2. Study methods

Do you prefer face-to-face learning? Online learning in your own time? Have family or work commitments? We have four study methods that suit different learning styles, to fit around your life. You’ll benefit from award-winning tutors, practical learning methods, and ongoing support, even after your exams.

Study methods available for this qualification

You can be confident in your exams whatever study method you choose, as we have plenty of practice questions and marked mock exams to help you prepare. We provide expert support during evenings and weekends, and we have flexible study methods and course start dates.

Study method comparison table keyboard_arrow_down

Timetables - Classroom and Live Online

Please click the link below for timetables of your chosen centre

date_rangeView timetables

3. Exams and sittings

Timings and working towards a sitting

There are four exam sessions per year. You can sit a maximum of four exams at each session, and a maximum of eight distinct exams each calendar year.

Exams for Strategic Professional subjects are computer-based and should be booked with ACCA directly.

Book an exam directly with ACCA

How long does it take to pass?

Most students will typically take 12 to 18 months to complete this level.

You’ll also need three years practical experience before you can become an ACCA member and be considered a qualified accountant, meaning the complete ACCA qualification takes a minimum of three years to complete. You can complete your work experience before, after, or during your ACCA exams.

Subject order rules

ACCA allow “free progression” at the Strategic Professional level, meaning you can choose to sit your Essentials and Options subjects in any order. If you are studying ACCA under a Level 7 Apprenticeship you must sit Strategic Business Leader last, as it is your End Point Assessment.

Study recommendation

ACCA advise that you attempt their Ethics and Professional Skills module before you sit any exams on Strategic Professional. They say students who do so are statistically proven to significantly enhance their chances of passing the exams. SBL contains a vast amount of these skills so it is especially important for you to complete the module before sitting this exam.

If you are considering studying AAA as one of your options subjects, please be aware that we strongly recommend that you attempt this after or at the same time as studying SBR.

You should also be aware with all subjects at this level there will be a certain amount of assumed knowledge from earlier subjects at Applied Skills level, so if you were exempt or sat these some time ago, you should use the resources and advice in the beginning of your course to refresh your understanding.

Exam sitting advice

For more information about which exam to sit when, and in which order, please see our ACCA exam sitting advice page.

Key dates

Exam timetable

Please find the exam timetable on the ACCA website.

4. Study materials and delivery costs

Study materials

Classroom, Live Online and OnDemand students will receive printed and online study materials, while Distance Learning students have the option of printed or online only. We provide:

• Study programme

  Integrated into your MyKaplan course, this outlines the course structure, providing guidance on what to do, and when.

• Study text

  A textbook covering the full subject syllabus with worked examples and activities. We’re an ACCA-approved content provider, so you can be confident our study text contains everything you need to be successful in your exam.

• Pocket notes

  Pocket-sized revision notes that highlight, summarise, and prioritise the key topics areas that you need for your exams.

• Exam kit

  Included in the exam kit is our recommended revision approach, a revision plan, exam technique guide, and exam specific information. Ensure you’re exam ready with interactive practice questions replicated in the exam environment. Available 24/7 and covering all areas of the syllabus, you can learn whenever and wherever it's convenient for you.

• Application modules

  Core study material that all students receive. It’s tutor-led with interactive tasks to help deepen your understanding of key topic areas.

• Integrated workbook (Classroom, Live Online, OnDemand only)

  Helps you work through the syllabus, with room to write your notes. It helps you keep everything in one place to make it easy to study and revise from.

To buy the materials separately...

You can buy ACCA approved books for each subject on this level from Kaplan Publishing.

Delivery costs

5. MyKaplan: online learning environment

MyKaplan explained (1m:18s)

MyKaplan is an online learning portal with additional resources to help you prepare for your exams.

Online features

• View your online materials in one place and access your content in a few clicks
• Contact a tutor directly using live chat. You can also email or request a callback (UK only)
• Complete tests and get instant feedback
• Take part in forum discussions with students and tutors and find answers to common questions
• See instantly when your assessments have been marked
• Access on mobile, tablet, computer or through the dedicated mobile app

Access duration

Your chosen study method determines how long you can access your content for. All extensions are for existing content, and do not include any updated content.

Classroom
Six months from enrolment date, with one three month free extension on request, then a further extension for £50.

Live Online
Six months from enrolment date, with one three month free extension on request, then a further extension for £50.

OnDemand
Six months from enrolment date, with one three month free extension on request, then a further extension for £50.

Distance Learning
6 months from enrolment date, with one three month free extension on request, then a further extension for £50

computer Minimum system requirements for MyKaplan

6. Tutor support

We’ll support you every step of the way throughout your learning experience with us. You can contact a tutor and get the help you need quickly and easily.

Provided by our Academic Support team (our dedicated team of expert tutors):

• Email (we'll get back to you within 4 hrs)
• Discussion forum (we'll get back to you within 4 hrs)
• Request a callback so you can speak to a tutor (we'll arrange a call with you within 24 hours). Please note request a callback is only available to UK based students.
• Course tutor - Receive contact details from your tutor during your first lesson, to enable you to request assistance out of scheduled sessions (Classroom and Live Online courses only).

7. Testing and mocks

We have a wealth of materials to help you revise for and pass your exams. All study options come with the following:

• Knowledge checks

  As you go along knowledge checks help assess your understanding of a topic before you move onto the next one.

• Consolidation Test

  A short test of written questions you complete part way through tuition (two tests for Strategic Business Leader (SBL)).

• Progress tests

  An exam style assessment sat at the end of tuition (Knowledge and Application for OnDemand and Distance Learning). Human marked with feedback provided directly to you. (SBL does not have a progress test, but extra mock exams instead.)

• Mock exam

  Practice your exam technique with a mock exam, which replicates the format of the final exam, so you can check your progress. Mock exams are human marked with feedback provided directly to you. For SBL there will be 2 mock exams for Distance Learning, and 4 for all other study options. All but Distance Learning SBL courses provide an online debrief so you can understand the answer and improve your own.

• Revision Question Debriefs and Walkthroughs

  Videos that walk you through an answer to an exam-standard question highlighting the correct approach to the question and how you could score marks.

• Pre-exam workshop

  Available from September 2023, our pre-exam workshop offers the opportunity for focussed guidance from expert tutors to get you exam ready. The workshops will be tailored to those learners who attend to make sure everyone gets the most benefit from the session, but will include:

  • the essentials of exam technique such as presentation, time management, and CBE software
  • question debriefs with marked feedback
  • suggestions of additional questions to attempt based on common weak areas
  • additional tuition on tricky topic areas
  • the opportunity to discuss any final questions with your tutor and peers.

  In a classroom course you will attempt the questions on the day, whereas for live online they are submitted in advance of the session. Both approaches give you the valuable exam style question practice at a crucial point in your study journey.

8. Pricing structure

Subject prices can differ depending on your study method, location and the time you choose to study (if you’re choosing Classroom).

Go to our study methods to learn more about each option.

Subjects are all priced individually, so you can purchase them altogether, or separately as you need them.

Funding options

Employer sponsoredchevron_right

Your employer may fund the costs of your studies if you're already working in a related field and want to develop your learning. You'll need to speak to them to see if you're eligible and whether they would be willing to cover the costs.

Payment planschevron_right

Available for any course as long as the total cost is a minimum of £500 (before any discounts). Any available discounts can be applied, provided the terms and conditions of that discount have been met.

Classroom and Live Online course fees must be repaid over the duration of the course(s) purchased, up to a maximum of 12 months. The final payment must be made one month prior to the final date of the last course.

OnDemand and Distance Learning course fees must be repaid over three months per subject purchased, up to a maximum of 12 months.

Apprenticeshipschevron_right

You may eligible for an Apprenticeship through your employer, depending on your circumstances. For more information, contact our Student Services team.