In order to do ALL the qualifications under Foundations in Accountancy (FIA), a new suit of qualifications being offered by ACCA, you have to sit in exams for 9 papers. So it will be taking almost the same time as CAT. To know more about FIA and qualifications under it you can read an article that highlights different features of FIA suit of qualifications and answers many question in simple words What is FIA?
However, if you are not doing FIA completely and doing only the selected qualifications under FIA then it depends on the student.
For example:
Introductory level certificate contains 2 papers and are CBE based so student can sit these exams in one attempt for which student might need 3 months to prepare.
Intermediate level certificate contains 2 papers and are CBE based so student can sit these exams in one attempt for which student might need 3 months to prepare.
Diploma contains 3 papers and are CBE for which students might need 4 months to prepare.
Lastly, to do the last 3 optional papers student might need 6 months to prepare.
Now you can add up the timings to see how much time it will take. Remember, the times given are only for information purposes to get an idea about it and can be different for different students.
Got any question regarding FIA qualification? Then please leave a comment in the comment box below.
I have read your post very carefully and I just want to say that the information you shared is really great and I have learned a lot from it.
Foundation in every thing is very important why ACCA did not make and provide any Lecture videos and soft book for FIA