Final award:
- AAT Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting & MAAT status (if not already gained)
- Exemption from CIMA & ACCA exams
- Skills England Level 6 Accounting Finance Manager Apprenticeship
- BSc(Hons) Applied Accounting.
| Duration | 3 years + EPA |
|---|---|
| Entry point(s) | September* |
| Application deadline | Dependant on employer |
| Campus | Hybrid/Online* |
|---|---|
| Contact |
Overview
- A flexible programme designed for those who are either new to the Accountancy sector and starting their career journey, or those with varying levels of existing experience looking to upskill and progress their careers.
- Gain a range of qualifications whilst gaining valuable real-world work experience.
- In addition to the studying for a Bachelor's degree, apprentices will study towards their apprenticeship and industry-recognised professional qualifications.
- Apprentices gain a head start by gaining (subject to various criteria) the AAT Level 4 Diploma in Accounting and exemptions for eight CIMA exams ahead of further study with CIMA in order to become a Chartered Accountant.
- Please note, AAT are changing the syllabus for their level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting in 2026, and as such, this may mean we need to make changes to the programme in order to align it to the new curriculum, should this be the case we will inform you as soon as possible about these changes.
1st for Accounting and Finance graduate prospects
The Complete University Guide 2025
Triple accredited Business School
AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS
Online/Hybrid Learning
Apprentices earn a salary and pay zero tuition fees, meaning they’ll graduate debt-free and enhance their career
1st for Accounting and Finance graduate prospects
The Complete University Guide 2025
Triple accredited Business School
AMBA, AACSB, EQUIS
Online/Hybrid Learning
Apprentices earn a salary and pay zero tuition fees, meaning they’ll graduate debt-free and enhance their career
Accreditations
AAT - the Association of Accounting Technicians, a globally recognised professional body that offers qualifications in accounting and finance. Our programme has exemption from all but 2 exams. Students can take two AAT exams and achieve the Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting & MAAT status.
CIMA - the Chartered Institute of Management Accounts, a globally recognised professional credential which focuses on management accounting. Our programme has exemptions from 8 exams if criteria are met, 4 at Certificate level and 4 at Operational level.
ACCA - the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, a global body for professional accountants. It's a leading accountancy qualification for aspiring financial professionals. Our programme has exemptions from 9 exams if criteria are met, these include 3 Applied Knowledge and 6 Applied Skills exams.
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subject |
|---|---|---|
| A Level | BBB UBS only ABB |
|
| IB | 30/555 | |
| BTEC | DDM | |
| T-level | Merit | |
| Contextual offers | BCC | Find out more about contextual offers |
| Equivalences | View other grade equivalences | |
Typically, applicants will have A-levels (or equivalent) at BBB or existing relevant Level 3 qualifications.
Additional entry requirements
As an apprenticeship funding requirement, all apprentices aged 16-18 studying for a level 3 apprenticeship or higher are required to evidence achievement at level 2 in Mathematics and English before their gateway to endpoint assessment.
If the apprentice is aged 19+ when they begin their apprenticeship training, and they do not already hold a suitable equivalent qualification, English and / or maths is an optional part of the programme under the funding rules. However, L2 English remains a standard entry requirement for University of Exeter programmes.
Find out more about how we support Functional Skills.
Applicants must also have a valid and eligible residency status to gain entry onto the apprenticeship – please see the Department for Education website for further information.
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) and Accreditation of Prior Certified Learning (APCL)
Candidates can fast track and join in year 2 of the programme if they already hold the AAT Level 4 diploma or similar qualification.
Existing employees can apply if they have a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in accountancy. You must also be in a role that supports the gathering of evidence required for the Accounting Finance Manager IfATE standard. Candidates will be required to complete an Experiential Reflection form ( 1200-2000 words) to demonstrate why they should join straight into year 2. This will be assessed by the Programme Director.
Other relevant or prior experience may also be considered as an alternative so we would encourage applicants with non-standard qualifications to contact us to discuss their eligibility.
How to apply
Accounting Finance Manager Degree Apprenticeship does not follow the standard UCAS application process. To gain a place candidates must apply directly to one of our employer partners’ vacancies.
Candidates can apply to this programme in addition to making applications to any institution through UCAS. When vacancies are open they will be advertised by our employer partners and on University of Exeter Degree Apprenticeship website.
Please be aware that employers start their recruitment at different times of the year so please be sure to check regularly.
- Vacancies are advertised by employers and promoted through our current vacancies page when they become available.
- Candidates should apply through their chosen company's website via the links which are available on this page once vacancies become live.
- Candidates are welcome to apply for more than one vacancy.
- Please be aware that each company will have their own recruitment process, the stages and timelines may vary.
- If applicants are successful they will be offered a position as an apprentice with the company.
- An apprenticeship place on the programme will be confirmed by University of Exeter, and we will send further information about how to enrol as a student.
- If candidates have not been successful this time, do not worry! Keep an eye out for other opportunities on our vacancies page.
Fees and Funding
Full programme cost: £27,000
This apprenticeship is entirely funded through an Employers’ Apprenticeship Levy. Your employer fully covers the cost of the apprenticeship; apprentices do not pay for any of the eligible training costs. The apprentice will be an employee of the organisation, gaining a University of Exeter award alongside working and earning a salary.
Employers who pay the Apprenticeship Levy will pay for the apprenticeship fees directly through that contribution. See further information on the Apprenticeship Levy funding.
Employers who do not pay the Levy will be able to claim 95 per cent of the cost of the apprenticeship from the Government. Up to 100 per cent Government contribution may be available if the employer has fewer than 50 employees and:
- Recruits an apprentice aged 16-21
- OR an apprentice aged 22-24 who has previously been in care or who has a local authority education, health and care plan
Employers must pay their apprentices a salary at least consistent with national legislation.
Funding eligibility criteria
To be eligible for funding the apprentice must meet the criteria listed in the Department for Education guidance.
The apprentice must have a valid and eligible residency status to gain entry onto the apprenticeship.
Course content
Integrative in its design and delivery, this apprenticeship is designed for individuals who are new to the accountancy sector and starting their career journey, or those with varying levels of existing experience in the field who are progressing their career within an organisation.
There are two routes into the programme. For those without a level 4 AAT qualification, the first year of the course will cover this content and you will sit two of the five professional exams whilst being eligible to apply for exemptions (if equivalent modules passed) resulting in gaining the AAT Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting and MAAT status. For those with the AAT, they can join through our Accredited Prior Certified Learning (APCL) route and join in year two. Experiential learning may also be considered.
The broad purpose of the Accounting Finance Manager integrated Degree Apprenticeship is for those who currently or aspire to manage and implement accounting, finance systems and processes which support decision making inline with strategy by applying technical and technological knowledge and skills to all aspects of accounting and finance within an organisation. Through this programme you will use principles of problem-based and inquiry-led learning to demonstrate effectiveness in applying accounting knowledge and developing relevant skills and behaviours.
Each stage of study is structured to incorporate masterclasses, online learning, academic coaching and workplace mentoring. Assessment is ongoing and is relevant to the work tasks of apprentices, measuring the higher-level thinking skills demonstrated in a variety of problem-based assignments.
Learning and teaching
Approximately 20 per cent of an apprentice's contractual working time will be given over to study (6 hours minimum per week). Our model is designed to be flexible around the needs of apprentices and workloads to minimise undue disruptions to their daily role and ensuring maximum flexibility to gain new knowledge and develop skills and behaviours.
This programme will be assessed by:
- Knowledge and skills assessment
- Behavioural assessment
- Module assessments
- Structured competency-based interview
- Assessment of portfolio of evidence
- Assessment of the work-based project followed by a presentation on work-based project – with Q&A session.
Our dedicated partnerships team liaise closely with employers throughout the programme. Alongside a team of world-leading academics with rich industry experience, apprentices will also have dedicated mentors to support and guide both them and their employer throughout the entire course of the apprenticeship.
Your future
Solid industry experience is what employers look for when recruiting. As a graduate of a degree apprenticeship programme apprentices will be working in an exciting and relevant job from day one of their studies, meaning when they’ll have the both the professional and academic experience sought after by employers to drive impact within their organisation.
This undergraduate programme allows apprentices to gain exemptions for 8 CIMA exams, which includes 4 certificates in Business Accounting and 4 Operational exams.
