When credentialing organizations look to scale globally, accessibility can be the Achilles' heel of success. Infrastructure limitations, affordability issues, and unequal access to high-quality learning support too often translate into regional disparities in exam outcomes. But what if these barriers could be broken—not just mitigated, but transformed—through smart, scalable digital learning?
In this blog, we will explore the story of Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and how they transformed professional education, breaking down geographic and economic barriers, leading to increased pass rates and rapid adoption by over 100,000 students in six months.
The Challenge: Bridging the Global Gap in Certification Access
As associations and credentialing bodies expand internationally, they often encounter significant barriers that impact learner success. ACCA, the world’s largest global professional accountancy body, saw this firsthand where there were regional disparities in exam pass rates due to issues of accessibility and affordability.
The Solution: Launching a Scalable Digital Learning Platform
To combat these disparities, ACCA introduced Study Hub, a comprehensive and free digital learning platform. Built for both online and offline use, the platform provides:
- Full-syllabus digital study texts
- Interactive quizzes and flashcards
- Exam-standard practice questions
- Confidence-tracking and bookmarking tools
- Embedded explainer videos and usability enhancements
To ensure the platform would effectively meet learners’ needs and foster meaningful engagement, ACCA launched a targeted pilot rollout in Africa—a region with limited learning provider (LP) support but a large student base. This strategic approach enabled ACCA to collect valuable insights and feedback from a high-need, high-impact audience ahead. The pilot quickly proved successful.
As Catherine Cowan shared:
Encouraged by these results, ACCA expanded the platform to five additional markets—including Australia/New Zealand and the Caribbean—where they again observed strong engagement and improved exam performance.
The Results: Increased Adoption and Improved Pass Rates
In just six months, more than 100,000 learners adopted Study Hub. The success of the platform spurred rapid expansion into additional global markets, and the outcomes have only continued to grow.
Emma Kerr shared:
In parallel, Study Hub users experienced measurable performance improvements. Catherine Cowan added:
Data-Driven Success: Using Analytics to Optimize Learning
A key to Study Hub’s continued success has been its emphasis on data-driven decision-making. ACCA used data from the platform, along with qualitative feedback from students, to continually shape and enhance their offerings.
Emma Kerr noted:
These insights continue to drive enhancements, such as personalized content, embedded video support, and upcoming AI-powered learning features.
A Model for Scalable, Inclusive Learning
ACCA’s success story demonstrates that when credentialing organizations invest in purposeful, learner-centered digital tools, they can dramatically improve outcomes regardless of geography. The Study Hub platform not only helped bridge regional divides, but also reinforced the importance of continuous innovation backed by data.
Whether serving professionals in finance, healthcare, technology, or engineering, ACCA’s digital transformation offers a blueprint for credentialing bodies seeking to improve global access, equity, and success.
To hear directly from ACCA leaders and gain deeper insights into this transformation, check out the on-demand webinar with BenchPrep.
Ready to empower more learners to succeed?
The ACCA Study Hub proves that with the right digital tools, exam prep can be engaging, accessible, and impactful at scale. Discover how your organization can create smarter, data-driven exam prep experiences that close achievement gaps and boost learner outcomes globally.
