CICES Membership Grades Explained

The Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors or CICES for short offers multiple grades for members. In this video, we’re going to explore each grade in more detail. Looking at eligibility, benefits, and instructions on how to apply, helping you to understand what grade you can achieve right now, and what you need to do to achieve your desired grade.

All applications for grades discussed should be submitted, with all requested documentation, electronically by logging into or creating an online account with CICES and heading to your ‘Profile’ page.

CICES offer 7 different grades for members. The grades are as follows:

1. Student
2. Affiliate 
3. Associate
4. Graduate 
5. Technical
6. Member
7. Fellow 

So let’s start off by looking into these grades in more detail.

1. Student Grade

Firstly, we have Student. This grade offers no designation for members and requires no application fee or annual subscription. So, who is this grade for? Well, as the name suggests, this is for people who are currently enrolled on a relevant course of study. 

Benefits to this grade include: 

• Free membership for the duration of the course.
• Eligibility to enter the CICES student prize and award schemes if on an accredited course. 
• Students on sandwich courses will be eligible to count their placement year towards the CICES experience requirements. 
• Ten eBooks per year of the CICES journal, Civil Engineering Surveyor. 
• The monthly CICES e-newsletter. 
• Access to the CICES regional events programme. 
• The opportunity to become an active member of Tomorrow’s Leaders Committee’ (TLC) and participate in its activities.
• Degree holders are automatically offered an upgrade to Graduate Member. 
• All other students are automatically offered an upgrade to Affiliate Member on successful completion of their studies.

So, how do you apply for this grade? An online student application form must be submitted including the name and email address of the course tutor.

2. Affiliate Grade

Next we have Affiliate. Similar to Student, this grade offers no designation, and requires no application fee. However, there is an annual subscription fee. This grade is for anyone who has an interest or involvement in the construction industry.

Benefits of membership include: 

• The opportunity to apply to upgrade to the qualification grades of membership (subject to eligibility). 
• Ten copies per year of the CICES journal, Civil Engineering Surveyor. 
• The monthly CICES e-newsletter. 
• Access to the CICES regional events programme. 
• The opportunity to become an active member of Tomorrow’s Leaders Committee’ (TLC) and participate in its activities.

To apply for this grade, you’ll need to complete an online application form with a digital photograph.

3. Associate Grade (ACInstCES)

Next up, we have Associate grade. This grade includes a designation which can be used next to your name “ACInstCES”. To be allegeable for Associate grade, you’ll need to have:

• Successfully completed a relevant apprenticeship at level 3 or 4
• A commitment to work towards achieving the grade of Member or Technical Member.

Benefits to this grade include: eligibility 

• The opportunity to apply to upgrade to the qualification grades of membership (subject to eligibility).
• The award of the designatory letters ACInstCES. 
• Ten copies per year of the CICES journal, Civil Engineering Surveyor. 
• The monthly CICES e-newsletter. 
• Access to the CICES regional events programme. 
• The opportunity to become an active member of the Tomorrow’s Leaders Committee’ (TLC) and participate in its activities.

To apply for this grade, you’ll need to complete an online application or upgrade form signed by a sponsor, along with a digital photograph, photocopy/ scanned evidence of an appropriate qualification and the necessary application fee. 

4. Graduate Grade (GCInstCES)

Next we have Graduate. This grade includes a designation of “GCInstCES”. For eligibility to become a Graduate Member, you’ll have obtained one of the CICES approved qualifications and will be committed to working towards achieving the grade of Member or Technical Member.

Benefits of this grade include:

• The opportunity to apply to upgrade to the qualification grades of membership (subject to eligibility). 
• The award of the designatory letters GCInstCES. 
• Ten copies per year of the CICES journal, Civil Engineering Surveyor. 
• The monthly CICES e-newsletter. 
• Access to the CICES regional events programme. 
• The opportunity to become an active member of the Tomorrow’s Leaders Committee’ (TLC) and participate in its activities.

In order to apply, you’ll need to complete an online application, or an upgrade form signed by a sponsor, along with a digital photograph, scanned evidence of appropriate qualifications and payment of the necessary application fee.

5. Technical Member (TCInstCES)

Next we have Technical Member, This grade includes a designation of “TCInstCES”. for eligibility, a Technical Member will have successfully completed the CICES Technical Member competencies and the Technical Member review interview. 

To apply for this grade, a Technical Member application must include:

• A completed principal sponsor’s form
• Online application or upgrade form with details of two sponsors
• Digital photograph
• A detailed CV
• An experience report
• Continuing professional development records for the last year
• Completed and signed off general, core and one set of specialist competencies
• Photocopies of any prior qualifications to be considered 
• The appropriate fee.

6. Member Grade (MCInstCES)

Moving on we have Member grade. This grade includes a designation of “MCInstCES”. for eligibility, a Member will have:

• Successfully completed the CICES general, core and specialist competencies. 
• Successfully completed the Member review interview. 
• Graduate applicants will have a degree that is acceptable to CICES (this should be confirmed by CICES HQ in advance of the application). 
• Mature applicants without a degree or with a degree that is not acceptable to CICES will be able to compensate with additional experience and seniority. 
• An acceptable amount of working experience. CICES does not describe its qualifying standards in terms of years of service, however a graduate is likely to need at least three years of experience in order to achieve the competencies, whilst a mature applicant would normally be expected to have at least eight.

To apply for this grade, a Member application must include:

• Online application or upgrade form with details of two sponsors. 
• Principal sponsor’s form. 
• Digital photograph. 
• A detailed CV. 
• An experience report. 
• Continuing professional development records for the last two years. 
• Completed and signed off general, core and specialist competencies. 
• Photocopies of any prior qualifications to be considered. 
• The appropriate fee

7. Fellow Grade (FCInstCES)

And lastly, we have Fellow grade. This grade includes a designation of “FCInstCES”. 

Fellows will have significant senior experience as a civil engineering surveyor and will have demonstrated a contribution to the industry or to CICES that is over and above their everyday professional work.

Attributes Applications will be assessed against the attributes listed below:

• Institution and current affairs Demonstrates awareness and understanding of current industry related affairs and undertakes to play an active role in the institution. Demonstrates an active role in supporting, influencing or shaping strategic thinking. 
• Communication Possesses the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, and to persuade and influence others to gain agreement with, and acceptance of, ideas. Shows ability to listen and develop own thinking to embrace ideas from others. 
• Dealing with change Possesses a positive approach to the challenges of change. Sees change as an opportunity and strives to drive the process and engage others in support. 
• Leadership The capacity to inspire and motivate others through skillful use of appropriate leadership style to suit the team and situation. Demands respect through merit and the ability to act as a role model. 
• Negotiation Possesses the skills and ability to gain other’s agreement to an acceptance of ideas or proposed actions. 
• People development Possesses the ability to encourage others to develop new skills and enhance existing skills, and to achieve their potential. 
• Achieving results Demonstrates high levels of drive and commitment and has a proven track record of achievement. 
• Business and customer awareness Understands customer and business needs and expectations and works to establish long term relationships. Demonstrates ‘global’ thinking. 
• Equity, diversity and inclusion Demonstrates leadership in supporting, influencing, and shaping the execution and development of equity, diversity and inclusion excellence. Actively promotes awareness and understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion and how these matters play a fundamental role in the institution, industry and society. 
• Sustainability Demonstrates a clear understanding of the key principles and issues of sustainability within the civil engineering context. Possesses an understanding of sustainability policy, regulation and legislation and can demonstrate a knowledge of sustainability management and assessment tools.

To apply for this grade, a Fellow application must include:

• Application or upgrade form signed by two current CICES Fellows as sponsors. 
• Digital photograph. 
• Principal sponsor’s form. 
• A detailed CV (1,500-2,000 words). 
• Continuing professional development records for the last two years. 
• Brief statements against each of the Fellow attributes (half a page to a page per attribute)