Exemption For CA Students in ACCA

Exemptions let you start your studies at a level that is consistent with the knowledge and skills gained from prior learning. They provide you with the quickest route to ACCA membership.

• What exemptions are available?
• How to claim exemptions
• When can I claim exemptions?
• Should I claim my exemptions?
• Oxford Brookes BSc in Applied Accounting
• Paying for exemptions

What exemptions are available?

Depending on any existing qualifications you may hold, exemptions can be awarded across:

• The Foundation level qualifications and
• the nine Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills exams of the ACCA Qualification.

No exemptions are awarded:

• for the Strategic Professional exams of the ACCA Qualification or
• on the basis of work experience or
• for any of the exams or modules examined within our post-professional qualifications

How to claim exemptions

What you need to do to claim exemptions depends on where you are on your ACCA student journey.

You can use our tool to answer a few questions and get step-by-guidance on what you need to do.

When can I claim exemptions?

If you’ve gained additional qualifications after registering as a student, you may be eligible to claim further exemptions. You can apply for these at any time.

Should I claim my exemptions?

Exemptions mean you don’t have to study the same topics that you’ve already been taught. This is great if you’ve recently achieved a qualification, as it’s still fresh in your mind.  Our process of awarding exemptions is rigorous as we need to ensure we are confident that the prior learning matches the skills and knowledge needed for the ACCA Qualification

However, if you’re thinking of claiming an exemption based on qualifications you gained years ago, or you’ve been working in a field other than accountancy for some time, you may need to take the exam.

Studying for the exam will allow you to refresh your knowledge and ensure you’re sufficiently prepared for the higher level exams, which go into topics in greater depth.

If you’re not sure whether to apply for an exemption, you could use our study support resources finder to access past exams to test your knowledge.  If you’re not confident you could pass the exam right now, you should study for and take the exam.

Paying for exemptions

There is a fee payable for each exemption you claim.  Exemption fees helps us with the continuous process of rigorously assessing and accrediting a global network of professional and academic bodies and their awards, so that each student can start the qualification at the point that’s right for them.

If you’re claiming your exemption(s), you’ll need to pay for each one within 30 days of notifying us.

Please note that if your application for exemptions is found to be based on false document(s), ACCA may treat your registration as a student as null and void and you may be administratively removed from ACCA’s register. If you’re removed for this reason, you will not be entitled to a refund of any registration and/or exemption fee(s). If you registered as an ACCA student prior to January 2019 and your application for exemptions is found to be based on false documents, you will be liable to disciplinary action and face an allegation of dishonest conduct before ACCA’s Disciplinary Committee. This may lead to your removal from ACCA’s register.