Terms & Conditions
Last updated: 5 October 2026
These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern the use of the website, registration for and participation in educational programs, courses, masterclasses, diploma programs, executive education, executive coaching, in-company training, publications and other services provided by the Institute for China Studies (“ICS”, “we”, “us” or “our”).
By accessing our website, registering for a program, purchasing a publication or using our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms.
If you do not agree with these Terms, please do not use our website or services.
1. About the Institute for China Studies
The Institute for China Studies is an educational, research and professional development institute providing education, research, publications, China Insights and related services concerning China.
ICS offers a range of programs and services, including:
- Masterclasses;
- Certificate Courses;
- Diploma Programs;
- Executive Education;
- Executive Coaching;
- In-company and customized training;
- Research and publications;
- China Insights and other information services; and
- related educational and professional resources.
Specific programs may be subject to additional terms, requirements or conditions stated on the relevant program or service page.
2. Definitions
For the purposes of these Terms:
“Participant”, “Student”, “Customer”, “you” or “your” means any individual or organization purchasing, registering for or participating in an ICS program or service.
“Program” means any course, masterclass, certificate course, diploma program, executive education program, coaching program, training program or other educational offering provided by ICS.
“Digital Campus” means the online learning environment through which ICS provides access to applicable course materials, assignments, assessments and other educational resources.
“Materials” means all course materials, publications, documents, presentations, recordings, exercises, assessments, templates, frameworks, tools, videos, graphics and other content provided by ICS.
3. Registration and Admission
3.1 Registration
Registration for an open-enrollment program can be completed through the relevant program page or through another registration process specified by ICS.
By registering, you confirm that the information you provide is accurate and complete.
3.2 Admission requirements
Admission requirements vary by program.
Unless otherwise stated on the relevant program page, ICS programs are designed to be accessible to professionals and do not require specific prior academic qualifications.
Certain programs may have specific admission requirements, prerequisites or selection procedures.
3.3 Acceptance of registration
A registration becomes effective when:
- the registration has been accepted by ICS; and
- the applicable tuition or other fees have been paid or another payment arrangement has been expressly agreed.
ICS reserves the right to decline a registration where admission requirements are not met or where there are reasonable grounds to do so.
- Program Information
ICS makes reasonable efforts to ensure that information published about its programs is accurate and current.
Program descriptions may include:
- program content;
- duration;
- study load;
- delivery format;
- tuition fees;
- admission requirements;
- assessment requirements;
- faculty or instructor information;
- start dates; and
- completion requirements.
ICS reserves the right to make reasonable changes to program content, teaching arrangements, faculty, materials, schedules or delivery methods where necessary to maintain or improve the quality of a program.
Where a material change substantially affects a participant’s program, ICS will make reasonable efforts to inform affected participants.
- Tuition Fees and Payment
5.1 Tuition fees
The applicable tuition fee is the fee stated on the relevant program page or otherwise agreed in writing.
For open-enrollment programs, tuition is generally payable in advance. Current ICS program pages state that tuition for certificate courses, masterclasses and diploma programs is generally paid in advance.
5.2 Payment methods
Available payment methods are those displayed during registration or otherwise communicated by ICS. These may include credit card, bank transfer or other payment methods made available by ICS.
5.3 Payment processing
Access to a paid program may be conditional upon receipt of payment. Where payment is made by bank transfer, access may be provided after the payment has been received and verified.
5.4 Taxes
Unless expressly stated otherwise, published prices should be understood in accordance with the applicable tax treatment at the time of purchase. Where applicable, VAT or other taxes may be charged in accordance with the relevant legislation.
- Cancellation, Withdrawal and Refunds
6.1 General principle
Cancellation and withdrawal rights depend on:
- the type of program;
- the applicable law;
- whether the participant is a consumer or business customer;
- the time at which cancellation occurs; and
- any specific cancellation terms stated for the program.
6.2 Withdrawal rights
Where mandatory statutory withdrawal or cancellation rights apply, ICS will comply with those rights. Where no statutory right of withdrawal applies, cancellation will be subject to the specific cancellation conditions applicable to the relevant program.
6.3 After commencement
Once a participant has obtained access to digital course materials or the program has commenced, any refund or cancellation will be subject to the applicable program terms and mandatory legal requirements.
6.4 Non-attendance
Failure to participate in a program, access course materials or submit assignments does not automatically entitle the participant to a refund.
6.5 Customized and in-company programs
Cancellation terms for customized, executive and in-company programs will be agreed separately and may include cancellation fees reflecting preparation, faculty commitments, travel and other costs incurred by ICS.
- Deferral and Extension
Where a participant is temporarily unable to continue a program because of work, illness, travel or other circumstances, ICS may allow the participant to defer or extend the study period in accordance with the applicable program conditions.
Where a program specifically provides for a free extension, the applicable program page or enrollment confirmation will determine the extension period.
Requests for deferral or extension should be submitted to ICS at:
info@china-studies.org
ICS will consider such requests on a case-by-case basis where no specific extension policy applies.
- Digital Campus and Access
Following successful registration and payment, participants may receive access to the Digital Campus or another applicable learning environment.
Access credentials are personal and must not be shared with another person.
Participants are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their login credentials.
ICS may suspend or terminate access where there is evidence of:
- unauthorized sharing of account credentials;
- unauthorized copying or distribution of course materials;
- fraudulent use of an account;
- material breach of these Terms; or
- other misuse of the Digital Campus.
ICS’s current course information states that course materials are made available through its Digital Learning Environment following registration and payment.
- Course Materials and Intellectual Property
All Materials provided by ICS are protected by applicable intellectual property laws.
Unless expressly stated otherwise, ICS or its licensors retain all intellectual property rights in the Materials.
A participant receives a limited, personal and non-transferable right to access and use Materials for the purpose of participating in the relevant program.
Materials may not, without prior written permission from ICS:
- be reproduced in whole or in part;
- be republished;
- be commercially distributed;
- be uploaded to another website or platform;
- be shared with third parties;
- be incorporated into another training program;
- be sold or resold;
- be modified for commercial use; or
- be used to create competing educational or commercial products.
These provisions should be read together with the separate Copyright & Intellectual Property policy of ICS.
- Assignments and Assessment
Where a program includes assignments or assessments, participants are responsible for completing and submitting them in accordance with the applicable program requirements.
Assignments must generally be submitted through the Digital Campus unless otherwise specified.
ICS may establish minimum assessment requirements for successful completion.
Current ICS program information states that assessments may consist of written assignments and that a Certificate of Completion is issued upon successful completion of the applicable course or program.
- Certificates
Where a program provides for certification, a Certificate of Completion will be issued upon successful completion of the applicable program requirements.
ICS reserves the right to withhold a certificate where required assignments, assessments or other completion requirements have not been satisfactorily completed.
Certificates are issued in the name under which the participant registered.
Participants are responsible for providing accurate registration information.
ICS may issue certificates digitally.
Current ICS program pages use the term “Certificate of Completion” and provide for digital certificates for successful participants.
- Faculty, Experts and External Contributors
ICS may involve faculty members, expert contributors, researchers and external professionals in the development or delivery of its programs.
ICS may change faculty or contributors where necessary.
External contributors may provide expertise, case studies, practical experience or other contributions. Their views do not necessarily represent the views of ICS.
- Educational and Professional Disclaimer
ICS provides educational and informational content.
The content of our programs, publications, research, China Insights and other materials does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, financial, investment, immigration, employment or other professional advice.
Participants should obtain appropriate professional advice before making decisions based on information provided by ICS.
China’s laws, regulations, policies, economic conditions and business environment can change frequently. Information that is accurate at the time of publication may subsequently become outdated or may not apply to a particular situation.
This provision should be read together with the separate Disclaimer published by ICS.
- Publications, Research and China Insights
ICS may publish research, articles, eBooks, reports, newsletters, China Insights and other materials.
Unless otherwise stated, these materials are provided for general educational and informational purposes.
Publication of research or analysis does not constitute an endorsement of any particular commercial, political, investment or business decision.
Third-party sources, opinions and information may be referenced in ICS publications. ICS does not necessarily endorse the views of third parties.
- Website Use
You may use the ICS website for lawful purposes only.
You must not:
- use the website in violation of applicable law;
- attempt to gain unauthorized access to systems or accounts;
- interfere with the operation or security of the website;
- introduce malicious code;
- systematically copy or scrape website content without permission;
- reproduce website content for commercial purposes without authorization; or
- use the website in a manner that could damage ICS or its reputation.
ICS may modify, suspend or discontinue parts of the website without prior notice where reasonably necessary.
- Third-Party Websites and Services
The ICS website may contain links to third-party websites, platforms or services.
Such links are provided for convenience or informational purposes.
ICS does not control and is not responsible for the content, availability, security, privacy practices or terms of third-party websites.
Your use of third-party services is subject to the terms and policies of those third parties.
- Privacy and Cookies
ICS processes personal information in accordance with its applicable Privacy Policy.
The use of cookies and similar technologies is governed by the separate Cookie Policy.
By using the website, you acknowledge that personal information may be processed as described in the applicable privacy documentation.
- User-Generated Content
Where ICS allows participants or visitors to submit comments, testimonials, questions, reviews, photographs or other content, the submitting person remains responsible for that content.
You must not submit content that:
- infringes another person’s intellectual property rights;
- violates applicable law;
- contains confidential information without authorization;
- is defamatory, misleading or fraudulent; or
- contains malicious software.
By submitting content to ICS for publication, you grant ICS the right to use, reproduce and publish that content for legitimate institutional, educational and promotional purposes, subject to applicable law.
For testimonials or photographs used for promotional purposes, ICS should obtain appropriate consent where required.
- Confidentiality
Participants may receive confidential information in connection with customized programs, executive coaching, consulting discussions, research collaborations or in-company training.
Participants agree not to disclose confidential information received from ICS or another participant where that information is clearly identified as confidential or would reasonably be understood to be confidential.
For customized corporate engagements, additional confidentiality provisions may be included in a separate agreement.
- In-Company and Customized Programs
In-company, executive and customized programs may be governed by a separate proposal, quotation, statement of work or service agreement.
Such agreement may specify:
- scope of services;
- participants;
- program content;
- delivery format;
- dates;
- fees;
- payment schedule;
- travel and accommodation;
- cancellation arrangements;
- intellectual property;
- confidentiality; and
- other applicable conditions.
Where a separate written agreement conflicts with these Terms, the specific written agreement will prevail to the extent of the conflict.
- Executive Coaching
Executive coaching is intended for professional development and does not constitute psychological, medical, legal, financial or other regulated professional advice.
Specific coaching arrangements, confidentiality, fees, scheduling and cancellation terms may be agreed separately between ICS and the client.
- Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, ICS will not be liable for indirect, incidental, consequential or special losses arising from the use of its website, programs, Materials or services.
ICS does not guarantee that:
- the website will always be available;
- the Digital Campus will be uninterrupted or error-free;
- all information will always be complete or current; or
- participation in a program will result in a particular professional, commercial or financial outcome.
Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability where such exclusion or limitation is prohibited by applicable law.
- Force Majeure
ICS will not be responsible for failure or delay in performing its obligations where such failure or delay results from circumstances beyond its reasonable control.
Such circumstances may include, among others:
- natural disasters;
- epidemics or pandemics;
- war or civil unrest;
- government measures;
- internet or telecommunications failures;
- power failures;
- cyber incidents;
- strikes;
- transportation disruptions; or
- other events beyond the reasonable control of ICS.
Where reasonably possible, ICS will seek to provide an alternative arrangement.
- Changes to Programs and Services
ICS may periodically update its programs, website, Materials, policies and services.
Where changes are made, the latest version published on the website will apply to future registrations unless otherwise stated.
Changes will not affect rights that have already accrued unless permitted by applicable law.
- Changes to These Terms
ICS may amend these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in:
- legislation;
- business operations;
- educational programs;
- technology;
- services; or
- website functionality.
The latest version will be published on this website together with the applicable date.
Where a material change affects an existing contractual relationship, ICS will provide notice where required by law.
- Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms shall be governed by the laws of Hong Kong S.A.R., without regard to its conflict-of-law principles.
Any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms shall be submitted to the courts of Hong Kong S.A.R., unless mandatory applicable law provides otherwise.
- Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, that provision will be modified or removed to the minimum extent necessary.
The remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.
- No Waiver
Failure by ICS to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of its right to enforce that provision or any other provision at a later date.
- Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with the relevant program information, enrollment confirmation and any applicable additional terms or written agreement, constitute the agreement between ICS and the participant concerning the relevant service.
Where an individual written agreement applies, that agreement will prevail over these Terms in the event of a direct conflict.
- Contact
If you have questions regarding these Terms or the services provided by ICS, please contact:
Institute for China Studies
Email: info@china-studies.org
Website: china-studies.org