BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis

Delivery Method

The BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis course is available as a classroom and virtual training course. A Self-Study version is now available for £265 inc exam (click here for self-study)

Our virtual tutor-led business analysis training courses are delivered via Zoom. Online BCS exams will also require use of Zoom and installation of exam software on the delegate’s laptop or desktop PC.

If you would like to experience 15 minutes of virtual training please click here. This short video comes from the Modelling Business Processes module of the foundation course and was recorded in March 2021.

Course Tutors

Our Business Analysis course tutors for both classroom and virtual courses, are practising business change professionals with at least 10 years training delivery experience All have been teaching the foundation certificate in Business Analysis for over 5 years.

Suitable for

This starter level business analysis course is aimed at those with little or no business analysis or project experience wanting to understand the role of the business analyst and/or achieve the knowledge-based specialism as part of the BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis.

Attendees will gain an understanding of the range of concepts, approaches and techniques that are applicable to business analysis.

It is also suitable for individuals, maybe in different disciplines such as project management or systems development, who require a high-level understanding of the role of the business analyst, but may not be expected to perform business analysis work themselves.

This certification provides a foundation to progress to the range of practitioner level BCS modular certificates, such as Requirements Engineering, Business Analysis Practice and Modelling Business Processes. Please note however that it is not a pre-requisite for taking a practitioner level certificate. Please call us if you need further advice.

Course Dates

What is included?

• 3-day tutor led training course
• BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis examination, taken at a time of your choosing after the course.
• Printed course notes and exercise workbook sent to you in the post
• 3 sample exam papers taken and assessed with support and guidance from the course tutor. Fourth sample paper provided to support pre-exam revision.
• Experienced tutors who have also worked on business change projects for at least 10 years
• Maximum 9 delegates per course for virtual and classroom courses
• Engagement with other delegates to learn from their experiences and to share your own
• Case studies and exercises to apply techniques learnt
• Post-course access to careers advice from practising business analysts

Learning Outcomes

Attendees will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of business analysis principles and techniques. Key areas are:

• The role and competencies of a Business Analyst
• How to identify and evaluate options for improving your business
• Investigative techniques, including interviews, workshops, prototyping and scenarios
• How to categorise, analyse and manage stakeholders
• Making a business case and assessing feasibility
• How to document, manage and validate requirements

Course syllabus

This course covers the syllabus for the BCS publication ‘Business Analysis – Fourth Edition.’

The BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis course covers the following topics (with syllabus weightings):

• What is Business Analysis (5%)
• The Competencies of a Business Analyst (2.5%)
• The Strategic Context for Business Analysis (7.5%)
• The Business Analysis Service Framework (2.5%)
• Investigating the Business Situation (12.5%)
• Analysing and Managing Stakeholders (10%)
• Improving Business Services and Processes (12.5%)
• Defining the solution (7.5%)
• Making the Business Case (5%)
• Establishing the Requirements (10%)
• Documenting and Modelling Requirements (10%)
• Validating and Managing Requirements (5%)
• Delivering the Requirements (5%)
• Delivering the Business Solution (5%)

To view the full BCS syllabus for the Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis please click here.

Click here to view some sample exam questions.

If you are self-studying for this course, you can purchase sample exam papers via the links below:

Sample Exam Paper 1 (40 Questions and Answers) – £25 (approx)

Sample Exam Paper 2 (40 Questions and Answers) – £25 (approx)

Course preparation

The syllabus for the BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis course and exam is based on the BCS publication ‘Business Analysis, Fourth Edition’. It is recommended that delegates purchase and read this book before attending the course. This will greatly increase their chances of passing the exam.

The BCS reading text is not included in the course fee and delegates should obtain their own copy in order to complete the pre-reading.

Additional course information

BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis courses take place 09:30 – 16:15 each day. Delegates may be asked to perform around 1 hour of study work on evenings one and two to support preparation for the exam.

The BCS exam will be taken online via the BCS’s remote proctoring service allowing attendees to book an exam at a date and time suitable for them. We generally recommend taking the exam as soon after completion of the course as possible.

BCS Examination and Accreditation Details

To support preparation for taking the BCS BA foundation exam we provide delegates with three sample exam papers during the course. An additional set of around 50 further sample questions are provided for optional homework, or pre-course preparation activity.

The Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis exam is taken after completion of the course.

The exam fee is included in the costs shown above. The format of the examination is a one-hour closed-book multiple-choice examination consisting of 40 questions. Candidates need to achieve a minimum of 26 marks out of 40 to pass the examination. Candidates who are awarded a pass for the examination are awarded the BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis.

Free BCS Associate Membership worth £92 when you pass your first BCS exam. Gives you access to professional development and networking tools to enhance your BA career. Click here for more information.