Studying an IAB qualification?

Student Membership

No matter what your circumstances are, the IAB is flexible and offers a range of study options to meet your needs and allow you to go at your own pace.

Our courses are broken down into different levels, with each level working towards your final qualification.

Required for all IAB learners

Valid for one year from registration

Certificate & membership number

Apply for student membership Student FAQs

★ Once you are registered

Student membership certificateSent to you when your registration is complete
Your student membership numberShown on your certificate
Your date of expiryMembership is valid for one year from registration
Your name as it will appearExactly as it will be printed on your qualification certificate

Ways to study

Choose the study route that suits you

Study at your own pace online, or learn in a classroom with full support from a tutor.

Online/Distance Learning

A flexible way to study but requires a high level of dedication and discipline. A great option for those needing to fit study round multiple commitments or unable to study at a centre.

This route does not provide any guidance or support from a tutor and all course information, materials, and textbooks will need to be self-sourced.

Find your qualification →

Classroom Learning

The most popular way to study, with full support from a tutor. Great for those who are just starting out or like a more structured approach.

Full and part-time courses are available.

Find an IAB Approved Centre →

How to register

Apply for student membership

You must complete all sections to avoid delaying your application. If you have any questions about your application you can email hello@iab.org.uk.

Complete the registration form

The form asks for your name, address, date of birth and email address.

Check your email address

Make sure it is spelled correctly and is the same email address you use to register for your qualification.

Receive your certificate

Your student membership certificate shows your membership number and date of expiry.

Register for your qualification

Once you have your student membership, register for an IAB qualification via a centre.

Apply for student membership

Why an IAB qualification

An IAB qualification sets you apart in a pile of CVs, in an interview, or in the line up to a promotion.

Whether you are just starting out, looking to expand your qualifications or change your career, recognition and reputation matter. The IAB is a leading Financial and Accounting Awarding and Professional Body offering relevant, high quality financial knowledge. We have long standing relationships with top-tier industry leaders and the acknowledgment of professional bodies, employers and graduates across the country and around the world.

Help & answers

Student membership FAQs

Common questions about registering as an IAB student.

What is Student Membership, and do I need one to study for an IAB qualification?

Yes. All learners studying towards an IAB qualification must register as Student Members. Membership lasts for one year and must be renewed in the same month the following year if you are still studying. The UK Student Membership fee is £125 (from 1 October 2026), payable directly through our website. See our schedule of annual fees.

If your membership expires during your qualification, access to the learning platform will be suspended until it is renewed.

How do I register as a student?

Complete the student membership registration form.
The form requires the following details: name, address, date of birth and email address.
Please ensure that your email address is spelled correctly and is the same email address that you use to register for your qualification.

What happens once I am registered?

You will receive a student membership certificate. It will show:

Your student membership number
Your date of expiry
Your name as it will appear on your qualification certificate

What if I am already registered?

If you are already registered with the IAB as either a student, Associate, Member or Fellow, you can confirm your membership status using our verification service.

What are the next steps?

Once you have registered for your student membership, you will then need to register for an IAB qualification via a centre. Find an IAB Approved Centre.

How long is my membership valid for?

Your membership is valid for one year from the date of registration. You will receive a reminder to renew your membership 6 weeks before the end of your membership.

How much is student membership?

The current student membership fee is shown in our schedule of annual fees.

What happens when I pass a qualification?

Depending on the level of qualification achieved, you will be able to further your studies with another IAB qualification. You can also apply for professional membership.

Tell me more about the IAB qualifications

You can find detailed information on our IAB qualifications page.

Each qualification page includes a full specification, giving you what you need to decide which course you wish to study.

What are the entry requirements for IAB qualifications?

Most IAB qualifications do not have formal entry requirements. However, we strongly recommend reviewing the relevant qualification specification before registering with an IAB Accredited Centre, to make sure it is appropriate for your level and experience.

How long do I have to complete an IAB qualification?

You have 12 months to complete your qualification. This may be extended by 6 months for a fee of £55, with a maximum completion period of 18 months. If you do not complete within this timeframe, you will need to re-register.

Please note:

Student Membership is valid for 12 months. If it expires before you finish your qualification, you must renew it to continue and sit your final exam.
Some qualifications require a unit to be completed on the Sage Business Cloud portal, which allows only 6 months’ access. Extensions must be arranged directly with Sage (a fee applies).

When will I receive my IAB qualification certificate?

Certificates are issued once you have successfully achieved all required units. They are dispatched to your centre, which will pass them on to you directly.

For paper-based examinations, results (and certificates) can take up to 10 weeks to be issued.
For online examinations, results (and certificates) are typically issued within 3 weeks.

I have lost my IAB qualification certificate, can I order a replacement?

The replacement process depends on when the qualification was awarded:

For recent RQF qualifications, a replacement certificate can be issued at a cost of £35 (postage charges may also apply).
For older QCF qualifications, we can only issue a verifiable statement of achievement, also at a cost of £35 (plus any applicable postage).

To request a replacement, please email ao@iab.org.uk with the following details:

Please note: under GDPR we can only keep student records for a maximum of 7 years plus the current academic year. If your exam was completed before this period, we will be unable to provide a replacement certificate.

How do I book an exam?

To book an exam, ask your centre to submit an Assessment Request Form on your behalf, giving sufficient notice ahead of the exam date.

Please note:

You must be registered on the relevant qualification.
You must hold valid IAB Student Membership before an examination can be booked.

How much notice does the IAB require to book exams?

The IAB requires the following notice periods for exam bookings:

Paper examinations: a minimum of 4 weeks’ notice
Online examinations: a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice

Please make sure you hold a valid Student Membership before booking.

What study texts are available for your qualifications?

Study textbooks for our Bookkeeping and Payroll qualifications have been written by IAB examiners and are available to buy separately for each relevant qualification.

Will I be charged for cancelling an exam?

Yes. A cancellation fee of £55 per learner may apply if an exam is cancelled without a valid reason after exam papers have already been dispatched to your centre. The IAB reserves the right to charge this fee to cover administrative and processing costs.

Will I be charged for re-arranging an exam?

Yes. The IAB reserves the right to charge a transfer fee of £50 per learner when a learner or centre asks to re-arrange an exam. This fee helps cover the administrative and scheduling costs of the change.

What do TQT and GLH mean?

TQT (Total Qualification Time) is an estimate of the total time a learner might reasonably need to achieve a qualification. This includes all learning activities required to reach the necessary standard.

GLH (Guided Learning Hours) is a subset of TQT and refers to the time a learner spends being taught or instructed directly by a tutor or education provider.

The remaining TQT hours cover independent study, preparation and other learning carried out without direct supervision, but as directed by the tutor or education provider.

What is the difference between an Award, a Certificate and a Diploma?

These terms indicate the size and expected learning time of a qualification, based on its Total Qualification Time (TQT):

Award: a small qualification with a TQT of 120 hours or less.
Certificate: a medium-sized qualification with a TQT between 121 and 369 hours.
Diploma: a large qualification with a TQT of 370 hours or more.

Ready to register?

Apply for your student membership

Complete the online form and use the same email address you will use to register for your qualification.

Apply for student membership Contact us

Student Membership

★ Once you are registered

Choose the study route that suits you

Online/Distance Learning

Classroom Learning

Apply for student membership

Complete the registration form

Check your email address

Receive your certificate

Register for your qualification

An IAB qualification sets you apart in a pile of CVs, in an interview, or in the line up to a promotion.

Student membership FAQs

Apply for your student membership

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