Last updated: 6 November 2026. Programme details were checked against Masai's official programme page on that date.
Start here: What an analyst actually does
Every business analyst job description sounds a little different, but the day-to-day is surprisingly consistent. Someone asks a question, such as why did repeat orders drop last month? The analyst finds the data, cleans it, spots the pattern, tests the explanation and presents a recommendation that a manager can act on.
A good syllabus teaches exactly that loop. And that is the idea behind the Pay After Placement Certification Programme in Business Analytics with AI, offered by Masai in collaboration with MICA, Ahmedabad. It is built for graduates who want to start an analytics career, and it moves step by step from business thinking, through SQL, Excel, Python and Power BI, to statistics, A/B testing and AI-assisted analysis, before finishing with placement preparation.
This guide walks through the full MICA Business Analytics with AI syllabus, shows how the pieces connect, and helps you decide whether the programme is right for you.
In this guide
- Start here: What an analyst actually does
- The programme at a glance
- How the syllabus is built: three layers
- The syllabus, unit by unit
- The tools you will learn, and what each is for
- How it all connects: an illustrative example
- What learning looks like week to week
- Who teaches the programme
- What you finish with
- Who should apply?
- Careers the syllabus prepares you for
- A word on fees
- How to apply
- Frequently asked questions
- Ready to explore further?
- Related reading
The programme at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Offered by | Masai in collaboration with MICA |
| Credential | MICA certificate and placement support |
| Format | Live online, 5 days a week, 3 hours a day (the placement-readiness unit is in person in Bengaluru) |
| Duration | About 6 months, extendable up to 10 depending on pace and mastery |
| Weekly commitment | Around 25 hours including practice and assignments |
| Eligibility | Graduates and above, aged 20 to 28, with a laptop |
| Toolkit | SQL, Excel, Python, Jupyter, Power BI |
| Programme Director | Prof. Aditya Naishadam |
| Model | Pay After Placement: ₹99 qualifier test, ₹10,000 + GST seat fee, and the main fee after you join an eligible job |
How the syllabus is built: three layers
The syllabus is organised into three levels: Foundation, Core and Applied Analytics. Think of it as a staircase.
- Foundation gives you the business mindset and your first technical tool, SQL.
- Core builds your working toolkit: Excel, Python, Pandas and Power BI.
- Applied Analytics puts it to use with statistics, A/B testing, business case studies, machine learning and AI-powered analytics.
Every stage ends with a mini project, so what you learn is used immediately rather than stored away for later. The programme runs in six units, and the brochure carries the detailed unit-by-unit breakdown.
The syllabus, unit by unit
Unit 1: Business thinking and SQL (Foundation)
The course begins with something many tool-first courses skip: how businesses actually work. You learn P&L thinking, KPI logic, sector literacy and how to frame a vague problem into a clear question. Only then do you pick up your first working tool.
- Business foundations and the analyst mindset
- SQL for analysts
- A mini project
Why it matters: SQL is often the first thing analyst interviews test, and business framing is what separates an analyst who reports numbers from one who explains them.
By the end you can: turn a business question into a data question, and pull the data to answer it.
Unit 2: Excel and Python foundations
Next you get practical with business data. On the Excel side, you work with advanced functions, Pivot Tables, Power Query and dashboards. On the Python side, you learn programming basics: data structures, control flow, functions, file handling and data cleaning.
- Excel for analysts
- Python foundations
- A mini project
Why it matters: real data is messy. Cleaning it well is a large share of an analyst's time, and Excel plus Python gives you two complementary ways to do it.
By the end you can: clean and shape a messy dataset and build a first working dashboard.
Unit 3: Python for data analysis and Power BI
Now the datasets get larger and the questions get sharper. You work with Pandas and NumPy for transformation, aggregation, visualisation and cohort analysis. Then you build interactive dashboards in Power BI, using data modelling, DAX and visualisation best practices.
- Python for data analysis
- Dashboarding with Power BI
- A mini project
Why it matters: dashboards are how analysis reaches decision makers. Knowing how to build one that people actually use is a core job skill.
By the end you can: turn raw data into a dashboard that a manager can read at a glance.
Unit 4: Statistics, A/B testing and business analytics
This is where analysis becomes evidence. You learn hypothesis testing and A/B testing, then apply them to marketing and product analytics, customer segmentation, funnel analysis and unit economics, all through business case studies.
- Statistics and A/B testing
- Marketing and product analytics
- A mini project
Why it matters: companies constantly test changes, such as a new pricing page or a different campaign. Analysts who can say whether the result is real or just noise are valuable.
By the end you can: back a business decision with evidence rather than instinct.
Unit 5: Machine learning and AI for the modern analyst
The programme then moves into predictive models with scikit-learn and model evaluation. Alongside that, you learn to use AI-powered tools to speed up analysis, coding and insight generation, with an emphasis on validating what AI produces instead of trusting it blindly.
- Applied ML and AI for the modern analyst
- A mini project
Why it matters: AI is now part of the analyst's toolkit. Knowing how to use it quickly and check it carefully is quickly becoming a baseline skill.
By the end you can: build a simple predictive model and use AI tools as a fast, careful assistant.
Unit 6: Placement readiness (Elevate)
The final stage is about getting hired. Learners who meet the evaluation benchmarks move into an in-person phase in Bengaluru covering resume building, LinkedIn optimisation, mock interviews, interview preparation and communication training, along with access to opportunities through Masai's hiring network. The face-to-face format allows interviews with hiring managers and direct feedback. Attendance in the Elevate Unit is mandatory.
By the end you can: walk into an analyst interview with a polished profile and practised answers.
The tools you will learn, and what each is for
Wondering how this toolkit compares with what employers ask for? See the business analyst tools employers want and SQL vs Python for data analysts.
How it all connects: an illustrative example
To see why the order of the syllabus matters, imagine a retail company whose repeat orders have dropped. This is an illustration, not a case from the programme.
- Frame the problem (Unit 1): what does repeat order rate mean, and which customers matter most?
- Pull the data (Unit 1): use SQL to extract orders by customer and month.
- Clean and explore (Units 2 and 3): fix missing values in Excel or Python and run a cohort analysis.
- Visualise (Unit 3): build a Power BI dashboard that shows the drop by city and product.
- Test the explanation (Unit 4): run an A/B test on a new delivery offer and check if the lift is real.
- Predict and scale (Unit 5): use a simple model to flag customers likely to leave, and use AI tools to speed up the work.
- Present (Unit 6): explain the findings clearly, the same skill you practise in mock interviews.
Each unit adds one link in the chain, which is why the syllabus is sequenced the way it is.
What learning looks like week to week
Classes are live and online, five days a week, three hours a day, taught by MICA faculty and Masai industry mentors in application-focused sessions. Around the classes, you complete assignments, work on projects and take quizzes and assessments, which together add up to roughly 25 hours a week.
A few features keep the experience engaging:
- Live interaction. You can ask questions in the moment and get feedback.
- Real datasets and business frameworks. Practice uses end-to-end analysis, dashboards, case studies and guesstimates.
- A serious cohort. You learn alongside graduates, early-career professionals and working professionals through group activities and peer reviews.
- Mastery-based progression. You move to the next unit after clearing the unit-end assessment, so each layer is solid before the next goes on top.
The progress expectations are clear: 90% attendance, 80% assignment completion and 60% in assessments, plus completion of the required projects. A 60% score in each unit is also the threshold for the MICA certificate.
Your first five weeks: the Foundation Unit
The programme opens with a five-week Foundation Unit. It introduces the pace and the business and SQL basics, and it gives both you and the programme a chance to confirm the fit before you move into the main programme from Unit 2.
Who teaches the programme
The programme draws on a pool of MICA faculty, and sessions are delivered by selected members from it, subject to availability.
- Prof. Aditya Naishadam (Programme Director): Purdue graduate and MICA gold medallist with 6+ years in predictive analytics, machine learning and marketing analytics; teaches Machine Learning and Marketing Analytics at MICA.
- Prof. Sunita Mall: PhD in Statistics, with IIM Calcutta business analytics training; specialises in quantitative techniques, fraud analytics and credit scoring.
- Dr Ashutosh Yadav: Assistant Professor of Finance, focused on BFSI, FinTech, P&L structures and financial KPIs.
MICA itself was established in 1991 in Ahmedabad and is known for strategic marketing and communication, with alumni across marketing, brand management, research and analytics, and media.
What you finish with
By the end of the programme, learners aim to have:
- A job-ready portfolio built from mini projects in every unit
- A MICA certificate, for those who clear each unit at the required threshold
- Working skills in SQL, Excel, Python, Power BI, statistics and AI-assisted analytics
- A prepared resume, LinkedIn profile and interview technique
- Access to Masai's hiring network through the placement-readiness unit
Who should apply?
A strong syllabus only helps when it fits your starting point. Here is how different learners can think about it.
Recent graduates
You have a degree and want a clear path into your first analytics role. The syllabus covers programming, databases, statistics and business intelligence end to end, and the projects give you something concrete to show at interviews.
Career switchers
You are in another field and curious about analytics. The programme starts from programming fundamentals and business basics, so you do not need a technical background to begin. Case studies, guesstimates and KPI analysis help you build confidence with numbers.
Working professionals
You already work with reports or operations data and want more depth. SQL for independent data extraction, inferential statistics (Z-tests, T-tests, Chi-Square, ANOVA) for validating decisions, and Power BI with DAX for executive-ready dashboards take you beyond functional reporting.
Learners who thrive on structure
If you have started self-paced courses and found them hard to finish, live classes, deadlines, assessments and a cohort can make a real difference.
Quick fit check. The programme is likely a good match if you:
- Are a graduate aged 20 to 28 and have a laptop
- Can give about 25 hours a week for around six months
- Enjoy solving problems with numbers and want an analyst role
- Prefer a guided, outcome-focused route over learning alone
Worth thinking twice if you cannot protect study time most days of the week, or if you are looking for deep data science or data engineering. The syllabus is designed for entry-level business, marketing and product analytics roles.
Careers the syllabus prepares you for
The programme is aimed at Business Analyst, Marketing Analyst and Product Analyst roles. The same skills (SQL, Excel, Python, Power BI, statistics and AI-assisted analysis) also carry over to operations, finance and growth teams, where decisions increasingly depend on data. See what a business analyst does and the business analyst career path in India.
A word on fees
The programme follows the pay after placement model. In simple terms, you pay a small amount to begin, and the main fee becomes payable after you join an eligible job.
| Stage | Amount |
|---|---|
| Qualifier test (non-refundable) | ₹99 |
| Seat fee (paid during the counselling session) | ₹10,000 + GST |
| Placement-readiness unit (Elevate) | ₹5,000 at the start of the unit (food, accommodation and travel are arranged by the learner) |
| After placement: CTC ₹3.00 to ₹4.99 LPA | ₹1,80,000 one-time, or ₹6,944 a month for 36 months through NBFC partners |
| After placement: CTC ₹5.00 LPA and above | ₹2,50,000 one-time, or ₹9,722 a month for 36 months through NBFC partners |
GST is extra where it applies. Interest and any associated charges on EMI are borne by the learner under the lender's terms. A drop-off fee may apply if you discontinue the programme or are removed for not meeting the attendance, assignment or academic requirements, and the schedule is set out in the programme terms. All fees, including the qualifier test fee and the seat fee, are non-refundable and non-transferable. For a deeper look at the model, see what pay after placement is and how it works, the fee and EMI maths for this programme and when you pay and what counts as an eligible placement.
How to apply
- Register and take the qualifier test. Clear it to attend a webinar and receive the information email with the brochure and terms.
- Join a counselling session. Ask your questions about the syllabus, schedule and terms.
- Reserve your seat if you decide to go ahead.
- Complete the 5-week Foundation Unit and clear the Foundation Test.
- Sign the PAP agreement. A CIBIL score of 700 or above is required to move into the main programme, which begins from Unit 2.
For a step-by-step view of the qualifier test, the Foundation Unit and the PAP agreement, see from qualifier test to Foundation Unit to PAP agreement. The programme overview is in PAP is back: MICA Business Analytics with AI.
Frequently asked questions
About the programme
What is in the MICA Business Analytics with AI syllabus?
It covers business foundations, SQL, Excel, Python (Pandas, NumPy), Power BI with DAX, statistics, A/B testing, marketing and product analytics, machine learning, AI-powered analytics and a placement-readiness unit, with a mini project in each stage.
Who is eligible to apply?
Graduates and above, aged 20 to 28, with a laptop.
Do I need coding experience?
No. The syllabus starts with fundamentals, though steady effort is expected.
How long is the programme?
About six months, extendable up to ten depending on your pace and mastery.
Is the programme online?
Yes, classes are live and online. The Elevate placement-readiness unit is held in person in Bengaluru.
Which tools will I learn?
SQL, Excel, Python, Jupyter and Power BI, plus scikit-learn and AI-powered analytics tools.
Will I get a certificate?
Yes, a MICA certificate, provided you reach the minimum 60% in each unit and meet the programme criteria.
Is there a campus visit?
An optional campus immersion at MICA is available at an additional cost of ₹5,000 per participant per day. Food, accommodation and travel are not included.
Is placement guaranteed?
No programme can promise a job. This one links the main fee to a placement outcome and provides structured placement support. Past record is no guarantee of future prospects.
Is a CIBIL score required?
Yes. A CIBIL score of 700 or above is one of three requirements for moving into the main programme (Unit 2), along with clearing the Foundation Test and signing the PAP agreement.
Can working professionals manage the schedule?
Working professionals are one of the audiences the programme is designed for. Live classes run three hours a day, five days a week, and the total commitment is about 25 hours a week including practice. The in-person Elevate Unit in Bengaluru has mandatory attendance.
Learning and assessment
How am I assessed during the programme?
You are assessed weekly through quizzes, assignments, projects and other learning activities, each with a defined weightage. At the end of every stage, a consolidated review looks at your scores, attendance, assignment completion and academic integrity. You move to the next stage when you meet the required thresholds.
What happens if I find a unit difficult?
The programme is built around mastery, so the timeline is flexible: it runs about six months and can extend up to ten, depending on your pace. A Repeat status exists for learners who need another attempt. The standards stay firm, though. Learners can be discontinued if they fail the threshold again while on Repeat, are involved in plagiarism, or miss the minimum attendance and assignment requirements.
What if I do not clear the Foundation Test?
You would not continue into the main programme. If you completed all assignments and appeared for the Foundation Test, you receive a participation certificate or letter. The ₹10,000 seat fee is non-refundable, so the five-week Foundation Unit is worth taking seriously.
Which AI tools will I actually use?
Unit 5 uses AI-powered tools to speed up analysis, coding and insight generation, with a focus on critically validating what they produce instead of trusting it blindly.
Is the certificate the same as a degree or a PGDM?
No. This is a certificate programme offered by Masai in collaboration with MICA. It is a credential that shows structured training and tested skills, and it works best alongside your portfolio of projects.
Placement and careers
When does placement support start, and how long does it take?
Placement preparation begins towards the end of the learning phase, running alongside final assessments. The placement window opens after programme completion, and activity then continues across several hiring cycles. Placements are staggered over multiple months, and any timeline you hear is illustrative, because timing depends on your performance, interview readiness, hiring-partner demand and market conditions.
What counts as an eligible placement?
An eligible placement is a job offer that meets or exceeds the minimum CTC threshold in your programme agreement, typically starting from ₹3 LPA. The fee is triggered only after you secure an eligible offer and join. An offer below the minimum eligible CTC does not qualify, so the placement-linked fee is not triggered on that offer.
Can I choose the company or city?
Company and location preferences are not accepted or guaranteed as part of the placement process, and an eligible offer cannot be declined without the fee being triggered. The practical approach is to go in open to entry-level analyst roles across companies and cities.
What salary can I expect after the programme?
The fee slabs begin at ₹3 LPA, which is the minimum eligible CTC. Salary depends on your role, company, city and performance, and this is a new programme from Masai and MICA, so there is no batch-level placement data to quote yet.
What if I am laid off after I get placed?
If the reason is not related to your behaviour or performance, such as a company shutting down, a layoff or a pay cut, the programme provides placement support for six months from the date of your placement or graduation.
What if I find a job on my own?
The salary-based fee still applies, because it covers the teaching and upskilling delivered through the programme, regardless of how the job was found.
Payment and terms
When does the payment obligation begin after I join a job?
It begins after you join an eligible job and the post-joining period in your agreement has passed, which is about a month after joining. The fee is not triggered by interviews, shortlisting or selection.
How does EMI work?
EMI is offered through NBFC partners, and learners who choose it attend an NBFC session. Interest and any associated charges are borne by the learner under the lender's terms, and subvention cost and GST apply on top of the fee amount depending on the payment option.
Are any fees refundable?
No. All fees under the programme, including the qualifier test fee and the seat fee, are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Who can I contact with more questions?
The counselling team is available on WhatsApp at +91 87929 74750 or by email at mica.programs@masaischool.com. The detailed curriculum is in the brochure on the programme page.
Ready to explore further?
If this syllabus matches the career you have in mind, the next step is simple. Visit the MICA Business Analytics with AI programme page, download the brochure for the detailed curriculum, and speak with the counselling team. You can also reach them on WhatsApp at +91 87929 74750 or at mica.programs@masaischool.com.