1. Definition
2. HKICS Studentship Registration
3. Time limit for completing the Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme (CGQP)
4. Studentship Renewal
5. Personal Details
6. Studentship Removal
7. Studentship Resignation
8. Studentship Re-registration
9. Exemptions
10. Examinations
11. Student Rights and Obligations
12. Disciplinary, Code of Professional Ethics and Conduct

For enquiries regarding studentship, please contact the Education and Examinations section or read the FAQs:

• Contact us
• Visit the FAQs

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1. Definition

‘The Institute’ or ‘HKICS’ means The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries.

‘Local Examinations’ means the examinations required for membership of The Chartered Governance Institute of individuals ordinarily resident in the People’s Republic of China.

‘Student’ means a person who is not a member of the Institute and who has to pass the Local Examinations to become a graduate of the Institute.

Words denoting the singular shall include the plural and vice versa.  Words denoting the masculine shall include the feminine.

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2. HKICS Studentship Registration

You must register as an HKICS student before attending any of the Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme (CGQP) examinations. There are five categories of recognised qualifications for entry to HKICS studentship:

Category 1 (Standard entry)
Category 2 (Collaborative Course Agreement (CCA) programme entry)
Category 3 (Partnership Bachelor's Programme (PBP) entry)
Category 4 (Related degree/professional qualification entry)
Category 5 (Master's degree entry)

Click HERE to learn more about entry routes.

All applicants must hold one of the following identity cards: (1) Hong Kong; (2) Mainland China; (3) Taiwan; or (4) Macao: OR hold a certification of right of abode in: (1) Hong Kong; (2) Mainland China; (3) Taiwan; or (4) Macao.
 

1. You may register as an HKICS student at any time. If you wish to enrol and sit for the next upcoming examinations, please note the application deadlines for studentship registration.
   

   Studentship registration application deadline 31 January (yearly) – for the following June examinations 31 July (yearly) – for the following November examinations

    
2. Late studentship applications will be accepted only if the application is accompanied by a late charge.
   

   Late studentship applications (with a late charge imposed) After the 31 January deadline, late applications for June examinations in the same year can be received between 1 February and 15 February. After the 31 July deadline, late applications for November examinations in the same year can be received between 1 August and 15 August.

    
3. You must use the EE001 - Application Form for Studentship Registration for student registration. If you apply under Category 4 (Related degree/professional qualification entry) or Category 5 (Master's degree entry), you must indicate your application for partial exemption assessment on your application form. Click HERE to learn more about exemption information.
   
   
4. When you submit your form, you also need to pay the registration fee, which is non-refundable. You will not be registered as a student until payment of the registration fee has been received in full.
   
   
5. Please read the “Notes on completing the application form – Application for Studentship Registration” of EE001 - Application Form for Studentship Registration to ensure you understand the requirements for supporting documents for your studentship application.

1. Student(Conditional) Registration only applies to current Year Three (3) and Four (4) students of a Partnership Bachelor's Programme (PBP). Click HERE to learn more about PBPs.
   
   
2. You must use the EE001A – Application Form for Student(Conditional) Registration for your student application. Registration opens in the fourth quarter of each year.
   
   
3. Successful applicants will become Student(Conditional) and be entitled to enjoy the same rights and have the same obligations as other Institute students, subject to the following:
   
   
   • A Student(Conditional) may start taking the Institute’s qualifying programme examinations from the date they become a Student(Conditional).
   • If a Student(Conditional) cannot complete the respective PBP, a grace period of two years from the original official completion date of the current BBA programme is allowed for the Student(Conditional) concerned to obtain the required entry qualification for HKICS studentship (i.e. students).
   • If a Student(Conditional) still cannot meet the entry requirement after the two-year grace period, he/she will be removed from the Institute’s student register and his/her examination records with the Institute (if any), will be invalidated in perpetuity.
     
   • All Student(Conditional) are required to declare their student status with the PBP/current BBA programme annually whilst they remain a Student(Conditional).

1. You must register as an HKICS student within three months after you enroll in a CCA programme; otherwise, you will have to pay for a late studentship registration fee on a monthly basis until you do register.
   
   
2. You must use the EE001 - Application Form for Studentship Registration for student registration. If you are a holder of related degree/professional qualification, you may indicate your application for partial exemption assessment in your application form. Click HERE to learn more about exemption information. 
   
   
3. When you submit your form, you also need to pay the registration fee, which is non-refundable. You will not be registered as a student until payment of the registration fee has been received in full.
   
   
4. Please read the “Notes on completing the application form – Application for Studentship Registration” of EE001 - Application Form for Studentship Registration for the requirements of supporting documents for your studentship application.
   

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3. Time limit for completing the Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme (CGQP)

Students must complete the CGQP examinations within six years from the date of first registration and may apply for a studentship extension to a maximum of four additional years to complete the CGQP examinations (i.e. 10 years in total). For any students registered before the launch of CGQP, the 10-year period should be calculated from 1 January 2020 regardless of their studentship registration dates. No studentship extension is allowed beyond 10 years.

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4. Studentship Renewal

Student renewal fees are due each year on the anniversary of the date of registration, for example, if you are registered on 25 June 2019, your studentship will expire on 25 June 2020. All students/Student(Conditional) must maintain their studentship with the Institute annually in order to take the qualifying programme or during their study of CCA programmes.

Studentship Renewal Notice stated with payment deadline will be sent to students two months prior to the expiry date. SMS and email reminders will be sent to students, nevertheless, it is students’ responsibility to renew their studentship on time.

The following only applies to students of CCA programmes:

To fulfill the full exemption requirement, you must maintain your studentship during your course of study and at least 1.5 years (from the date of registration/re-registration) before your application of full exemption and become a graduate of the Institute. Click HERE to learn more about full exemption application. 

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5. Personal Details

In order to maintain timely communication with the Institute, all students/Student(Conditional) should promptly update the details set out below via their user account on the Institute’s website:

1. his/her home and business address, telephone numbers and email address;
2. his/her employment status, including his/her official position if in employment; and
3. any other information that the Council reasonably requires, provided that requiring such information is not contrary to the laws of Hong Kong. 
   

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6. Studentship Removal

The Institute reserves the right to remove students or Student(Conditional) from the register without refund of fees in the event of the following circumstances:

1. Fail to complete CGQP examinations within ten years from the date of first registration as student/Student(Conditional).
2. Not attempting any CGQP examinations within ten years from the date of first registration as a student/Student(Conditional).
3. Non-payment of studentship renewal fees. Students whose renewal fees have been overdue for two months will be automatically removed from the student register. Once removed from the register, students are not allowed to sit for examinations and are no longer entitled to use the Institute’s services until such time as they have been re-registered successfully.
   
4. Non-compliance with the Institute’s student rules and regulations, including these rules, the instructions for candidates to be observed during the examination and the instructions of examination invigilators.
   
5. Any other reason which, in the opinion of the Institute, justifies such action.
   
6. The following only applies to Student(Conditional):
   There is a time limit on completion of PBP for Student(Conditional). If a Student(Conditional) cannot complete the respective PBP in the expected year of graduation, a grace period of two (2) years from the expected year of graduation will be granted to him/her to fulfill the entry requirement for HKICS Studentship (i.e. holder of recognised university degree/professional qualification). If the Student(Conditional) still cannot meet the entry requirement after the two-year grace period, he/she will be removed from the Student(Conditional) register, and his/her examination records with the Institute (if any), will be invalidated in perpetuity. For details, please contact the Institute. 
   

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If a student/Student(Conditional) wishes, for any reason, to resign from the student register, he/she should complete and submit EE024 – Studentship Resignation Form to notify the Institute. 

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8. Studentship Re-registration

The Institute reserves the right to offer or reject any re-registration application. The Institute’s decision on re-registration application is final.

1. Former student who previously registered before launch of CGQP (i.e. before 1 January 2020)
   If a former student re-registers with the Institute, his/her previous studentship records should be reinstated.
   
   
2. Former student who previously registered after launch of CGQP (i.e. on or after 1 January 2020)
   If a former student re-registers with the Institute within 10 years (from the date of his/her first registration or 1 January 2020, whichever is later), his/her previous studentship records should be reinstated.
   
   If he/she submits the application after 10 years (from the date of his/her first registration or 1 January 2020, whichever is later), all his/her previous examination results and approved exemptions will be invalidated perpetually and he/she will be registered as a new student.

All re-registered students should complete the CGQP within the time limit stated in #3. The Institute reserves the right to offer or reject any re-registration application. The Institute’s decision on re-registration application is final.

The following only applies to Student(Conditional):

If a former Student(Conditional) cease his/her conditional studentship and wishes to reinstate it, he/she should contact the Institute to check his/her eligibility for re-registration. Reinstatement of his/her previous examination and exemption records with the Institute is subject to the Institute’s approval. 

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9. Exemptions 

Holders of relevant recognised university degrees and/or professional qualifications will be eligible for exemption upon assessment by the Institute. Relevant qualifications include law, accounting, finance, management and corporate governance. 

Click HERE for more details of exemptions.
 

Collaborative Course Agreement (CCA) programme students

The Institute has developed collaborative courses with several local universities, successful completion of which leads to full exemption from the Institute’s Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme (CGQP). Click here for more details of CCA programmes.

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10. Examinations

1. Entering examinations
   
   • You may enter any CGQP examinations if you are registered as a student of HKICS.
   • You may enter more than one module of CGQP examinations at each examination session.
   • You may submit an examination application from mid-February or mid-August if you would like to take the CGQP examination in June or November respectively. The examination timetable is published on the Institute’s website. Late applications will not be accepted.
   • You must use the EE010 - Examination Entry Form for examination application and submit the form before application deadline.
   • We strongly recommend you consider clearly whether you will have enough time to study and prepare for the examination before you submit your examination application. This should include scheduling your studies before the closing date for examination entry.
   • After your examination application has been confirmed, we will not accept any changes unless there are very exceptional circumstances.
   • HKICS reserves the right to accept or reject any examination application. The Institute’s decision on examination application is final.
     
     
2. Admission to the examination
   • You will receive the examination admission slip by email around two weeks before the date of the examination.
   • You should check your examination admission slip carefully and contact the Institute immediately if any information is incorrect.
   • If you do not receive your admission slip five working days before the examination date you should contact the Institute immediately.
     
   • You should bring a print copy of the examination slip together with your personal identity card when you enter the examination centre.
     
   • You must read and comply with the Institute’s Instructions to Candidates.
     
     
3. Examination postponement and review of examination results
   Click HERE for more details.
   
   
4. Examination results
   Examination results are published on your own personal Institute account only.

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11. Student Rights and Obligations

•  Rights

1. Students and Students(Conditional) are entitled to enjoy exclusive support and benefits offered by the Institute. Learn more about learning support and benefits. 
    

• Obligations

1. Successful applicants are students but not members of the Institute. You cannot describe yourself as a member of the Institute, a Chartered Secretary, and/or a Chartered Governance Professional.
2. Students must abide by this Student Rules and Regulations as stipulated from time to time.
3. Students must undertake the appropriate course of study under their own responsibility as to how, when and where such study shall take place.
4. Students must observe any deadline dates set by the Institute for examination entry, examination deferral and postponement, appeal for examination results and other matters related to their studentship affairs.
5. Students must keep any information provided by the Institute and any correspondence with the Institute confidential.
6. Students are responsible for any consequences arising out of the publication, loss or disclosure by them of their online registration information such as login ID and password.
7. Students remain responsible for all fees and charges and must pay all such fees and charges as stipulated by the Institute.
8. Students must not infringe, and must take all reasonable steps to protect, the copyright or other intellectual property rights of the Institute.

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12. Disciplinary, Code of Professional Ethics and Conduct

Students and Student(Conditional) shall observe the highest standards of professional conduct and ethical behaviour in all their work and activities as if they were members and graduates of the Institute. Each student/Student(Conditional) shall strictly observe the standard of professional conduct and practice required by the Council and comply with any code of conduct, rules of professional ethics, practice directions, rules and regulations governing professional conduct and practice of members unless the Council or the Disciplinary Tribunal otherwise decide or they are otherwise inapplicable by the reason of their not having acquired the minimum years of experience, training or passing the prescribed examinations. Click HERE for details.

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