Business analyst

Any degree that teaches analytical skills can be useful for this role.

Some employers might prefer you to have a degree or postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject such as:

• business information systems
• business management
• computing and systems development
• computer science

Experience during your degree

You may have an advantage if your degree course lets you get some business experience.

This could be through:

• internships
• work placements
• a year in industry

It may also be useful to get experience of managing projects and analysing data.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could gain some of the skills and knowledge needed for this role through an apprenticeship.

For example, you could do the Business Analyst Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship or the Project Manager Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got several years' experience in project management, consulting or IT.

Career Tips

To become a business analyst, it might be useful to know about agile project management  or other similar methods.

Further Information

You can find out more about becoming a business analyst from:

• The Chartered Institute for IT
• Institute of Consulting

You can also find out about government business analysts in the Civil Service on GOV.UK.

You could:

• speak to managers to learn what their business needs are
• write down what the business does and how
• analyse your findings to suggest changes and improvements
• explain the possible effects of changes, such as the costs, benefits and risks
• organise testing and quality checks
• support staff to make changes

We've identified this as a potential green job

For a business analyst to be a green job, you could:

• work for an environmentally friendly company
• ensure that the business follows green policies and practices
• suggest solutions which take into account the environmental impact

Find out more about green careers

You could work in an office or at a client's business.