How to become a business analyst

CONTENTS

1. What is business analysis?

2. Routes to becoming a business analyst

3. Skills you’ll need

4. Finding work experience

5. How to get a job as a business analyst

6. What it's like to be a business analyst

What is business analysis?

Business analysis evaluates how a company is performing by looking at its operations, finances, and market position. The aim is to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to highlight areas for improvement.

What’s a business analyst?

Business Analysts work in both public and private sectors across many industries. Their role is to help organisations achieve successful business and digital changes. They grasp what stakeholders need, look at business problems, and set clear requirements for effective solutions. By modelling processes, managing requirements, and working together with technical and business teams, they ensure the right problems are solved.

Business Analysts work closely with internal and external decision-makers. They may use workshops and analysis to recommend improvements in people, processes, data, and technology. A business analyst can work with a project manager or may themselves project-manage solutions if they work in a smaller enterprise.

There is some overlap between the roles of a business analyst and data analyst. In short:

• A data analyst is an insight provider – ‘what does the data tell us?’
• A business analyst is a facilitator – ‘what does the business need and how do we get there?’

If a career as a business analyst sounds like the ideal role for you, we show you the different ways you can become a business analyst, including the best universities for business in the UK.

Routes to becoming a business analyst

If you want to become a business analyst, a relevant undergraduate course or degree apprenticeship will be a huge advantage. If you already have a non-related IT degree, you could become a business analyst by completing a postgraduate qualification.

You can also become a business analyst with no experience by applying directly for a job. If you’re a school leaver, apprenticeships are a good route into a business role, allowing you to build skills and experience along with a relevant qualification.

If you are changing careers, you may be able to draw on your experience, bringing useful expertise that others may lack. You may also have relevant transferable skills such as working across teams, communicating with decision-makers and partners, and managing expectations.

You will need technical competence in business analysis, such as process modelling, needs analysis, or using data analysis tools. This may mean you have to start in a junior level role to build these skills. Gaining a qualification (such as a Master’s in Business Analytics) will help you develop skills and strengthen job applications.

Undergraduate degrees

A business analytics degree is not the only route on to this career path. There are various undergraduate courses you might consider. You could consider business management degrees or a degree in business information systems or computer science. Courses usually take three or four years to complete.

Business degree entry requirements

You’ll need between 96–165 UCAS points depending on the university.

• Entry requirements for a business analytics degree or computer science may need an A Level in maths; for computer science, you may need another STEM subject too.
• Entry requirements for business management degrees usually don’t set specific subject requirements. But if you have an A Level in business, economics or maths, it will help you in your degree studies.

You will also need GCSE maths and English at grade 4/C or above.

Degree apprenticeships

A degree apprenticeship is an alternative to an undergraduate degree when training to become a business analyst. As an apprentice, you will still study for a qualification, but most of your time is spent learning on the job.

Relevant apprenticeships include:

• Level 4 Business Analyst apprenticeship.
• Level 6 Improvement Leader apprenticeship.
• If you’re in Scotland, there’s also a Graduate Apprenticeship in Business Analysis.

These courses are employer-led, so they are only available when you see a vacancy advertised. Entry requirements are set by the employer and the course provider. A big advantage of this route is that your employer will pay for your studies, not you. Find an apprenticeship vacancy via Find an apprenticeship and Apprenticeships.Scot.

Postgraduate degrees

Many universities will offer master’s in business (of which the best known is an MBA), but you can also find specific master’s in business analytics. Online master's degrees are also available. Entry requirements usually ask for a degree, which may need to be in a related area. But this isn’t always necessary – you may also be considered if you have significant relevant experience, such as working in business.

A postgraduate degree usually takes a year to complete full-time or two years part-time. An undergraduate degree is usually a minimum entry requirement.

Skills you’ll need

Aside from a love of how business works, you’ll also need:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Ability to gather and process information.
• Analytical thinking skills.
• Flexibility.
• Listening skills.
• Using your initiative.
• Customer service skills.
• Business management aptitude.
• Teamworking.
• Confidence in using computer systems and applications. 

Finding work experience

Gaining work experience is vital; most jobs will ask for your experience.

• If you are studying for a degree, try to secure a placement or internship.
• Or you could contact a company you aspire to work for and ask to shadow someone in a relevant department.
• Volunteer roles may be possible; for example, the Scottish Tech Army connects tech volunteers with skills to charity or social enterprise projects needing help. 

How to get a job as a business analyst

Business analysts are needed in a wide range of industries in both the public and private sectors, so it’s worth finding a job in a field that interests you the most.

Many business analysts are contracted on a freelance basis, so you could set yourself up as a self-employed consultant or look for an employer. You’ll find jobs on individual company websites and job recruitment sites.

It’s also worth joining professional bodies and societies. These include the Institution of Analysts and Programmers (IAP), the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) or the Chartered Institute for IT (BCS).

What it's like to be a business analyst

You’ll help businesses understand their data and find solutions to various challenges they face. Depending on your role and specialisation, your day-to-day tasks could include:

• Speaking to clients (internal or external) to elicit their business needs.
• Understanding different businesses and how they work.
• Analysing data from your findings to suggest changes and improvements.
• Explaining the possible effects of changes, such as the costs, benefits, and risks.
• Organising business testing and quality checks.
• Supporting staff in making changes with training and guidance.

You’ll be based in an office or home office if you are a freelance consultant. Some travel to clients' businesses will also be involved.

Business analyst salary

Business analysts tend to start on a salary of between £22,000–£30,000. Once you have some experience, this could increase to between £35,000–£55,000. Business analysts in the finance sector tend to earn more.

Is a role as a business analyst right for you?

If you enjoy scrutinising data and working with systems and processes to improve company performance, a role as a business analyst could be for you.

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