University of Cape Town
Business Systems Analysis online short course
Gain a set of analytical and workplace-ready skills to implement efficient systems and drive organisational transformation. Take your business’ strategic objectives to the next level with the UCT Business Systems Analyst online short course.
Start date
18 August 2025
Course duration
10 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
7–10 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
AI and big data, and technological literacy are two of the top three skills predicted to increase in importance by 2030.
World Economic Forum (2025).
The predicted proportion of Global 500 companies that will apply decision intelligence practices by 2026.
Gartner (Nov, 2024).
Duration: 10 weeks (excluding orientation)
In today's rapidly changing world, businesses that fail to embrace technology and adapt to new conditions are disadvantaged and may struggle to achieve their goals. This has led to an increased demand for professionals who recognise the need for change and facilitate the development and implementation of process solutions. Business systems analysts play a critical role in connecting IT and leadership teams, helping management to understand technical solutions, and enabling IT professionals to identify organisational goals.
The University of Cape Town (UCT) offers an online short course in Business Systems Analysis that explores different business systems analysis theories. These can be applied to evaluate existing processes and implement practical and efficient changes. As a business systems analyst, you will acquire skills to utilise IT business systems and technological tools to improve your organisation's success and efficiency. This 10-week course covers the basics of business systems analysis, including how to identify system requirements and transform them into project specifications and user-friendly solutions that align with your business's strategic objectives.
Is the UCT Business Systems Analysis online short course for you?
For individuals interested in studying business systems analysis, UCT course offerings are an ideal pathway. This course is suitable for individuals new to business systems analysis, and experienced employees who wish to formalise their knowledge and stay up-to-date in a competitive industry. The course is designed to help established IT professionals and business systems analysts to enhance their skills and receive a certificate of completion online from the leading university in Africa.1 Furthermore, individuals who are not in the field but are eager to employ technical and business-oriented strategies to improve their company's operations will benefit greatly from this course.
This online short course enables professionals to enhance their careers by gaining practical skills such as data modelling for designing IT systems, data analysis for identifying important trends, and stakeholder communication to achieve business objectives. The course has no prerequisites, and the online learning format is flexible enough to support part-time students.
1 QS Top Universities (2024).
GetSmarter is endorsed by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) as an Endorsed Education Provider. The IIBA is dedicated to the development, maintenance of standards, certification, and recognition of practitioners in business analysis. The Business Systems Analysis course is fully aligned with the Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide) and offers participants Continuing Development Units (CDUs), qualifying for 40 Professional Development (PD) hours and Continuing Development Units (CDUs), as well contemporary skills and latest industry insight. See here for further information.
Please note that GetSmarter and UCT bear no responsibility for the reporting of these PD hours and/or CDUs to the IIBA. The onus therefore falls on you to do so.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 10 weeks (excluding orientation)
In today's rapidly changing world, businesses that fail to embrace technology and adapt to new conditions are disadvantaged and may struggle to achieve their goals. This has led to an increased demand for professionals who recognise the need for change and facilitate the development and implementation of process solutions. Business systems analysts play a critical role in connecting IT and leadership teams, helping management to understand technical solutions, and enabling IT professionals to identify organisational goals.
The University of Cape Town (UCT) offers an online short course in Business Systems Analysis that explores different business systems analysis theories. These can be applied to evaluate existing processes and implement practical and efficient changes. As a business systems analyst, you will acquire skills to utilise IT business systems and technological tools to improve your organisation's success and efficiency. This 10-week course covers the basics of business systems analysis, including how to identify system requirements and transform them into project specifications and user-friendly solutions that align with your business's strategic objectives.
Is the UCT Business Systems Analysis online short course for you?
For individuals interested in studying business systems analysis, UCT course offerings are an ideal pathway. This course is suitable for individuals new to business systems analysis, and experienced employees who wish to formalise their knowledge and stay up-to-date in a competitive industry. The course is designed to help established IT professionals and business systems analysts to enhance their skills and receive a certificate of completion online from the leading university in Africa.1 Furthermore, individuals who are not in the field but are eager to employ technical and business-oriented strategies to improve their company's operations will benefit greatly from this course.
This online short course enables professionals to enhance their careers by gaining practical skills such as data modelling for designing IT systems, data analysis for identifying important trends, and stakeholder communication to achieve business objectives. The course has no prerequisites, and the online learning format is flexible enough to support part-time students.
1 QS Top Universities (2024).
GetSmarter is endorsed by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) as an Endorsed Education Provider. The IIBA is dedicated to the development, maintenance of standards, certification, and recognition of practitioners in business analysis. The Business Systems Analysis course is fully aligned with the Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide) and offers participants Continuing Development Units (CDUs), qualifying for 40 Professional Development (PD) hours and Continuing Development Units (CDUs), as well contemporary skills and latest industry insight. See here for further information.
Please note that GetSmarter and UCT bear no responsibility for the reporting of these PD hours and/or CDUs to the IIBA. The onus therefore falls on you to do so.
Get this course for your team
Leading organisations recognise the value of this course and invest in it to enhance their employees' skills and expertise.
What will set you apart
An understanding of the fundamentals of business systems analysis and the role of a systems analyst.
The ability to analyse existing business processes and propose effective solutions to enhance company productivity, profitability, and efficiency.
A set of workplace-ready skills that will help you excel in your current role and potentially take on additional responsibilities.
Unlimited access to 2U’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
Contextualising business systems analysis
Module 2
Analysing the current business system
Module 3
Recommending an alternate business system
Module 4
Eliciting and communicating requirements
Module 5
Preparing to create a business requirements specification
Module 6
Modelling business processes
Module 7
Modelling functional and systems architecture requirements
Module 8
Modelling data and human system interface design
Module 9
Assuring quality
Module 10
Facilitating change and innovation
What past students
think
Tawanda Edward Kaseke
Business Analyst, BPC Banking Technologies
Over the duration of the course, I gained a lot of knowledge and practical experience that will be beneficial to me, personally and professionally. The course significantly exceeded my expectations. The GetSmarter team made the transition to online learning very smooth, and anytime I had a question or needed help, assistance was almost always instant. The discussion boards were interactive and included the lead lecturer. I had the opportunity to discuss and network with my classmates on a weekly basis. The lead instructor responded quickly to questions from students and provided detailed feedback on assignments. I would highly recommend this programme to anyone who is looking to advance their career and knowledge in business systems analysis.
Course Convenor
Maureen Tanner
Head of Department, Information Systems, UCT
About the certificate
Gain practical business systems and analysis skills, and earn an official certificate of completion from the University of Cape Town.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
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Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter operates as edX's partner for premium online short course products from the world's leading universities and institutions. With edX, we leverage our people, technology, and resources to power your education and your potential.
We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.
Read more about GetSmarter here and edX here.
Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please visit your Account page here.
Financing options
We've recently partnered with financial services firm, FeverTree, to offer you another convenient way to finance your short course education. Find out how you can apply for a short-term loan below.
How do I apply?
- You have the option of applying for a full course-cost loan agreement with FeverTree (South African citizens and short courses only)
- FeverTree works with GetSmarter to ensure your studies are financed right away, giving you the chance to join the soonest presentation
- You can find out if you pre-qualify in seconds. Send an SMS with your “Name*Surname*ID Number*Gross Salary” to 30082
- FeverTree’s application process is simple and quick – expect a 15-minute turnaround to find out if you’ve been successful with your loan application
- Even if you aren’t successful in your FeverTree application, you’ll still be eligible for the payment plan options with GetSmarter
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