My qualification is not on the database

If you hold a degree that is not on the exemptions database but is related to CIMA – for example, management, economics or finance – you could be awarded some exemptions from the certificate in business accounting.

Degree groupings
Based on your degree certificate and course transcripts, your degree will be assessed against the groups below. Each group corresponds to specific exemptions.

If we decide that your degree falls into one of the groups we will contact you about any exemptions awarded to you.

You will only be eligible for exemptions from the certificate in business accounting (unless you have an MBA, for which you will be eligible for C01-C05 and E1, or the master's gateway route).

Degrees considered
We consider undergraduate and postgraduate degrees for exemptions under this route.

If you have studied overseas, we will use UK NARIC to determine how your qualification compares. Qualifications must be comparable to at least a UK certificate of higher education to be considered for exemptions.

The list below shows the exemptions we would expect to award graduates with a degree in each of these areas, but please note that the list is not final. No exemptions will be awarded if CIMA determines that a qualification is not sufficient.

My qualification is not on the database and not in a relevant subject
CIMA will not be able to exempt you from any CIMA exams if your qualification does not fall into a relevant degree group. However, as a university graduate, you should be able to complete the certificate level subject assessments in three to nine months.

Degree groupings

Accounting

  • C01 – fundamentals of management accounting 
  • C02 – fundamentals of financial accounting 
  • C03 – fundamentals of business mathematics 
  • C04 – fundamentals of business economics
  • C05 – fundamentals of ethics, corporate governance and business law.

Business studies/administration 

  • C01 – fundamentals of management accounting 
  • C02 – fundamentals of financial accounting 
  • C03 - fundamentals of business mathematics 
  • C04 – fundamentals of business economics
  • C05 – fundamentals of ethics, corporate governance and business law.

Commerce

  • C01 - fundamentals of management accounting
  • C02 - fundamentals of financial accounting 
  • C03 – fundamentals of business mathematics 
  • C04 – fundamentals of business economics
  • C05 – fundamentals of ethics, corporate governance and business.

Business general 

  • C03 – fundamentals of business mathematics 
  • C04 - fundamentals of business economics
  • C05 – fundamentals of ethics, corporate governance and business law.

Economics 

  • C03 – fundamentals of business mathematics 
  • C04 – fundamentals of business economics.

Finance 

  • C01 – fundamentals of management accounting 
  • C02 – fundamentals of financial accounting 
  • C03 – fundamentals of business mathematics 
  • C04 – fundamentals of business economics.

Law 

  • C05 – fundamentals of ethics, corporate governance and business law.

Mathematics / science / engineering 

  • C03 – fundamentals of business mathematics.

Computing 

  • C03 – fundamentals of business mathematics.

Management 

  • C03 – fundamentals of business mathematics. 
  • C04 – fundamentals of business economics

MBA 

  • C01 – fundamentals of management accounting 
  • C02 – fundamentals of financial accounting 
  • C03 – fundamentals of business mathematics 
  • C04 – fundamentals of business economics
  • C05 – fundamentals of ethics, corporate governance and business law 
  • E1 – enterprise operations.

Applying for exemptions
Accepting or declining your exemptions