Fast-Track and International Fast-Track Professional

What is Fast-Track Professional?
Which modules do I need to study?
Am I eligible?
How much is Fast-Track Professional?
How and where to study
Supporting you through your study
How to register

What is Fast-Track Professional?

If you are a qualified lawyer or accountant you may be eligible to study CSQS and become a Chartered Secretary via our Fast-Track Professional route. Our Chartered Secretaries Qualifying Scheme (CSQS) comprises two levels, each with four modules. As a qualified CCAB or CIMA professional or lawyer with five years post-qualifying appropriate experience, instead of studying all eight modules, you only need to study and pass two modules (three modules for non-UK qualified lawyers).

Which modules do I need to study?

Qualified CCAB or CIMA professionals or UK qualifed lawyers:
Qualifed CCAB or CIMA professionals or UK qualified lawyers* with 5 years+ post qualifying appropriate experience will need to study and pass the following two modules in order to achieve the qualification:

*Qualified lawyers must be a current member of the Law Society or compliant with the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Regulations.

International qualified lawyers:
International qualified lawyers** with 5 years+ post qualifying appropriate experience will need to study and pass the following three modules in order to achieve the qualification:

**Non-UK qualified lawyers must be a qualified solicitor registered with your country's equivalent of the UK Law Society.

Assessment for each module is by examination. Exams are held in June and November. More details on dates and exam centres can be found in the How and where to study section.

Once you have achieved GradICSA status you can immediately apply for full Membership (ACIS) and become a Chartered Secretary.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible you must have been qualified for five years or more and have five years appropriate experience and be a current member of one of the following major accountancy bodies:

• The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI)
• The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
• The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
• The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Acountancy (CIPFA)

Or you must be a current member of the Law Society or compliant with the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Regulations. Non-UK qualified lawyers must be a qualified solicitor registered with your country's equivalent of the UK Law Society.

You must also have five years or more appropriate post-qualifying experience. Appropriate experience would include:

• Company secretarial and legal work
• Corporate governance
• Financial management
• Committee administration and accounting
• General management and administration
• Pensions
• Insurance

You will need to send your full CV with your current job description along with your application so that we may assess the suitability of your experience.

How much is Fast-Track Professional?

There is a special package price for this scheme of £1,275.

The package price includes a non-refundable registration fee***, an annual subscription fee, exemption fees and one exam entry for both of the applicable modules (there is no reduced rate fee available for students registering to study CSQS via Fast-Track Professional..

***Should you register and subsequently wish to cancel your registration you will need to apply for your refund within 30 days of your registration date and you will be refunded your full payment less the £150 registration fee and a £50 administration fee. Please see our terms and conditions for more information.

For full details of all fees including late examination entry fees and re-sit fees please see our fee sheet.

How and where to study

You can study for CSQS by self-study or through one of our tuition providers. More information on our tuition providers can be found in the How and where to study section.

Supporting you through your study

We offer a range of support to our students. Take a look at how we can support you through your study.

ICSA terms and conditions and student rules and regulations

How to register