Follow the RGU Graduate Apprenticeship in Accounting route and become a Chartered Accountant (CA)
The RGU Graduate Apprenticeship in BA (Hons) Accounting is a government-funded way to become an ICAS Chartered Accountant (CA).
The graduate apprenticeship is an accredited work-based learning programme combining an honours degree from Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University with the globally recognised ICAS Chartered Accountant qualification.
This unique five-year course is funded by the Scottish Funding Council, covering your university and class fees.
To maximise your time spent gaining workplace experience, the programme is mainly delivered through supported online learning.
Adding the CA letters to your name will put you on the career fast-track and open opportunities at the top of accounting, business and industry.
What to expect
- takes 5 years
- ICAS-supported study and assessment
- study conducted mostly online
- 600 days of work experience
- a competitive salary
- a BA (Hons) and a CA
Five years’ supported online study
The Graduate Apprenticeship in BA (Hons) Accounting takes five years to complete and is organised to cover everything from the essentials to advanced principles of accounting, business and ethics.
The course is mostly delivered via online learning, an approach that allows you to spend most of your time in the workplace. Additional classes will take place on-campus at RGU.
Work experience
Academic study is combined with the required-minimum 600 days of practical experience you’ll gain with a relevant employer. This approach allows you to immediately put your knowledge into practice, whilst being supported by your workplace mentor and the university. In addition, you’ll earn a competitive salary while you train.
Honours degree and CA
The course is arranged over five years, with an honours degree awarded at the end of year four, and the ICAS CA qualification after the final year.
You'll be exempt from the Knowledge level and go directly to the Skills level of the ICAS qualification.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements vary per employer but it’s recommended you have strong Higher or A Level results – like those that would secure a place at university. You should be a school leaver or a graduate with a non-accounting degree. You must also be resident in Scotland. There are no age restrictions to undertake this apprenticeship.
Government-funded
An apprenticeship offers employers a route whereby employers can train their employees using government funding. The Graduate Apprenticeship in BA (Hons) Accounting is funded by the Scottish Funding Council covering university and class fees. Your ICAS training and contract fees will be covered by your employer.
What’s next
If you are interested in becoming an RGU Graduate Apprentice, please check our Become a CA job site on a regular basis, as vacancies will be posted there. If you have any questions about the programme, you can email connect@icas.com
If you are an employer interested in taking a graduate apprentice, please contact firms@icas.com. Funding places are allocated to employers annually on a first come first served basis and we encourage employers to get in touch early.
Frequently asked questions
Please refer to the Apprentice FAQs for further information regarding this programme.
For current apprentices in Scotland:
If you or your employer have an issue or dispute relating to the provision of the delivery of services provided by CA Education or our nominated provider, you should make the matter known to us by contacting students@icas.com and raising an “Apprenticeship query”.
CA Education will investigate the matter in accordance with its published policy. This can be found on icas.com.
If you or your employer are dissatisfied with ICAS as the training provider, you or your employer have the right to contact the Scottish Funding Council. Any complaints, concerns or enquiries regarding the apprenticeship may be reported to the Scottish Funding Council here.
Student Testimonials
“Since starting to study accountancy at secondary school I knew it was something I wanted to pursue as a career. As I researched further about the different career paths that accountancy can take you down, I realised that the best way to make the most of a career in this profession is to obtain the CA qualification.
The Graduate Apprenticeship programme has been an enjoyable experience from the start. One of the main things I enjoy about it is the fact that I can take what I have learned and quickly start putting my new knowledge and skills into practice in the workplace. I find this helps to fully consolidate what I have learned. Also, I have met many interesting individuals from a range of backgrounds and made some friends along the way too.
The CA qualification is so prestigious and regarded so highly, not just in accountancy, but in all business environments. I look forward to the day I can say that I am a fully qualified CA.”
Robert, Business Advisory Senior
“I was offered a place on the RGU Graduate Apprenticeship programme through work when RGU were launching the Graduate Apprenticeship route in the first year the course was offered.
After discussions with people in work and family friends, I knew the CA qualification would be hard work but worth it. Being such a well-recognised qualification, it was a clear winner for me when I began researching what was available to me. The graduate apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to earn as you learn which was great coming straight into work as a school leaver. One of the parts I’ve enjoyed most is the varied content taught and being able to apply things learned on the course directly to my day-to-day work alongside learning. The course gives me a deeper knowledge to the tasks I undertake daily and allows me to gain a greater understanding of how and why we do things.
With ICAS being a globally respected qualification, I am proud to be studying toward becoming a CA through the ICAS route as I will be able to work and uphold a high standard in my work with the comfort that I have all the knowledge I need to undertake my role properly.”
Christina, Business Advisory Assistant
