How to apply for exemptions from the ICAS Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification

How to apply for exemptions from the ICAS Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification

How you will apply for an exemption depends upon either the type of degree you studied or the detail of your professional membership. Exemptions are offered for all six of the courses at the initial, Test of Competence (TC), level of the CA qualification. Exemptions may be available for:

• graduates with degrees accredited by ICAS
• graduates with degrees that are not accredited by ICAS
• student members of ICAEW

Please note that it is your employer who has the final say over whether you are able to accept the offer of an exemption.

Impact of UCU industrial action

We’re aware of the University and College Union (UCU)’s national marking and assessment boycott which began on Monday 24 April in universities across the UK.

If you’re in the final year of university and planning to take up a CA graduate traineeship in autumn 2023, please be assured that we’re doing everything possible to ensure your studies with ICAS aren’t impacted.

If you'd like to apply for exemptions and, due to the industrial action are unable to supply a full and final listing of your degree award, we’ll judge your application on an academic transcript of your results to date. We’ll then grant a grace period until 31 January 2024 to provide your final transcript.

(These transcripts are readily available throughout your studies through the student record departments of all UK universities.)

Because most of the university modules required for ICAS exemptions are taken in the early degree years, we expect most exemption applications will be unaffected.

If you have any further questions, please contact students@icas.com.

Apply for an ICAS-accredited-degree exemption

You can apply using the accredited-degree exemption form on the Exemption Portal.

Students applying for exemptions must have competed their undergraduate degree within the last three years.

Apply for a non-ICAS-accredited-degree exemption

If your degree is not in the accredited-degree list, then you will need to apply for exemptions using the relevant form and uploading onto the Exemption Portal.

Students applying for exemptions must have competed their undergraduate degree within the last three years.

How do I apply?

Submit an online application using the Exemption Portal

To apply for an exemption, you must submit a completed application form, together with supporting documentation through the Exemption Portal. The application form you are required to submit depends on which type of exemption you qualify for.

Please note that exemption applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Exemption applications must be received before the start of classes, any received beyond this date will be declined.

Include your supporting documentation

Each exemption form details the supporting documentation and the minimum grades required. As part of the application, you will be required to upload an academic transcript detailing the modules you sat and the marks you were awarded.

For non-accredited degree exemption applications, you must also provide course documentation such as module notes and slides that contain enough detail to clearly demonstrate how your degree has covered all the syllabus requirements.

This evidence will be used to support your application; if this evidence is not provided or is insufficiently detailed, it could lead to you not being awarded an exemption.

All applications will be handled through the Exemption Portal, and the status of your application can also be reviewed here.

ICAEW - ACA Qualification

FAQs

Frequently asked questions about exemptions

Please contact students@icas.com