Key takeaways
- ICAEW lists 15 online and 15 UK classroom ACA tuition providers, including BPP Professional Education, First Intuition and Kaplan Financial.
- BPP's Next Generation ACA Certificate Level courses start at £494.01 including VAT for Assurance and Risk Fundamentals, and £714.01 for Accounting Fundamentals, checked on 6 November 2026.
- BPP's Professional Level integrated courses run from £715 (Fundamental Case Study) to £1,145.20 (Assurance, Risk and Reporting), including VAT.
- Tuition is separate from ICAEW's own fees: in 2026 an exam costs £99 at Certificate Level and £133 at Professional Level, plus a £216 + VAT annual student fee.
- ICAEW workbooks and question banks are digital only through ICAEW Bookshelf, and some providers include them in their tuition price.
- Level 7 ACA apprenticeships have a £21,000 funding cap that covers tuition, but only for apprentices aged 16 to 21, care leavers or under-25s with an EHCP.
- Kaplan and First Intuition did not show ACA prices on pages we could read on 6 November 2026, so ask them for a written quote.
The right ACA tuition provider depends on how you want to study, whether your employer is paying and how much support you need. ICAEW lists 15 online and 15 UK classroom providers, from national firms such as BPP, First Intuition and Kaplan to smaller specialists. This page lists them alphabetically, shows the prices we could confirm on 6 November 2026, and does not rank or score them.
Which ACA tuition providers does ICAEW list?
ICAEW publishes separate lists of recognised providers by study method. Its online tuition providers page names 15 providers, and its classroom providers page names 15 for the UK.
The three largest names appear on both lists:
- BPP Professional Education
- First Intuition
- Kaplan Financial
Other UK classroom providers include ACA Masters, Accountancy Learning, Emile Woolf International, Paradigm Shift Financial Training, Reed Business School and the University of South Wales. ICAEW’s online list also includes ACA Masters, Accountancy Hub, Acuru and HTFT Partnership. ICAEW also has a one-to-one tuition list.
How much does ACA tuition cost?
ACA tuition prices vary by provider, exam and study method. The only provider whose prices we could read on its own site was BPP. Its prices include VAT and were checked on 6 November 2026.
| BPP Certificate Level exam | From (integrated) |
|---|---|
| Accounting Fundamentals | £714.01 |
| Assurance and Risk Fundamentals | £494.01 |
| Business Insight and Performance | £584.01 |
| Business Law | £544.00 |
| Sustainability and Ethics | £544.00 |
| Tax Fundamentals | £584.01 |
At Professional Level, BPP’s prices run from £715 for the Fundamental Case Study to £1,145.20 for Assurance, Risk and Reporting. Tax Compliance and Planning is £1,076.20 and Business and Digital Strategy £845.01. BPP also sells a £95 recap course and a £45 recap exam per module.
BPP’s Certificate Level page offers Pass Assurance, with extended access and a free resit, subject to terms. Neither page says whether ICAEW exam fees are included, so assume they are not.
Kaplan’s ACA pages did not display prices when we checked, and First Intuition’s online ACA page asks you to click through for prices. Ask both for a written quote.
What does ICAEW charge on top?
ICAEW’s own fees are the same whichever provider you choose. ICAEW’s fees page lists these exam fees.
| Exam | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate Level | £99 | £103 |
| Professional Level | £133 | £143 |
| Technical or Strategic Case Study | Not offered | £350 |
The annual student fee is £216 + VAT, rising to £223 + VAT from 1 January 2027. ICAEW workbooks and question banks are digital only on ICAEW Bookshelf. ICAEW says to check with your provider first, since materials may be included in tuition. Our ACA exam fees guide has the full table.
How do the study methods compare?
Most large providers offer three ways to study. Pick the one that matches how much structure you need.
- Classroom. Timetabled days at a study centre. Best if you want face-to-face teaching and peer support.
- Live online. Scheduled sessions with a tutor, attended from home. First Intuition calls this Virtual Classroom.
- Self-paced online. Recorded lectures and question practice to your own timetable. First Intuition’s FI Online offers a 14-day free trial.
For the order you will sit the exams, see the ACA exams list.
Who pays for ACA tuition?
Your training employer usually pays if you are on an ICAEW training agreement. If you are an apprentice, the government may fund tuition.
ICAEW’s Level 7 funding page sets the apprenticeship funding cap at £21,000. Funding is only available in England and only if, at the start, the apprentice is aged 16 to 21, a care leaver, or under 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan. It covers tuition, learning materials (£45 to £209 per exam) and end-point assessment. The employer still pays the student fee and exam fees. See accountancy apprenticeships.
Which option fits you?
- If your employer has a preferred provider: use it; they often negotiate rates and set your timetable.
- If you are self-funding: compare full-level prices, including ICAEW fees and materials, before you book.
- If you need flexibility around work: look at self-paced online courses with tutor support.
- If you have failed an exam before: check resit terms such as BPP’s Pass Assurance.
- If you are choosing between qualifications: read our ICAEW ACA guide first.
What to check before you book
- Confirm the provider is on ICAEW’s tuition provider list.
- Check it teaches the Next Generation ACA syllabus.
- Get the full price for a whole level, with VAT, materials and resits.
- Ask who books and pays the ICAEW exam fees.
- Try a free demo or sample lesson where offered.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the main ACA tuition providers?
ICAEW lists BPP Professional Education, First Intuition and Kaplan Financial among its online and classroom providers, along with smaller firms such as ACA Masters and Reed Business School.
How much does BPP charge for ACA courses?
BPP’s Certificate Level courses start at £494.01 including VAT, and its Professional Level courses run from £715 to £1,145.20, as checked on 6 November 2026.
Are ICAEW exam fees included in tuition?
BPP’s pages do not say they are, so budget for them separately. In 2026 ICAEW charges £99 per Certificate Level exam and £133 per Professional Level exam.
Can I get ACA tuition funded?
Yes, through a Level 7 apprenticeship in England if you are 16 to 21, a care leaver, or under 25 with an EHCP. The funding cap is £21,000.
Do I need to buy ICAEW study materials?
You need ICAEW’s workbooks and question banks, which are digital on ICAEW Bookshelf. Some providers include them in the tuition price.
Sources
Rates, thresholds and rules in this guide were checked against HMRC and GOV.UK guidance on 6 November 2026. Tax rules change, so check the current position on GOV.UK or with a qualified adviser before acting. This guide is general information, not personal advice.