Fellowship is CIOL's highest level of professional membership. A Fellow is a role model and ambassador for the language professions, demonstrating a commitment to promoting and sharing the highest standards.

Our Member grade is for experienced linguists whose language skills are a primary requirement for their role.

Practical advice

• Make sure you are familiar with the DPSI exam format (see the DPSI Qualification Specification) and what the exam entails.
• Remember you need to work on both the languages involved.
• Keep both your languages up to date by reading, writing and speaking.

For all linguists

As the Royal Charter body for all linguists, CIOL represents language professionals and linguists in all fields and sectors.

Coverage of the procedure

The procedure relates to appeals by applicants who have applied for membership and who are challenging the judgement. It also relates to current members who have applied to upgrade their membership and are not satisfied with the outcome or recommendations made.

Grounds for making an appeal

The grounds may include, but are not limited to, mitigating circumstances such as:

Improving and Learning

CIOL views complaints as an opportunity to learn and improve its services. We will treat complainants equally whatever their age, gender, ethnicity, religion or disability.

Our aim is to:

Who is it for?

The Study Affiliate grade is for linguists who are intending to register for one of the following CIOL Qualifications professional exams:

Career Affiliate membership is open to anyone using their language skills extensively in a professional context, or language practitioners who do not yet meet the entry criteria to be admitted as an Associate.

You can also apply as a Career Affiliate if your languages are of the standard to be a valuable professional tool, but are not the main focus of your work.