ACCA Strategic Professional Level
Are you looking to become a chartered certified accountant? The University of Greater Manchester is a Gold-status ACCA Approved Learning Partner, and completing this programme at our Greater Manchester Business School will allow you to achieve your ACCA Strategic Professional Level in just one year as a full-time student.
ACCA Strategic Professional Level
Award
Start Date
22/09/2025
Duration
12 months
Mode
Full-time
Location
University of Bolton
Are you looking to become a chartered certified accountant? The University of Greater Manchester is a Gold-status ACCA Approved Learning Partner, and completing this programme at our Greater Manchester Business School will allow you to achieve your ACCA Strategic Professional Level in just one year as a full-time student.
Please note:
This course is 'Subject to Approval' and has not yet completed the University’s approvals process.
Whilst we are confident that the course will be approved, there is the possibility that the course
may not run or may be subject to alterations. This course is due to be validated by August 2025 after
which we will write to all applicants who have applied for the course to let them know the
outcome and of any changes. In the event that a course is not approved the University
will make reasonable efforts to offer an alternative course at the University.
Course Overview
ACCA is one of the world's pre-eminent accountancy bodies, with members and students in more than 170 countries. The University of Greater Manchester is proud to be a Gold-status ACCA Approved Learning Partner, and this ACCA Strategic Professional Level programme provides up to eight hours of specialist tuition per week, which includes two modules of four-hour sessions each as a full-time student to help you secure ACCA Strategic Professional status.Each paper is only taught by a subject specialist who holds or is working towards a PhD in that area and is a fully qualified CCAB accountant. You'll have the opportunity to learn from up to 48 hours of tuition per paper, including timetabled blocks set aside for tuition, revision, question practice, and exam technique.
A personal tutor will be available to guide and advise you throughout the programme, focusing consistently on helping you acquire the essential techniques needed to pass each exam.
Highlights
- ACCA Strategic Professional Level is a key element in acquiring ACCA membership, helping to enhance your career prospects and earning potential.
- Learn from specialist tutors and fully qualified CCAB accountants with real-world industry experience.
- Develop expertise in financial management, strategic decision-making, and business leadership, applicable across multiple sectors.
- Explore professional ethics, corporate responsibility, and integrity, preparing you for leadership roles.
- Study advanced accountancy techniques and build high-level analytical, advisory, and consultancy skills to succeed in senior financial positions.
Key Features
- Benefit from dedicated exam revision and planning sessions designed to set you up for success.
- Develop the essential skills and techniques needed to excel in your exams with a focused and supportive learning approach.
- Receive personalised guidance from a dedicated tutor who will be there to support and inspire you throughout your studies.
Entry Requirements
- You should have successfully completed the ACCA Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills papers. Exemptions can also be from undergraduate accounting degree programmes; for instance, graduates of the University of Greater Manchester's BA (Hons) Accountancy are granted the maximum nine paper exemptions from the ACCA. You should have applied for and been granted all nine paper exemptions before applying for this course.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
Successfully completing the ACCA Strategic Professional Level exams is an essential step toward achieving the ACCA Qualification and becoming a Chartered Certified Accountant. Chartered Certified accountants can work across many different organisations that range from large, multinational companies to small, local businesses.
What can I do with this qualification?
Once you have achieved all the elements of the ACCA Strategic Professional Level, you'll be eligible to apply for ACCA membership. You can also pursue an MSc programme. After five years as an ACCA member, and dependent on the completion of continuing professional development (CPD), you're awarded the title of Fellow (FCCA).
Alternative career options
Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping stone into a range of other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Some possibilities include:
- Auditing
- Risk management
- Insolvency
- Forensic accountancy
- Purchasing
- Tax and pensions advice
- Law
- Teaching, education and training
- Transport and logistics
- Stocks and shares
- Charity work
- Loss adjusting
- Credit and investment analysis
- Claims inspection
- Advertising, marketing and PR
- Investment banking
- Insurance
- Statistics and market research
Professional Recognition
The University of Greater Manchester has Gold partner status as an approved learning partner. Upon completion of the ACCA Strategic Professional stage, the ACCA awarding body will recognise the student as being ACCA exam qualified.
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
Home students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Home fee of £3,500 for the academic year 2025/26.
International Fees
Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £3,500 for the academic year 2025/26.
Important note regarding tuition fees: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
You may apply directly to the University using the University's online application form. Please select your chosen start date from the list below:
You should have to hand:
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Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
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Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
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Details of any employment history including name, address, dates and role
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Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
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Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already input.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@greatermanchester.ac.uk
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Apply online: University of Greater Manchester ACCA Strategic Professional Level STV - 22 September 2025
International Applicants
Thank you for your interest
In order to determine your suitability for this course as an international student and also to confirm you meet any initial eligibility criteria, we need you to answer a few short questions.
English Language Qualifications
Have you completed an English Language qualification prior to application or have a valid exemption as per the list below? (The qualification/exemption must be uploaded with this application) E.g. Applicants from Nigeria/Africa must upload their WAEC or NECO certificate before the application is submitted for a prompt response and offer.
Acceptable English Language Tests – Undergraduate and Postgraduate
These tests must have been taken within 2 years of the start of the course
| Test | Entry Requirements |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (taken within 2 years) |
Undergraduate programmes 6.0 with no band below 5.5 Postgraduate programmes as per entry requirements |
| PTE Academic |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 No less than 59 in each component Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 No less than 59 in each component Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0 No less than 76 in each component |
| TOEFL iBT |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Must meet the following component scores: Reading – 18 Writing – 17 Listening – 17 Speaking - 20 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Must meet the following component scores: Reading – 20 Writing – 19 Listening – 19 Speaking 21 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0 Must meet the following component scores: Reading – 24 Writing – 24 Listening – 22 Speaking 25 |
| Other qualifications we currently accept (which do not require an additional SELT) | |
| GCSE in English Language (from a UK awarding body) |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade 4 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade 5 |
| Irish Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level English |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade C/C3 (20 points) Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade B/B3 (37 points) |
| Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Level English |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade D/D2 (46 points) Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade C/C2 (66 points) |
| IGCSE English as a First language (for syllabus 0500 Listening and Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate) |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade 4 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade 5 |
| IGCSE English as a Second language (for syllabus 0510 Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate) |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade 4 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade 5 |
| Cambridge Advanced English |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 170 points with no component below 160 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 180 points with no component below 170 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0 185 points with no component below 180 |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard or Higher Level English Language (Syllabus A) |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade 4 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade 5 |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard or Higher Level English Language (Syllabus B) |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade 5 Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade 6 |
| European Baccalaureate English Language |
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0 Grade 70% Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5 Grade 80% |
European qualifications
English component - obtained within the last 4 years
| Country | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Austria | Reifeprufungszeugnis/Maturazeugnis at 2.0 |
| Belgium | Diplome d'acces a l'enseignment superieur/Diplome van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs at 75% |
| Bulgaria | Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie at Grade 3 |
| Croatia | Svjedodzba o Maturi at grade 4.0 |
| Cyprus | Apolyterion at 15 |
| Czech Republic | Maturitni Zkou'ce/Maturita at grade 2.0 |
| Denmark | Studentereksamen/HF/HHX/HTX/IBB /Diplomingenior at grade 9 |
| Estonia | Riigieksamitunnistus or Gümnaasiumilõputunnistus at 70% |
| Finland | Ylioppilastutkintotodistus or Studentexamensbetyg at grade 5 |
| France | Baccalauréat (le bac) or the Option Internationale du Baccalauréat at grade 12.5 |
| Germany | Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife or Abitur or a Fachgebundene Hochschulreife at grade 2 / gut |
| Greece | Apolyterion at grade 15 |
| Hungary | Erettsegi at grade 4 |
| Italy | Diploma di Esame di Stato at grade 8/80% |
| Latvia | Atestats Par Visparejo Videjo Izglitib at grade 8 |
| Lithuania | Brandos Atestatas at grade 8 |
| Malta | Matriculation Certificate at grade C |
| Moldova | Diploma de Bacalaureat or Atestat de Studii Medii de Cultura Generala at grade 9 |
| Netherlands | Diploma Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs (MBO) or Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) at grade 8 |
| Norway | Vitnemal-Videregaende Opplaering at grade 4 |
| Poland | Swiadectwo Dojrzalosci / Matura at grade 70% |
| Portugal | Diploma de Ensino Secundario at grade 14 |
| Romania | Diploma de Bacalaureat (English with all components at B2) |
| Slovakia | Vysvedcenie O Maturitnej at grade 2 |
| Slovenia | Maturitetno Spricevalo at grade 4 |
| Spain | Titulo de Bachillerato at grade 8 |
| Sweden | Fullstandigt Slutbetyg Fran Gymnasiesk at grade C |
| Switzerland | Maturitatszeugnis or Maturite Federal at grade 5 |
| Ukraine | Aтестат про повну загальну середню освіту at grade 10 |
Acceptable International Regional qualifications
Must be obtained no more than 4 years before the proposed start date of the course
| Country | Qualification | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Bahamas | General Certificate of Secondary Education | Grade C in English |
| Botswana | General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level | Grade C/4 in English |
| Brunei | Cambridge O Level | Grade C6 in English |
| Cameroon | GCE O level | Grade C in English |
| Hong Kong | HKCEE | Grade C in English (Syllabus B) |
| Hong Kong | HKDSE | Grade 4 in English |
| Kenya | Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education | Grade C in English |
| Malaysia | Malaysian 1119 | Grade 6C in English - IELTS 6.0 |
| Singapore | Singapore Cambridge O Level | Grade C6 in English |
| South Africa | South Africa National Senior Certificate | Grade 5 in English |
| Tanzania | Certificate of Secondary Education | Grade C in English |
| Uganda | Certificate of Education | Grade 6 |
| Zambia | Zambia School Certificate | Grade 6 in English |
| Zimbabwe | General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level | Grade C in English |
| Caribbean Examination Council | General proficiency Grade III in English | |
| Nigeria/Ghana | WAEC/NECO | Grade C6 in English |
I understand the English Language Qualifications/Exemptions. I will upload the evidence with this application or when I obtain the certificate or exemption.
Thank you for your interest
Please secure an approved English language qualification and then apply for the next intake.
backQuestion
Have you ever received a visa refusal for entry into the UK or any other country?
Thank you for your interest
Unfortunately we would be unable to sponsor under the Student Route Visa. If you do not require a visa to study in the UK please email us for further advice: intadmissions@greatermanchester.ac.uk
backYour Funding
Do you have full funding in place to cover your full tuition fees and living costs as required by UKVI? Please click here for more information.
Question
Have you read and understood the course entry requirements and confirm that you fully meet the requirements? (Please click on Entry Requirements tab above to ensure you comply with all the requirements for this course)
You may also refer to the following pages for information about International Qualifications equivalency: https://www.greatermanchester.ac.uk/international/your-country-entry-requirements/
For further assistance with international qualifications equivalency (paid service) – please refer to the ECCTIS website (previously known as NARIC): https://ecctis.com/Qualifications/FindTheServiceForYou.aspx
Thank you for your interest
Unfortunately we will be unable to proceed with your application as all entry requirements must be met.
backFinal Terms & Conditions
Please read the following:
- I understand that the university reserves the right to withdraw their offer at any stage once the quota for the course has been filled.
- I understand that I will be required to pay specific fees before CAS issuance is considered by the university.
- I must declare any agent or consultant at the start of my application and they must be on the list of approved agents. (We also have Branch Offices in Africa, South Asia, Middle East and Central Asia who fully manage applications in their respective regions.)
- I am able to complete the course in the normal duration.
- I am able to arrive on time for the published start date.
- I confirm that I will be 18 years old or more on the start date of the course.
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I understand that the following documents will be uploaded as part my application:
(a) Passport with at least 6 months validity before start of course.
(b) Personal statement (written by myself).
(c) CV if applicable.
(d) Previous qualifications.
(e) English language certificate or proof of exemption.
(f) Professional references if applicable.
(g) Bank Statements and TB Certificate if applicable at the CAS issuance stage. - I have read and understood all questions and answered them correctly and truthfully to the best of my ability and knowledge.
Congratulations
Based on the information supplied, we would like to invite you to apply for this course.
Apply Online
The University welcomes applications from international students from all over the world. We try to make the application process as simple and as fast as possible for our international applicants.
How you apply is determined by your current location and what you are choosing to study:
- Apply direct to the University. Links for the next available intakes of this course are shown below. Please click the link which will direct you to the online application form. Please read the user guidance before completing this.
- Apply via one of our approved in-country referral partners. A list of our partners may be found on the International pages of this website.
- Apply via UCAS for courses starting in September only – visit www.ucas.com.
Should you have any queries please contact the International Team on +44 (0) 1204 903110 or email international@greatermanchester.ac.uk
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Apply online: University of Greater Manchester ACCA Strategic Professional Level - 22 September 2025
Teaching & Assessment
To achieve the ACCA Strategic Professional Level, you'll need to complete four modules, including two compulsory and two optional. Each module builds on the technical knowledge you already possess.
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
