BCS Foundation in Business Analysis

Metadata is specialised in business analysis courses and aims to offer a more personalised and flexible training experience. We are committed to creating long-lasting relationships with the delegates and companies we work with, and with supporting their training every step of the way. As a direct seller, we have the flexibility to tailor our courses to suit the needs of our clients.

We can deliver the business analyst apprenticeship programme only to levy-paying companies. If you work for an employer who has an annual wage bill of over £3 million then they pay a 0.5% levy as part of their PAYE tax bill (this started in April 2017). This money goes to a digital account which your organisation uses to fund apprenticeships. This means an organisation of about 1000 staff paying an average salary of £30,000 will have a levy pot of about £150,000 available. All this money can be used by the organisation to fund training their own apprentices.  

Your employers can simply make a booking via our website by selecting the course and at the checkout section add the candidate details (full name, email address and contact number) at the bottom of the page under ‘Additional Information’ and we will confirm the booking with both parties.

Yes, you can cancel a booking but in order to do so without penalty, we require 10 working days notice. For more information on our cancellation policy, see our terms and conditions.

Extra time can be given for exams or reasonable adjustments can be prepared, please contact us for further information.

Yes we do, your friend or colleague will need to forward over our referral programme email to you and cc Metadata. Please refer to our Referral Programme Terms & Conditions.

We are a RoATP approved main provider and can work directly with organisations. We currently support other apprenticeship providers to deliver the BCS Business Analysis Diploma as part of their business analyst apprenticeship programme. By working with us directly you will benefit from our expertise and flexible approach. We have a track record of delivering high-quality training and excellent service. We ensure that apprentices are properly supported, guided and listened to so they finish the programme successfully.

We deliver across the UK – all regions are possible through a blended approach that combines face-to-face training, interactive instructor-led online sessions, work-based learning, and self-managed learning using online materials, books and workbooks. Our programme includes accredited training with certifications, skills developing and mentoring, work-based learning and self-managed learning. For employers with a cohort greater than 5 we deliver the training on-site and can offer this anywhere in the UK. A substantial component of our training is the certificated courses that comprise the BCS BA diploma. These are delivered as 3-day courses spread over the apprenticeship. Our programme also contains soft skills and mentoring activities which are delivered through one-day workshops. These will also be delivered on-site. For formal training, apprentices would receive the same training and certification as delegates on our public courses. These are each run publicly twice a month at a London training centre which gives the apprentice flexibility in scheduling the training around their work commitments and project delivery. This also means that apprentices from cohorts of 5 or fewer would join with others on public courses (or mix with apprentices from other organisations) close to their base location. In the case of apprentices who cannot travel, we can offer this by joining through a virtual classroom using Zoom. We've developed our programme delivery with flexibility in mind as we know the apprentice will have work and personal commitments. We don't impose a tight training schedule that will demotivate them, put more pressure at work or hinder them from successfully finishing the programme.

The line manager facilitates the 20% of off the job training – we will have provided you with a spreadsheet that indicates the expected style of off the job training for each month of the apprenticeship. In the Metadata apprenticeship commitment statement, it was agreed that the apprentice will participate in a number of formal courses and informal meetings during working hours. They will also need to find time during their working hours to undertake some self-managed learning – this will include reading books, researching online, completing occasional reflective assignments, and some online learning. The total of learning including the courses will not exceed 20% of the working week (equates to one working day but can be spread over the week).  This training is documented by the apprentice in a spreadsheet which is uploaded bi-monthly to our learning portal and from which we compile a report of the apprentices training. This is a legal requirement as part of the ESFA requirements for apprenticeships. This report is also provided to the apprentice’s manager.  As far as possible off the job training should be directly related to the Apprentice work - it needs to be new activities that the apprentice has not undertaken before that can contribute to their learning. In this way, the apprentice may be using skills they have learnt from other off the job training or maybe helping a more experienced practitioner in order to expand their experience. A large component of  the Off-the-job training can contribute to the apprentice’s day-to-day work and directly benefit their organisation. Identifying this kind of work is a major way in which the manager can help the apprentice and mitigate the effects of them being off the job for 20% of the time.  The Metadata mentor will meet regularly (suggested 30 min every 2 months) with the apprentice’s line manager and discuss the kind of work that might be suitable for the individual. 

Yes, we are accredited by the BCS and IIBA.

Yes, BCS will email you a registration login to download a copy of your e-certificate.

No, none of our courses require you to have IT skills.

We recommend you do some pre-reading as this will help you to get the most out of the course. We will send you the required material (including a case study) one week before the course start.

Currently via remote online learning with a live trainer using Zoom and Miro virtual boards.

When you book onto a course we will send you a copy of our core textbook Business Analysis. One week before the start of the course we will email you the chapters to read and any extra reading material you need. You will receive additional material (including slides and exam preparation) during the course.

You can pay via our website with a card or bank transfer by selecting ‘Pay By Bank Transfer’ at the checkout.

Please refer to our terms and conditions.

During the pandemic we are running the exams remotely at the comfort of your home. A member of the Metadata team will invigilate your exam where you can choose a convenient slot (exams are held during office hours).

An extra time of 15mins is given if English is not your first language or with reasonable adjustments. Please inform us upon making a booking.

All of the BCS business analysis exams are a closed book multiple choice question, duration 60-mins with the exception of the BCS Systems Development Essentials which is taken as an open book written exam with 15mins reading time and duration 60mins written exam time.