By Harry Rogers Students AAT on a budget: how to manage study costs, from textbooks to exam fees 4 Sep 2025 Want to kickstart your career in finance, but worried about the costs involved? Here, were explore how you can make your AAT learning experience more budget friendly. If you’ve decided to embark on a new learning journey in the world of finance, it may be that the costs involved feel a little daunting. If you don’t have any savings to help you through, coupled with the pressure to succeed, a lack of structure and feelings of isolation, it’s easy to lose sight of why you took on the qualification in the first place. Like anything in life, AAT qualifications cost money. However, managing the cost of your AAT qualification is possible with strategic planning. You can save money on tuition, textbooks and exam fees by exploring funding options, choosing cost-effective study methods, or using free or discounted materials. Here’s how you can make your money go further. 5 ways to cut tuition costs and source funding Try self-study: while tutor support is beneficial, self-studying with a provider’s materials is a great, cost effective option. This route requires strong discipline and motivation for working through your qualification remotely, however there are several ways to stay connected to peers to help you remain accountable and on track. Try employer or government funding: some employers cover the cost of AAT training for their staff, while depending on your age, location and financial situation, you may be eligible for a fully funded qualification or financial help from the Government. It’s worth taking the time to research what’s available to you. Try an apprenticeship: if you’re not in full time work and want on-the-job experience, why not find an accounting apprenticeship which involves working and studying at the same time? This way, the employer pays for your training and qualification while you earn a salary. Consider a bursary: AAT offers to cover course, assessment and membership fees for those who meet the correct criteria. All you need to do is submit an application and a team of judges will decide if you’re eligible for support. Look for course deals: There are some providers that offer package deals and discounts, such as 10% off if you book two or more levels at once. You can also find deals on subscription-based learning platforms. Save money on textbooks and study materials There are several ways to economise your study materials, here’s how: Buy second-hand books: save funds by purchasing used AAT textbooks from former students or online. As long as it’s legible and covers the most up-to-date information relating to your qualification, it’ll get you through Access AAT’s Lifelong Learning Portal: registering with AAT gives you access to the Lifelong Learning Portal, which includes practice assessments, e-learning tools and guidance documents. Share study materials: You could always study with a friend and split the cost of physical textbooks, sharing resources and notes. You may even find it more useful studying with a partner. Try before you buy: some providers offer free trials for their online courses, allowing you to sample the content before committing to a purchase. This way you can get a feel for what’s to come and ensure you will remain motivated for the future. Exam exemptions and maximising student perks All students, no matter their age, can find money hard to come by while they study. It’s important to remember that although it may seem financially tough during the qualification, there are several student perks to help you. Along with being able to use your AAT student membership to ask for student discounts in a range of shops, bars and restaurants, it’s also worth signing up for a Totum or Totum Pro card to see where else you could save. You can also check for AAT membership discounts. AAT offers reduced fees for those moving on to study for a chartered accountancy qualification. A discounted registration fee is also available if you move from an AAT bookkeeping membership to a higher qualification, so your future doesn’t If you’ve got previous experience in the accounting sector, it’s worth checking to see if you are eligible for any exemptions based on prior qualifications using AAT’s skills checker. You will pay a fee for each exemption, but it may be cheaper than re-sitting an exam for a qualification you already hold. Finally, and it may sound obvious, but reduce the risk of resits, and the associated costs, by ensuring you are well-prepared for your exams. Utilise free practice assessments and other resources to give yourself the best chance of passing on your first try. Further reading Study Smart, Not Hard: Ten Tips for Accountancy Students Top tips for enhancing your studies while working from home Should I have a study partner? Harry Rogers is AAT Comment’s news writer.