Exemptions can fast track your journey to ACCA membership if you've completed prior learning equivalent to the ACCA exams.
Exemption terms and conditions
Before you apply for exemptions, you should read the exemption terms and conditions
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 the ACCA Qualification; or
- on the basis of work experience for the ACCA Qualification.
Use our Exemptions calculator to find out if you can apply for any exemptions.
Understand how ACCA awards exemptions
How to claim exemptions
What you need to do to claim exemptions depends on where you are on your ACCA student journey.
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.
University of London BSc Professional Accountancy
As part of the eligibility criteria for the BSc Professional Accountancy programme, you must have passed with ACCA the Financial Reporting, Taxation, and Audit and Assurance exams. If you hold exemptions for these exams, you will need to forfeit these exemptions and meet the rest of the eligibility criteria.
View more information on the eligibility criteria for the BSc Professional Accountancy programme
Students who complete the BSc will be awarded exemptions for ACCA's Performance Management and Financial Management exams. These will be applied by ACCA automatically - students are not required to submit any documentation and no exemption fees will be charged.
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), please be aware that these must be paid within 30 days from the date that exemptions are awarded to you. If you change your mind and decide to cancel some, or all, of your exemptions, you must notify ACCA within 14 days from the date that the exemptions were awarded or you will not be eligible for a refund or credit of the exemption fee. Please refer to the exemption terms and conditions before applying.
View and pay for exemptions via MyACCA.
View our price list for details of current fees and charges.
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, it may be more beneficial 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, use the Get Ready Modules to test your underlying knowledge of the subject. If you have significant gaps in your underlying knowledge, we would advise you to forfeit the exemption and sit the exam.
The Get Ready Modules are an excellent resources to kick off your studies before you tackle any new subject, regardless of your exemption status.
How to Apply for ACCA exemptions
How you apply for exemptions may vary depending on your circumstances. View our video guidance to find out more.
Apply for exemptions as an existing ACCA student
[00:05]
Are you an ACCA student? Have you recently completed a university or college course?
[00:11]
We may be able to offer you exemptions. Head over to our help section for more guidance.
[00:18]
Start by selecting, I'm a student. Then exemptions from the menu.
[00:26]
And apply and accept exemptions.
[00:31]
Now, choose the student, apply for exemptions link.
[00:37]
We now have some information that you should read through so that you understand the eligibility requirements.
[00:43]
Once you are ready, select, contact us.
[00:47]
As a student, you'll be first asked to log in to my ACCA. Once logged in,
[00:54]
you'll complete the onscreen case details.
[00:58]
You'll need to supply your qualification documents so we can assess them for exemptions.
[01:03]
You can upload these after selecting submit.
[01:08]
There is now a case number for your request, which is a useful reference to keep track.
[01:14]
Scrolling down, you can now see the area to add documents.
[01:20]
And how these will appear once uploaded. The case and documents have now been submitted.
[01:28]
You can track the progress and see any updates from the help section of my ACCA.
[01:36]
We can go back to the case by selecting the three dots here and then view details.
[01:42]
Scrolling down, we can see that there has been an update, and the exemptions have been assessed and offered.
[01:49]
To see the offered exemptions, you can return to the My ACCA homepage.
[01:56]
We can see a notification confirming exemptions available. Select claim now.
[02:04]
We can see the view exemption screen with the offered exemptions. Select claim exemptions.
[02:11]
The claim exemption screen lets you choose which of the exemptions you wish to accept and also confirms the cost for each individually.
[02:20]
Make sure to read the ACCA declaration before accepting the exemptions,
[02:25]
and when you are ready, select accept and then claim exemptions.
[02:32]
You'll see your order summary page with the fee, then the details of the ACCA benevolent Fund charity,
[02:40]
and UK Gift Aid. When you are ready, select pay now.
[02:47]
Choose if you would like to pay by debit or credit card, PayPal, or if you're making the payment by Alipay.
[02:55]
Enter your payment details, then select pay.
[02:59]
You've now successfully accepted your exemptions, and you can view these from the qualifications menu by selecting
[03:08]
exemptions. Thank you for watching our video. We look forward to receiving your application.
Apply for exemptions with your initial registration
[00:05]
Are you ready to join ACCA? Do you have additional qualifications, such as a relevant degree or postgraduate study?
[00:13]
Then you may also be eligible for exemptions from some exams.
[00:19]
Head to our help section and select joining ACCA then apply to become a student.
[00:27]
Application guidance and joining, registering with ACCA.
[00:34]
Read the information on this page and when you are ready to apply, select the link.
[00:44]
The application begins with a brief introduction to the ACCA qualification.
[00:52]
Take a moment to read the eligibility criteria to ensure you qualify to apply for this course and are able to provide the documents we need to
[01:00]
process your application. When you are ready, select start application.
[01:08]
The first step is to add your contact details.
[01:15]
Next, you'll add your primary address. This should be the address where you live.
[01:21]
And you can add a secondary address, which will be added to your invoices and receipts if needed.
[01:27]
When you are ready, select save and continue.
[01:32]
The registration code screen is next. These codes are provided only by specific ACCA partners,
[01:39]
employers, or education providers. If you don't have a code, it won't impact your application.
[01:45]
When you are ready, select save and continue.
[01:49]
There's now a consent section. If you select yes here, we have permission to register you with another qualification if you don't meet the
[01:57]
ACCA entry requirements. When you are ready, select save and continue.
[02:04]
Now we see the document section where you'll add your identity documents and the documents that confirm your eligibility for the ACCA qualification
[02:12]
based on your entry route.
[02:16]
If your documents are not in English, we'll need you to give us official translations as well.
[02:23]
The documents have been added.
[02:26]
When you're ready, select, save and continue.
[02:30]
Next, you can update your contact preferences. You can let us know if you would also like to receive updates by text message,
[02:38]
and if you've taken any exams, you can get your results by text message too.
[02:43]
If you'd like to receive information from third party organisations, and if you'd like to appear on our list of past finalists.
[02:51]
Then select save and continue.
[02:57]
The next screen will ask how you heard about ACCA. Once you've added a choice,
[03:03]
select, save and continue.
[03:08]
Before submitting your application, read our terms and conditions and select accept in the box under each.
[03:15]
You can't submit the application without accepting these. When you are ready, select save and continue.
[03:22]
The next stage is to review the information you've supplied so far to make sure it's been recorded correctly.
[03:29]
The application fee will be shown here, and when you're happy, select submit.
[03:37]
You'll see your order summary page with the fee, then the details of the ACCA benevolent fund and the gift aid
[03:45]
information. When you are ready, select pay now.
[03:51]
Choose if you would like to pay by debit or credit card, or if you're making the payment by Alipay.
[03:58]
Enter your payment details, then select pay.
[04:03]
Congratulations, you've successfully submitted your application. Our team will aim to complete our assessment within 5 working days,
[04:12]
and you can track the progress from the application section of your account. And from the help menu,
[04:18]
you can view case updates. Thank you for watching our video. We look forward to receiving your application.
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.
How to accept exemptions
Watch how to view and accept offered exemption from MyACCA.
