Membership FAQs

The main pathway to membership is by completing our Professional Qualifying Exams (PQE).

To complete PQE, you will need to successfully complete a total of seven exams over five years (although many people complete in a shorter period of time).

If you have any prior qualifications or industry experience, it is likely that you will be eligible for some exemptions, which will reduce the number of exams you will need to take.  We will need a copy of your degree certificate if you would like us to advise you further.

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

1. Register as a student with the Institute
2. Enter the exams you would like to take
3. Choose how you would like to study

You will be able to download your student forms on our website, but if you would prefer, you can email us at: education@ics.org.uk

As a route to membership, the dissertation is an opportunity to display the depth of knowledge and experience that is equivalent to the Institute's professional qualifying exams.

The dissertation should be an original research project related to international shipping, international logistics, international supply chain management or international procurement on the basis of relevant literature and appropriate empirical work. You are required to appraise current research, deploy specialist techniques and critically appraise results in order to advance knowledge through presenting findings in a dissertation.

These are the requirements for membership via dissertation:

• Applicants must have passed the Shipping Business exam in the past five years.

• The chosen topic for dissertation must contain a research element. Applicants should submit a proposal, including objectives (maximum 1,000 words)

• The dissertation proposal will be considered by a sub-committee of three people, usually drawn from the  Membership Committee or Education Committe and the Training Committee. A minimum of two readers will consider final submission, which may only be re-submitted once if not of 'pass' standard

• Dissertation to be 15,000 words in length

• Dissertation must be submitted within six months of proposal approval

If you would like to apply for membership via dissertation, please contact us at:membership@ics.org.uk

Through its worldwide network of Members (MICS) and Fellows (FICS), the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers is internationally recognised as the highest standard of professionalism in the shipping community.

• Members have access to a worldwide network of shipping professionals who work to the motto "Our Word, Our Bond"
• Members receive an annual membership card that can be used to validate your membership and allow entry to branch events
• All members have access to the Institute membership database at www.shipbrokers.org and can share their details through the Membership directory, as well as gaining access to a range of membership services and access to other Members'details
• Members and Fellows of the Institute receive the professional magazine Shipping Network

We believe these benefits add value to Institute membership and will be grateful to receive your feedback. In the meantime do not hesitate to contact us if you require further information:

membership@ics.org.uk

To complete Professional Qualifying Examinations, which makes you eligible for membership, you will need to take a total of seven exams over five years (although, many people complete in a 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.  We will need a copy of your degree certificate if you would like us to advise you further.

MICS and FICS post-nominals are truly international and recognised around the globe in a way that no other commercial shipping qualifications are.

The Institute has 27 branches across five areas around the world: a truly global network. Within these regions, almost without exception, the Institute PQE is recognised by companies and individuals alike.

The Institute has just under 4,000 members in 27 international branches.

Once you have completed your Professional Qualifying Examinations you will need to fill out the membership application form (please contact membership@ics.org.uk).

You will need two Fellows or Members to support your application (please contact Head Office if you do not know two Fellows or Members).  Once you have submitted your form, it will be presented to our Controlling Council for their consideration.  This can take some time because we need to wait until the council convenes before your application can be considered.  Meetings for membership elections are usually held four times a year. However the dates can vary, so we advise to contact the Membership Team to make sure that you meet the deadlines for your submission: membership@ics.org.uk

Upon gaining membership with the Institute you will receive a letter of acceptance, a certificate to certify your professional membership status and an Institute tie or scarf.

Membership to the Institute offers some great benefits. These include;

• Having the initials MICS or FICS after your name
• Belonging to a network of professionally educated and trusted individuals
• Having access to the Institute directory available at www.shipbrokers.org
• Attending events and seminars aimed at continuous professional development
• Receiving the Institute journal Shipping Network
• Belonging to a professional body, thus helping to gain a competitive advantage in your commercial and professional life

Each year on 1 June your membership will be renewed. As soon as you settle your annual contribution, you will receive an Institute membership card to give you access to all Institute events worldwide.

The Institute financial year runs from 1 June until 31 May every year. All members are sent an invoice around 1 June each year.

If you are based in an area where there is an existing branch of the Institute, you will automatically be assigned to that branch.

If you are in an area without a current Institute branch, you will belong to the Institute international branch network, which is co-ordinated from our head office in London.

If you belong to a branch in your country you will have the opportunity to attend branch committee meetings, as well as various events throughout the year such as seminars, lectures, meetings and branch dinners.

If you contact your local branch directly, they will be able to give you a much clearer idea of exactly what activities they organise and how you may be able to contribute. You can find the contact details for all our branches on our website.

As members of the Institute you can attend events in any branch around the world.  It's just one of the benefits of belonging to a truly international organisation.

Please let us know where you are travelling to at membership@ics.org.uk and we'll put you in touch with the branch.

Shipping Network is produced four times a year and is full of industry articles that support your professional development. Shipping Network is available on the Institute website, but it is also posted to all members and fellows worldwide.

If you would like a hard copy of Shipping Network, you can request this through your branch or via head office at membership@ics.org.uk.

As a new member, you will receive your Institute certificate and your tie or scarf once we receive your first subscription payment.

All members can request a list of Institute membership companies, email us at membership@ics.org.uk

Institute members can purchase a range of merchandise including ties, scarves and shields.  If you get in touch with us at membership@ics.org.uk we will be able to give you more information and a price list.

You can retain your connection to the Institute as a Retired Member, which will allow you to maintain your enjoyment of Institute benefits.

You will continue to receive the Shipping Network magazine, and we have also upgraded our members' database at www.shipbrokers.org where you can maintain contact with colleagues and friends in the industry.

If you have retired from your career in shipping you do have the opportunity to continue your connection to the Institute as a Retired Member, which will allow you to maintain your enjoyment of Institute benefits.

Members receive the Shipping Network magazine and we have also upgraded our members' database at www.shipbrokers.org where you can maintain contact with colleagues and friends in the industry.

Membership to the Institute offers some great benefits. These include;

• Having the initials MICS or FICS after your name
• Belonging to a worldwide network of professionally educated and trusted individuals
• Attending events and seminars aimed at continuous professional development
• Access to the Institute membership database available at www.shipbrokers.org
• Having an annual membership card (that can be used to validate your membership and allow entry to branch events)
• Receiving the Institute journal Shipping Network
• Belonging to a professional body, thus helping to gain a competitive advantage in your commercial and professional life
• 
  

Re-instatement as a member, once subscriptions have been unpaid for more than 3 years, requires a process of re-election by the Institute Executive Council to membership or fellowship status, and payment of three years' subscriptions - i.e. the current year and a single payment equal two previous years of membership fees.

We also have a Retired category of membership, which covers members who are either retired, currently unemployed or would like to maintain their membership while working for a period within a different industry.

If you would like to consider rejoining the Institute or would like to discuss your options, please do not hesitate to get in touch at membership@ics.org.uk.

Since the Institute was established in 1911, one of the most valuable privileges has been being part of a network of like-minded shipbrokers, all qualified to a similar standard, all of whom share a philosophy about professionalism and ethics.

For many years, the Institute published its list of members and their contact details, allowing members to network with each other and conduct business together.

Some years ago, the practice of printing the membership list was discontinued, to be replaced by an online membership directory where members could search for each other.

As the Institute is an international organisation, we must abide by a great variety of regulations and laws. In this case, we have some restrictions in certain countries regarding the use of personal data, so members are not automatically visible to other members. Instead, they must log in to the membership directory and choose to make their details visible.

Please feel free to get in touch with us at membership@ics.org.uk if you have any further queries.

We have a number of securities in place to ensure our online system is secure, and it can sometimes be overly strict. You are not the only member with this issue and we are working with our developers to find a solution to this.

If you would like to call any time during UK office hours at +44 (0) 20 7623 1111 we will be able to take the payment via card over the phone, or if you can give us a suitable time, we can call you.

If you prefer to email us, please do so at: membership@ics.org.uk