What is the CGMA Professional Qualification?
The CGMA Professional Qualification, offered by CIMA, is a modern blend of finance and business. The exams take the form of realistic simulations that test practical skills and prepare candidates for real-world professional challenges. Starting in 2025, the program places even greater emphasis on problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication, including topics such as sustainability and artificial intelligence.
The program is developed in collaboration with global employers, ensuring it meets current market needs. It teaches sound decision-making and prepares students for careers in finance - regardless of their role. It’s a great option for those who want to combine knowledge with practice and grow in a dynamic business environment.
With CGMA, you’ll gain financial, digital, and leadership competencies. You’ll learn to analyze data, think strategically, and advise on key decisions. Graduates work as financial controllers, auditors, CFOs, and banking experts. Importantly, your career position and salary can increase even while you’re still studying.
Join the CGMA program offered by CIMA at Partner Universities
The CGMA University Program is your chance to earn a professional qualification valued by employers worldwide. Thanks to the collaboration between CIMA and top universities across Europe, you can develop management accounting skills during your studies and gain a real advantage in the job market.
Check which universities offer the program
CGMA Qualification – discover the benefits
- Gain a competitive edge in the job market while still studying with the CGMA certificate.
- Validate top-level business and finance competencies through CGMA exams.
- Join a community of 580,000 finance professionals and expand your network of influential contacts.
- Earn more – candidates with a CIMA diploma earn on average 16% to 25% more than those without such qualifications.
- Step onto the path of international success with the CGMA designation.
CGMA – explore the program structure
The CGMA Programme at university offers a unique opportunity to obtain an internationally recognized qualification already during your studies. By integrating academic courses with the CIMA syllabus, you gain a real competitive advantage in the job market, combining theoretical knowledge with practical business skills.
The CGMA Professional Qualification consists of four progressive levels. Each represents the next step in your professional development, culminating in a prestigious certificate or diploma valued by employers worldwide:
- Certificate Level: Fundamentals of business, ethics, economics, and the basics of management accounting.
- Operational Level: Application of knowledge in an operational context – cost efficiency, financial management in a digital environment, and interpretation of financial data.
- Management Level: Managing organizational performance, medium-term planning, and advanced budgeting.
- Strategic Level: Strategic thinking, enterprise-level risk management, and the development of long-term financial strategy.
The graphic below presents the full structure of the programme, which you can complete at your own pace:
Your path to the CGMA qualification is up to you. Explore the available routes and choose the one that best matches your current stage of studies and allows you to develop your business competencies most effectively.
CGMA at University Program
Regular Pathway
A model designed for students of selected finance-related degree programmes whose curricula align with CIMA requirements. Learning takes place as part of regular university studies, and completing specific academic courses allows you to gain exemptions from selected external exams.
- Bachelor’s degree (undergraduate): Completion of the Certificate Level. To obtain the CGMA Certificate in Business Accounting (designation: CGMA Cert BA), passing 1 external exam (BA2) is required.
- Master’s degree (graduate): Completion of the Operational Level. Passing 1 external exam (Case Study) leads to the award of the CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting (designation: CIMA Dip MA).
- At selected partner universities, the Management Level is also available during master’s studies and requires passing 1 Case Study exam.
Check the list of universities and programmes included in the CGMA Programme at University
CGMA Finance Leadership Program (FLP) Pathway
A modern, fully digital alternative delivered via an advanced e-learning platform.
- Target group: Students of all degree programmes at partner universities. It is also an option for individuals who have completed the traditional CGMA Programme at University pathway and wish to continue to higher CGMA levels during their studies.
- Process: Theoretical content is delivered through interactive online modules, enabling exemptions from selected exams.
- Exams and levels: Within FLP, access to all qualification levels is independent of the stage of studies. To complete each level, passing 1 external exam (Case Study) is required.
Check the list of universities offering the CGMA Programme at University pathway
Cert BA Program
Within the Cert BA programme, graduates of selected bachelor’s degree programmes can obtain an international certificate, which also serves as an official entry point to the CGMA Professional Qualification. The programme is based on partnerships with universities at the foundational level and allows participants to complement their academic education with the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting (Cert BA).
- Target group: Graduates of selected bachelor’s programmes at universities cooperating with CIMA.
- Process: The process is based on the assessment of academic documentation (degree diploma and transcript), which forms the basis for granting exemptions at the Certificate Level.
- Exams and levels: To obtain the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting (designation: Cert BA), passing 1 external exam (BA2) is required.
Check the list of universities offering the Cert BA pathway
Choose the optimal pathway for you
Review the summary below to determine which option is the most effective for you:
CGMA Program: What are the requirements? Who can join?
The CGMA University Program enables you to start studying the CGMA qualification as part of your degree, whether you’re a full-time or part-time student.
To join the CGMA University Program, you must be enrolled in a CIMA-accredited degree program. A one-time registration fee is required for new participants, or an annual subscription renewal for continuing students. All CGMA exams are conducted in English, so a recommended requirement for participation is English proficiency at the B2 level (upper intermediate according to CEFR), which enables full access to educational materials and benefits offered by CIMA.
How to register for the CGMA University Program?
Enrollment for the CGMA University Program takes place throughout November.
Start your path to success in a few simple steps:
- Register – create and activate your account at cimauniversities.com.
- Complete the application form and attach the required documents.
- Wait for positive verification of your application by the University Coordinator and CIMA
- Receive further instructions on how to register with CIMA and pay required membership fees.
Start now and earn your CGMA certificate!
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