Summarized
Picture this: it’s 2022, I’m 18, living in a tiny flat in Bhopal with my parents, and I’m scrolling Instagram at 2 AM completely lost. Everyone around me is either doing plain B.Com or fighting for CA foundation seats. Then I saw this random ad about an online degree from JAIN University that gives you up to 9 ACCA paper exemptions. I laughed at first, closed the tab, and thought “yeah right, another scam”. Two years later? I’m sitting with a 7.2 LPA offer letter from Grant Thornton Bangalore in my hand. So yeah… I ate my words.
Let me tell you the full story, no filter, like we’re grabbing chai together.
How I Accidentally Found This Degree
My cousin brother was already doing CA and crying every day over coaching fees (₹4 lakh+ just for Inter). I knew I didn’t have that kind of money or patience. One night I was googling “cheapest way to do ACCA in India” and landed on JAIN Online’s page. Total fees? Around ₹2.65 lakh for the whole three years. I actually refreshed the page twice because I thought it was a glitch.
My First Semester Felt Too Good to Be True
Classes were recorded + live doubt sessions in the evening. I was literally attending lectures in my pajamas while eating Maggi. The subjects were straight-up ACCA syllabus, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Taxation everything mapped perfectly. By the end of first year I had already claimed 6 exemptions and cleared F2 and F3 on my own. My mom still teases me that I studied more in shorts than she ever did in school uniform.
The Money Part (Because We All Care)
Here’s the truth nobody says out loud:
- Regular B.Com + separate ACCA coaching in my city = easily ₹8-10 lakh
- This JAIN degree = ₹2.65 lakh total (I paid in installments, ₹18k per semester)
- ACCA registration + exam fees for remaining papers = another ₹1.2 lakh
Grand total? Under 4 lakh to become almost-ACCA qualified. My friend who went the traditional route is still at 12 lakh+ and hasn’t cleared Inter yet.
And the placements? Bro… EY, KPMG, Grant Thornton, PwC – they all came. I got 7.2 LPA + bonus. My classmate Riya bagged 8.4 LPA at EY Chennai. We still have a WhatsApp group where we spam crying-laughing emojis every time someone shares their offer letter.
“From Bhopal PG room to Big 4 in 3 years. Still can’t believe this happened.” – Me, literally right now
The Exemptions Are Real (I Have Proof)
I scored 62-78% in the mapped subjects and got clean exemptions for:
F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9 (yes, all nine).
Only four papers left + ethics module. I’m planning to finish everything by mid-2026 while working. Some of my seniors are already in Dubai and London earning in pounds and dirhams.
The Two Things I Didn’t Like (Being 100% Honest)
- No campus, no fests, no “college life” photos. If you want that vibe, this isn’t it.
- You have to be disciplined. Nobody is chasing you for assignments. I failed one subject in first semester because I was busy binge-watching (lesson learned).
But honestly? I’d pick this over hostel politics any day.
Who Should Totally Do This (And Who Should Skip)
Do it if:
Skip if:
- You’re from a tier-2/3 city and can’t move
- Your family can’t spend 10-15 lakh on education
- You want Big 4 or abroad jobs before 25
- You want the full college experience
- You’re planning government jobs that need regular degree only (though this one is UGC approved anyway)
Mini FAQ (Questions I Get in DMs Daily)
Q: Did you really get placed through online degree?
Yes, 100%. Companies only care about your ACCA progress and skills.
Q: Is JAIN Online degree respected?
My TL at Grant Thornton did his MBA from IIM and literally said “smart choice” when he saw my resume.
Q: Can I do this while preparing for CA?
Half my batch is doing exactly that. Double qualification vibes.
Disclaimer:
The details in this blog, including fees, syllabus, statistics, and career insights are based on publicly available information as of 2025. Universities frequently update their programs, pricing, and policies. Always check the official university website or contact their admissions team for the most current and accurate details. This blog is for informational and inspirational purposes only and should not be used to negotiate fees or demand specific pricing from counselours. Prices and offerings may vary.