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All Job CategoriesBusiness analyst
Business analyst
Process analyst, business systems analyst
Business analysts investigate situations and problems to find improvements for businesses.
Average salary (a year)
£23000
Starter
£55000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
37.0 to 39.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings
occasionally
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You can get into this job through:a university course; an apprenticeship; applying directly
University
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
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
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/
Apprenticeship
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
Direct Application
You can apply directly for jobs if you've got several years' experience in project management, consulting or IT.
More Information
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.
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
Business management skills
Analytical thinking skills
Knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
To be flexible and open to change
The ability to use your initiative
Customer service skills
The ability to work well with others
Excellent verbal communication skills
Digital Skills Level
to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications
Day to day tasks
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
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
Possible green job
This job could help the environment.
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
work for an environmentally friendly company, ensure that the business follows green policies and practices, suggest solutions which take into account the environmental impact
Working environment
You could work in an office or at a client's business.
With experience, you could
become a business project manager, work as a consultant, work in different industries, set up your own company, work freelance
become a business project manager, work as a consultant, work in different industries, set up your own company, work freelance
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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