How ACCA exemptions work

If you have completed relevant prior studies, ACCA may recognise that learning so you do not need to sit specific exams. This waiver is called an exemption.

Exemptions are not awarded automatically just because you hold a specific degree title. Instead, ACCA assesses whether the syllabus you studied matches the learning outcomes of its own syllabus. Under current policy, exemptions are available only for exams within the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills levels. Strategic Professional exams are not exempt, meaning all students must sit those final papers. Because your result depends on your precise qualification and syllabus, there is no blanket number of exemptions promised in advance.

When assessing your qualification, ACCA looks at three key pieces of information:

• The institution where you studied
• The specific course or qualification you took
• Your graduation year or your last year of study

Because academic programmes and professional accreditations change over time, your result may differ from that of a classmate who graduated in a different year or took different optional modules. If your course or institution is not found on the standard list, you must refer to ACCA's own guidance on submitting your transcripts for individual review.

You can check your likely eligibility before submitting an official application by using the online lookup tool. Follow these steps:

1. Open the ACCA exemptions calculator.
2. Search for the name of your awarding institution.
3. Select your exact qualification or degree from the list.
4. Enter your graduation year or the final year of your studies.
5. Review the result displayed by ACCA.

The calculator provides an estimate based on pre-assessed qualifications. Your exemptions are only confirmed once you register and ACCA formally assesses your official academic records. For further details on how this process works, visit the exemptions information page.

Once you have checked your potential exemptions, you can apply online to become an ACCA student. During registration, you will need to provide the supporting documents ACCA requests, such as your official transcripts and award certificates.

An exemption charge can apply for each paper awarded. Please confirm the current fee schedule on ACCA's live registration portal before you submit your application and payment.

According to ACCA's future-qualification FAQs, checked in October 2026, students will still be eligible for up to nine exam exemptions under the redesigned qualification. Exemptions reflecting the redesigned structure will appear on the calculator starting in July 2027.

Learn is independent of ACCA and cannot confirm an individual exemption. The wider route is in the ACCA Qualification guide.