AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting: Online and Virtual Campus

This qualification covers a range of complex accounting tasks. You will learn and master financial processes, including accounting principles and concepts, preparing financial concepts, management accounting, tax processes and business awareness.

Units of Study

This Level 3 course covers a range of key areas, including:

• Financial accounting: preparing financial statements
• Management acccounting techniques
• Tax  processes for businesses
• Business awareness

You will also develop business communications and lifelong learning skills, applying what you learn in the course to the wider industry context.

On successful completion of this course, you will be awarded an AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting. This internationally recognised AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) qualification enables those working in accounting or those looking to pursue accountancy as a career, to gain knowledge, practical experience and the all-important certification often sought by employers.

We have partnered with Mindful Education to deliver this course through our flexible Online and Virtual Classroom model.

Virtual Classroom sessions are a key element of the course, and you will benefit from regular sessions with a college tutor. Your tutor will review what you have learnt during your independent online study on the Mindful Education platform, and will be on hand to provide guidance on progress and assessment. Regular discussion with classmates will help to reinforce key points while also providing the additional support and motivation that comes from being part of a group.

All teaching for this course is online. You will be required to sit four end of module assessments in person at one of our campuses. 

How will I be assessed?

This course is assessed through computer-based exams for each unit.

On successful completion of this course, you can progress to the AAT Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting.

Career opportunities

The skills and knowledge you will gain throughout this qualification will qualify you for roles including Finance Officer, Assistant Accountant and Bookkeeper. You will also be eligible for AAT Bookkeeper (AATQB) status, giving you the option to work as a freelance bookkeeper.

You need to have achieved the AAT level 2 Certificate in Accounting (minimum of a pass). Candidates with extensive industry experience may also be considered.

Please note: The course starts on Thursday 25 September 2025.

Virtual classroom attendance is weekly, 6pm to 8pm.

Course duration is 10 months.

AAT registration: You will be required to pay a one-off registration fee. Once registered, you can complete the assessments for the qualification’s lifetime.
AAT membership for students.

This Level 3 course is part of the Free Courses for Jobs initiative and is fully funded for eligible learners.

You must meet the following criteria: 

• aged 19+ and live in England, not within a non-funded postcode region

Do not have one of the following visa types: 

• Student visa 

• Holiday/visitor visa 

• Skilled worker, health care worker, temporary worker, Global mobility or scale up visa 

• A visa that imposes restrictions on study

• are not currently enrolled on an apprenticeship 

• Unemployed* or have gross annual earnings below £25,750 (must be evidenced) 

*Unemployed students are those who are not working and are in receipt of a benefit or who are using the course to help them find employment. 

Please note that the eligibility criteria is different for those living in the Greater London Authority for further information please refer to: Information for Adult Skills Fund providers | London City Hall 

Alternatively, you can apply for an advanced learner loan to cover the cost of studying this course. Please ask a member of college staff for more information.