1. How is the programme structured?
The programme is divided into two separate parts: a Foundation Certificate, which is available to all those wishing to obtain a background in, and general knowledge of, the practice of trusts in the international context, and a Diploma, which consists of four separate areas of study.
To complete the Diploma, passes in the following four advanced papers
must be achieved:
- Trust Creation: Law and Practice
- Company Law and Practice
- Trust Administration and Accounts
- Trustee Investment and Financial Appraisal
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2. What are the aims of the programme?
The overall aims of the programme are:
- To provide professional standards of administration and management in the international trust profession through professional qualifications
- To raise the profile of trust administration and management as a key function of the international trust profession
- To provide an international programme that will enable Diploma holders to acquire membership of a recognised professional body
- To develop a sound knowledge of all aspects of the international trust profession, including the vehicles, structures and jurisdictions that underpin the profession
- To provide an overview of the law, practice and procedures needed by trust officers and administrators and to develop the analytical skills required.
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3. What are the benefits of taking the programme?
- You will gain an academic and professional award recognised by the industry.
- On completion of the Diploma you can use the designation Dip(ITM). In addition, if you have worked for two years in the industry you are eligible to apply for full STEP membership and you can on admission use the professional designation TEP, indicating full professional status.
- The programme is relevant to the tasks that you are undertaking in the workplace. It focuses on practical training issues.
- The programme is international in content. It covers common international principles and practices, but relates them to Hong Kong and offers comparisons with other major jurisdictions.
- The programme is in a flexible format. It is an integrated programme combining distance learning and face-to-face tuition.
- The course materials are first class. They are student friendly, relevant and excellent training tools.
- The face-to-face courses are delivered by international presenters who are all experienced practitioners, academics and professional trainers.
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4. What are the entry requirements?
The Foundation Certificate is an open entry programme. There are no formal educational entry requirements. However, applicants should have a good standard of basic literacy and be aware that all programmes and materials are in English.
Admission to the Diploma programme is normally dependent on having achieved the Foundation Certificate. Exemptions from the Foundation Certificate are possible, subject to the criteria set out below.
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5. Are exemptions possible?
Applicants who hold a degree or degree level qualification or who can demonstrate significant and relevant knowledge and experience may be entitled to exemption from the Foundation Certificate. Where the degree or similar qualification is not cognate and no or limited experience of the profession has been gained, the individual concerned will be strongly advised to sit the Foundation Certificate. The Course Director at Central Law Training will be happy to discuss individual positions on an informal basis if any assistance is needed in deciding whether or not the Foundation Certificate is an appropriate place to begin studies.
Applications for exemption from the Diploma papers will be considered in cases where there is a very close correlation between a previously obtained qualification and the Diploma paper from which exemption is sought, both in content and in level. STEP may take into consideration a significant amount of relevant post-qualification experience, when coupled with a relevant professional qualification. There will be a maximum of two possible exemptions from the four Diploma papers.
There will be a greater onus on applicants to demonstrate similarity and relevance where the qualification was obtained more than three years prior to the application.
Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
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6. How long will the programme take?
This very much depends on you, the amount of study time you have available, your aptitude for the subject, the timing of examinations in your jurisdiction and so on.
The average student who spends six hours a week studying the programme should be able to successfully complete the programme in approximately two years.
Foundation Certificate 4-6 months
Diploma Trust Creation: Law & Practice 4 months
Company Law & Practice 4 months
Trust Administration & Accounts 4 months
Trustee Investment & Financial Appraisal 4 months
It is recommended that you study and complete papers individually rather than studying a number of papers simultaneously. Diploma papers can be studied in any order. They are not sequential.
Delegates can select courses according to availability of dates in any given jurisdiction.
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7. How is the programme taught?
The programme is delivered through an integrated tuition system. This includes:
- a distance learning course
- a face-to-face course
- web site and helpline facilities
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8. What can I expect from my distance learning course?
When you enrol you will receive a course pack that includes a delegate handbook, course manual (including main text, self assessment questions and practical tasks), specimen examination papers and solutions and a web site access code.
This pack will enable you to commence your study and provides you with a structured programme leading to the examination.
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9. What other facilities are available?
Study support is available throughout the course via the helpline facility. This online support includes:
- frequently asked questions section
- e-mail to course tutors
- assignment submission
- examination results.
At the end of the distance learning programme you will attend a four day face-to-face course which culminates in the final examination on day six.
On the first four days of the course the tutor will review the content of the course. Emphasis will be placed on revising the main topics. On the sixth day you will take the formal examination.
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10. How will I be examined?
Foundation Certificate:
The Foundation Certificate is awarded on passing a three hour closed book examination that comprises multiple choice and essay/problem questions. Specimen examination papers are enclosed with the study pack.
Diploma:
You must successfully complete a three hour closed book examination in each of the four papers that comprise the Diploma examinations. The format of these examination papers is the same as the Foundation Certificate, that is, a combination of multiple choice questions and essay/problem questions.
Examinations will normally take place to coincide with the final day of the face-to-face course at each venue (see Hong Kong Schedule for dates).
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11. What is the standard of the examinations?
The Foundation Certificate course and examination is introductory in nature and is designed as a basic overview of the international trust industry.
The Diploma advanced courses and examinations are set at degree/professional level.
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12. What qualifications will I receive at the end of the programme?
On successful completion of the Foundation Certificate examination you will be awarded the Foundation Certificate in International Trust Management.
If you progress to the Diploma course and successfully complete one or more of the advanced papers you will be awarded the appropriate Advanced Certificate for that paper. They are:
- Advanced Certificate in Trust Creation: Law and Practice
- Advanced Certificate in Company Law and Practice
- Advanced Certificate in Trust Administration and Accounts
- Advanced Certificate in Trustee Investment and Financial Appraisal
On successful completion of all four advanced papers you will be awarded the Diploma in International Trust Management and you can use the designation Dip(ITM).
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13. How do I acquire STEP membership?
When you enrol on the Foundation Certificate or Diploma course you will be eligible for membership of STEP. Once your membership application has been accepted you will be granted student membership.
All STEP student membership fees will be covered by your course fee during your studies.
Full STEP membership will be granted to you when you complete the Diploma and show that you have two years relevant experience.
Associate membership will be granted to you if you have completed the Diploma but not acquired sufficient experience. Full membership will be granted to associate members when sufficient experience has been gained.
Students who complete the Foundation Certificate and wish to end their studies there can apply to become an affiliate of STEP. Affiliates receive all the benefits associated with STEP membership, but are not full members and cannot use the designation TEP, vote at general or branch meetings or stand for election to Council.
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14. How much will the programme cost?
Foundation Certificate Diploma Paper
Normal Course Fee HK$21,000 HK$21,600
2009 Discounted Fee HK$17,800 HK$18,400
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15. When should I apply?
You may enroll on the distance learning course at any time throughout the year and work at your own pace through the materials provided that you can meet the course closing date for each paper. The Foundation certificate is normally of about six month’s duration, each Diploma paper will take approximately four months to complete.
The face-to-face courses and examinations will be held at a number of venues throughout the world at various times of the year.
You may attend the course at any centre throughout the world.
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16. How do I apply?
Download and complete the application form and fax/email it to us.
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For further information please see http://www.clt-stepint.co.uk/AboutUs
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(852) 2965-1480
