Historical examination regulations and syllabuses

The examination regulations and syllabuses were first published in 1882 and have since been published under a number of titles, including 'Examination regulations and syllabus', 'New examination syllabuses' and 'Examinations conduct and syllabuses'.

Topics covered by the regulations include eligibility, entry requirements, arrangements for examinations, and the publication of results. The syllabuses list the papers, and outline the knowledge and skills that candidates will need to demonstrate in the examinations.

This page presents an overview of the historical examination regulations and syllabuses (as well as related documents) that are held in the ICAEW Library collection and elsewhere. Current ACA students seeking the latest syllabuses and regulations should refer to the exams and regulations sections of the website.

The ICAEW Library & Information Service holds an incomplete collection of examination regulations and syllabuses.

The Library holds a copy of most editions published since 1956 (with a few exceptions).

Our holdings of pre-1956 editions are less comprehensive. The earliest edition held by the Library is from 1902. We also hold copies of the editions for 1936, 1939, 1944, 1946-47, and 1950-54.

Full details of year-by-year holdings can be found on LibCat, the Library's online catalogue.

In addition to the main run of examination regulations and syllabuses, the Library also holds copies of several other ICAEW publications which contain related information. The most noteworthy of these are listed below — please click on the links to view holdings information on LibCat.

• Historical ICAEW bye-laws
  Some historical versions of ICAEW's bye-laws include rules and regulations relating to examinations. As well as being issued periodically in standalone publications, the bye-laws were included in editions of the members list from 1882 to 1947. During this period, Chapter VI of the bye-laws covered examinations. Whilst there is some overlap in coverage, the content of this chapter is distinct from that of the examination regulations and syllabuses which were produced for the benefit of students.


• 'Regulations governing the entrance, education, examination and training of students'
  The Library collection includes two editions of a publication by this title — one from 1974 and one from 1981.


• 'Education and training handbook'
  The Library holds copies of this annual handbook for the period 1983 to 1997/98. Includes information on bye-laws and regulations relating to students and examinations.


• 'Education and training bye-laws and regulations 1994'
  This superseded section 10 of the 'Education and training handbook 1993-94'.


• One-off publications summarising changes and/or detailing transitional arrangements
  The Library holds copies of several ICAEW publications which summarise and/or provide background information on significant changes to examination regulations and/or syllabuses.


• Syllabuses for the Ethics Learning Programme
  As of 2023, the Ethics Learning Programme is a mandatory part of the ACA qualification.

Please note that some of the above resources are held in an off-site store. If you wish to consult them in the Library, please contact us in advance so that we can ensure that they are available on the date of your visit.

Information relating to historical examination regulations and syllabuses up to the mid-1960s can also be found in some of the ICAEW records held in the London Metropolitan Archives. These include:

• Various minute books for groups and bodies concerned with examinations, including examination moderators and the Examination Committee; and
• Correspondence and papers relating to the discretionary power to admit late examination candidates (1921-2) and changes to the intermediate and final examinations (1936).

Please note that archival records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions, due to data protection regulations. Requests to view ICAEW records at the London Metropolitan Archives should be directed to the Library enquiry team, at library@icaew.com.