To apply for exemptions you must:
You can only apply for exemptions once you have registered as a CIMA candidate.
Register with CIMA
To verify you are eligible for exemptions you’ll need to send us copies of your highest level educational certificates and transcripts. These must include details of the subjects you studied and the marks you achieved. Send your documents to documents@aicpa-cima.com and remember to include your contact ID.
Read about submitting your documents in the exemptions policy.
Please be advised that this mailbox is only reserved for registered students. If you have not paid your registration fee, or have subsequently lapsed or resigned, and require further information on your exemptions please get in touch with our contact centre: https://www.cimaglobal.com/Contact-us/
We will email you confirmation of receiving your documents within 72 hours of receiving them.
If you’ve faxed your documents to us and don't receive confirmation in 72 hours, please assume we have not received your fax and resend your documentation.
We do not send confirmation of receipts at weekends or on bank holidays, so please factor in this time when waiting to hear from us and resending documents.
Confirmation of your exemptions can take up to 10 working days between June to September and 20 working days between October to May, so in the meantime start planning your studies with our Study Planner.
Confirmation of your exemptions can take up to 10 working days between June to September and 20 working days between October to May, so in the meantime start planning your studies with our
You have the opportunity to accept or decline any exemptions you have been granted. You need to be sure that you are familiar with the material covered in the exams you are exempt from and you could pass that exam if you took it. Material covered in the early stages of the CGMA qualification is built on in the later stages.
Accepting your exemptions
You will receive an email confirming your exemptions within four working days. Once confirmed, you can check your exemptions via your MY CIMA account.
Declining exemptions
If you wish to decline any exemptions, you will need to email student.admissions@cimaglobal.com within eight weeks of receiving confirmation of your exemptions.
If you decline an exemption and then fail that exam you will not be able to reclaim the exemption.
The exams you are exempt from will vary depending on the degree or qualification you hold.
Exemptions are awarded at CIMA’s discretion.
Who is eligible for exam exemptions?
You may qualify for exemptions if you:
- Are a graduate with a qualification listed in our database of CIMA accredited programmes.
- Are a graduate of a degree programme that is related to the CGMA syllabus.
- Are an Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) student or member.
- Have an MBA or a Master's in Accounting.
- Are a member or passed finalist of ICWAI or ICMAB, or a member of ICMAP.
- Are studying or have completed a relevant qualification with another professional body.
You can search for your qualification in our exemptions database. If your degree or qualification is not listed, you may still be eligible for exemptions.
Search the exemptions database
My degree isn't in the database