Getting ready for your exemptions application
If you're thinking about becoming an ACCA student and want to check if you're eligible to apply for exam exemptions, use this guide to prepare.
First, you need to see if you can claim any exemptions.
The easy way to do this is to use our Exemptions calculator.
After you've found your institution/body and course, you'll get a list of exemptions you might be eligible for.
Please note that there is a fee for each exam exemption you claim. You can check the cost on our fees page.
When you apply for exemptions, we'll need some documents from you.
These need to detail what you've studied; where you studied; and what results you achieved.
Your qualification documents must:
- name your qualification(s)
- be signed and stamped by the awarding institution/body (including logo)
- include transcripts/marksheets detailing the subjects/module codes and the marks achieved
- show date of completion for full academic award or confirmation of years successfully completed
- your award certificate(s) and/or an official letter confirming completion
If you have changed your name after obtaining your qualification documentation please submit a copy of an official document for this change
As some of your documents are not in English, we need an official translated copy of them.
Documents must be translated and stamped by a licensed translator who is authorised and qualified to provide translation services.
Important documents note
We need copies of both the original language version and translated English documents.
Once you have the documents
If you're not already an ACCA student:
- Visit our Contact us page
- Choose 'Applying to become an ACCA student'
- Choose 'Exemptions / previous learning'
- Choose ‘Yes’ to 'Do you need to send us a message?'
- Complete the form
- For the 'Would you like to upload files with your query?' option, select 'Yes'
- Upload your documents
Existing ACCA students:
- Visit our Contact us page
- Choose 'Exemptions / previous learning', then 'Applying for exemptions'
- Choose ‘Yes’ to 'Do you need to send us a message?'
- Complete the form
- For the 'Would you like to upload files with your query?' option, select 'Yes'
- Upload your documents
Important note
Remember that there's a fee for each exam that you're exempt from. You should visit our fees page to check the cost to you.
By emailing your enquiry, you're committing to applying and paying for additional exemptions.
After you have submitted your exemptions enquiry, you'll get an acknowledgement from us within 48 hours.
It will either be:
- to advise that your request has been passed to the relevant team for assessment; or
- a request for further information/documentation
Most assessments are processed within 10 days however in some cases it can take longer as further assessment may be required by our Accreditation team. But don't worry - we'll contact you with the outcome on completion of our assessment.
If you've received confirmation from us on the exemptions you're eligible for, you can claim them when you register as an ACCA student.
There's a fee for each exam that you're exempt from, if you want to claim your exemptions.
Visit our fees page to see the cost to you.
After you become a student and your exemptions have been awarded, you will have 30 calendar days to pay for them before they become overdue. At this time you will be unable to enter for exams until you have paid your outstanding balance.
Becoming an ACCA student
Once you're ready to join us, it's time to start your student registration.
If your situation changes
If you want to change the way you submit your exemptions enquiry, return to the question page to start again. You can get guidance relevant to your situation if you answer the questions differently.
Alternatively, return to the Exam exemptions page.