Indian Students’ Guide to ACCA in the UK: 2025

ACCA is a professional accreditation in the fields of accounting and finance, awarded by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, a globally recognised professional body offering advanced training and qualification in accounting and finance. 

Many universities in the UK deliver undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in partnership with ACCA and as such, you have the opportunity to study and sit for ACCA exams while pursuing your academics. When you enrol at a UK university that’s also an ACCA-approved learning provider, you stand to gain professional accreditation as you complete your bachelor’s or master’s programme. 

In this blog, we’ll look at why you should consider studying ACCA in the UK, exploring the qualifications, top universities offering relevant programmes, entry requirements, exams, fees, and career prospects with an ACCA professional accreditation. Let’s get started.

What is the ACCA qualification?

The ACCA is a qualification that can increase your employability with the advanced knowledge and the recognition it provides, so if you are aiming to pursue a career in accounting and finance, choosing an ACCA-accredited programme in the UK is an ideal step towards becoming a well-rounded professional in your field.    

The ACCA—Association of Chartered Certified Accountants—certifies you as an accomplished professional in accounting and finance, awarding you with a professional accreditation that is highly respected and sought-after by potential employers. 

Why study ACCA in the UK?

Many universities in the UK offer ACCA-accredited programmes, allowing you to gain an internationally recognised professional qualification that complements your academic qualification and sets you up for success in accounting and finance fields. Here are a few benefits you can gain as an international student when studying ACCA in the UK:  

• Globally recognised universities: The UK is home to globally renowned universities approved as learning providers for ACCA. 

• Diverse fields of study: UK universities offer a number of programmes in the fields of accounting, finance, and strategy, allowing you to gain advanced knowledge in a specialised area of your preference.  

• High employability: The ACCA professional accreditation and the academic qualification from a UK university allow you to develop and strengthen knowledge skills that employers are actively looking for, helping you stand out in the job market and gain access to professional opportunities you prefer. 

• High-quality education: The ACCA-accredited programmes are developed by academic experts with the support of ACCA professionals, and in cases where ACCA involvement is not applicable in designing the programmes, the courses are evaluated by ACCA professionals. This ensures you have access to up-to-date knowledge and sought-after skills in the field from both academic and professional perspectives.

• Expert faculty: Your programmes are delivered by senior faculty and professionals in the field with ACCA-accredited qualifications, allowing you to learn from and engage with experts on the subject. 

• Access to professional networks: ACCA-accredited programmes allow you to gain ACCA membership as soon as you complete your academics, allowing you to leverage the accreditation and the recognition that comes with it. 

You stand to gain these benefits when you enrol at an ACCA-approved learning provider in the UK as an international student planning to qualify for a career in finance and accounting. Here’s an overview of the universities in the UK offering ACCA study and exams as a part of their programme so you can start exploring the options for your education in the UK.  

ACCA in the UK: Top Universities

ACCA-approved learning providers in the UK allow you to gain comprehensive knowledge and sit for ACCA exams while you complete your undergraduate or postgraduate degree. These UK universities offer the ACCA qualification through programmes designed in two different ways: 

• ACCA accreditation: The programme offered by the university is evaluated by the ACCA, assessing if the course content aligns with the knowledge and skills required to qualify for the ACCA accreditation. If the university programme aligns with ACCA education, the programme will be given the ACCA accreditation, ensuring every student who successfully completes the programme gains the ACCA accreditation and ACCA membership. 

• Embedded masters: These programmes are designed in partnership with the ACCA, with ACCA professionals contributing to the development of the syllabus, and curating the course content development and assessments together with the senior faculty. 

Both of these types of programmes provide you with the same accreditation at the end of your course, so you have the opportunity to choose a finance and accounting programme of your preference at any university from the list below.

These universities in the UK offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes accredited with ACCA, delivering specialised education in the fields of accounting and finance. Now, let's have a look at the entry requirements you need to meet when applying for the ACCA-accredited courses offered by these universities.

ACCA in the UK: Entry Requirements and Applying

You can apply to study ACCA in the UK with your higher school certificate or with a relevant bachelor’s degree, in which case you may be exempted from a few ACCA exams depending on your qualification. Let’s go over the entry requirements for ACCA programmes as an Indian student, possible exemptions, and the application process.  

ACCA in the UK: Entry requirements

Here’s a full list of all the Indian academic qualifications accepted in the UK to study ACCA. There are also foundation level courses offered by the ACCA to help you meet the entry requirements, in case your academic background does not align with the entry criteria.

In addition to meeting the academic requirements, you need to demonstrate your language proficiency in English to qualify for entry to an ACCA-accredited programme. Typically, you need to have an overall IELTS score of 6.5 – 7.0 or equivalent to be eligible for entry. 

ACCA in the UK: Exemptions 

If you already have a relevant qualification in finance and accounting offered by a recognised educational institute, you may be granted exemptions for certain ACCA exams, allowing you to start your ACCA studies at the right level corresponding to your knowledge and skill. ACCA identifies diplomas, foundation degrees, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and professional qualifications as exemptions, and if you want to check if you are eligible for exemptions, you can use the ACCA Exemptions Calculator that takes your education institute, awarded qualification, and the year of completion into account when deciding on the exemptions you can apply for. 

If you are exempted from one or more exams, you are required to pay a fee for each exam you are exempted from. No exemptions are awarded for Strategic Professional exams to ensure all ACCA students qualify under the same criteria.

ACCA in the UK: Application process

The application process for an ACCA-accredited programme in the UK is the same as the general application process for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the UK. Your preferred university would have the application guidelines listed on their website, so make sure to go through it carefully, considering both the ACCA-relevant requirements and university-specific criteria. You can always reach out to our counsellors for guidance if you need clarity or support with your application. 

ACCA in the UK: Exams

ACCA requires you to successfully complete a series of exams to qualify for the professional accreditation. The exams are rigorous and can often be challenging owing to the quality standards of the accreditation, however, the knowledge you gain from your programme and the skills you develop can help you navigate these exams towards obtaining the ACCA accreditation. 

• Applied knowledge exams: Tests your knowledge on essential financial, business and management accounting techniques along with basic business and management principles and the skills required of an accountant.

• Applied skills exams: Tests your understanding of the role of accounting in business and how you interpret financial information.

• Strategic professional exams (essential and optional): Tests your advanced techniques, skills, professional ethics required to be an accountant or consultant operating at a senior level. Some of these exams are optional, so you have the choice of deciding on sitting for them or not. 

When taking the duration of study into account as well, each set of exams can take from 12 to 18 months to complete. Once you enrol at an ACCA-accredited university programme, you have the opportunity to sit for these exams alongside the studies for your degree. Next, we’ll take a look at the fees you can expect to pay when completing your ACCA studies and exams to qualify for the ACCA professional accreditation.  

ACCA in the UK: Fees

Understanding the ACCA fee structure can help you plan your finances in advance, especially when you need to set aside funds for your university tuition and living expenses in the UK as well. Here’s a breakdown of the fees related to your ACCA accreditation:  

Registration and subscription fees*

• Initial registration: £89
• Re-registration: £89
• Annual subscription (2025): £137

Exemption fees*

• Applied knowledge exams: £98
• Applied skills exams: £123

Exam fees

• Applied knowledge exams: Available as remote on-demand exams or as computer-based exams at local exam centres. Fees are set accordingly. 
• Applied skills exams: £143
• Strategic professional exams (Essentials)
  • Strategic business leader exam: £252
  • Strategic business reporting exam: £180 
• Strategic professional exams (Options): £180

Special module fees

• Ethics and professional skills module: £79 

*A discount on fees may be granted to Indian students starting their ACCA registration and studies from India. Refer to ACCA official site for more information. 

You can get funding support to cover these costs with student loans and scholarships awarded by the UK government, the Indian government, your preferred university and third-party benefactors. Check our listing for scholarships you can consider applying for, to support your studies in the UK.

ACCA in the UK: Career Prospects

An ACCA accreditation can open up many opportunities for you to build your career or to move into more advanced roles in your profession with the knowledge and the recognition you gain with the qualification. Here are a few professional roles you can apply for after completing an ACCA-accredited programme and obtaining an ACCA membership. 

• Accounts Assistant: Maintain ledgers, balance sheets, and invoices, updates financial reports, and assists with invoice querying and debt management

Average annual salary: £40,970

• Finance Analyst: Prepare financial analyses for forecasting and budgeting, produce cost forecast and variance analysis, and share financial information with other departments

Average annual salary: £71,318

• Finance Director: Oversee the financial operations of a company, managing finance resources, improving margins across the business, and leading strategic financial planning 

Average annual salary: £102,854 

• Finance Manager: Manage financial operations and provide commercial support to management and other departments, delivering routine financial and management accounting as well as annual and quarterly statutory accounting  

Average annual salary: £85,840

• Financial Accountant: Liaise with auditors and assist with reporting to third parties (ie. government agencies) and prepare interim and year-end financial statements   

Average annual salary: £63,975 

• Financial Controller: Supervise the quality of accounting and financial reporting in the company, ensure all company finances are well-documented, and make recommendations for future changes and challenges  

Average annual salary: £169,121

• Management Accountant: Conduct business and financial analyses to support the management in operational and strategic decision-making 

Average annual salary: £66,317

*Salary information sourced from Salary Expert in December 2024

Obtaining an ACCA accreditation can be challenging, but when considering the career prospects it can open up for you, ACCA is one of the best qualifications to set you apart as an accomplished professional with advanced knowledge and applied skills needed in any role in accounting and finance fields. If you are aiming for further education or a career in finance, experts at SI-UK can support you in applying to an ACCA-accredited programme in the UK.  

FAQs

Is ACCA very difficult?

ACCA can be a challenging qualification as it delivers advanced knowledge and skills related to accounting, finance, and business. The ACCA exams are rigorous and require a thorough understanding of the subject to earn the accreditation.

Can I finish ACCA in 3 years?

Yes, the ACCA course and exams can be completed roughly within 3 to 4 years. This can even be lesser if you are exempted from some exams depending on your academic and professional background.

How much is ACCA tuition fees in the UK?

ACCA course fee in the UK can vary depending on the university and the level of the course. However, you can expect to pay between £2,000 and £5,000 per year for tuition fees. You will also need to pay exam fees, registration fees, and exemption fees (if applicable).

What is the minimum salary of ACCA in the UK?

Entry-level ACCA professionals can expect to earn between £25,000 and £35,000 annually, while ACCA professionals with a few years of experience can earn upwards of £70,000. 

Can I do ACCA without accounting?

Yes, you can start studying ACCA without any prior accountancy knowledge, as the ACCA courses are designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to work as an accountant, starting from the foundation levels. 

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