Search
Advance notice: MyCIMA will be unavailable 19–23 April.
Please be aware that as of Monday 3rd April 2023 the ability to register as a new CIMA Candidate or re-activate your CIMA account has been suspended and will not be available until Tuesday 3rd May.
There will be a scheduled maintenance on Saturday, 1st of April at 17:30 BST to Sunday, 2nd of April at 9:00 BST. Users can still access MyCIMA to schedule or start an Exam but other MyCIMA services will not be available. Users will not be able access Study Planner, CGMA Store, CGMA.org, and Competency and Learning. In the meantime, we apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Exemptions

You may be exempt from certain exams in the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting and CIMA Professional Qualification if you hold a relevant degree or qualification.

A step by step guide

To apply for exemptions you must:

1. Register as a CIMA student

You can only apply for exemptions once you have registered as a CIMA candidate.

Register with CIMA

2. Search for your qualification on our database

Our exemption search allows you to find out if your qualification makes you eligible for any exemptions.

Search the database

Can’t find your qualification in the database? You may still be eligible for exemptions.

My degree or qualification isn't in the database

3. Send us your documents

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/

4. Await confirmation we have received your documents

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

5. Accept or decline your exemptions

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

Advance your career with CIMA

Register as a CGMA candidate today!

Register as a student

Need more info?

If you're interested in finding out more about CIMA and how studying can boost your career, leave your details with us and we'll be in touch.

Keep me updated