The following qualifications meet our minimum entry requirements. If your qualification is not listed, please contact applications@icaew.com to check whether your qualification meets the minimum requirements.
If you do not meet our entry requirements, you can meet the minimum requirements by completing the ICAEW Certificate in Finance, Accounting, and Business (ICAEW CFAB) which comprises the first 6 exams of the ACA.
GCSEs and A levels
2 A level passes (grades A*-E) plus 3 GCSE passes at grades 9-4/grades A-C
2 Vocational A levels or 1 double award plus 3 GCSE passes at grades 9-4/grades A-C or 1 GNVQ intermediate award or BTEC first diploma (merit)
Scottish Qualification Certificate
3 higher grades and 2 standard grades or equivalent
Irish School Leaving Certificate
6 passes with at least 3 at higher grade
Foundation Degrees
A foundation degree from a recognised university"
Overseas Academic Qualifications
Any award which is comparable to our expectations for GCSE and A level entry requirements (including European/International Baccalaureate)
Graduate Awards
Any degree from a recognised university which is comparable to a UK Bachelor’s degree
Professional Accountancy Qualifications
ICAEW Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (ICAEW CFAB)
Member of the Association of Taxation Technicians (AAT)
Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)
Overseas Accountancy Qualifications
Members of an approved IFAC member body
Qualifications not listed above
Other qualifications that match A level standard may be considered on individual application.
Mature Entrants
If you do not hold a qualification listed above but are over 25 years of age with at least 7 years’ experience in a professional capacity in the fields of finance, law and accountancy, you can make an application to be accepted under our minimum entry requirements.
Please send the following to applications@icaew.com: a covering letter setting out your application, a detailed CV, and a reference from the proposed QPRT outlining your suitability to train for the ACA (an alternative employer reference may be accepted if you are not registering under a training agreement).