If you're a university graduate and you aren't sure what your next steps should be, or you'd rather do some further study before starting your Chartered exams, there are several options available to you.

While non-business graduates are able to start our programme at the foundation CAP 1 level, there are several full-time, one-year, post-graduate diplomas in accounting for non-business graduates available in several colleges around the country. While the Institute provides a foundation CAP1 course, you may prefer to study these subjects in one of the following colleges:

• Atlantic Technological University
• Maynooth University
• Technological University Dublin 
• Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest
• Trinity College Dublin
• Ulster University

Students who meet the criteria for these programmes are eligible to claim exemption from the entirety of our CAP 1 exams (five subjects). Students of these programmes can then go on to enrol into the CAP 2 exams.

If you're a business or accounting graduate, you may be considering a Masters in Accounting. Full-time, one-year, post-graduate Masters in Accounting for graduates are offered in:

• Athlone Institute of Technology
• Dublin City University
• Letterkenny Institute of Technology
• Maynooth University
• Technological University Dublin
• University College Cork
• University College Dublin - Smurfit School
• University of Galway
• Ulster University at Jordanstown
• Ulster University at Magee

Students must have the CAP1 exemption, and provided they successfully meet the criteria on these courses are exempt from the entirety of the CAP 2 exams (four subjects). Such post-graduates will start at the FAE level (final exams).

While this means there is only one year of academic work to complete, there is still a requirement for masters students to complete three years of practical work experience. This experience can only start after you have completed your masters and are enrolled on the Chartered programme.