The ACCA course duration depends on whether you get an exemption in some papers, the number of these exemptions you get based on your qualification/educational background, and how fast you manage to clear them. It is generally between 2 to 3 years. The course is flexible, and you can schedule your exam dates as per convenience. This is the reason many students from India prefer ACCA after 12th, BCom, or graduation. The ACCA course duration also depends on how much you put into it and keep track of your time. If you are a full-time student, completion might go quicker. If you are working, it might take a bit longer. ACCA exams take place four times a year, and you can appear for one at a time-the flexibility and low stress.
How long is the ACCA course?
When people want to know how long it will take for one to finish the ACCA qualification from beginning to end. One answer to this will depend on their entry into the course.
The ACCA Course Structure
ACCA has three levels:
- Applied Knowledge level – Basic, meant for 3 papers
- Applied Skills – Intermediate, is for a set of 6 papers
- Strategic Professional – Advanced, meant for 4 papers
There are 13 exams to be taken in completion of ACCA. But a great number of students may not do all 13 exams. They get them exempted through various qualifications they might have already attained.
Exam Duration According to Education Background
The more relevant your past education is, the less time you need to finish ACCA. In such a way, the time to finish ACCA is very flexible.
| Entry Point | Duration | Number of Exams (after exemption) |
| After Class 12 | 3.5 to 4 years | 13 (No exemptions) |
| After BCom | 2 to 2.5 years | 8–9 (4–5 exemptions) |
| After MCom/MBA | 1.5 to 2 years | 4–6 (Up to 9 exemptions) |
ACCA Course Duration After Graduation
Students completing BCom, BBA, or BAF degrees often inquire about ACCA course duration after graduation. Graduation gives a good foundation for many ACCA subjects, and on the basis of that, students are given exemptions for the initial stage examinations.
How Graduation Affects The Duration Of ACCA?
ACCA awards exemptions depending on the university, course content, and subjects studied. Commerce graduates get exemptions for the Applied Knowledge level and 1-2 papers from the Applied Skills level. This saves the student’s time in studying and appearing in exams.
Duration Breakdown After Graduation
- Assuming the student is given 5 exemptions:
- Starts from 6th paper (Applied Skills level)
- Can finish 2 or 3 papers every 6 months
- Then finishes Strategic Professional level in a year
If the student is a full-time student or studies with utmost dedication, he/she can complete ACCA in 2 years after graduation.
Sample Plan
This plan suits those students who would like to know about ACCA course duration after graduation and who seek to work or study part-time.
| Time Period | Paper Targeted |
| First 6 Months | 2 Applied Skills papers |
| Next 6 Months | 2 more Applied Skills papers |
| Year 2 | 4 Strategic Professional papers |
ACCA Course Duration After BCom
BCom is generally considered a foremost pathway for ACCA in India. Students undergoing BCom find it easier to take up ACCA. Many Indian colleges teach subjects for ACCA exam prep, especially under finance and accounts. Thus, it is clear that the ACCA course duration after a BCom shrinks.
How Does a BCom Help?
The course BCom teaches subjects mainly like financial accounting, costing, business law, taxation, and audit. These correspond to ACCA’s Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills papers to some extent. Hence, ACCA grants 5 exemptions to BCom students based on these matching areas.
Common exemptions that one gets after BCom are:
- Business and Technology (BT)
- Management Accounting (MA)
- Financial Accounting (FA)
- Corporate and Business Law (LW) – in some cases
- Two remaining exams are all the student has to give out of 13.
Timeline After BCom
With systematic preparation and a focused goal, a student can finish his/her remaining subjects within 2-2.5 years. Let’s say they give 2 papers every 6 months, so they could complete
- 6 months– 2 Applied Skills exams
- 6 months- 2 Applied Skills exams
- 12 months- 4 Strategic Professional exams
If a candidate studies and coaches well, the ACCA course duration after BCom can even be as short as 2 years.
How to Smartly Plan Your ACCA Timeline?
Timelines should be laid out based on your learning style, exemptions you can claim, and when you are free. ACCA offers plenty of freedom, but discipline must go hand-in-hand.
Tips to Reduce ACCA Duration
- Make wise use of exemptions
- Sit in two exam sessions for every exam window – February, May, August, November
- Complete the Ethics Module and Professional Skills Module early
- Try to gain practical experience as early as you can
- Opt for online training to keep your options open
This will help you in early completion of exams while simultaneously gaining work experience.
ACCA Course Duration FAQs
1. How long is the ACCA Course?
It takes 2 to 3 years to complete the ACCA Course. The duration depends on the education and the number of exemptions.
2. How long does it normally take for an ACCA?
The normal duration of ACCA is about 2.5 years for most students. If you are studying part-time, it may take even longer.
3. Which one is better – CA or ACCA?
Both are good but ACCA is faster and recognized worldwide. CA is good for career options focused in India.
4. Can I complete ACCA in 2 years?
Yes, if you have exemptions and clear your exams on time, ACCA can be done in 2 years.
5. Is ACCA so difficult?
It is not very difficult, but it needs study-related matters and a finite understanding of a discipline. Depending on the planning, any person can pass.
