subject: Iseb Diploma Article [print this page] After reading many discussions regarding the ISEB BA diploma, I decided to post the following:
The BA diploma is currently the best known qualification for Business Analysts in the UK. The BA Diploma is run by the BCS it is an ISEB (Information Systems Examination Board) exam. It consists of three core modules and one elective (these are examinations and certificates in their own right), as well as a 45 minute oral examination, which can only be sat upon successful completion of the three core and one elective module.
The core modules are:
* Business Analysis Essentials
* Requirements Engineering
* Organisational Context
The Specialist module is to be chosen from:
* Modelling Business Processes
* Systems Modelling Techniques
* Systems Development Essentials
* Benefits Management and Business Acceptance
I think the BA Diploma is a really good qualification. I came from more of a systems analyst background and the BA Diploma gave me a wider business view. My elective was in systems development essentials and involved a lot of comparison work with SCRUM techniques etc.
I passed the BA Diploma by teaching myself for the core modules, but when I failed my elective first time round I bought materials from a training company and this helped me to pass second time around. I also bought materials from them to help with my oral examination, as this is tough two examiners grill you for 45 minutes! They are really looking for all round knowledge and if you have only had one type of experience in your work as a Business Analyst, this may go against you in the oral, as you need to have knowledge and best practice for all areas of Business Analysis (yes this includes costing models and finance for those of you who find this a difficult part of the job).
There are no pre-requisites for the certificate exams. But training will improve your chances of success. There is a list of training and examination providers on the BCS website. These providers can provide a training course and exam, or just the exam for a fee.
This means you will need to ring around all BCS ISEB BA Diploma training providers to see what modules they provide, what dates they are available, how much they cost and if they provide just the exam if you choose to train yourself.
Each module will cost around 1000 including the examination at the end of each course. Remember only one of the specialist modules needs to be passed. However ALL THREE core modules and ONE of the specialist modules must all be successfully passed and results received before you can book the oral examination.
You do not have your BA diploma until you pass the oral. You must book the oral through the BCS ISEB directly, or you can do so through a training provider.
The oral examination consists of a 45 minute interview with two examiners and costs around 200.00.
If you feel like you need an oral preparation course, a small number of training providers offer one for around 600.00.
This means (following the average approximations above) training and examinations for the whole diploma can cost up to 6,300!! However you can save some cash by teaching yourself and doing direct entry examination (fee 100) for some of the modules (I did this successfully).
For more information, see http://www.bcs.org/server.php?show=nav.00101000200300n
