Study CIMA in UK
CIMA stands for Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. It is the largest professional body of management accountants in the world. CIMA offers students the most appropriate accounting qualifications for one's business careers. This body's mission is to assist and help people succeed in Accounting when they are already working in both the private and public sectors.
CIMA has a formal agreement with the best employers to train accountants and financial managers across the UK and many countries.
By studying CIMA in the UK, you will be provided with the needed fundamental knowledge to build a prospering career in business or finance. You will be able to develop the crucial skills that employers regard in a specified way. After CIMA, you can work in any business anywhere, large or small, public or private.
Completing the CIMA qualification, including the requirement for practical experience, is similar to a Masters's Degree and has post-graduate status in the UK.
Benefits of Studying CIMA in the UK
The CIMA qualification is among the most identifiable qualifications for finance professionals in the UK and extends worldwide.
- When you study CIMA, you're provided with the most relevant qualifications for a career in business and finance.
- Studying CIMA shows that you are showing the employers worldwide that you are gaining the needed knowledge and skills to drive business success.
- A CIMA qualification is respected throughout the finance industry. CIMA is the industry standard that allows you to progress into chartered accountancy regarding management accounting.
- CIMA qualifications open doors to employment opportunities all over the world. Huge corporations such as Nestle, Barclays, Deloitte, Unilever, and others are looking for CIMA-qualified applicants.
- A CIMA qualification validates your skills and knowledge in Management Accounting.
- You can expect to receive higher pay and huge bonuses than the industry average.
- You can enjoy global recognition.
- You have an opportunity to be in demand for the leading employers anywhere.
Best Universities in the UK to Study CIMA
CIMA has entered into a partnership with some of the best UK universities to deliver accountancy qualifications to international students worldwide. Students who have some qualifications can claim exemption from some CIMA papers.
Here is a list of several leading universities in the UK that offer the popular CIMA program.
Newcastle University
Abertay University
Queen Mary University of London
The University of the West of Scotland
Birmingham City University
Queen Margaret University
Robert Gordon University
Sheffield Hallam University
University of Central Lancashire
The University of the West of Scotland
CIMA Course Fees in the UK
Name of University |
Course |
Duration |
Tuition Fee GBP |
Abertay University |
MSc Accounting & Finance (CIMA gateway) |
1 year |
15,000 |
Birmingham City U |
MSc Accounting & Finance (CIMA Pathway) |
1 year |
14,343 |
Queen Margaret U |
MSc Accounting & Finance with CIMA |
1 year |
15,725 |
Queen Mary, University of London |
MSc Accounting & Management |
1 year |
27,250 |
Robert Gordon U Aberdeen |
BSc Accounting w/CIMA Advanced Diploma |
1 year |
4,120 |
Sheffield Hallam U |
BA (Hons) Accounting & Finance |
1 year |
9.250 |
University of Central Lancashire |
Accounting & Finance (MA) with CIMA |
2 years |
7.100 |
University of the West of Scotland |
MSc Accounting & Finance with CIMA |
1 year |
15,420 |
The tuition fees indicated herein may be subject to change, as they are reviewed annually.
Cost of Living in the UK
The cost of living in the UK for international students is largely determined by many factors, such as the city you choose to live in, the university, your lifestyle, how you manage your budget, and more. Some cities in the UK are expensive to live in, and some others are affordable. The cost of living, on average, can be around GBP1,100 - GBP1,500 per month.
Here are some expenses you should prepare for when studying CIMA in the UK.
Accommodation |
500 - 700 GBP |
Food/Groceries |
100 - 200 |
Transportation |
30 - 40 |
Household bills |
40 - 50 |
Entertainment |
40 - 50 |
Miscellaneous |
200 - 300 |
With effective planning and budgeting, you can manage your living expenses in the UK. Remaining fully aware of your expenses and saving money will definitely help you survive. Living in the UK while studying can be a wonderful experience for international students. This experience will teach you to live independently, manage your time, and especially manage your finances.
Eligibility Criteria to Study CIMA in the UK
The eligibility criteria vary by the university you have chosen to study in. For some, the only requirements are proficiency in Mathematics and the English Language. Other universities have fast-track entry routes that will exempt you from specific CIMA exams.
A student applicant does not need a relevant degree to start CIMA studies. Suppose you are a graduate of any degree discipline. In that case, you can study CIMA, starting with the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting. It is already a recognised qualification and can help you to make progress toward CIMA Professional Qualification.
Scholarships to Study CIMA in the UK
Universities offer several scholarship options to international students. Scholarships are a grant or payments to support a student's education. Often the basis of the award is the student's academic excellence or other achievements. Some universities give scholarships as a one-off payment; some give them every year or semester. If you need more information, please check the university website.
Name of University |
Scholarship |
Eligibility |
Amount (GBP) |
Abertay University |
Abertay Postgraduate Taught UK Scholarship International Postgraduate Abertay Scholarship |
New postgraduate students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland New international Postgraduate students |
1,000 3,000 |
Birmingham City U |
Merit Based Undergraduate Scholarships |
International students with academic excellence |
2,000 |
Queen Margaret U |
EU Transitional Scholarship |
EU full-time graduate Students commencing Students on campus |
40% discount on tuition |
Queen Mary, University of London |
Business & Management Post Graduate Scholarship |
Outstanding Students Full-time Masters Program |
5,000 |
Robert Gordon U. Aberdeen |
Chevening Scholarship |
Students of all Chevening |
Full Course Fees |
Sheffield Hallam U |
Transform Together Scholarship |
International applicants for full-time taught courses |
50% Discount |
University of Central Lancashire |
Alumni Loyalty Discount |
Students with previous |
20% disc |
University of the West Scotland |
UWS Global Scholarship |
International students with academic excellence |
1,500 |
How to Apply for CIMA in the UK
Step 1. Choose a CIMA qualification
Step 2. Decide on your study method (distance learning, the online, classroom, etc.).
Step 3. Register as a CIMA student. You need to do this simple exercise to move on to the next step. In this step, you will be given a contact ID to allow you to Mine.CIMA account. This system contains your profile and your forward movement in your CIMA journey.
Step 4. Obtain a Certificate in Business Accounting (Cert BA) or equivalent. This program is for individuals who do not have a finance or accounting background but would like to switch or start a career that is finance related.
There are 4 exams after the course:
BA1 - Fundamentals of Business Economics
BA2 - Fundamentals of Management Accounting
BA3 - Fundamentals of Financial Accounting
BA4 - Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance, and Business Law.
Step 5 Enter the Professional Qualification Program. After passing the Cert BA exams, or you've got all the exemptions, you may take the CIMA exam.
You should have 3 years of relevant, practical experience, which you may have gained before registering as a CIMA student.
However, there are fees to pay when you pursue a CIMA qualification.
* One-time registration fee for new students, including the subscription fee for the first year.
* Annual subscription fees, due every 1st day of January.
* Exam fees for every examination you take
* Exemption fee if you are entitled to any exemption in the exam. The amount is usually equivalent to the corresponding paper's exam fees.
You can register directly with CIMA or a study abroad consultant like the AECC Global Sri Lanka. Remember that you will be provided with our complete support services throughout your CIMA student experience when applying with us. We can help you process paper works, prepare your documents, assist you in the hassle-free application process, and offer you the best advice on which pathway to take to make sure that you can study CIMA in the UK. If you are ready to start your career as a high-level accountant, get in touch with us today.
Jobs After Studying CIMA in the UK
Once you become CIMA qualified, you can expect to be accepted to various high-level positions; the exact salary may vary depending on the location of the job, level of certification, your job title, and your previous experiences. However, as a rough guide, here is a list of jobs you may get and the corresponding salaries once you get a CIMA qualification.
Still unclear about anything? Well, not to worry. Contact AECC Global and get your queries answered today!
AECC is one of the world's leading educational consultancies with versatile expert professionals ready to help you with any queries you may have. Contact us so we can be of assistance to you in your journey to achieving your dream.