Ever looked at a broken system, whether it’s a messy group project or a baffling app, and thought, “There has to be a better way to do this”? If so, you’re halfway to thinking like a Business Analyst. And if you’ve been wondering how to become a business analyst in the UK, good news: it’s not some mysterious path reserved for finance nerds or IT geniuses. In fact, it’s one of the most accessible (and quietly powerful) careers out there for people who love solving problems, translating chaos into clarity, and actually making change happen.
Let’s dig into what the role involves, and how you can get there.
So… what is a Business Analyst?
At its core, the Business Analyst (or BA, because no one has time to keep saying “Business Analyst”) is the person in the room asking the right questions…and actually listening to the answers. Their job is to understand how a business works, where things are going wrong, and how to make them better. Sometimes that means recommending new processes. Sometimes it’s figuring out what kind of software the team actually needs (as opposed to what Steve from Finance thinks they need).
They act as a translator between non-technical people (like marketing, sales, or operations) and tech teams (developers, engineers, IT). They’ll spend time running workshops, chatting with stakeholders, analysing data, mapping out processes, and writing clear requirements so the tech team builds the right thing, not just something flashy with five dashboards no one asked for.
What are the skills required for Business Analyst roles?
Alright, here’s where it gets interesting. It’s not just about spreadsheets and flowcharts (although, fair warning, those are part of it). The best BAs have this mix of logic and empathy. You’re basically part detective, part therapist, part translator.
Here’s what you’ll need in your toolkit:
- Analytical thinking: Spot patterns, dig into problems, and think critically about solutions.
- Communication skills: Can you explain a technical process to someone who thinks Excel is “advanced tech”? Good. Can you do the reverse? Even better.
- Stakeholder management: Different people want different things. Your job is to understand their needs, even when they’re not saying them outright.
- Organisation and time management: You’ll juggle multiple projects, meetings, and documents. Colour-coded folders are your friend.
- Technical tools: Think Excel, SQL, Power BI, process mapping tools like Visio or Lucidchart. You don’t need to be a developer, but you do need to talk their language.
In short, the business analyst skills list is long but learnable, and most of it you pick up as you go.
Do I need a specific degree?
Not necessarily. Some BAs come from business or IT degrees. But others have studied psychology, maths, even history. What matters is showing that you can think critically, analyse info, and work well with people.
That said, certain degrees do give you a head start. Business Information Systems, Computer Science, Economics, and Data Science are all solid choices. Or you could go down the apprenticeship route, which is a great hands-on option that pays you while you learn.
And if you’re already out of uni or switching careers, professional certifications like the BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis or IIBA’s ECBA can help you get a foot in the door.
Getting real-world experience
This is the classic job-hunting paradox, right? You need experience to get the job, but you need the job to get experience.
Here’s how to sidestep that:
- Internships and placements: Look for roles in project management, data analysis, or even operations. Anywhere you can get stuck into process improvement.
- Graduate schemes: Loads of big UK employers (think NatWest, Amazon, EY, etc.) offer grad programmes with BA pathways, even if they’re not labelled “Business Analyst.”
- Side projects and volunteering: Did you help streamline a uni society’s event planning? Create a process for a local charity? That counts. Write it up like a mini case study.
What does progression look like?
A junior BA might start by shadowing more experienced analysts, documenting processes, or supporting workshops. But there’s plenty of room to grow.
Within a few years, you could be handling full projects, influencing senior stakeholders, or diving into specialisations like data analysis or Agile. Some go on to become senior business analysts, team leads, consultants, or even jump into project or product management. It’s one of those careers that opens more doors the deeper you get into it.
Let’s talk money
Ah yes, the business analyst salary. It’s solid.
- Entry level: £23k–£35k. Grad schemes and apprenticeships vary, but some (especially in tech) can hit £40k+ straight out of uni.
- Mid-level: £40k–£60k. With a few years’ experience, especially if you’re in London or finance/tech sectors.
- Senior business analysts: £60k–£85k+. And if you go freelance? Contractor day rates often sit around £500, depending on sector and experience.
Not bad for a role that started with “asking the right questions.”
Should you go for it?
If you’re curious, analytical, and the idea of being the go-to person who actually makes things work better appeals to you, then becoming a Business Analyst could be the perfect fit. The job offers variety, progression, decent pay, and (importantly) a sense of purpose. You’re not just pushing paper. You’re solving real problems.
So if you’ve been wondering how to become a business analyst, the short answer is: start where you are, learn what you can, and look for chances to get involved in improving things; big or small. The opportunities are out there. And they just might be looking for someone exactly like you.
