Post A Job
Advertise Courses
Search Jobs
Search Courses

Free AAT Level 2 Certificate Accounting Course in Cheltenham

CostFREE
Duration11 months
LevelLevel 2
DeliveryClassroom based
Start6 Jan 2027
Study modePart-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyAAT awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free AAT Level 2 Certificate Accounting Course in Cheltenham. Classes run at Gloucestershire College Cheltenham Campus, part-time during the day.

The course covers four units: Introduction to Bookkeeping, Principles of Bookkeeping Controls, Principles of Costing, and The Business Environment. You'll study alongside independent work of around three to four hours each week. The course takes around 11 months to complete. You'll need a GCSE grade C or above in both Maths and English to join. A short assessment helps place you at the right level.

You'll finish with an AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting.

Who this course is for

This qualification is designed to prepare you for junior and entry-level roles in accounting and finance. It provides a strong foundation in financial administration, covering essential topics such as double-entry bookkeeping and basic costing principles.

Course Content Includes:

  • Introduction to Bookkeeping
  • Principles of Bookkeeping Controls
  • Principles of Costing
  • The Business Environment (Synoptic Assessment)

For full course details, please visit the AAT website www.aat.org.uk/

You will complete four computer-based assessments, including a final synoptic assessment at the end of the course.

In addition to weekly college attendance, students are expected to dedicate 3-4 hours per week to independent study.

Additional Costs:

  • AAT Registration Fee: Approximately £186
  • Textbooks: Approximately £107
  • Exam Re-sit Fees: £63 per assessment (if required)

If you are eligible for a tuition fee waiver, you may apply to the Learner Support Fund to help cover these additional costs. Your tutor will confirm the required textbooks before your first class.

Entry requirements

All queries regarding course entry criteria can be found on the specific course page on the GC website, including the equivalency of qualifications and exceptional extenuating circumstances should be directed by email to the Admissions Department at [email protected].

What you will learn

  • You'll learn the basics of double-entry bookkeeping.
  • You'll understand how to record and control financial transactions.
  • You'll apply basic costing principles to business situations.
  • You'll explore how businesses operate and their financial environment.
  • You'll prepare for four computer-based assessments, including a final synoptic assessment.

How you will learn

You'll attend weekly classes at Gloucestershire College Cheltenham Campus. Alongside this, you'll complete around three to four hours of independent study each week. Assessment is through four computer-based tests. The final test is a synoptic assessment that draws on everything you've covered across the course.

What you will need to bring

The provider page notes additional costs: an AAT registration fee of approximately £186, textbooks of approximately £107, and exam resit fees of £63 per assessment if needed. Your tutor will confirm which textbooks you need before your first class. If you're on a low income or certain benefits, you may be able to apply to the Learner Support Fund to help with these costs. Gloucestershire College Cheltenham Campus will confirm what else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Accounts assistant, supports a finance team with day-to-day transactions.
  • Bookkeeper, records income and expenses for a business.
  • Accounts administrator, handles financial paperwork and data entry.
  • Accounts payable clerk, processes supplier invoices and payments.
  • Purchase ledger clerk, maintains records of what a business owes.
  • Finance assistant, helps with budgets, reports, and financial records.

What you could study next

  • AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting, the natural next step, covering advanced bookkeeping, tax, and management accounting.
  • AAT Level 4 Professional Diploma in Accounting, follows Level 3 and opens routes into senior finance roles.
  • ACCA or CIMA qualifications, for those aiming toward chartered accountant status, typically studied after AAT Level 4.
Apply on gloscol.ac.uk →
Apply now →

Related courses at Gloucestershire College Cheltenham Campus

More courses near you