Diploma in Professional Accounting Studies (ACCA)

Entry requirements

ACCA qualifications

You must gain ACCA exemptions or passes for the Applied Knowledge Papers (formerly papers F1-F3) as a minimum to be eligible to apply for the Diploma in Professional Studies in Accounting.

We do not teach the Applied Knowledge Papers. However, the ACCA grant exemptions if you have a relevant degree or professional qualification. To find out whether you are exempt check the ACCA website.

GCSE (minimum grade C or grade 4)

At least three subjects including English language and maths or a science.

You will need to provide documentary evidence from the ACCA that you have passed, at a minimum*, the Applied Knowledge papers (formerly F1-F3) or have gained ACCA exemption from the Knowledge Papers stage.

*If you hold more passes/exemptions than the Applied Knowledge papers (formerly F1-F3), email SBL-office@brighton.ac.uk for more information.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

ACCA student membership

You need to be a current registered student of the ACCA. It is advisable to apply for membership as soon as possible, since the process of obtaining membership takes much longer between September and December. Membership brings a number of advantages, including a subscription to Student Accountant magazine and practical online support.

For more information about ACCA student membership, registration and exemptions see www.accaglobal.com.

ACCA professional-level papers

If you hold passes or exemptions for the whole Applied stage (formerly papers F1–F9) you might be interested in our Accounting PGDip/MSc course that provides you with tuition for your professional-level papers.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

This course has been developed in conjunction with the ACCA to meet the requirements of both a Diploma in Professional Studies in Accounting and the ACCA Applied Skills syllabus.

As an accredited programme with the ACCA, on completion you'll be able to apply to the ACCA for exemptions from their Applied level papers. You'll also be eligible to progress onto the Accounting MSc/PGDip course.

You'll study a broad range of subjects including financial accounting, management accounting, financial management, taxation, auditing and law.

This course is offered on a part-time (over two years) and full-time basis (over 9 months). The part-time study option is available to UK (home) applicants only.

The university is an ACCA Gold Learning Partner, recognised as providing high quality standards of tuition and excellent student support. ACCA membership provides access to the institute’s resources and the opportunity to network with industry professionals.

The University of Brighton is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) – an accreditation achieved by fewer than 6% of business schools globally.

Fees and funding

Registration to the ACCA is not included in the university tuition fees.

ACCA exam or exemption fees are applicable and will need to be paid directly to the ACCA. Contact them for further details on 0141 5822000.

If you wish to receive just tuition for these papers with the aim of sitting your exams direct with the ACCA, contact us for fees at SBL-office@brighton.ac.uk.