Pre-class guide
Read our short guide to help you get prepared for class.
About to begin your CA studies? Below you’ll find some essential information to help get you started.
(Remember, to access some of the online resources mentioned below you’ll need to log in to Advantage using your icas.com email address.)
Blended learning
Classes are delivered through a blend of face-to-face classes, live online classes and self-directed learning using our virtual learning environment, Advantage, and a range of additional online resources and tutor support.
Advantage
Advantage is our virtual learning environment. It’s the place to find course materials and online resources, key documents, announcements and course discussions. This is also home to the Fundamentals.
The Fundamentals course contains everything you need to know, from the CA syllabus to assessments. It’ll be there for reference throughout your training.
Timetables
Your class timetables are easily accessed through the online platform, Timetabler, or in Advantage.
Timetables are normally made available around 7-14 days before your classes are due to start.
Online classes
Our online classes are conducted using Microsoft Teams. You’ll find the link to your online classes in your timetable.
It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with Teams and carry out checks to ensure your system is set up correctly before your classes start. You can find user training on Microsoft Teams’ help pages. For technical help, please contact us at onlinelearning@icas.com.
If you’re being taught by our training partner BPP, you’ll use Adobe Connect for online learning. You’ll be contacted by BPP directly with more information and the links to your classes.
Syllabus
Our CA syllabus is structured to deliver the skills and knowledge to succeed in business and beyond, today and in the future.
We’re refreshing our CA syllabus. There are three levels of the qualification, Knowledge (previously TC), Skills (previously TPS) and Integration (previously TPE). Each level is underpinned by Relevant Practical Experience (RPE), which you’ll log in your logbook (see below).
Logbook
Our CA qualification is a highly practical one, which is why, along with your studies, you’re also required to record the experience you gain in the workplace in your logbook. You can access your Relevant Practical Experience (RPE) logbook easily in Advantage.
To help you get started, you should complete the Fundamentals course that will explain all the aspects of RPE and the day-to-day practicalities of using the new logbook.
We suggest a regular, little-and-often approach to your logbook. Your logbook should be signed off every 6 months by your employer and will need to be completed before you can qualify as a Chartered Accountant with ICAS.
Reasonable adjustments
As a result of disabilities (permanent or temporary) or learning difficulties, you may require a reasonable adjustment to how we provide learning and assessments during your CA learning journey.
You can apply, submit supporting evidence and manage existing adjustments through our online portal. If you think you might need a reasonable adjustment, please apply before your course begins.
Apply for a reasonable adjustment
Student Handbook
Our CA Student Handbook is full of useful information you will need to refer to from time to time during your training.
This includes everything from the rules relating to attendance and assessments to the code of conduct you’re required to follow.
Your icas.com email address
We provide all ICAS students with a personal student.icas.com email address.
You’ll need this email, and the password you create for it, to access many of the online tools and resources that are essential to your learning.
This email will also give you free access to Microsoft 365 on up to five devices and deliver cloud file storage and apps including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
And we’ll occasionally send ICAS-related news to your ICAS email. To help stay connected to your ICAS email, we strongly recommend adding it to your mobile.
Learn more about staying connected
Contacting us
If you need help with anything and can’t find the information you need on our website or the ICAS help centre, please email us at students@icas.com and remember to use your icas.com email address when you do.
Alternatively, you can call us Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on 0131 347 0100.
All your student resources
More information and links to all resources mentioned above, and everything else you’ll need throughout your training, can be found in Advantage.
