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How Much Does the CIMA Qualification Cost?

By the VIVA tutor team Updated September 2026
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CIMA costs most self-funding students roughly 2,500 to 4,500 pounds end to end: a 99 pound one-off registration, 145 pounds a year in subscriptions, 85 to 117 pounds per objective test and 185 to 295 pounds per case study sitting, plus whatever you choose to spend on tuition.

Official CIMA fees (2025 Tier 1 UK rates)

The fees you pay CIMA directly fall into four buckets:

  • Registration: 99 pounds, paid once when you join
  • Annual subscription: 145 pounds per year to maintain active student status
  • Objective tests: 85 pounds each at Certificate level; around 117 pounds each at the professional levels (E1, P1, F1 and onwards)
  • Case study exams: 185 to 295 pounds per sitting, varying by level and region

What a level really costs

A typical professional level means three objective tests plus one case study - around 450 to 550 pounds in exam fees alone, before any study materials. Multiply across three levels, add registration and three to four years of subscriptions, and the CIMA-side total lands between roughly 2,000 and 2,500 pounds for a no-resit run. Resits are where budgets break: every failed objective test or case study repeats its full fee.

Where tuition fits

Tuition is the variable cost - and the one that most affects whether you pay resit fees at all. Classroom providers can add thousands; online tuition covers the same syllabus for a fraction of that. See current VIVA course pricing - every course includes mock exams and lifetime access.

How to keep the total down

  • Pass first time: a single avoided case study resit saves more than most study resources cost
  • Check exemptions: relevant degrees and AAT can remove whole papers (and their fees)
  • Ask your employer: many fund fees and subscriptions for finance staff
  • Plan sittings so your annual subscription years are not wasted years

Frequently asked questions

How much is the CIMA registration fee?

Registration is a one-off 99 pound payment when you first join CIMA.

What is the CIMA annual subscription?

145 pounds per year (Tier 1 UK rate) to keep your student status active.

How much does each CIMA exam cost?

Certificate-level objective tests cost 85 pounds each, professional-level objective tests around 117 pounds each, and case study exams between 185 and 295 pounds per sitting depending on level and region.