If you're a university graduate and you aren't sure what your next steps should be, or you'd rather do some further study before starting your Chartered exams, there are several options available to you.

While non-business graduates are able to start our programme at the foundation CAP1 level, there are several full-time, one-year, post-graduate diplomas in accounting for non-business graduates available in several colleges around the country. While the Institute provides a foundation CAP1 course, you may prefer to study these subjects in one of the following colleges:

• Atlantic Technological University
• Maynooth University
• National College of Ireland
• Technological University Dublin 
• Trinity College Dublin
• Ulster University

Exemptions are awarded on a subject-by-subject basis. Students who meet the criteria for these programmes are eligible to claim exemption from the entirety of our CAP1 exams (five subjects) or from some of our CAP1 exams. Depending on the exemptions awarded, students of these programmes may then start at the CAP2 level. The required experience for qualification will be determined upon the number of exemptions secured. 

If you're a business or accounting graduate, you may be considering a Masters in Accounting. Full-time, one-year, post-graduate Masters in Accounting for graduates are offered in:

• Atlantic Technological University
• Dublin City University
• Maynooth University
• Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest
• Technological University Dublin
• Queens University Belfast 
• University College Cork
• University College Dublin - Smurfit School
• University of Galway
• University of Limerick 
• Ulster University Belfast
• Ulster University Derry-Londonderry

Exemptions are awarded on a subject-by-subject basis. Provided students successfully meet the criteria on these courses, they are exempt from the entirety of the CAP2 exams (four subjects) or from some of our CAP2 exams. Students who are fully exempt from CAP1 & CAP2 will start at the FAE level (final exams).

While this means there is only one year of academic work to complete, there is still a requirement for masters students to complete three years of practical work experience. This experience can only start after you have completed your masters and are enrolled on the Chartered programme. The required experience for qualification will be determined upon the number of exemptions secured.