Best AAT course providers UK 2026

The right AAT course provider depends on how you want to study, how much support you need and what you can pay. Every student pays AAT the same registration and assessment fees, but tuition fees range from a few hundred pounds to several thousand per level. This page explains the costs, lists providers alphabetically with prices from their own sites as checked on 6 November 2026, and does not rank or score them.

What does an AAT course cost?

An AAT qualification costs AAT’s standard fee plus your provider’s tuition. AAT’s fees page for 2026/27 sets these figures for UK students.

The standard fee is the one-off registration fee plus all the assessment fees. For Level 2 that is £187 to register, three assessments at £67 and one at £72. AAT says providers and assessment venues may add their own admin fee for sitting exams.

What changed for AAT in 2026?

AAT launched a new Level 4 Diploma for Professional Accounting Technicians on 1 September 2026. According to AAT’s Level 4 timeline, the first assessments went live on 21 September 2026.

• The old Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting closed to new registrations on 31 August 2026.
• Existing students have until 31 July 2028 to sit their last assessment.
• Units can be transferred to the new diploma for a £50 fee until 31 July 2028.
• The new diploma is approved as a Higher Technical Qualification in England, and all its units are mandatory.

If you are choosing a Level 4 provider now, check it teaches the new diploma.

Which AAT course providers are there?

AAT approves training providers ranging from national tuition companies to local colleges. You can search them with AAT’s own provider finder. The providers below are listed alphabetically, with the prices their own sites showed on 6 November 2026.

BPP’s Level 2 page lists four units at “from” prices and offers 20% off a full level. It does not say whether AAT fees are included.

First Intuition’s Maidstone brochure gives full-level prices for September and October 2026 starts, with 2027 prices to be confirmed. Prices differ by centre.

Other national providers, including Kaplan, sell AAT courses online and in classrooms. We could not load their current prices when we checked, so we have not printed them.

How do you compare AAT providers?

Compare providers on the same basis, because prices are quoted in different ways. Use this checklist.

• Per unit or full level? A low unit price can add up to more than a full-level bundle.
• Are AAT fees included? Check whether the price covers the £187 to £258 registration fee and the assessment fees.
• Exam fees and resits. Ask what the provider charges to sit each exam and whether resits are free.
• Study method. Classroom, live online, on-demand video or self study with books.
• Tutor access. How quickly tutors reply, and whether marking is included.
• Start dates. Some providers run fixed intakes; others let you start at any time.
• Level 4 version. Make sure it teaches the new Diploma for Professional Accounting Technicians.
• Payment plans. Several providers offer monthly instalments.

Can you get AAT funding?

Several funding routes can cut or remove the cost. AAT lists apprenticeships, loans, bursaries and free courses.

• Apprenticeships. AAT says accounting apprenticeships are fully funded for the learner. You work in an accounting role and your employer may pay the AAT costs.
• Free Courses for Jobs. In England, adults aged 19 or over who earn below £25,750 or are unemployed can get a free Level 3 course in accounting and finance, according to GOV.UK’s Free Courses for Jobs guidance. Local rules can differ.
• Advanced Learner Loan. Available in England for eligible courses at Level 3 and Level 4.
• AAT Bursary. For people facing financial disadvantage.
• Your employer. Many firms pay for AAT as part of training.

Which route applies to you?

• If you are new to accounting, start at Level 2. AAT says it usually takes about a year, or as little as six months. See our AAT levels guide.
• If you already work in finance, take AAT’s Skillcheck to see whether you can start at Level 3.
• If you are 19 or over on a low income in England, ask local colleges about a free Level 3 place.
• If you want to earn while you learn, look for an AAT apprenticeship.
• If you are weighing up qualifications, read our AAT vs ACCA comparison.

What to do now

1. Decide how you want to study and how much tutor support you need.
2. Check AAT’s fees for your level, then add tuition, exam and resit costs.
3. Get full-level quotes from at least three providers on the same basis.
4. Check funding before you pay. Our AAT fees guide and AAT qualification guide go further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an AAT course cost in 2026?

AAT’s standard fees are £460 for Level 2, £512 for Level 3 and £603 for Level 4. Tuition comes on top; AAT puts it at £600 to £3,000 depending on level.

Are AAT fees included in course prices?

Not always. Some providers include registration and exam fees, while others charge them separately, so check before you book.

Can I study AAT for free?

Possibly. AAT apprenticeships are funded for the learner, and adults in England earning under £25,750 or unemployed may get a free Level 3 course through Free Courses for Jobs.

How long does an AAT level take?

AAT says the Level 2 Certificate in Accounting usually takes about a year, and can take as little as six months.

Which AAT Level 4 should I study?

New students now take the Level 4 Diploma for Professional Accounting Technicians, launched on 1 September 2026. The old Level 4 diploma closed to new registrations on 31 August 2026.