Course overview
This apprenticeship provides the learner with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver technology-enabled solutions for internal and external customers.
This apprenticeship has been carefully designed to provide a high-quality learning experience, with a strong focus on work-based learning and engagement. Aligned with the Business Analyst Standard set by Skills England, we support apprentices in acquiring valuable on-the-job experience while offering a structured pathway for future professional development.
Learners benefit from an integrated approach that combines academic study with practical workplace application. Your business gains capable, reflective, and forward-thinking business analysts who are equipped with the core knowledge, practical skills, and professional behaviours to succeed in various business environments.
Top reasons your business needs an AI and Digital Skills for Business Impact apprentice:
- Learner-centred approach with a supportive framework of academic mentors, apprenticeship-quality coaches, and access to institutional support services.
- Learners gain the skills, knowledge, and behaviours to enhance their business acumen.
- Businesses gain an understanding of the current organisational situation, identifying future needs, and defining solutions to meet their digital technology needs.
- Learners have the confidence to make recommendations for improvement in business, processes and IT solutions.
We have partnered with leading business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP to launch this apprenticeship. The programme is rooted in real-world business experience and offers participants the opportunity to develop future-proof digital skills.
Teesside University International Business School is a proud signatory of the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) initiative, aiming to raise the profile of sustainability and responsible leadership globally, and equip leaders with the skills to deliver positive change.
Please note, we can only respond to enquiries from employers, or individuals with agreement from their employer to undertake an apprenticeship.
Where you study
The apprenticeship is taught through blended study.
Course details
Course structure
Core modules
Data is the lifeblood of modern business; leveraging it effectively can transform your organisation. Learners explore techniques for managing data as a strategic business asset. Through data modelling, learners define a business information system and look at how the system can interact with and leverage stored data to fuel business growth and operational effectiveness. The development of successful, reliable, and user-friendly systems or applications starts with understanding stakeholder needs and creating a well-structured design. They explore key principles and methods in systems analysis and design, to deconstruct and simplify complex systems. They represent these systems visually using industry-standard modelling techniques – which play a crucial role in the industry, serving as a bridge between design and implementation by developers and stakeholders. Learners gain professional practice and transferable skills and develop essential skills such as, communicating design ideas, mapping workflows with process models, and gathering user requirements—which are all highly valued skills in industry.
This is a 30-credit module.
GenAI for Business Transformation
The learner explores the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Generative AI (GenAI), focusing on their transformative potential in business contexts. They learn key AI and ML principles, concepts, and algorithms, and explore how GenAI can automate and streamline business operations. Learners combine theoretical understanding with practical application, to evaluate and implement GenAI solutions for real-world business problems. Learners are assessed by an in-course assignment in the form of a portfolio of work that demonstrates the application of the typical application of GenAI in business case studies.
This is a 30-credit module.
Managing Business Transformational Change
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, technology and the ability to harness its potential are reshaping industries and driving transformation. Business analysts (BA) are central in accelerating change and encouraging innovation. Learners gain a comprehensive understanding of organisational change and the BA’s role as a change agent. They explore the competencies required to become a successful BA alongside understanding change models, strategic thinking, and the BA’s responsibilities in guiding transformational change.
This is a 30-credit module.
In today’s competitive business environment, the ability to analyse and improve internal processes is crucial for organisational success. Learners explore business process modelling (BPM) as a tool for visualising, analysing, and enhancing business operations. They explore industry-standard techniques such as BPMN, UML Activity Diagrams, and EPCs, and examine how process modelling supports strategic alignment, efficiency, and innovation. Learners also consider the influence of the microeconomic environment on process design and develops practical skills in identifying, mapping, and improving business processes using methodologies and tools such as Lean and Six Sigma. Learners reflect on the competencies needed to become a successful business analyst (BA), including understanding business process modelling, strategic thinking, and the BA’s responsibilities in driving transformational change.
This is a 30-credit module.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
We deliver the apprenticeship through a blended delivery model combining on-campus sessions with online learning, including synchronous and asynchronous components. This approach ensures learners benefit from structured, interactive teaching while also having the flexibility to engage with materials at their own pace, supporting a balance between work, study and personal commitments. Apprentices complete four modules, each carefully sequenced to build core competencies in business analysis.
This apprenticeship is designed with the learners’ career progression, networking and future in mind. Based in the heart of the Tees Valley, we work closely with local and national employers across public and private sectors. Learners benefit from these strong industry connections through real-world learning opportunities and access to regional networks. Learners are part of a course that supports digital skills development, innovation, and career readiness, while contributing to the region’s growth and regeneration.
Each module runs over a ten-week period, delivered in the following order:
1. Managing Business Transformational Change
2. Data Essentials
3. Modelling Business Processes
4. Generative AI for Business Transformation
We offer the course part-time, and teaching is delivered both online and in person at our Middlesbrough and London campuses.
There are three entry points throughout the academic year: September, January, and May. This allows for flexible enrolment aligned with employer and learner needs.
Each module is worth 30 credits and is non-compensable. Completing all four modules is required to progress and complete the apprenticeship.
How you are assessed
Learners are assessed in a variety of ways to develop academic and professional skills, as well as enhance confidence in workplace communication. Assessments may include:
• Individual presentations to develop communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Reflective piece to encourage critical thinking, problem-solving and self-awareness.
• Individual business process modelling report to demonstrate analytical and technical skills.
• Business case modelling report focused on decision-making and solution design.
• Design of a business information system, applying structured analysis.
• Portfolio showcasing learners’ understanding and application of Generative AI (GenAI) in a business context.
Our Disability Services team provide an inclusive and empowering learning environment and have specialist staff to support disabled students access any additional tailored resources needed. If you have a specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, autism, sensory impairment, chronic health condition or any other disability please contact a Disability Services as early as possible.
Find out more about our disability services
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
To be accepted on to a degree apprenticeship course you must have support from your employer and meet the course entry requirements.
The apprentice must be employed in a relevant job role to undertake this apprenticeship and have agreement from you as the employer, including the commitment to a minimum of six hours per week off-the-job training.
You as the employer sets the general internal selection criteria but the apprentice is also required to meet the entry requirements specified by the University. A typical learner would have 96 tariff points from at least two A levels (or equivalent).
For apprentices aged 16–18 (on the first day of their apprenticeship), achieving Level 2 English and maths (GCSE grade 4/C or Level 2 Functional Skills) remains mandatory before completion.
For apprentices aged 19 and over, the Level 2 English and maths requirement is now optional. English & maths training can be included where agreed by the apprentice and employer.
However, the University would also welcome mature learners without conventional entry requirements and can consider alternative qualifications and experience.
We cannot accept applications from international students requiring a student visa.
Eligibility for apprenticeship funding in England
To qualify for apprenticeship funding in England, an apprentice must meet all the criteria outlined by the Department for Education in the Apprenticeship Funding Rules. These requirements apply to programmes starting between 1 August 2025 and 31 July 2026.
1. Right to work
The apprentice must have the legal right to work in England.
2. Residency eligibility
The apprentice must meet the residency requirements detailed in Annex A of the Funding Rules. This includes (but is not limited to):
- being ordinarily resident in the UK (or specified territories) for at least three years immediately before the apprenticeship begins, unless a specific exemption applies
- exemptions may apply to individuals with:
- refugee status or humanitarian protection
- permission under the Ukraine or Afghan schemes
- stateless status
- certain family member rights
- pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
3. Visa duration and completion viability
For apprentices with time-limited immigration permission (such as visas), the permission must cover the entire duration of the apprenticeship, including the end-point assessment. If the visa expires before completion, the apprentice is not eligible for funding.
Full details can be found in the official guidance: Apprenticeship Funding Rules 2025 to 2026
You can gain considerable knowledge from work, volunteering and life. Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credit for this which can be credited towards the course you want to study.
Find out more about RPL
Employability
Career opportunities
Apprentices could go on to become business analysts. Business analysts play a key role in multidisciplinary teams, collaborating with different groups of stakeholders to understand and communicate how digital solutions can support the organisation's needs. Their responsibilities would include investigating business situations, analysing problems and opportunities for improvement, investigating and analysing business processes, understanding data and business information needs, and documenting requirements for digital and business change solutions.
