AAT and University of Exeter join forces to tackle accounting skills gap
The University of Exeter and the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) have announced a new degree apprenticeship programme aimed at addressing the persistent skills shortage in the UK’s finance and accounting sector.
Launching in September 2025, the Accounting Finance Manager Degree Apprenticeship will offer school leavers and mature learners a new route to becoming Chartered Accountants by combining university-level study with practical, work-based experience.
The programme marks the first time AAT’s Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting will be integrated within a university degree, completed within the first year of study.
The initiative is being described as a “transformational step” by its founders and is designed to widen access to finance careers while better aligning graduate training with industry needs.
“The Accounting Finance Manager Degree Apprenticeship opens new doors for aspiring accounting and finance professionals, combining academic excellence with practical industry-focused skills to create a truly inclusive pathway to success,” said Rachael Johnstone, Director of the Centre for Degree Partnerships at the University of Exeter.
She added that the collaboration supports the university’s broader 2030 strategy to widen participation in higher education and expand employer engagement.
The new Level 6 programme will be open to individuals entering the profession directly from school as well as those seeking to upskill later in life.
Crucially, apprentices who complete the AAT diploma in year one will qualify for exemptions from ACCA’s Applied Skills and Knowledge exams and from select CIMA papers, accelerating their route to chartered status.
Claire Bennison, Executive Director, Customer, Partnerships and Innovation at AAT, said the qualification reflects the need for more flexible, career-ready training routes:
“Our collaboration with the University of Exeter is a game-changer for those seeking a career in finance. For the first time, our Level 4 Diploma qualification will be obtained within the first year, ensuring students will be able to step into the finance world sooner.”
“It demonstrates that there are many routes to professional success, whether you’re starting out after school or looking to upskill later in life.”
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The degree apprenticeship curriculum has been developed with input from employer partners, and is designed to align with current workforce needs.
Participating companies will be able to use the new Skills and Growth levy to fund apprenticeships and invest in long-term talent development.
The partnership comes amid continued pressure on the accounting profession to improve both talent pipelines and socio-economic diversity.
Sector-wide concerns over recruitment, particularly in regional markets and small practices, have prompted calls for more employer-integrated training models.
This new programme is one of several education-focused initiatives aligned to the UK government’s skills and growth agenda.
Applications for the Accounting Finance Manager Degree Apprenticeship are now open, with expressions of interest welcomed from employer partners across the UK.
