The “CIMA 2 papers to qualify” pathway refers to a fast-track route where students complete most of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants qualification through exemptions gained from a relevant degree programme. At Imperial College of Business Studies, students enrolled in the International Business and Finance degree are taught a curriculum aligned with CIMA’s syllabus, covering finance, accounting, business strategy, and management skills. Because of this alignment, students may receive exemptions from several CIMA exam levels, meaning they do not need to sit the full set of professional exams.
In many cases, graduates from this pathway are left with only the final stage requirements—often around two remaining CIMA papers, depending on individual exemptions granted by CIMA. These typically focus on advanced strategic and case-study based assessments. By completing the degree while simultaneously progressing through CIMA, students achieve a powerful dual qualification: an academic degree plus a globally recognized professional accounting certification. This significantly improves employability in finance, accounting, banking, and corporate management roles, both in Sri Lanka and internationally.
