Please noteThis course and the information on this page is indicative based on the 2019/20 academic year. The final details for this course starting in 2020/21 may be subject to change and will be confirmed by the end of September 2019.
Become part of a huge global network of highly skilled accountants with our Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) course.
We prepare you for a range ACCA exams, and welcome international students from across the globe to study in the UK. Birmingham City University's status as a Platinum Approved Learning Partner reflects the quality of our course.
You’ll be taught by qualified accountants, and upon completion you’ll leave with the qualifications and skills the accountancy and finance industry look for.
The course starts in either late August / early September or January and takes between one to three years full-time to complete, depending on your current qualifications. It’s structured so that Full Time students must choose to study either four, five or six ACCA papers each academic year, and a minimum of two papers each semester. Part Time students do not need to undertake any minimum number of papers, as they can take just one singular paper.
We let you study all the modules (excluding Advanced Performance Management) you need to take the ACCA professional exams, so you’ll be able to work towards becoming a member of the world’s fastest-growing international professional accounting body. The course is flexible, allowing you to join the programmes at different stages and choose the relevant modules you need for your exams, studying at a pace that suits you.
Our tutors are generally qualified accountants with expert academic and professional knowledge and experience. They have worked for companies such as Cadbury Schweppes, Marks and Spencer Financial Services, the Audit Commision, BDO Stoyhayward, Deloitte, Kaplan Financial and KPMG, and can therefore use real-life experiences to enhance your learning in the classroom.
Birmingham City Business School will be opening its doors for specific ACCA Open Days throughout the year.
The day offers you the chance to meet and speak to our course academics; find out more about the career and course opportunities we have on offer to help support your career aspirations.
Our next ACCA Open Day will take place on Thursday 18 July from 2pm-6pm.
*DLHE Survey 2015/16
Didn't make it to an Open Day? You still have the opportunity to come and see what our postgraduate courses have to offer. If you would like to enquire about campus tour availability, just drop us an email.
| Essential - Full Time Students | ||
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You must be accepted as a registered student by the ACCA. Minimum requirements are successful completion of the Applied Knowledge papers, either by sitting and passing the ACCA external examinations or by the award of exemptions. The exemptions given are dependent upon further qualifications, which could be a degree (relevant or non-relevant) or a HND or equivalent. |
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In addition to the above requirements, for full time students that have been granted exemptions from the Applied Knowledge papers based upon their degree qualification, they should have been awarded at least a Second Class Honours degree. |
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| Essential - Part Time Students | ||
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You must be accepted as a registered student by the ACCA. Minimum requirements are successful completion of the Applied Knowledge papers, either by sitting and passing the ACCA external examinations or by the award of exemptions. The exemptions given are dependent upon further qualifications, which could be a degree (relevant or non-relevant) or a HND or equivalent. |
| English language requirements 2020/21 | ||
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| IELTS |
6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information. |
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| Other accepted qualifications | Visit our English language page | |
Don't meet our entry requirements? You could apply for courses at our International College.
| Pathway | Award | Start | Mode | Duration | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part Time | ACCA | Aug 2020 | PT | Variable | TBC |
Register your interest |
| Part Time | ACCA | Jan 2021 | PT | Variable | TBC |
Register your interest |
| Professional Level | ACCA | Aug 2020 | FT | 1-2 years | TBC |
Register your interest |
| Professional Level | ACCA | Jan 2021 | FT | 1-2 years | TBC |
Register your interest |
| Skills Level | ACCA | Aug 2020 | FT | 1-2 years | TBC |
Register your interest |
| Skills Level | ACCA | Jan 2021 | FT | 1-2 years | TBC |
Register your interest |
| Pathway | Award | Start | Mode | Duration | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Level | ACCA | Aug 2020 | FT | 1-2 years | TBC |
Register your interest |
| Professional Level | ACCA | Jan 2021 | FT | 1-2 years | TBC |
Register your interest |
| Skills Level | ACCA | Aug 2020 | FT | 1-2 years | TBC |
Register your interest |
| Skills Level | ACCA | Jan 2021 | FT | 1-2 years | TBC |
Register your interest |
The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
*Please note that Birmingham City University loyalty scheme does not apply to the ACCA course.
While there are no additional costs associated with purchasing text books, there may be other costs to you. If you are joining the course which has a professional body accreditation you may be required to pay membership or examination costs. For details of these costs, please click on the link below.
Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £50 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials. All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
If you are joining us in January, we can now let you know some of the key dates:
We offer further information on possible postgraduate financial support. This includes the type of loans, grants and scholarships available both from the government and from Birmingham City University.
Did you know that you will soon be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £10,906 for some courses and options?
Find out about Financial Support For Undergraduates
We offer the ACCA Skills papers and Professional level papers starting either in late August / early September or January.
There’s a great deal of flexibility in our timetable which can accommodate most subject combinations.
You’ll attend lectures and workshops throughout your studies before being assessed by written external ACCA exams. There’ll be reading and revision that you’ll do in your own time, using any support you might need. The time you spend independently learning is usually greater than the time you’re taught face-to-face.
Our students can study with us anywhere between one to three years, and, depending on your previous qualifications you can join the course and study the modules that suit you. For international students, visa requirements mean that you must study four to six modules a year, with at least two of these in each semester.
We have been approved under ACCA's Approved Learning Partner - student tuition (ALP-st) programme and given the award of Platinum Level Tuition Provider.
This means you can be sure:
ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the fastest growing, most supportive gateway to your career in accountancy, finance, business and management. The ACCA Qualification will arm you with the skills and experience to build a successful career anywhere in the world. With our strong presence in 181 countries around the world, your skills will be in demand internationally.
ACCA offers you more flexibility than other accountancy qualifications thanks to our unique option papers. This gives you a really broad, yet thorough set of skills as well as an opportunity to specialise in whichever area you wish, from audit to management accounting. You don’t have to choose your specialism until later in your studies, giving you time to decide where your interests lie.
The ACCA know how important it is to be able to fit your studies around work and lifestyle and they offer you a range of study options to suit your budget and situation. They are proud of their unparalleled level of study support via wealth of online resources and dedicated 24/7 care line.
Starting your qualification whilst you’re still at university will make you stand out from other candidates when looking for an internship or job. It will prove to employers that you are a self-starter with initiative and dedication to your future career.
Depending on your degree, you will most likely be eligible for exemptions from some of our exams. To find out more about ACCA, and how you can start a successful career straight out of university, visit www.accaglobal.com/graduate
You can choose to do further study with us both during and after completing the ACCA qualification. There are a range of courses to choose from, including MSc Accountancy and Finance, MSc Finance and Investment, MSc Management and Finance, MBA and many more.
Getting your ACCA qualifications will significantly improve your career prospects in accountancy and finance. As a qualification it’s recognised as being challenging, so we make sure you develop your expertise and knowledge in a way that’s relevant to employers.
Through our multi-cultural environment you’ll also gain valuable collaboration and network opportunities with your peers, both of which will really boost your CV.
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
"Completing the ACCA courses at BCU has improved my credibility to possible employers and has helped me secure my dream job with one of the Big 4 audit firms."
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies.
BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £260 million on new learning facilities.
This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Social Sciences, Law, Business and English students.
The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.
The Business floors house an extensive number of IT facilities, breakout areas, and specialised rooms. The Marketing Link Agency is designed to replicate a modern marketing firm, allowing students to get real-life experience of working in the marketing sector. There is also the City Trading Room, which features state of the art stock market tracking equipment, keeping you up to date with all the financial comings and goings of the London Stock Exchange and Wall Street.
The Curzon building is also conveniently close to Birmingham’s business and financial centre, allowing for strong links between your studies and the real world.
Many of our staff are members of leading bodies such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and ACCA. They’re experts in accountancy and still work in industry, meaning you’ll be provided with current sector knowledge and skills.
Becky Bates has a lot of experience in industry as an ACCA qualified accountant. She taught a variety of qualifications, including CIMA, ACCA, AAT and ICAEW in the private sector before coming to Birmingham City University in 2013.
Cathy Sibley trained with M&S Financial Services before joining Kaplan as a senior lecturer. Prior to joining Birmingham City University, she became freelance in 2006, teaching, writing, marking and examining financial and corporate reporting for all professional qualifications (ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW and AAT).
Dinisa Kandasamy joined Birmingham City University in 2009. She decided to pursue a career in academia after completing her MSc at BCU. Before this, she worked with a small firm of accountants carrying out audit, accounts and tax work.
Catherine is a member of the CIMA, and has previously worked as a management accountant. She now brings this knowledge to our ACCA course.
Vijay Ramachandran has vast professional practice experience dealing with different types of business sectors and entities including small medium enterprises, charities, trusts, mainstream sporting organisations, public and private schools, synagogues and medium-sized enterprises.
Helen is a CIPFA qualified accountant and began her career in public sector audit and assurance, conducting audit engagements for the NHS and local government clients. Upon leaving the Audit Commission she joined KPMG, one of the 'big four' accountancy firms, as an Assistant Manager.
Martin has worked in the utility industry for over 25 years, where he worked in all aspects of Information Systems, from strategy through to operational running.
Dr Muhammad Akbar graduated from University of Peshawar in 2003 where he completed his Master of Commerce (M.Com) specialising in Advanced Cost and Management Accounting. He set a new record for the highest grades on the M.Com program and was awarded the Gold Medal for his academic achievement on the program.
Karampritt Kaila is a Qualified Chartered Accountant (ACA) who trained with Deloitte in corporate tax. Karampritt teaches and marks ACA, ACCA and CIMA as well as undergraduate courses.
