Chartered Secretaries Malaysia (MAICSA)

Updated: 19 Dec 2024

Fee Structure for CGQP

Notes:

a)	The new fees apply to students registering from January 2025 onwards and cover a three years period. Payment is made in two installments in the first year: the first for the LMS fee and the second covers the remaining balance.

b)	Examination fees are not included in the above table.

c)	The revised fee structure includes access to E-Learning materials, such as study slides , tutor notes, forums, study manuals ,pilot examination papers , LinkedIn Learning, etc., for all seven CGQP subjects.

d)	Registration will only proceed once payment is received with the application. Fees are refundable only in exceptional cases.

e)	Students MUST complete all examinations within five years of registration. Extensions may be granted on a case-by-case basis.

f)	Students who do not complete their examinations within three years are required to pay renewal fees for year 4 and 5.

g)	Lapsed students must pay re-registration fees, along with penalties (if any),in addition to the revised fees.

Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) below Students and Education Department at +603- 2282 9276 extension 706, 707 or 708 for clarification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

GENERAL & NORMAL ROUTE

Q1.	What is the entry requirement for CGQP?
A:	The minimum requirement is to possess a bachelor’s degree, related or non-related, with a minimum grade of second class or lower. For a third-class degree, further assessment will be required.

Q2.	What is related and non-related degree?
A:	(i) A related degree refers to areas closely connected to the qualifying program (e.g., degrees in law, accounting, finance, commerce, economics, risk management, corporate governance, actuarial studies, an MBA, or Executive MBA, and many more) from recognised institutions. (ii) Non-related degrees are those outside the purview of the qualifying program (e.g., Mass Communication, Engineering, Science, etc.). Students entering under this category are required to complete all seven modules in the CGQP.

Q3.	How do I get exemption?
A:	Exemption will be granted based on transcript assessment. You may email your transcript to us at students@maicsa.org.my for further elaboration.

Q4.	What are the benefits of becoming MAICSA member?
A:	You may visit this link (https://www.maicsa.org.my/resources/members/benefits-of-becoming-a-maicsa-member) to find out more about our benefits

Q5.	What materials are provided for the CGQP programme?
A:	Students will be provided with equipped e-learning materials for self-study.

Q6.	Are there any extra support provided by MAICSA?
A:	We provide an Intensive Revision Seminar for 4 subjects as follows: • Corporate Governance • Company Secretarial Practice • Interpreting Financial and Accounting Information • Boardroom Dynamics The class will be held virtually over the weekend, with recordings and notes provided to students. The fee for the class is RM400 per subject. Kindly follow us on Facebook or visit this link (https://www.maicsa.org.my/resources/students-education/student-activities/maicsa-intensive-revision-seminars-for-november-2024-examination) for the latest updates on the announcement of the next IRS registration.

Q7.	Is there any tuition provided?
A:	Yes. Kindly visit this link to know more on the Institutions conducting Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme (CGQP)

Q8.	How long is the programme?
A:	The fee covers a duration of 3 years.

Q9.	What if I am unable to finish the examination within the 3 years’ time frame? Am I allowed to extend?
A:	Yes, the study period can be extended until the fifth year with a renewal fee payment

Q10.	Is the fee entitled for EPF withdrawal?
A:	Yes, upon the student's request, the Institute will prepare the withdrawal documents accordingly.

Q11.	Can I apply for the course and study in other country? I will come back to Malaysia for examination if required.
A:	Yes, you may register for the self-study course in Malaysia and study in another country. Students residing overseas must provide a Malaysian address upon registration in Malaysia.

Q12.	What are the benefits of becoming a MAICSA student?
A:	• LMS Access • Student Conference @ student rate • Complimentary Guest Lectures • Leadership Camp • Subsidised Training Fees • Being a MAICSA Student Affiliate & a MAICSA Member upon graduating • Post Nominal (Grad CG) upon completion of CGQP • Placement of Job Opportunites via MAICSA website • MAICSA Toastmaster Club

Q13.	Is this programme recognised by MQA?
A:	Yes, MQA recognises that the FCIS and ACIS qualifications are equivalent to an Honours Degree. The GradCG qualification is recognised as equivalent to a General Degree.

Q14.	After I completed the CGQP, how long it takes to become Associate Member of MAICSA?
A:	Associates must have at least six years of relevant working experience. The period of six years can be reduced by three years in lieu of full-time recognised tertiary education. The designatory letters for Associates are ACIS (CS) (CGP)

Q15.	After competion CGQP, am I qualified to practice as Company Secreatary?
A:	Upon completing the CGQP programme and having over 3 years of relevant work experience, you must upgrade from Graduate to Associate member. The designatory letters for Associates are ACIS (CS) (CGP). Both Associates and Fellow members of MAICSA are eligible to act as Company Secretaries upon application to SSM. They are also recognised globally and can practise as Chartered Company Secretaries in other countries (the 9 divisions of CGI).

Q16.	Can I transfer my studentship to the other division?
A:	Yes, as long as your studentship status is valid and there are no outstanding fees.

FAST TRACK ROUTE

Q1.	How much is the fee for Fast Track Route?
A:	Please refer to link. The fee is made once the application is approved by our assessor.

Q2.	What is the requirement to apply for Fast Track Programme?
A:	The fast-track programme is open to professionals with 5 or more years of working experience in the following fields: • Company Secretaries • Lawyer • In house & Legal Counsels • Accountants • Risk and Compliance • Governance Officers • Tax Agents • Professors & Associate Professors

Q3.	How many exemptions are granted for the Fast Track Route?
A:	The Fast Track Route grants exemptions for 5 subjects, requiring only 2 modules to be completed. For more details, visit: (https://www.maicsa.org.my/resources/professional-entry-route/chartered-governance-qualifying-programme-vide-the-fast-track-professional-route).

Q4.	Can I pay the fees by instalments?
A:	No. Payment by instalments is not applicable for Fast Track Route.

Q5.	Does the fee include examination fees?
A:	No, students will be required to pay the examination fees in addition to the registration fee. Please refer to link

Q6.	I have more than 5 years working experience in legal, but I am no longer a practicing lawyer and currently in-house, am I eligible to apply for Fast Track Route?
A:	Yes. We are accepting practicing and non-practicing.

Q7.	I have more than 5 years of working experience as a licensed company secretary, but my qualification is a diploma. Am I eligible to apply for the Fast Track Route?
A:	You may apply; however, approval will be subject to assessment by our assessor.

Q8.	How can I apply for this programme?
A:	You may drop us an email at students@maicsa.org.my, and we will guide you through the application process.

COLLABORATIVE MASTER'S ROUTE

Q1.	What is Collaborative Master Programme?
A:	A route to take the qualifying programme through our partner universities.

Q2.	What are the universities that are collaborating with MAICSA?
A:	• Putra Business School - MBA (Corporate Governance) • Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) - Master of Corporate Governance • Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) - Master of Corporate Administration (MOCA) • Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) - Master of Corporate Governance • Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia (UPTM) - MBA (Corporate Administration and Governance)

Q3.	What is the difference between Collaborative Master programme and Normal Route?
A:	Collaborative Master's students attend lectures and sit for the examinations at the university. Upon graduation, you will be awarded dual certification: a Master's certification from the university and MAICSA Graduateship. Meanwhile, the Normal Route is a self-study programme with the aid of the e-learning platform provided by the Institute.

Q4.	How to apply for the Master Collaborative?
A:	You may visit this link learn more information on the collaborative master

Q5.	What are the fees for Collaborative Master?
A:	You may contact the respective university to learn more on the fees.

Q6.	Is the fee entitled for EPF withdrawal?
A:	Yes, considering the receipt's payment date is not more than one year old.

CGQP FEE

Q1.	When will the revised students’ fees be implemented?
A:	The Institute will implement the revised fee structure for students with effect from 1 January 2025 under the new qualifying programme- The Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme (formerly known as the ICSA Qualifying Programme).

Q2.	Can I pay the fees by instalments?
A:	The new fee structure allows students to pay the fees in two instalments in Year 1.

Q3.	Do I need to pay the same instalment amount every year?
A:	Under the qualifying programme, students are required to complete the entire programme within a 3-year time frame, with a 2-year extension. At the end of the third year, students who have not completed their examinations will be permitted to renew their studentship for a further two-year period, upon payment of the renewal fees for the following two years, which will be payable at the start of Year 4.

Q4.	Why is there a payment for 3 years of study and 2 years of study in the fee schedule?
A:	Under the qualifying programme, students are required to complete the entire programme within a 3 year time frame and 2 year extension. At the end of the third year, students who have not completed their examinations will be permitted to renew their studentship for a further two year period, by payment of the renewal fees for the following two years, which will be payable at the start of Year 4.

Q5.	Does the new fee structure include examination fees?
A:	No, students will be required to pay the examination fees, comprising the basic entry fee and the per-subject fee, when they wish to sit for the examinations in a particular year.

Q6.	Can I still sit for the examinations if I do not pay the revised students fees?
A:	No, students with any outstanding fee payable will not be allowed to sit for the examinations.

Q7.	What happens if a student does not complete the programme by the end of the fifth year?
A:	The Institute will review the student's result status and consider an extension on a case-by-case basis. Further payments will be required, based on the number of years' extension granted by the Institute.

Q8.	What happens if I have paid all my fees in Year 1 and complete the examinations in advance of the three year period? Do I get refund of the excess fees paid?
A:	Students who complete their examinations ahead of the three-year period will be able to utilise any credit balance from excess fees paid (if applicable) towards their Graduateship subscriptions.

Q9.	Can I have the choice to decide to study on my own and not have the access to the E-Learning platform and materials?
A:	All students will be given access to the E-learning platform and additional learning support.

Q10.	What will happen If I do not pay the instalments within the time period in Year 1?
A:	Students who do not pay the outstanding fees will be barred from sitting for the examinations and will be treated as lapsed students. In such cases, they may need to re-register as students, which will involve an additional re-registration fee and penalty (if any).