There are two questions to ask yourself before you start studying the ACCA Qualification. How do you like to study? And, most importantly, what’s going to give you the best chance of passing?
Studying online gives you the convenience and flexibility to learn at your own pace and at a time to suit you, but studying face-to-face provides that extra bit of motivation and accountability you need to succeed.
Let’s explore your study options.
Face-to-face
Studying for a professional qualification is a big commitment, so face-to-face tuition delivered to a group of fellow students at an Approved Learning Partner’s premises is an excellent way to stay motivated and on track.
As you learn the syllabus during the course, your chosen provider may teach you one or more of the ACCA exams, helping you practise questions and master exam techniques in preparation for the exam.
There are a number of options available:
Full-time courses typically take place during office hours, Monday to Friday, over a period of several weeks or months. This option is best suited if you want to focus completely on your studies and are not in full-time employment.
Some of the reasons you might choose a full-time course:
- you wish to focus solely on your studies
- you are not in full-time employment
- you are taking a career break
- you want to complete the ACCA exams as quickly as possible.
Part-time courses are more likely to take place at evenings and weekends and are often condensed into a more intensive period of study. Part-time study is a popular option for students who are looking to combine working full-time with their ACCA studies.
During the course, you will be taught the syllabus for your chosen ACCA exam(s), learning the syllabus and applying your knowledge through question practice and mastering exam techniques in preparation for the exam.
Some of the reasons you might choose part-time study:
- you are already in employment and want to complete the ACCA exams while gaining practical experience
- you want to fit your studies around your lifestyle
- you want to maximise your chances of success when study time is limited.
Revision courses help you refresh your knowledge and skills after you have attended a tuition course, but are often available as a separate course too. As well as a reminder of the syllabus content, you’ll get intensive exam question practice and dedicated tutor support. It’s a great way to prepare for an exam, whether it is for a first-time sitting or a resit.
You might choose to attend a revision course to:
- increase your confidence in effectively applying your knowledge
- enhance your learning experience
- practise time management and question technique.
Online learning
Online learning gives you the flexibility to organise your study and complete coursework in your own time and is a great option if you are working full-time or have no access to face-to-face tuition.
You could study completely at your own pace or you could take a ‘live’ classroom option – with online classes scheduled at specific times.
Online lectures could be delivered live or completely pre-recorded, also known as on-demand. The courses are structured for efficient online learning and offer recommendations for the most effective ways to achieve optimum results, including coursework requirements.
Online learning platforms are often supplemented with social media tools to engage with classmates, as well as short videos, quizzes, and whiteboards to write on and share with your tutor and classmates. You will be able to access all available study materials online, including various reference materials.
Students have the flexibility to organise their study and attempt any coursework in their own time and may also be able to connect with other students virtually, for peer support.
Some of the reasons you might choose a full online course:
- you value the flexibility that this mode of study offers
- it’s difficult to fit face-to-face study around your commitments and lifestyle
- you are in full-time employment
- you want to take advantage of technology-enhanced learning solutions
- there are no face-to-face courses available nearby.
Like face-to-face revision courses, online revision courses are designed to re-enforce and refresh knowledge and skills acquired as part of your tuition. They will normally include a reminder of the syllabus content, intensive exam question practice and online tutor support.
You might choose to attend online revision courses to:
- increase confidence in effectively applying the knowledge acquired
- enhance your learning experience
- practise your time management and question technique
- develop further confidence.
ACCA-X is an award-winning online learning programme.
It's available to students starting their ACCA Qualification Applied Knowledge exams, or doing our Foundations level qualifications.
Blended learning
Blended learning courses use a combination of face to face tuition and online learning. This allows students the opportunity to partly control the time, place and pace of their learning whilst still having an element of face to face interaction with a tutor.
