The minimum entry requirements are:

· 3 GCSE passes including English and Maths or equivalent.

· Two A Level or equivalent approved qualification at Level 3 including approved Access course.

· Level 5 Diploma for Accounting Technicians or a relevant equivalent qualification.

Note: GCSE/A Levels must be in 5 different subjects. If you have achieved a relevant degree or the Level 5 Diploma for Accounting Technicians, you may be given exemptions on entry. In order to participate in the HLA course, you will need to have a relevant work placement and a workplace mentor assigned to you.

All Applied Skills and Strategic Professional level modules are assessed as a closed book, computer-based examination. The pass mark is 50% for all modules.

Diploma in Accounting and Business If you decide to complete the ACCA qualification, you will be awarded the Diploma in Accounting and Business on your way to completing the ACCA qualification. What is involved? You will need to register as a student on the ACCA qualification and complete the Applied Knowledge exams: Accountant in Business; Management Accounting; Financial Accounting, plus complete the professionalism and ethics module called Foundations in Professionalism. How long will it take to complete? You can complete Foundations in Professionalism before or after the exams, so you could complete this diploma in 6-12 months.

Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business If you decide to complete the ACCA qualification, you will be awarded the Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business on your way to completing the ACCA qualification. What is involved? You will need to register for the ACCA qualification. When you have completed the Applied Knowledge and the Applied Skills exams, plus the Ethics and Professional Skills module you will be awarded the Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business. The Applied Skills exams include: Corporate and Business Law; Performance Management; Taxation; Financial Reporting; Audit and Assurance; Financial Management. How long will it take to complete? You can complete the Ethics and Professional Skills module after you have taken these exams, allowing you to complete this Advanced Diploma in 12-18 months.

BSc (Hons) degree in Applied Accounting If you did not study an undergraduate degree course at university, then you can still have the chance to gain a degree while studying to become a qualified accountant with ACCA. In partnership with Oxford Brookes University, you can work towards achieving your ACCA qualification. It is the perfect way to enhance your ACCA qualification and broaden your skill set. Students need to:

· Pass the ACCA Qualification exams

· Pass the Ethics and Professional Skills module

· Submit a research and analysis project.

Masters in Professional Accountancy ACCA are the first accountancy body worldwide to offer an integrated master’s programme. Alongside studying for your professional qualification, you can gain a Master’s in Professional Accountancy from the University of London. You’ll build on the commercial, strategic and creative skills the ACCA Qualification gives you – and develop both academic and professional perspectives that will give you unique opportunities in your career. Strategic Professional exams: Strategic Business Leader; Strategic Business Reporting (Compulsory) plus 2 optional from the following: Advanced Financial Management; Advanced Performance Management; Advanced Taxation; Advanced Audit and Assurance.

Ethics and Professional Skills Module Professional accountants need to demonstrate that they understand and can apply ethical and professional behaviour in real-world work situations. They must be capable of doing this in broader, more complex scenarios where integration of technical and professional skills is key. So in the Ethics and Professional Skills module you will meet a number of these real-world work scenarios to help you develop your ethical and professional skills. The module is made up of 7 units. At the end of each Unit 1-6, there will be a series of assessments to embed your learning. Unit 7 is a final assessment and you’ll get a dashboard of your performance in that unit and a transcript and certificate on successful completion of the assessment. Performance objectives Performance objectives allow you to demonstrate your knowledge, skills and techniques in the workplace.

As part of the practical experience requirement (PER), you’ll need to achieve performance objectives. The performance objectives and exams are closely linked, This means that the knowledge you’ll develop through your studies are also relevant to the skills and techniques you’ll use in the workplace. Performance objectives are the benchmarks of effective performance. They describe the types of work activities you’ll be involved with as trainee accountants. They also outline the values and attitudes you should demonstrate. You’ll need to achieve nine performance objectives in total:

· All five Essential objectives, and

· Any four from 17 Technical objectives.

You’ll demonstrate your achievement of the performance objectives by performing activities in the workplace. You’ll then write a statement to provide examples of your experience which demonstrates to your practical experience supervisor that you have achieved the objectives.

For more information on the performance objectives, download the performance objectives booklet (PDF, 724KB).

To learn more about how Performance Objectives link to exams, download the exams to objectives factsheet (PDF, 22KB).

This HLA course is funded by the Department of the Economy therefore SWC tuition fees, fees for first sits of examinations and initial ACCA student registration fees are fully funded.

During your course you may be required to purchase course text books and incur additional costs for printing, photocopying and binding. The overall additional costs incurred to support your studies may be in the region of £250 per year.