Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Institute cannot assist with the issue of visas to students. ICS TutorShip courses are designed for distance learning only.

We make the past 3 years' exam papers available on our website as well as the accompanying examiner's reports to help you with your studies.

It is the policy of our Education and Training Committee not to release any older examination papers.

However, if you are a TutorShip student looking for some further guidance with your exams, there are mock examinations at the back of each of our TutorShip workbooks. We strongly recommend that you complete your mock exam, under exam conditions, and submit it to your Tutor for feedback.

Why do you charge a fee for exemptions when I don't have to sit the paper?

All of the Institute's exemptions are checked and verified through the Institute's Education and Training Committee. They compare your qualification with our own by examining the detail of the course that you have completed. The fee covers our administration costs for this process.

Please contact enquiries@ics.org.uk, providing as much detail as possible so that we can find your details on our system.

Usually the following information is required:

• Full name (including middle names)
• Date of birth
• Student number
• Full home address at time of study
• Exam(s) subject completed
• Date(s) completed

We will be able to review your case independently and respond to you.

The pathway to membership is by completing the Institute's Professional Qualifying Exams (PQEs).

To complete PQEs, you will need to take a total of 7 exams over a maximum of 5 years (although many people complete in a much shorter period of time).

If you have any prior qualifications or industry experience, it's likely that you will be eligible for some exemptions, which will reduce the number of exams you will need to take. Please refer to our exemptions page.

If you would like to start, you will need to do three things:

• Register as a student with the ICS
• Decide which exams you would like to take
• Choose how you would like to study

Once you have completed your PQEs you will need to go through a vetting process to demonstrate that you have the integrity required to become a member of the ICS. Your application for membership needs to be countersigned by two Fellows of the Institute. It then goes through our Vetting Committee and the Executive Council for final approval.

This is always a difficult question to answer, because everyone's circumstances vary and people study and approach their exams in many different ways.

Completing your TutorShip studies to prepare you for your exams is likely to take about 80 hours per subject, but this can vary considerably. If you are studying for a subject you feel comfortable with, you may not need to contribute this amount of time. Likewise, if you aren't familiar at all with what you are studying, it is likely to take you longer.

Ultimately, the decision of how many papers to take is entirely up to you, but it is worth bearing in mind that completing your TutorShip course involves submitting at least 10 assignments and a mock exam per subject. You should only select the number of subjects that you can realistically hope to prepare for effectively. If you enrol early, you are more likely to be able to allocate a few hours every week and keep up with your studies. If you enrol late in the academic year, you should be realistic about how much study you can get done in a limited amount of time while balancing your work and home life.

Please contact head office as a matter of urgency on etheir enquiries@ics.org.uk or +44 (0) 207 357 9722.

The Institute offers two ways to deal with non-attendance for registered exams (this doesn't apply to TutorShip):

Deferment - this allows one or more exam fees to be moved to the next available academic period for a single payment. Deadlines apply, so please check the Institute's published information for key dates and deadlines.

Typical examples of deferment might be as follows (this is not a definative list):

• business or pleasure travel during exam period
• I have not had the time to prepare for my exam or I am not ready
• work or family commitments
• any work-related issue (if your employment affects your exams, we suggest discussing this with your line manager initially)

Compassionate Consideration - this allows students to apply for their exam fees to be moved to the next academic period because of medical considerations or family bereavement; this requires official documentary evidence to support any request. It can be considered up to one month following the final exam.

You will need to register each academic year you intend to sit for exams with the Institute and pay your student registration fee, as this is not covered by either the Deferment or Compassionate Consideration process. It is your responsibility (not the Institute's) to let us know that you intend to sit your exams in the next available academic period and this needs to be done via the student registration process.

If you do not sit your exams in the next available academic period, then all fees will be lost and no further requests will be accepted to change, amend or defer in this regard.

Unfortunately we are not able to provide a list to non-members. If you would like help and support entering into the commercial shipping industry, we recommend you get in touch with Spinnaker Global Shipping Recruitment -  www.shippingjobs.com

Spinnaker will be well placed to advise you of your prospects and give you a sense of the recruitment and employment market.

We will make every effort to accommodate you at an exam centre close to where you live, provided you request the exam centre location with sufficient time for us to make the necessary arrangements. However, bear in mind that you may need to travel to another location. If we are unable to find a suitable exam centre for you, we will advise you with enough time to make the necessary travel arrangements.

The complete list of exam centres is available from our website.

You must notify us of the change in writing, at least one month before your exams are due to start. New exam centres will not be considered if requested after the deadline for requesting new locations has passed.

All students who wish to sit an examination with the ICS must first register as a student with us. Your registration fee goes towards organising your examination venue, getting your papers to the venue and invigilation. It is a set price no matter where you are in the world.

Once you have registered, you then need to select the exams for the specific subjects that you wish to take. This entry fee goes towards the writing and marking of your exam paper and is also an international set price.

Please fill in our compassionate consideration form and give as much detail as possible so we can find your details on our system. We will be able to review your case independently and resend to you.

• The Professional Qualifying Examinations (PQEs) form the basis of membership. The PQE qualification comprises 7 exams which you can take over a maximum of 5 years (although many people complete in a much shorter period of time).

If you are taking the PQEs you must pass 7 subjects over 5 years:

1. All of the compulsory subjects below must be taken over your period of study:

• Introduction to Shipping
• Legal Principles in Shipping Business
• Shipping Business
• Economics of Sea Transport & International Trade

Shipping Business is compulsory in the first year; the others can be taken throughout the duration of your course.

1. The remaining subjects can be chosen from those listed below to make up your seven subject requirement:

• Dry Cargo Chartering
• Ship Operations & Management
• Ship Sale & Purchase
• Tanker  Chartering
• Liner Trades
• Port  Agency
• Logistics & Multi-modal Transport
• Port and Terminal Management
• Offshore Support Industry
• Shipping Law
• Marine Insurance
• Shipping Finance

After completion of the 7 required PQEs you will be eligible for membership of the Institute. Upon approval of your membership application, you will receive a membership certificate. There is no separate certificate for passing the Institute's Professional Qualifying Exams.

What career prospects can I expect from gaining membership to the ICS?

The Institute is the only internationally recognised professional body representing shipbrokers, ship managers and agents throughout the world. Although we cannot give you any specific indications on your future prospects, we can tell you that the ICS examinations are held in very high regard and are recognised by employers around the world.

It may be of benefit to you to visit the website of Spinnaker Global Shipping Recruitment, a recruitment agency specialised in the shipping industry (www.shippingjobs.com) which is well placed to offer you some career advice. They state:"The ICS is the only source of professional and vocational qualifications in shipping. Take it from us - all other things being equal, the ICS qualified candidate will get the job".

What exemptions can I get?

If you have any prior qualifications or industry experience, it is possible that you may be eligible for some exemptions, which will reduce the number of exams you will need to take. Please refer to our website for further details on the exemptions we can offer during this academic year (/learning/exemptions).

• The Advanced Diploma acts as a stepping stone to the Institute's PQEs and suits candidates who have some industry knowledge but wish to expand their knowledge from that base.

If you are taking the Advanced Diploma you must take:

• Shipping Business (compulsory)

You can then choose from any one of the following subjects:

• Dry Cargo Chartering
• Ship Operations & Management
• Ship Sale & Purchase
• Tanker  Chartering
• Liner Trades
• Port  Agency
• Logistics & Multi-modal Transport
• Port and Terminal Management
• Offshore Support Industry

Both subjects must be taken and passed in the same exam session in order to obtain an Advanced Diploma. You will receive a certificate for successfully completing your Diploma.

The Foundation and the Advanced Diplomas are stand-alone qualifications, but they can also count towards your PQEs.

• The Foundation Diploma is a two module course that is taken over 1 year. The Foundation Diploma acts as a comprehensive basic introduction to the shipping industry, allowing students the opportunity to study a general subject alongside a more specialised subject.

If you are taking the Foundation Diploma you must take:

• Introduction to Shipping (compulsory)

You can then choose from any one of the following subjects:

• Dry Cargo Chartering
• Ship Operations & Management
• Ship Sale & Purchase
• Tanker  Chartering
• Liner Trades
• Port  Agency
• Logistics & Multi-modal Transport
• Port and Terminal Management
• Offshore Support Industry

Both subjects must be taken and passed in the same exam session in order to obtain a Foundation Diploma. You will receive a certificate for successfully completing your Diploma.

The Foundation and the Advanced Diplomas are stand-alone qualifications, but they can also count towards your PQEs.

The pass mark for Professional Qualifying Exams (PQE) and the Advanced Diploma is 50% or 50 marks out of 100. A pass with distinction indicates that you have achieved 80% or higher.

Any pass at 50% or above can be carried forward as credit towards the PQEs.

This will vary for each exam session, depending on the number and quantity of students entering, and so there is no set pass rate.

What are the study options?

Option 1 - TutorShip

TutorShip is the ICS's own distance-learning programme. TutorShip provides not only the necessary preparation for the ICS exams but also gives students the opportunity to broaden their understanding of the industry and develop career potential.

TutorShip courses are written by leading practitioners in their field and updated annually. All our tutors are approved by head office and are specialists in their field.

You can enrol for TutorShip via head office or with your local Institute Teaching Centre (ITC). ITCs provide local tuition to students in their own area on behalf of the ICS, using TutorShip material. Some ITCs also organise other training courses, revision events and seminars for students and members. Contact your local ITC or branch for more local information (/about-us/international-network).

Once enrolled you will receive for each subject;

• the latest TutorShip course book
• the relevant TutorShip workbook containing your assignments and a mock examination that you submit for marking and feedback by your course tutor
• access to your allocated tutor, who will guide you through your studies, answer your questions, give you feedback on your assignments and mark your mock exam

You should consider TutorShip if you are looking for;

• a highly flexible study option that fits around your work and home life
• an international form of study that works where ever you are located
• a structured and easy-to-follow format
• the personal support of an industry expert

TutorShip is a successful formula that can help you to pass your exams.

Option 2 - Self Study

You can purchase our course text books directly from head office, ICS Branches or ITCs and use them to study in your own time and at your own pace.

Option 3 - Lecture programmes

Some of the Institute ITCs offer lecture programmes providing opportunity for face-to-face learning and direct access to subject specialists in a classroom environment. For those who live close to these centres, this proves to be a very popular option.

In addition, the following organisations teach the ICS syllabus and prepare students for PQE examinations.

• Hellenic Management Centre, Piraeus (Greece) http://www.helmc.com

• METL, independent maritime education provider of evening classes in central London http://www.metl.info

• National Maritime College, Cork (Foundation Diploma courses are offered only with Port Agency) http://www.nmci.ie/index.cfm/page/course/courseId/13

Contact your local branch / ITC for more information.

1. The remaining subjects can be chosen from those listed below to make up your seven-subject requirement:

• Dry Cargo Chartering
• Ship Operations & Management
• Ship Sale & Purchase
• Tanker Chartering
• Liner Trades
• Port Agency
• Logistics & Multi-modal Transport
• Port and Terminal Management
• Offshore Support Industry
• Shipping Law
• Marine Insurance
• Shipping Finance

After completion of the 7 required PQEs, you will be eligible for membership of the Institute. On approval of your membership application, you will receive a membership certificate. There is no separate certificate for passing the Institute's Professional Qualifying Exams.

Your books are couriered to you as part of the purchase price and should be with you within 3-5 working days and will be sent to the address you indicate on your student registration form or course book order form. Dispatch will only take place once payment has been confirmed in full by ICS.

If you have not received your books within 7 working days, please contact us at enquiries@ics.org.uk or call +44 (0) 20 7357 9722.

Where can I get books from?

ICS TutorShip course books are available as part of your TutorShip course. TutorShip is available from our London head office or through your local Institute Teaching Centre (ITC).

If you would like to self-study, you can purchase the books directly from us at head office or through your local branch or ITC.

Can I register online?

New Students - If you have not registered before with the Institute then you can use www.shipbrokers.org to manage your new student account with the Institute. As a new student, you will need to register by clicking on the Register button at the top of the page at www.shipbrokers.org.

Returning student - If you are a student who has previously taken exams with the Institute you will have a login username and password already. This means you can start registering as a student for the coming year. This can be done online at www.shipbrokers.org. Simply use your registered email address, requesting a new password via the 'Forgot Password' button.

Please email enquiries@ics.org.uk if you are unsure to obtain these details, but you must include your student number, date of birth and your email address used at the time of your last registration so that the Education team can quickly locate your records.

Once regsitered online, you can manage your own account, update your contact information (this information is only used by the Institute to send important information) and also view previous years' exams as well as other information related to your profile, such as any subject exemption granted.

Please visit the following links for further information on pricing and key dates and deadlines. For any further advice, please contact the education team at enquiries@ics.org.uk