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The objective of the Awareness paper is to examine core areas of the various taxes which you may not deal with on a daily basis and which do not form part of your chosen Advanced Technical papers.
Average duration
6 months
Assessments
One Awareness paper
Kaplan pass rate
13% higher than global average*
*Versus the global average pass rate of 53%, across all levels in 2024. Valid as of May 2025.
Programmes are running regularly throughout the year. View our timetables for scheduled sessions (Classroom and Live Online) to see when the next one is running.
There are no entry requirements to commence the CTA qualification. However the CIOT strongly recommends those without an accounting or law qualification should first study ATT.
If you are a qualified accountant (ACCA with ATX, ICAEW, ICAI, ICAS), or qualified ATT, you may be exempt from this paper. CTA exemption information
During the CTA Awareness course you'll gain a broad understanding of a range of UK tax areas outside your chosen specialisms. You’ll develop the ability to identify potential tax issues across different contexts and understand when to refer or collaborate with other experts. This paper enhances your ability to provide well-rounded advice, ensuring you can take a holistic view of your clients’ circumstances and spot connections between different areas of tax law.
You may be eligible to sit the exams and become CTA qualified as part of an apprenticeship, depending on your circumstances.
Learn more
Really engaging tutor who had a great grasp of the material and broke it down into sensible sections with great examples.
Your chosen modules should differ from your Advanced Technical choices.
Optional
You’ll learn the skills needed to identify and resolve tax issues that are found in unincorporated businesses, including the calculation of the assessable trading profits and gains of an unincorporated business.
from £132.00Inc. VAT
You’ll learn how to identify and solve the tax issues individuals may face. You’ll learn how to calculate the Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, and National Insurance payable by an individual and how these liabilities are affected by an individual’s residence and domicile status.
You’ll learn the skills needed to identify and resolve tax issues that are found in individuals, trusts and estates; to include Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, and Inheritance Tax.
You’ll learn the technical and professional skills needed to identify and resolve corporate tax issues; including learning how to calculate a company’s Corporation Tax liability and how this is affected by group and overseas issues.
You’ll learn the technical and professional skills needed to identify and resolve VAT issues. You’ll learn how to calculate a trader’s VAT liability and gain an understanding of the VAT implications of supplying or purchasing land and buildings. You’ll also learn how to calculate stamp taxes.
You must register with CIOT as a student at least four months in advance of taking your first exam. CTA Awareness exam details include:
Sittings: Every six months, with exams in May and November.
Time: 3 hours 15 minutes with no reading time.
Questions: The exam has five modules, but you only choose three. In every chosen module, you'll answer 12 short questions, worth five marks each.
Format: Mix of computational and written questions with no question choice.
Pass mark: 50% or more of the total marks available, and a minimum of 35% in each module.
There are two recommended pathways to achieving this qualification, depending on whether you're exempt from the Awareness paper.
Complete in 12 months
Law, Ethics, Accounting
Select first Advanced Technical Paper
Select second Advanced Technical Paper and the matching Application and Professional Skills Paper
Complete in 18 months
Awareness Paper
Tip: If you are a qualified accountant (ACCA with ATX, ICAEW, ICAI, ICAS) or qualified ATT, you may be exempt from the Awareness paper.
Also, because the technical knowledge required for the Application and Professional Skills paper closely aligns with the related Advanced Technical paper, it’s recommended to take both at the same time.
Inc VAT, excludes exams
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Our team of 50+ finance experts and advisors provide gold-standard personalised academic support 7 days a week. We offer exam strategies, study plans, and proactive resit advice.
If your results aren't as expected, we provide free access to extra content, extended tutor support, and guidance for resitting until you pass your exams.
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Access well-being support through our resource library or speak confidentially with Kaplan's Mental Health First Aiders, safeguarding team, or your tutor and talent coach.
We're committed to an inclusive learning environment, ensuring accessibility and personalised support for all students to succeed.
For Classroom and Live Online, we offer both tuition and revision courses for CTA Awareness. On tuition courses the focus is on learning the key areas of the syllabus covered in the course workbook, laying down a foundation of technical knowledge. Revision courses build upon this knowledge, focusing upon exam question practice and technique to prepare you for the real exam. Distance Learning is a complete course so you do not need to choose the individual elements.
Study Manuals and accompanying Question Banks
Course Workbooks and Workbook Q&A*
Pre-revision question bank
Course exam
Pre-revision mock
* Available for Classroom or Live Online learners.
Revision question bank
Revision mock
Memory joggers
Personalised online learning portal called MyKaplan. Access your additional online materials, contact your tutors, and take part in discussion forums.
Get everything you need to succeed, along with tailored features depending on which study method you choose.
Live Onlinefrom £1,376
Distance Learningfrom £379
The course was detailed and easy to access.
I have studied AAT, ACCA and now CTA with Kaplan. I have found that the level of tuition and materials provided are extremely good quality.
Pay for your course using a debit card, credit card, or PayPal. We also offer alternative payment methods to suit your needs.
Your employer may fund the costs of your studies if you're already working in a related field and want to develop your learning.
A buy now, pay later service that splits your purchase into three equal interest-free payments. Offering a flexible way to spread the cost.
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Alternatively, you can apply for one of our payment plans. Spread the cost by paying monthly, so you can focus on learning and passing exams.
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Flexible option
The ACA CTA joint programme lets you achieve two prestigious qualifications in a shorter amount of time - ACA and CTA. You can become a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser with the joint programme.
Find out more
The ATT CTA Tax Pathway lets you study for both Tax qualifications at an accelerated rate. The Tax Pathway is very flexible, affording you an earlier opportunity to specialise.