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The Diploma in Business Analysis  Higher

Business Analysis plays a pivotal role within an organisation, helping to identify business needs and determine solutions to business problems. The Diploma in Business Analysis is the international, industry-recognised certification that truly demonstrates the knowledge, skills and capabilities to be an effective Business Analyst.

  • Overview

    What are the learning outcomes?

    The Diploma has been designed to offer candidates real flexibility to develop skills in the areas most relevant to them and their organisation. It provides breadth as well as depth with core and associated modules in disciplines such as project management.

    The table below outlines the module certificates that form the Diploma in Business Analysis. Candidates must have passed two Core modules, one Knowledge based specialist module and one Practitioner specialist module to be eligible for the oral examination.

     
    Diploma Module Certificates

    Core modules Knowledge-based specialism Practitioner specialism
    Business Analysis Practice Commercial Awareness Modelling Business Processes
    Requirements Engineering Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis Systems Modelling Techniques

    		Foundation Certificate in IT-enabled Business Change Benefits Management & Business Acceptance

    		Foundation Certificate in IS Project Management Systems Development Essentials
    2 of the above 1 of the above 1 of the above

     
    Oral Examination

    Having passed the four modules required, the candidate must then pass an oral examination to be awarded the Diploma. The oral examination is based on the oral syllabus.

     
    Who is it aimed at?

    This certification is aimed at business and IT professionals who wish to demonstrate that they have a detailed understanding of business analysis best practice.

     
    Entry Requirements:

    The entry criteria for this examination are:

    • Examination passes in the Practitioner Certificates in Business Analysis Practice and Requirements Engineering.
    • An examination pass in one of the knowledge-based specialist modules defined in the learning outcomes.
    • An examination pass in one of the practitioner specialist modules defined in the learning outcomes.

    At least one of these examination passes must have been achieved within 12 months of the date of the oral examination unless an exemption has been agreed with the Examinations Officer.

     
    IIBA Exemption

    Candidates holding the Institute of Business Analysts (IIBA®) Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP®) qualification are exempt from the Requirements Engineering module and the Knowledge-based specialist module.

    Please note that candidates will not receive the BCS Certificates for the exempt modules; this will apply only as an exemption towards the Diploma.

    IIBA & BCS Professional Certifications (PDF)

  • Book Exam

    This section contains information and documents that will help you take this examination.

     

    Structure of the Exam

    Format and content of the oral examination

    The oral examination leading to the Diploma in Business Analysis consists of an interview lasting up to 50 minutes. The interview is conducted by two examiners each of whom will have been provided with a copy of the candidate’s registration form.

    The oral examination will take the following format:

    1. Introductions and discussion of experience based upon the registration form. This will be led by the examiner initiating the oral examination.
    2. Questions from the initiating examiner. This should last for approximately 25 minutes.
    3. Questions from the 2nd examiner. This should last for approximately 25 minutes.
    4. Oral examination close.

    The oral examiners will ask questions covering a range of the topics from the oral syllabus, including subjects covered in the candidate’s selected specialist modules. Please note that the oral syllabus may include topics that have not been covered by the module certificates taken by the candidate.

    Full information can be found in the Oral Syllabus (PDF) and the Candidate Guidelines (PDF).

     

    Exam Options, Dates & Locations

    There are two exam options for this certification:

    • Accredited Examination Provider (exam only)
    • Public Examinations (exam only)

    Accredited Examination Provider
    BCS accredits Examination Providers and promotes those organisations which demonstrate that they use competent staff and suitable examination papers. BCS does not accredit the course materials used by the Examination Providers who deliver the courses for the BSD scheme.
    Find an Examination Provider

    Public Examinations
    Time: As selected when making online booking & payment
    Venue: BCS, The Davidson Building, 5 Southampton Street, London, WC2E 7HA

    • Friday 8 June 2012 (Business Analysis oral exams only)
    • Friday 15 June 2012 (Business Analysis oral exams only)
    • Friday 22 June 2012 (Business Analysis oral exams only)
    • Friday 29 June 2012 (Business Analysis oral exams only)

    Please note: All oral exams for July and August will take place at our Swindon offices: BCS Offices, 1st Floor, Block D, North Star House, North Star Avenue, Swindon, Wiltshire SN2 1FA

    • Friday 6 July 2012 (Business Analysis Oral Exams Only)
    • Friday 13 July 2012 (Business Analysis Oral Exams Only)
    • Friday 20 July 2012 (Business Analysis Oral Exams Only)
    • Friday 27 July 2012 (Business Analysis Oral Exams Only)
    Public examinations must be booked and paid for a minimum of three weeks prior to the examination date (subject to availability). If you are applying directly, you should register and pay online using our Online Registration Facility.

    It is essential that you complete and sign, either physically or digitally and return the registration form when booking this exam. If the completed, signed, form is not returned then you will be unable to sit this exam.

    Please ensure that you use your current candidate number when registering and booking online, if you are unsure of this number then please contact our customer services team on 01793 417655 who will be able to advise.
     

    Exam Fees

    Public Examinations cost £175 (excluding VAT) for the oral exam.

    If you are booking via an Accredited Examination Provider then you can obtain information on fees and charges by contacting them directly.

     

    Register for the Exam

    Examination Provider
    If you are taking training through an accredited examination provider, you will obtain and submit your registration form through them.

    Public Examinations
    Prior to booking an oral examination, candidates should download and complete one of the following forms, depending on your chosen specialism, and either email this to certifications@hq.bcs.org.uk or post to BSD Diploma, PDS Client Services, BCS Offices, 1st Floor, Block D, North Star House, North Star Avenue, Swindon, SN2 1FA.

    BSD6 registration form - Business Analysis

    Payment methods:
    a) Cheque (made payable to BCS)
    b) Visa/Access/MasterCard 
    c) Invoice (this must be paid a minimum of three weeks prior to the exam date)

    Please note that an additional fee is chargeable for late cancellations

  • Examination Providers

    Further information about the Diploma in Business Analysis Oral Examination can be obtained from our Accredited Examination Providers.

  • Related Publications

    Business Analysis (2nd Edition)Business Analysis (2nd Edition)
    Improving the effectiveness of IT through better alignment with the business is a precursor to increasing profitability. This practical, introductory guide provides the tools to achieve this.




    Business Analysis TechniquesBusiness Analysis Techniques: 72 Essential Tools for Success
    This book provides 72 possible techniques and applies them within a framework of stages such as 'Investigate Situation', 'Define Requirements' and 'Manage Change'.

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