The College of Exeter and the Affiliation of Accounting Technicians (AAT) have introduced a brand new diploma apprenticeship programme aimed toward addressing the persistent expertise scarcity within the UK’s finance and accounting sector.
Launching in September 2025, the Accounting Finance Supervisor Diploma Apprenticeship will provide college leavers and mature learners a brand new path to turning into Chartered Accountants by combining university-level examine with sensible, work-based expertise.
The programme marks the primary time AAT’s Degree 4 Diploma in Skilled Accounting will probably be built-in inside a college diploma, accomplished inside the first 12 months of examine.
The initiative is being described as a “transformational step” by its founders and is designed to widen entry to finance careers whereas higher aligning graduate coaching with {industry} wants.
“The Accounting Finance Supervisor Diploma Apprenticeship opens new doorways for aspiring accounting and finance professionals, combining educational excellence with sensible industry-focused expertise to create a very inclusive pathway to success,” mentioned Rachael Johnstone, Director of the Centre for Diploma Partnerships on the College of Exeter.
She added that the collaboration helps the college’s broader 2030 technique to widen participation in larger training and broaden employer engagement.
The brand new Degree 6 programme will probably be open to people getting into the occupation instantly from college in addition to these looking for to upskill later in life.
Crucially, apprentices who full the AAT diploma in 12 months one will qualify for exemptions from ACCA’s Utilized Abilities and Information exams and from choose CIMA papers, accelerating their path to chartered standing.
Claire Bennison, Govt Director, Buyer, Partnerships and Innovation at AAT, mentioned the qualification displays the necessity for extra versatile, career-ready coaching routes:
“Our collaboration with the College of Exeter is a game-changer for these looking for a profession in finance. For the primary time, our Degree 4 Diploma qualification will probably be obtained inside the first 12 months, making certain college students will be capable of step into the finance world sooner.”
“It demonstrates that there are a lot of routes to skilled success, whether or not you’re beginning out after college or trying to upskill later in life.”
The diploma apprenticeship curriculum has been developed with enter from employer companions, and is designed to align with present workforce wants.
Collaborating corporations will be capable of use the brand new Abilities and Development levy to fund apprenticeships and spend money on long-term expertise growth.
The partnership comes amid continued strain on the accounting occupation to enhance each expertise pipelines and socio-economic range.
Sector-wide considerations over recruitment, notably in regional markets and small practices, have prompted requires extra employer-integrated coaching fashions.
This new programme is certainly one of a number of education-focused initiatives aligned to the UK authorities’s expertise and progress agenda.
Functions for the Accounting Finance Supervisor Diploma Apprenticeship are actually open, with expressions of curiosity welcomed from employer companions throughout the UK.
