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ICS Professional Maritime Programme
Starting:
January 2025
Duration:
1 Academic Year
Delivery:
Face-to-Face or Online
Application Status:
Open
ABOUT
STRUCTURE & SYLLABUS
ADMISSIONS
EXAMINATIONS
TUTORSHIP
ABOUT
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The ICS Professional Maritime Programme is an 1-year professional course which has been designed to meet the international shipping industry’s needs. The curriculum is taught by professionals of the shipping market and provides the participants with an excellent basis for career development and immediate implementation to the working environment.
Through the Course, participants sit for the ICS Professional Qualifying Examinations, which lead to ICS Membership, the only internationally recognized professional qualification within the shipping sector.
LEARNING METHOD
The ICS Professional Maritime Programme is taking with:
PHYSICAL PRESENCE
(face to face classes)
Classes take place twice per week at our premise during evening hours, offering a flexible study mode.
ONLINE LIVE LEARNING
(webinars)
Classes are conducted online through the HMC Education Platform during evening hours while participants can join the sessions from anywhere in the world. Online learning ensures that learners engage with the material in real-time, ask questions, and participate in discussions just as they would in a traditional classroom setting.
ADDRESSED TO
Shipping Professionals; experts in a particular field, wanting to advance their shipping knowledge and certify their experience.
Graduates and Professionals of maritime, finance, business management, legal, engineering and other disciplines who wish to pursue a career in shipping.
Officers of the Merchant Marine willing to enhance their sea-going experience and practice with the commercial knowledge.
KEY FEATURES
The training approach of the syllabus is covered from a practical point of view with analysis of case studies, workshops and real-life examples. As shipping is operating in challenging business environment, through the course, participants gain the practical insight of the curriculum and the covered modules, which enable them to enter into the shipping industry and/ or apply the knowledge gained to their day-to-day business. Course Books & reading material are the basis of the learning experience and have been written by leading practitioners in their field and updated annually.
Participants will go through a wide range of topics which cover the whole spectrum of the shipping market within one academic year (Sept to May or Jan to Nov). Compulsory modules will give a comprehensive overview of the shipping business, the practitioners involved, the maritime legal aspects and maritime economics. The elective modules will provide participants with an in-depth knowledge of specialized topics which play a vital role of the everyday commercial business i.e. Chartering, Ship Operations, Marine Insurance, S&P, Shipping Finance, Port Agency, Shipping Law, etc.
The Course is delivered by distinguished industry professionals and each of them is an expert at the field of his practice. Through the learning process and advanced teaching methods, lecturers provide participants with an eye-opening experience and transmit their extensive professional experience. All Lecturers are Members of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers and accredited tutors.
With a reputation for providing a first-class education and professional development to the shipping profession, the ICS Professional Maritime Programme and ICS Membership is a unique hallmark of professionalism in the industry. The Course is internationally recognized and it opens doors all over the world.
As shipping is a global business, participants of the Course and ICS Members are part of an international network of 26 Branches located in key shipping areas worldwide. 7,000 members and 550,000 students in 170 counties, participants have access to the global shipping markets.
Download a Brochure
Apply for the Course here
STRUCTURE & SYLLABUS
STRUCTURE & SYLLABUS
The Programme consists of seven (7) modules which are taught in two semesters:
FIRST SEMESTER SYLLABUS
The first semester introduces candidates the four (4) compulsory modules, giving a comprehensive overview of the shipping business
SECOND SEMESTER SYLLABUS
During the second semester, candidates gain a deeper and specialized knowledge in the field of their interest by choosing three (3) elective modules from the list below:
Apply for the Course here
ADMISSIONS
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
CANDIDATES SHOULD HAVE:
- An academic qualification (Bachelor or Master’s Degree)
- Working experience in the shipping industry or other commercial sectors (on preference)
- Excellent command of the English language
- An interview prior to the registration is always taking place
APPLICATIONS:
- Registration Form
- Copy of official academic diplomas & transcripts (translated in English)
- CV
- Employer’s letter verifying current job position & responsibilities
- English Language Competence
- One recent photograph in jpeg format
Apply for the Course here
EXAMINATIONS
EXAMINATIONS
Upon completion of the ICS Annual Professional Maritime Programme, candidates have the following examination options:
Professional Qualifying Examinations (PQE)
It comprises 7 examinations (4 compulsory and 3 optional) which you can do over five years and lead to ICS Membership and full qualification.
Advanced Diploma (AD)
Consists of Shipping Business examination plus Economics of Sea Transport or Legal Principles in Shipping Business or one (1) elective module.
It is awarded if both subjects are passed in the same exam sitting.
The Advanced Diploma is a stand-alone qualification but it can count towards your membership examinations.
Foundation Diploma (FD)
Consists of Introduction to Shipping examination plus Economics of Sea Transport or Legal Principles in Shipping Business or one (1) elective module.
It is awarded if both subjects are passed in the same exam sitting.
The Foundation Diploma is a stand-alone qualification but it can count towards your membership examinations.
EXEMPTIONS
Candidates with relevant professional or educational qualifications may apply for exemptions from a maximum of three (3) exams, by submitting the Exemption Application Form and the relevant documentation via www.shipbrokers.org.
Exemption Fees: The exemption fee is 195 pounds per subject.
For further information about the procedure of applying for exemptions, please contact us or click on the following link: www.ics.org.uk/learning/exemptions .
Apply for the Course here
ICS EXAMINATIONS ACADEMIC YEAR 2024/2025
Online Registration for the the Academic Year 2024-2025 is now open
Find herein the Exam Timetables of November 2024 and May 2025.
The Online Exam Registrations for the New Academic Year 2024-2025 are open.
If you wish to sit at the ICS Examinations 2024-2025 you should register online by visiting the following link: www.shipbrokers.org.
Important Dates & Deadlines
NOVEMBER 2024 EXAM SESSION
Deadline for “Back to School” Discount: 23 September 2024 (for both November & May Exam Sessions)
Final deadline for registration for November 2024 Exams: 7 October 2024
Deadline for deferment, exam centre or subject changes: 14 October 2024
(no further changes or deferments will be allowed after this date)
November 2024 exam period: 11-21 November 2024
November 2024 Exam Results published: 20 February 2025
MAY 2024 EXAM SESSION
Final deadline for registration for May 2025 Exams: 10 April 2025
Deadline for deferment, exam centre or subject changes: 15 April 2025
(no further changes or deferments will be allowed after this date)
May 2025 exam period: 12-22 May 2025
May 2025 Exam Results published: 21 August 2025
EXAM FEES
Student Registration Annual Fee (November 2024 – May 2025)
* The annual registration fee covers both November 2024 and May 2025 exam sessions.)
£142
Discounted Examination Entry Fee (until 23 September 2024)
£108 (Per Subject)
Standard Examination Entry Fee (from 24 September until 10 April 2025)
£179 (Per Subject)
Exemption Fee
£195 (Per Subject)
Deferment Fee
£65 (Per Subject)
Examination Review
£160 (Per Subject)
TUTORSHIP
TUTORSHIP
Tutorship is the distance learning programme covering the ICS syllabus and preparing students to take the Professional Qualifying Examinations (PQE). Tutorship is especially designed to meet the training needs of captains & officers who are currently on board and of shipping professionals who travel frequently abroad.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
In order to enroll at the tutorship course, you have to complete the registration form for tutorship.
Once enrolled, we will provide you with the ICS course book and allocate a tutor who will guide you through your studies.
Tutorship assignments are delivered via email.
Each course book contains self-assessment and a further 10 “Test” questions and a mock exam that can be submitted for marking and comments to a tutor.
Each assignment is returned by email within 7 – 10 working days.
Your registration is valid for one year from 1 June to 31 May.
Apply for ICS Tutorship
Contact us to find out more the ICS Professional Maritime Programme
The most important advantage/skill of this program offered to me was the professional knowledge and practical aspects of the shipping industry. Also, the international professional network linked with the ICS PQE program could be said unique and provide access to many opportunities.
Kalozoumis Poseidon Thomas,MICS Financial Accounting Assistant, Nereus Shipping S.A 
Learning from professionals, active in their respective fields, sharing their experiences and cases they have handled throughout their careers is of great value, especially for a young professional taking their first steps in the shipping industry.
Nikolaou Konstantina,MICS Ship Broker, Gregale Shipping Ltd 
Through the ICS Course, I learned how to communicate well as a team and build relationships via the interactive courses and the numerous events. ICS revealed to me what my passion is and what path in the shipping industry I would like to follow, which for me is the most valuable thing that a professional qualification can offer you.
Marianna Xifara,MICS, LLM Chartering @ AM Nomikos & Son (UK) Ltd 
The ICS program was the most in-depth and hands on program I could find which would be able to increase my academic depth of this fascinating industry. The ICS gave me the day-to-day approach of shipping. Be it voyage estimations, charterparty negotiations, voyage orders, I found myself well prepared when I entered the industry.
George Daskalakis,FICS Commercial Officer M/Maritime Corp. ICS Professional Maritime Programme 2014-2015 
I was well aware of the reputation and ICS status since my student years and when I first started working, I realized how this Program is recognized by the Shipping Community both in Greece and internationally. ICS Greek branch in particular, has strong bonds with the Greek maritime cluster, maintaining all members in close contact, creating a think tank of shipping professionals in continuous dialogue over developments in the Shipping Industry. I considered it an investment for my working future on the long run, every time I get to meet with fellow members, I realize it was the right decision.
Evi Saratzi,MICS Chartering Executive, Empros Lines Shipping Co 