How long does it take to study AAT?
Achieving an AAT qualification opens doors around the world and boosts your career prospects. But with us all living busier and busier lives, you may be wondering whether studying will work for you. So just how quickly can you complete an AAT course? Keep reading to find out.
Firstly, it’s important to know that everyone is different. The more hours you can commit, the sooner you’re likely to finish. And if you’re on a distance learning course, you have more freedom than with classroom studying. Weigh up your options before you start to make sure you choose the right method for you.
Now let’s dive further into each AAT level and their estimated learning hours:
How long does AAT Level 2 take?
According to the AAT: Level 2 Certificate in Accounting usually takes around 12 months, but can be done in as little as 6 months.
Our Academic Support team says: Based on 6-8 hours per week, plus exams, you can expect to finish Level 2 in around 6-12 months.
How long does AAT Level 3 take?
According to the AAT: Level 3 Diploma in Accounting also usually takes 12 months to finish, but it is possible to complete in 6 months on a busy study timetable.
Our Academic Support team says: Students studying 6-8 hours each week are likely to finish Level 3 in 9-12 months. Of course, this also includes time for sitting exams.
How long does AAT Level 4 take?
According to the AAT: Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting is completed in around 18 months.
Our Academic Support team says: Study 6-8 hours per week and you’ll probably finish this final level, with exams, in 12-18 months. This is the most complex part of the course and it also has 2 elective modules to choose from, which is why it takes longer.
Total studying hours, according to the AAT: 21-42 months
Total studying hours, according to the Eagle team: 27-42 months
And for the AAT Bookkeeping Qualification, here’s how long you can expect it to take:
How long does AAT Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping take?
According to the AAT: Bookkeeping Level 2 takes around 3 months to complete.
Our Academic Support team says: Based on 6-8 hours per week, plus exams, you’re looking at between 3-5 months.
How long does AAT Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping take?
According to the AAT: Bookkeeping Level 3 is completed in 6 months.
Our Academic Support team says: Most students finish this level in 6-9 months, when studying 6-8 hours per week. This accounts for exam time too.
Each bookkeeping level is a qualification in its own right; your completion time will depend on which of the levels you choose to study.
Self-study AAT with Eagle
If you’re looking to self-study AAT quickly, or on a budget, why not try an Eagle subscription FREE for 7 days? Distance learning gives you the freedom to study on your own schedule, when it suits you.
Our online content, powered by Kaplan, is always available and up to date. Access the full course, without paying per level, and feel free to progress at your own pace. You’re in control.
The AAT’s guided hours in this article were sourced from AAT course pages on accounting and bookkeeping in October 2023. The Eagle academic support team’s guided hours are based on data from our own student’s completion times as of October 2023.