Help with ACCA
Frequently asked questions about studying ACCA with BPP.
- Are there any entry requirements for the ACCA qualification?
- How can I check if I can claim exemptions from ACCA exams?
- What modes of study are available at BPP for ACCA?
- How much does the ACCA qualification cost at BPP?
- How long does it take to complete the ACCA qualification?
- Do you need to have relevant work experience to take the ACCA qualification?
- What is the structure of the ACCA qualification?
- Which combination of exam papers should I study together?
- What are the progression rules between ACCA papers?
- What are the Key Dates for the ACCA qualification?
- What are the ACCA exam entry dates?
- When are the ACCA exam results released?
- How much do the ACCA exams cost?
- How long do I have to pass all of my ACCA exams?
- What other qualifications can I get along the way to becoming ACCA qualified?
What are the entry requirements for the ACCA qualification?
The minimum entry requirements for school leavers wishing to take their ACCA qualification are two A-Levels and three GCSEs, or equivalent, in five separate subjects. One of these five must be English or and Mathematics.
If you don’t meet the ACCA minimum entry requirements, you can enrol to study one of the Foundations in Accountancy (FIA) awards first. Completion of the FIA Diploma will allow you to progress on to the main ACCA qualification at F4.
Find out more on the ACCA course page.
How can I check if I can claim exemptions from ACCA exams?
The ACCA will determine if you are eligible to claim exemptions from any exams, however you can check yourself if you think you may be eligible by using the ACCA’s online tool.
What modes of study are available at BPP for ACCA?
You can learn online through BPP’s Online Classroom or new Online Classroom LIVE, through a distance learning ‘Basics’ package, or face-to-face in one of 20 classroom locations across the UK. You can use a combination of all three study modes if it suits you. The choice is yours.
Each course covers three phases of tuition, which follow BPP’s 3 Steps to Success: Learn > Practise > Rehearse. Find out more on the ACCA course page.
How much does the ACCA qualification cost at BPP?
You will find dates and prices published under the 'Dates and prices' tab of the ACCA course page. International can find out more about deposits in our international students section.
How long does it take to complete the ACCA qualification?
What’s great about obtaining your ACCA is that you can choose the pace of your study. You have up to ten years to complete your exams. Consequently, everyone moves through their ACCA studies at different speeds, although typically students will take between one and two years when studying on a full-time basis, and three to four years if you are studying part-time.
Do you need to have relevant work experience to take the ACCA qualification?
No. All of the required knowledge is provided on the course. When you come to specialise at the Options Module, we would suggest that you take the options which most closely match the skills required in your job role. Find out more about entry requirements on the ACCA course page.
What is the structure of the ACCA qualification?
Fundamentals level:
- Knowledge module (Papers F1, F2 & F3)
- Skills module (Papers F4, F5, F6, F7, F8 & F9)
Professional level:
- Essentials module (P1, P2 & P3)
- Options module (P4, P5, P6, P7)*
Only two Options papers need to be taken A total of 14 papers must be completed to become fully qualified.
Some students may be exempt from studying the earlier levels depending on professional and educational background. Find out more on the ACCA course page.
Which combination of exam papers should I study together?
You can work through the ACCA qualification in a way which suits your professional and educational background. We have designed two study routes, one for students from a professional firm and one for those with less experience.
For students not working at a professional firm we recommend you take two or three exams per sitting.
Two papers per sitting
- Sitting 1: F1, F2, F3
- Sitting 2: F4 + F5
- Sitting 3: F6 + F9
- Sitting 4: F7 + F8
- Sitting 5: P1 + P2
- Sitting 6: P3 + An option paper of your choice
- Sitting 7: Your final option paper
- Sitting 1: F1, F2, F3
- Sitting 2: F4, F5, F6
- Sitting 3: F7, F8, F9
- Sitting 4: P1, P2, P3
- Sitting 5: Two option papers of your choice
For students working for a professional firm (in practice), again we recommend two to three exams per sitting, but we suggest a slightly different order of study:
Two papers per sitting
- Sitting 1: F1, F2, F3
- Sitting 2: F7 + F8
- Sitting 3: F4 + F6
- Sitting 4: F5 + F9
- Sitting 5: P1 + P2
- Sitting 6: P3 + An option paper of your choice (P7 recommended)
- Sitting 7: Your final option paper
Three papers per sitting
- Sitting 1: F1, F2, F3
- Sitting 2: F4, F7, F8
- Sitting 3: F5, F6, F9
- Sitting 4: P1, P2, P3
- Sitting 5: Two option papers of your choice (with P7 recommended)
What are the progression rules between ACCA papers?
- You can sit a maximum of four papers in one examination session (BPP recommends a maximum of 3). There is no minimum.
- You are required to study each module in order. However, you can vary the order you attempt the papers within each module.
- You can attempt examinations from different modules in the same sitting if your status allows. However you must enter for outstanding papers in your current module if you wish to enter to sit papers in the next module.
What are the Key Dates for the ACCA qualification?
- ACCA Student registration – can be completed online throughout the year. You need to make sure that you are registered as a student before trying to enter for exams.
- ACCA’s exam cycles – run from 1 February to 31 July and 1 August to 31 January each year and you can take a maximum of four individual papers within any cycle.
- ACCA Exam Entry – there are now three entry periods: Early, Standard and Late. The later the exam entry, the higher the exam fee, so we would suggest that you book online as early as possible.
What are the ACCA exam entry dates?
There are now 3 entry periods: Early, Standard and Late. The later the exam entry, the higher the exam fee, so we would suggest that you book online as early as possible.
June Sitting:
- Early – 8 March
- Standard – 8 April
- Late – 8 May
December Sitting:
- Early – 8 September
- Standard – 8 October
- Late – 8 November
When are the ACCA exam results released?
ACCA exam results are released online, by text and email:
- in August for the June sitting
- in February for the December sitting
How much do the ACCA exams cost?
The prices vary per paper and are dependent on when you book. View the exam booking dates and fees.
How long do I have to pass all of my ACCA exams?
All passes are valid for 10 years (or 10 years from December 2007, if you started studying before that date)
What other qualifications can I get along the way to becoming ACCA qualified?
There are 2 other ACCA qualifications from the ACCA which you can achieve:
Diploma
After completion of F1-F3 and completion of a free ACCA online module 'Foundations in Professionalism' you will receive the Diploma in Accounting and Business (QCF Level 4)
Advanced Diploma
After completion of F4-P7 and completion of a free ACCA online module 'Professional Ethics' you will receive the Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business
Other qualifications
The ACCA have a partnership with Oxford Brookes university to offer a BSc in Applied Accounting to ACCA students. You need to have to opted into the BSc when you joined ACCA as a student. You will be eligible to complete the BSc at the same time as being eligible for the Advanced Diploma (after completion of F1-F9 and the Professional Ethics module). View details.
