As a finance student or aspiring finance professional, you likely know that taking the Canadian Securities Course is part of your plan, whether sooner or later.
However, it’s never too early to start considering the cost of the course and begin allocating a budget.
In this article, we will review the overall course fees for the Canadian Securities Course (CSC).
What Does The Overall CSC Fee Structure Entail?
Under the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI), the breakdown of CSC's standard fees mainly covers course registration and learning materials (hard copy textbooks or digital books).
Aspiring candidates must complete two exams within one year of registering for the CSC, and the fees they pay depend on the course format and bundling options they choose through the CSI.
- CSC® Value Pack Combo (inclusive of study tools)
- CSC Online, Interactive Version with Online PDF, eBook and Hard-Copy Textbook
- CSC Online, Interactive Version with Online PDF and eBook Textbook
- Canadian Securities Course (CSC®) for Investors
The first bundle, CSC® Value Pack Combo is currently priced at $1620. Apart from accessing the online interactive course and available hardcopy textbooks on CSC, you will also receive comprehensive study tools upon this package registration comprising:
These study tools are also sold individually (at different pricing and discount packages) if you do not opt for the CSC® Value Pack Combo. Upon purchase, they will be delivered online and are non-refundable.
For the second bundle (both ebook and hard copy textbook), you'll need to pay $1320. On the other hand, the third bundle (only ebook textbook) is priced at $1220.
The fourth bundle (for investors) is priced at $550. This program is cheaper than the rest of the bundle because it only caters for learning purposes and is not inclusive of the exams.
Macroeconomics focuses on the economy as a whole whereas microeconomics studies the behavior of individual consumers and firms.
Potential Extra Costs Of Different CSI Exam Policies
Apart from the CSC registration fees and the study tools, you also need to consider the exam policies when it comes to exam cancellations, new exam attempts, course extensions, shipping, and others.
Cancellations
If you had to cancel your CSC exam due to unforeseen circumstances, here's the different extra fee structure according to different cancellation timelines.
- 1 to 2 days before exam – $300
- 3 to 14 days before the exam – $150
- 15-30 days before the exam – $75
- 31 days or more before the exam – no cancellation fee
Likewise, if there's a no-show for your exams, you would also need to pay $300.
Retaking/Remarking
After receiving your results, if you decide to retake the CSC exam for the second and third time, you will need to pay $300 for each attempt. However, if you choose to have a grade remark request, you'll only need to pay $100.
Important note: The fee for the first CSC exam attempt is included in your course registration (applies to whichever bundle you choose earlier).
CSC Extensions
The enrolment period for the Canadian Securities Course (CSC) is 1 year and you can extend the course for another year at $275.
Shipping and Handling of Physical Materials/Certificates
This applies to printed course materials, physical documents or wall certificates after you pass the CSC exams.
The costs vary depending on your geographical region and also the types of products purchased. Here's the basic shipping fees:
- Canada: $32
- United States and Caribbean: $50
- Other destinations: $100
Cost-Saving Tips When Taking The CSC
Now that you've reviewed the basic fees for CSC, you might want to start planning to save on the course, especially if you're still a student.
Fret not, we got you covered with some tips. Firstly, you should check the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) website for early registration discounts. Usually, the CSI offers a limited-time 10% discount on your CSC® course registration.
Additionally, certain higher learning institutions or financial services corporations in Canada also have partnerships with the CSI where applicants will also receive a 10% discount on their course and studying tools.
One such example is Ashton College in Vancouver which offers this special discount to students who are enrolled in certain financial or investment courses.
If you are currently working, you should reach out to your organization and inquire as some employers also subsidize in part or in full the cost of CSC for their employees. That's because most employers recognize the worth and value that their employees can bring to their jobs once they have passed the CSC.
Another tip is to find cost-effective study tools for your CSC exam preparation. Instead of purchasing the whole bundle of study tools directly from the CSI website, you can access free or other affordable resources online.
For instance, you can join a CSC study community where you can reuse and share study materials with other CSC candidates near you.
For those who plan to enrol in a CSC revision program or attend private tutoring, you should also consider the costs of attending in-person classes or online lessons and opt for affordable private CSC classes.
When it comes to international candidates, one thing to consider is also the currency exchange rates when you finalize your payment if you are planning to take the CSC exams from CSI outside Canada online.
Meanwhile, don't forget to explore these study tips to ace the CSC exams.
Looking At The Long Term Value Of The Canadian Securities Course Certification
As you review the course registration fees, study tool costs, additional costs of exam policies, and potential rates of your CSC tutoring, this question will surely cross your mind.
Is the Canadian Securities Course really worth my time and money?
Whether you are a student or someone who is currently working in the finance industry, it's best to think of the CSC as an investment while considering its long-term value or benefits that you can reap in the future.
Generally, many Canadians take the CSC for career benefits, especially how this certification from the CSI acts as a stepping stone towards more specialized finance-related credentials.
Some examples include the Investment Funds in Canada (IFC) credential, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) in Canada.
The job scope of a CFA includes analyzing financial data, assessing investment opportunities (risk and planning), and providing advice on various financial products like shares and bonds. They may work in banks or finance management firms.
Not only that, the CSC enhances your credibility as a finance professional in the finance and investment industry, among future employers and also future clients in the Canadian financial market.
It also helps you stand out in your career, whether you're a fresh graduate securing a job as many finance and business institutions require the CSC as part of the job requirements.
The CSC is also helpful for individuals aiming for an increase in their income, a promotion to a management role in financial analysis, for instance, or making a career switch to the financial services industry.
Discover more about the pros and cons of taking the CSC.
Master The Canadian Securities Course With Superprof
Remember when we briefly talked about affordable CSC private tutoring earlier?
While this could be an optional thing for many CSC candidates, we highly recommend you to consider taking lessons from an experienced finance tutor, especially if you are from a non-finance background.
If you have gone through the entire syllabus of the CSC, you'll know that there are many chapters that you need to cover. Also, depending on your planned study duration (from 3-month, 6-month, 9-month or 12-month), you'll have to make sure that you are ready to score the two exam tests.
With the guidance of a finance tutor, you can gain an overview of the CSC exams and also master the right answering techniques with confidence. You can also master and differentiate various financial concepts including mutual funds, tax-free savings, trading, portfolio funds, and investment funds.
At Superprof, you can find an experienced physical or online finance tutor who is well-versed in the CSC format in just a few simple steps.
You can start off by indicating your field of study (finance or CSC) and current physical location (Toronto, Vancouver, for instance). From there, you can continue to refine your tutor search by choosing the maximum budget of the hourly rate for the lessons and also opt for the online lesson option.
Online lessons are generally more affordable than face-to-face lessons. Additionally, most Superprof tutors offer their first lesson for free.
The system will then direct you to a wide selection of Canadian finance tutors based on the filter information where you can browse and compare the tutors' profiles.
Take your time to look through the basic information of the tutor including their qualification, tutoring experience, tutoring scope, hourly rates and also the online review of their past students.
Once you have confirmed your desired finance tutor, you can proceed to contact him or her via the messaging feature on their respective profile. The tutor will give you a reply according to their indicated response time (usually in one day).
We hope this article will give you a comprehensive understanding of the overall costs (enrolment of exams, and study tools) of the Candian Securities Course.
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