Build practical business analysis foundations across stakeholder engagement, requirements, process modelling, Agile working and professional communication.
Build the analytical and professional foundations needed to investigate business needs, engage stakeholders and document change. This 16 to 18-week pathway introduces business analysis through guided practice, a mini-project and mentoring.
Starting point and progression
Designed as a starting point for career starters and career changers. Discuss your experience and support needs with the team. Professional study offers a later progression route as your capability develops.
What you will learn
- Business analysis roles and a BABOK overview; personal development, learning skills and AI fundamentals for analysts.
- Stakeholder identification and engagement; elicitation through interviews, workshops and surveys.
- Business and functional requirements; BRDs, FRDs, user stories, use cases and documentation standards.
- Process modelling with BPMN and flowcharts; Agile and Scrum fundamentals.
- Microsoft Office for analysis deliverables; Excel, data dictionaries and introductory SQL.
Practical work and portfolio
Use Jira, Confluence, Lucidchart and Balsamiq in analysis activities. Produce a requirements document, process model and presentation for a capstone mini-project. Practise explaining your reasoning and responding to stakeholder questions.
What you can develop
- Identify stakeholders and select an appropriate elicitation approach.
- Distinguish business needs from functional requirements and document them clearly.
- Model a process and communicate a supported improvement proposal.
- Build initial portfolio evidence from practical requirements and modelling work.
Career directions
Explore junior business analysis, requirements support, process coordination and change-support roles. Eligibility depends on prior experience and employer requirements.
UK salary and contract-rate guide
Evidence reviewed: 5 October 2026. These examples describe the employment market for named roles and help you explore career progression.
For a foundation learner, use the following as a view of the wider career journey, not a junior-only salary range or an immediate post-course expectation. National Careers Service occupation profiles span starter to experienced workers.
- Business analyst: £23,000 starter to £55,000 experienced a year. Business analyst career and salary profile.
Junior contract-rate evidence is currently limited. Professional contract benchmarks appear in the next-stage programme guides and should not be treated as entry-level expectations.
Salary and contract-rate figures are indicative UK market ranges based on publicly available evidence reviewed at the stated date. Actual earnings vary according to experience, location, employer, sector, qualifications, responsibilities and employment type. Course completion does not guarantee employment, promotion or a particular level of earnings.
Mentoring and career support
Mentoring supports your learning and practical development. The programme includes six months of job-search support and three months of in-role support, with CV, LinkedIn and interview preparation. Discuss the arrangements and starting dates with our team. Support does not guarantee employment.
Certification and assessment information
The source identifies BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis as a foundation-level route to discuss.
Explore BCS and other professional certification routes with our team before choosing your programme. Discuss the current qualification names, preparation, assessment, exam access and any additional charges before enrolment. RDE programme completion is separate from passing an awarding body examination. The BCS International Diploma has its own module and oral examination requirements.
Explore official BCS business analysis qualifications
Your next step
Register your interest to discuss your experience, suitable starting point, current delivery arrangements, assessment, certification options, fees and any available funding. Confirm the current intake and support arrangements before making a commitment.