Choosing your qualification
The Institute's academic year opened on 15 June 2020.
To sit an exam with the Institute during the 2020/2021 academic
year, you will need to register as a student. This can be done
online at www.shipbrokers.org.
Professional Qualifying Examinations
The Professional Qualifying Examinations (PQEs) form the
pinnacle of the Institute's qualifications. Passing these exams
demonstrates your developed knowledge and understanding of the
commercial shipping industry. They comprise seven exams, taken over
a period of up to five years. Of these, four are compulsory and the
remaining three can be chosen from a list of 12 optional subjects
(see the syllabus section on our website).
Many people complete in a much shorter time and some are
eligible for exemptions from some exams based on industry
experience and prior qualifications. Exemptions do not apply to the Diplomas, so
if you are eligible for a few, it may make sense to start your
journey with PQE.
Embarking on PQE will mean you can choose how many exams to take
from the syllabus. Once you have completed your
PQEs, you will be eligible to apply for membership of the
Institute.

Foundation Diploma
The Foundation Diploma is ideal for people with little industry
experience but who would like to gain practical knowledge and a
sound qualification. It involves taking the Introduction to Shipping paper
plus one other subject from Group 1 (except Shipping Business) or
from the Group 2 list of optional papers from the Institute's syllabus.
The Foundation Diploma is a stand-alone qualification in its own
right, but because it can count towards your membership
examinations it is also a great way to ease into study and gives
you an overall view of the business.
The Foundation Diploma is awarded if both subjects are passed in
the same exam sitting.
Foundation Diplomas:
Diploma in Dry Cargo Chartering
Diploma in Ship Operations & Management
Diploma in Ship Sale & Purchase
Diploma in Tanker Chartering
Diploma in Liner Trades
Diploma in Port Agency
Diploma in Logistics & Multi-modal
Transport
Diploma in Port & Terminal Management
Diploma in Offshore Support Industry
Diploma in Shipping Law
Diploma in Marine Insurance
Diploma in Shipping Finance
And from this year you can also choose one of the following:
Foundation Diploma in Economics of Sea Transport &
International Trade
Foundation Diploma in Legal Principles in Shipping
Business
Diploma Qualifications also contribute to PQE
credits.
Advanced Diploma
The Advanced Diploma has been designed as a stepping stone into
full professional qualification and suits those who have some
industry knowledge. Like the Foundation Diploma, the Advanced
Diploma is a recognised and respected qualification and it can
count towards your Professional Qualifying Examinations. It
involves taking the Institute's benchmark paper Shipping
Business plus one other subject from Group 1 (except
Introduction to Shipping) or from the Group 2 list of
optional papers from the Institute's syllabus.
The Advanced Diploma is awarded if both subjects are passed
in the same exam sitting.
Please see below the full range of Advanced Diplomas
available:
Diploma in Dry Cargo Chartering
Diploma in Ship Operations & Management
Diploma in Ship Sale & Purchase
Diploma in Tanker Chartering
Diploma in Liner Trades
Diploma in Port Agency
Diploma in Logistics & Multi-modal
Transport
Diploma in Port & Terminal
Management
Diploma in Offshore Support Industry
Diploma in Shipping Law
Diploma in Marine Insurance
Diploma in Shipping Finance
You can also choose one of the following:
Advanced Diploma in Economics of Sea Transport &
International Trade
Advanced Diploma in Legal Principles in Shipping
Business
Diploma Qualifications also contribute to PQE
credits.
New from 2019/20:
We now offer the Foundation Diploma and Advanced
Diploma in Legal Principles in Shipping Business and in
Economics of Sea Transport and International Trade.
For more details please contact us at education@ics.org.uk.