CIMA Modules & Structure

The CIMA Syllabus is split into five distinct levels. The first Certificate is designed for beginners and can be studied as a separate qualification in its own right - the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting. The remaining four levels make up the Professional Qualification: Operational, Management, Strategic and Professional Competence.

You can find out more about the individual levels or papers by clicking on the links below:

CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting:

Professional Qualification:

Exam progression rules

To determine where you would start the qualification, please review the entry requirements. The rules are generally simple in that you start at the Certificate Level and work your way through Operational, Management, Strategic and Professional Competence (formerly TOPCIMA.)

• Certificate papers can be sat in any order
• You cannot start Operational Level until Certificate is complete (or you have exemptions)
• Students should then work through Operational & Management Levels.  Students can overlap these levels but should be mindful of the progressive nature of the papers
• Strategic cannot be started until the Operational and Management Levels are complete
• All three Strategic papers must be sat together at the first attempt
• The Professional Competence Case Study cannot be sat until the Strategic level is complete

Next Steps:

• If you have any questions call us on 0845 873 6314
• Find out about the CIMA Entry Requirements & Exemptions
• Find out more about CIMA and Kaplan in a CIMA Open Day
• Find out about Why to Study CIMA with Kaplan
• Find out about Ways to Study CIMA
• View our CIMA course timetables