ACCA not equivalent to 'taught Master's degree'

timtom · Post by **timtom** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 7:40 pm

Hello all. I was recently made aware of a recent immigration case law (May 2013 i think) which ruled that the ACCA professional qualification is not equivalent to a 'taught Master's degree'.
I am an ACCA qualified accountant and was awarded the full 35 points for my initial Tier 1 (G) visa - granted in July 2009 and subsequent renewal - granted in Sept 2012.
My question is, in my upcoming ILR application, am I able to claim the full points for my ACCA qualification (given the recent case law) and is anyone else affected by this? The points based calculator still awards me 35 points so I'm not sure if it is up to date.
If not, I'm not sure if I can claim any points at all for 'Qualifications' given that I can't claim points for my Bachelor's degree (due to date of when my initial Tier 1 (G) visa was granted).
Any feedback/insight is greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

Post by **sheraz7** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 8:31 pm

A complete ACCA course is definitely equivalent to masters NVQ level 7.

timtom · Post by **timtom** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 9:35 pm

Hi and thanks for that. I've been trying to locate the case law they referred to. Have you come across it or have knowledge of it?

Post by **vinny** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 10:41 pm

Syed, R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2013] EWHC 984 (Admin) (26 April 2013).

timtom · Post by **timtom** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 10:53 pm

Hi vinny and thanks. Having read through it it seems that the claimants were trying to apply for leave to remain under the now defunct Tier 1 (PSW) on the basis of ACCA being equivalent to a UK Master's degree, when immigration rules applicable to the Tier 1 (PSW) clearly stated that professional qualifications were not acceptable. Furthermore the ruling stated that it did not dispute the fact that the ACCA qualification is EQUIVALENT to a UK Master's degree but it is NOT a degree.
Reading through the form SET(O) for ILR, it clearly states that the applicant needs to submit a qualification, including an EQUIVALENT professional or vocational qualification which the ACCA clearly is.
So if I'm reading this correctly, I guess I can safely claim the points for my ACCA qualification (as I did in my previous applications). And this is borne out in the points based calculator. Please correct me if I have misinterpreted this. Thanks again all.

timtom · Post by **timtom** » Sun Sep 01, 2013 9:06 am

Anyone have any feedback or further thoughts/interpretations? Thanks

Post by **sheraz7** » Sun Sep 01, 2013 2:13 pm

Read the university interpretation about ACCA and its level especially look page 4:
http://www.newport.ac.uk/study/postgrad ... cation.pdf

silverline · Post by **silverline** » Mon Sep 02, 2013 10:54 pm

You should easily get same points awarded at the time of initial application.

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ACCA not equivalent to 'taught Master's degree'

ACCA not equivalent to 'taught Master's degree'