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Business Analyst Career: Qualifications, Skills, and Opportunities

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Are you curious about starting a career as a business analyst in the UK? 

You may be considering a career change or looking to enter the world of business analysis for the first time.

 Whatever your reasons, you’ve found the ideal resource to help you. 

In this comprehensive guide, let’s walk through everything you need to know about working and becoming a junior business analyst in the UK.

As a business analyst, you help organisations make data-driven decisions and improve their business processes. 

It is a challenging yet rewarding career path with plenty of growth opportunities.

So, whether you’re looking to build skills and acquire BA qualifications to land a job, are just starting out and eyeing opportunities for career advancement, or are looking to transition into a business analyst role, this blog post will be of value to you.

Let’s explore what it takes to succeed in this role, specifically for the UK job market.


What Is a Business Analyst? Exploring The Levels

No business analyst role is the same, so here is a simplified breakdown of each role, at the appropriate level.


Entry-level/ junior business analyst

This is a professional who is just starting their career in the field of business analysis.

They have limited practical experience but possess the fundamental knowledge and skills required to contribute to business analysis projects.


Intermediate business analyst

A professional who has gained a significant amount of experience and knowledge in the field of business analysis.

They have progressed beyond the entry-level or junior business analyst role and have developed a deeper understanding of the processes, techniques, and tools used in business analysis.


Senior business analyst

A very experienced and skilled professional who has advanced knowledge and expertise in the field of business analysis.

They have progressed through the ranks of junior and intermediate levels and have a proven track record of successfully delivering complex business analysis projects.

For the sake of this post, we’ll focus on people at the entry and intermediate levels. 

Business Analyst: The Role Defined

A business analyst helps companies improve their business processes, find ways to work better and make data-driven decisions.

They engage with people in different departments, study information and data, and understand the source of a business’s problems.

They then devise solutions to fix problems and work with technical teams to make the changes happen. 

Business analysts combine their business acumen with technical understanding, like their knowledge of databases and programming languages, to help companies become more efficient and achieve their strategic goals.

Their Roles And Responsibilities Extend To

Conducting research and analysing data to identify business requirements.

Example: Interviewing the sales team and analysing customer feedback data to understand why sales calls are dropping

Documenting and communicating findings to stakeholders.

Example: Document their findings through detailed reports and charts showing declining sales calls and present them to management (helping stakeholders understand the problem and need for a solution).

Collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop and implement solutions.

Example: working with the IT team to define the technical requirements for the new CRM system.

Assisting with user acceptance testing and training.

Example: Business analysts might help train sales teams to use this system and participate in user acceptance testing to ensure it meets their needs.

Monitoring and reporting on project progress and outcomes.

Example: business analysts would track the implementation of the CRM system, monitor key metrics like sales call volume, and report on its success to stakeholders.


Becoming a Business Analyst: Qualifications Guide for Beginners


While there are no strict educational requirements for becoming a junior business analyst in the UK, having relevant business analysis qualifications can significantly boost your chances of landing your dream job. 


One of the best ways to gain the necessary skills and knowledge is through specialised training programs, like the ones offered by ITonlinelearning.


Business Analyst Training for the Modern Career Path


|ITonlinelearning provides two comprehensive career programmes designed to help aspiring business analysts kickstart their careers, and people in a career to advance to the desired next level:


Business Analyst Career Starter Programme

Ideal for people interested in building foundation knowledge and understanding of business analysis methods and best practice.

This BCS-accredited starter programme includes the following qualifications:

Business Analysis Fundamentals

Business Analysis Foundation

Business Analysis Practice Practitioner

Business Analyst Diploma Career Programme 

The Business Analyst Diploma Career Programme is the way to go for people looking for in-depth and comprehensive training.

This BCS-accredited diploma programme covers a wide range of specialist topics, including:

Business Analysis Foundation

Business Analysis Practice Practitioner

Requirements Engineering Practitioner

Modelling Business Processes Practitioner

Oral Examination Preparation Course


These two programmes offer flexible online learning, allowing you to study at your own pace and fit your education around your existing commitments. 

Additionally, you benefit from the guidance of expert tutors, a supportive learning community, and a UK-recognised certification upon completion – all of which help you stand out in the job market.


Accredited Business Analysis qualifications with ITonlinelearning

Who Hires Business Analysts Anyway?

graphic outlining the sectors that hire business analysts in the UK

The Government Analysis Function, which includes business analysts, is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.

Other industries that hire junior business analysts include:

Telecommunications

Energy and Utilities

Manufacturing

Transportation and Logistics

Consulting

ITonlinelearning tip: the demand for business analysts varies by region in the UK. According to data from ITJobsWatch, London and the North of England have the highest demand for business analysts, followed by the South East and North West.

Business Analysis: Career Outlook and Growth Opportunities

Considering the growing demand for business analyst skills, these numbers do not surprise us.

 Business analyst roles are projected to increase by 14% between 2017 and 2027, much faster than the average for all occupations (UK government’s National Skills Academy for IT). 

Junior roles:

Junior business analysts in the UK can expect to earn a starting salary between £25,000 and £35,000 per year.

With 1-3 years of experience, salaries can range from £35,000 to £45,000 per year

Senior roles:

Senior business analysts with 5+ years of experience can earn salaries between £50,000 and £70,000 annually.

Lead business analysts and management positions can command upwards of £80,000 annually.


Note: Salary varies depending on location, industry, experience and company size.


Business Analyst Career Path Progression: Possible Roles

  • Senior Business Analyst: These professionals take on more complex projects and mentor junior team members.
  • Lead Business Analyst: A lead business analyst oversees a team of analysts and is responsible for delivering large-scale projects.
  • Business Analysis Manager: This position manages a team of business analysts and is responsible for defining the company’s overall business analysis strategy.
  • Consultant: Some business analysts choose to move into consulting roles, where they can apply their skills to help multiple organisations solve complex business problems.


ITonlinelearning tip: related roles like project management, product management, and data analytics are options for business analysts since these skills are transferable to many careers.

Real Experience With Business Analysis Courses and Qualifications

Testimonial 1

Paulette Smith, a Business Analyst, Paulette took the Business Analysis Diploma course with ITonlinelearning.

 She found the course content to be comprehensive and up-to-date, covering key topics:

  1. Requirements gathering.
  2. Data analysis.
  3.  Agile methodologies.

Paulette appreciated the flexibility of online learning, which allowed her to balance her studies with work and personal commitments.

The practical projects and case studies included in the course helped her apply what she had learned to real-world scenarios.

Since completing the course, Paulette has taken on more complex projects at work and become her team’s go-to resource.



Testimonial 2

Manasvini had an overall positive learning experience with ITonlinelearning’s business analysis course. 

She found the course content comprehensive and well-structured, with a practical focus that included real-world examples and hands-on projects. 

The supportive tutors and engaging learning community enhanced her learning journey. Since completing the course, Manasvini has noticed significant improvements in her job performance. 

She feels more confident in her ability to analyse complex problems and communicate effectively with stakeholders in her company.

 She recommends the course to anyone looking to start or advance their career in business analysis, considering it an invaluable investment in professional development.

See More Success Stories



Valuable Resources For Further Learning And Development


Websites and blogs

Pursuing a business analyst career is an exciting and rewarding choice. It is one we recommend as an accredited provider of business analysis qualifications.

As businesses turn to data-driven decision-making to optimise processes, the demand for skilled business analysts will undoubtedly continue.


Wrapping Up

Pursuing a business analyst career is an exciting and rewarding choice. It is one we recommend as an accredited provider of business analysis qualifications.

As businesses turn to data-driven decision-making to optimise processes, the demand for skilled business analysts will undoubtedly continue.

 By understanding what a business analyst does and, in particular, the role of a junior business analyst, we hope we have convinced you to pursue the relevant accredited certifications to fast-track your growth into a business analyst job and career.


ITonlinelearning helps:

  1. Career changers interested in pursuing lucrative employment opportunities.
  1. Career starters working their way up, looking to acquire practical skills and knowledge as their foundation.
  1. Experienced professionals aiming for the next career milestone through upskilling and reskilling options.

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Explore what we do and see if it may benefit you.

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