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Key details

Course area
Business and Accounts
Student type
Courses for 19+ students
Course type
Part-time Further Education course
Course level
Level 3
Start date
Wednesday 2nd September 2026
End date
Monday 17th May 2027
Time
1:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location
Adams Building Stoney Street, Nottingham, NG1 1NG
Course code
Parent course code:C044895 Child course code: Q044896
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Course introduction

The Level 3 Diploma in Accounting offers technical training in accounting and is ideal for anyone wishing to pursue a career in accountancy or finance.

Classes will be delivered every week and additional resources are made available to support independent and follow up study outside of classes - these can be online and/or physical book resources based on your course and level. Evening courses are available on some levels which allow for blended learning where 2 hours of your course is online study.

AAT is the UK’s leading professional body offering skills-based accountancy and finance qualifications. Their qualifications are practical, internationally recognised and can open doors in any industry across the world.
This qualification is a progression route for students who have achieved the Level 2 Certificate in Accounting. It is also suitable for those who have already started their journey studying a related subject and are looking to develop their skills in accounting, or for those who have already started working in finance and who have a need and desire to attain formal recognition of their skills.

The Level 3 Diploma in Accounting covers a range of essential and complex accounting tasks, including maintaining cost accounting records and the preparation of reports and returns. Key themes have also been introduced throughout the suite of accounting qualifications including technology, ethics, sustainability and communication.

The purpose of this qualification is to ensure that students are well prepared to progress into a career in business, finance or professional accountancy, or into further education. Students will learn and develop skills needed for financial processes, including accounting principles and concepts, advanced bookkeeping and preparing financial statements. They will also understand the business environment, technology used in finance and accounting, business issues regarding payroll and value added tax, issues in business, management accounting techniques, ethical principles and sustainability considerations for accountants.

The course includes:

  • Business Awareness
  • Financial Accounting: Preparing Financial Statements
  • Management Accounting Techniques
  • Tax Processes for Businesses

This course is for learners aged 19+ only.

You could study this course for free!

The Government’s new Free Courses for Jobs programme has created new opportunities for adults, aged 19 and over, to access fully funded full-time learning.

If you live in a non-devolved authority, to qualify for Free Courses For Jobs and this is your first full level 3 you don't need to meet any income thresholds, but if you already hold a full level 3, you need to either be unemployed or employed but earning less than £25,750.

If you live in East Midlands Combined County Authority, to qualify for Free Courses For Jobs and this is your first full level 3 you don't need to meet any income thresholds, but if you already hold a full level 3, you need to either be unemployed or employed but earning less than £33,796.80

If you live in another devolved authority, you will need to pay the Full Cost fee.

Additional costs include course materials, the first exam and registration fees for AAT. Any exam re-sits will need to be paid for separately.

Course information

AAT Diploma in Accounting Level 3

Entry requirements for this course are:

  • You must be aged 19+
  • AAT level 2 or equivalent qualification/experience in Accountancy
  • GCSE English and Maths at a minimum of grade 4/C (or Functional Skills at Level 2). If you do not have this, you will be asked to undertake English and maths assessments to determine the level you are working at. If the results of the tests show that your English and maths skills are below Level 2, you will need to enrol for either GCSE or Functional Skills to support your studies.

The four units are assessed individually through computer-based end-of-unit assessments at the City Hub.

This qualification opens up a wide range of career opportunities, in finance. It will also lead to further study of AAT Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting.

Additional costs include course materials, the first exam and registration fees for AAT. Any exam re-sits will need to be paid for separately.

Careers related to this course

Select career:

Book-keepers, Payroll Managers and Wages Clerks

Potential Earnings

£41,478.26

Average Earnings

£24,611.00

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Pathways

Accounting and Finance

People in these occupations prepare and record accounts of financial dealings within businesses and provide financial analysis, banking, credit, and investment services.

Administration and Office Work

People in these occupations administrate facilities and personnel, keep records, and provide administrative assistance and secretarial work.

Skills

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
View more about this career

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.

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