Enhance your career as a director. Develop the practical knowledge, insight and global mindset to be a great board director.
Discover the Diploma in Corporate Governance
Discover the Diploma in Corporate Governance
Explore our online, flexible diploma courses for aspiring directors, existing directors and executives in leadership roles.
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Designed and delivered by directors and governance professionals for directors.
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Join a diverse network of senior executives and directors to exchange ideas and experiences.
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Learn what you need to succeed as non-executive director.
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Understand the duties, liabilities and responsibilities of being a director.
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Learn how a board operates and gain practical experience to be a successful board member.
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This diploma is ideal for senior executives who need to understand how boards work.
How would you like to take your diploma?
Self-paced
100% online
$4,995.00
Perfect for those who want the greatest level of flexibility. Easy to use learning options. All lectures delivered by industry experts, each one a leader in their chosen discipline. You will be learning and networking with your peers, discovering the mindset required to be a modern, confident boardroom director. Ideal for the busy, working executive.
- Gain the mindset of a boardroom director
- Build the confidence of a director
- Find your next role as a non executive director
Upcoming course: Start anytime
Get connected. Be inspired. Create impact.
Learn and connect with the best in a global community where good governance matters.
Become a member today and access:
Resources
Access exclusive boardroom templates and content.
Network
Discover ways to build lasting connections with other members in this global community.
Directory
Discover more about other members, and network with them, through this directory.
Board roles
A comprehensive list of current board vacancies in different sectors across the globe.
Member spotlight
Stand out for your governance experience in the member spotlight.
Masterclasses
Keep your insights and skills relevant with detailed, members-only classes.
Previous Delegates Include
Recommended by
97.3% of our delegates
What delegates say about our courses:
“ The Diploma in Corporate Governance was excellent. It was an eye opener for me and I learnt an immense amount from the course and tutors. ”
Raj Kambo
Delegate
“ Excellent programme, content very relevant to existing and aspiring board members. Excellent support provided by the team in CGI and the online format worked very well. ”
Audrey Boyde
Delegate
“ There was plenty of help and support available and patience as I engaged and learned. Very much appreciated the materials, delivery, and support. ”
David Moore
Delegate
“ Challenging course but well delivered by an excellent team. Course materials very professional and lectures from a high calibre team with vast practical experience. ”
John Hennessy
Delegate
Why this Diploma in Corporate Governance
Do you want to think like a director? Do you want to increase and improve your ability to drive sustainable value? Have confidence in your future and take the Diploma in Corporate Governance.
Credit-rated
A university-backed curriculum that is credit-rated. Currently, less than 0.5% of company directors have a formal qualification in corporate governance.
Practical
This Diploma is designed by directors who understand the essential practical skills required to develop the mindset to become an influential, effective board member.
Opportunities
Become part of an elite group of senior leaders, acquire a board position, enhance your career options and connect with a diverse group of directors from around the world.
Here is a 3 minute preview of what’s on the course
University credit-rated. Industry approved. Globally recognised.
What you will learn
This Diploma in Corporate Governance is university credit-rated and validated by our Governance Advisory Council. Our comprehensive syllabus enables you to learn what you need to know to become a successful company director.
Module 1
- Build a solid understanding of what corporate governance is and why it’s important.
- Identify the fundamental principles of good governance.
- Explore the global trends of ESG, AI, cyber, digitisation and diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) and how they’re influencing corporate governance.
- Examine the important role corporate governance plays in business today.
- Understand the relationship between company law, shareholders, the board and the executive, and the governance handbook.
Module 2
- Turn the spotlight on the duties and responsibilities of a director to fully understand what’s involved in making a real impact.
- Develop the mindset of a director with a clear perspective of what’s involved and required of you as a board member.
- Fully understand the critical topics of regulation and the governance code in the context of director liability.
Module 3
- Learn why the governance structure of every organisation is unique and why that matters.
- Explore the roles, responsibilities and dynamics among the different members of the board.
- Understand how to develop appropriate governance structures for your organisation.
- Identify and start using the right frameworks for successful good governance.
Module 4
- Discover the purpose of the governance handbook and what it needs to include to make governance function effectively daily.
- Explore the essential policies that make up a good governance handbook.
- Elevate your knowledge of why reliable and accurate performance reporting, that includes ESG reporting, is critical for directors.
- Get familiar with what best-in-class and user-friendly financial reporting looks like.
- Understand the link between informed, evidence-based decisions and effective reporting.
- Learn how technology and AI tools are being used to enhance the reporting process.
Module 5
- Discover how the culture of the organisation is shaped by the board and the executive team through good decision making.
- Learn about the power of aligning the culture of the board with the organisation and its strategy.
- Identify ways to influence the company culture so that it adheres to relatable values and ethics.
Module 6
- Clearly understand how to use comprehensive tools for strategy development and implementation, including incorporating ESG strategy.
- Explore the different stages of developing an effective strategy.
- Learn how to implement a strategy that is realistic and achievable.
- Be confident in challenging the strategy where it’s needed.
Module 7
- Be competent in interpreting financial statements presented to the board.
- Examine how to ask the right questions so that your critique of the financial statements is thorough.
- Explore the challenges and resolutions for organisations in difficult financial positions.
- Clearly understand the intersection of ESG investing and financial decision-making.
Module 8
- Learn the fundamentals of risk and the role of the board in mitigating potential risk.
- Determine what is an appropriate risk response for the board and what is an appropriate risk appetite for the board to have.
- Gain a firm understanding of crisis and reputation management, risk culture, cyber, AI and how to manage ESG risks.
- Be able to provide proper oversight of risk by knowing how to identify emerging trends.
Module 9
- Discover why good practices are needed around the ongoing evaluation of the board’s performance, individual directors, and the CEO.
- Learn how to initiate and implement an evaluation of the board internally and how to set up an external evaluation.
- Identify tools, including AI, to carry out evaluations of the board, individual directors and the CEO.
Module 10
- Learn how to carefully plan your career move to becoming a NED.
- Identify ways to promote your personal brand through networking and becoming more visible within your peer network.
- Discover how to prepare for interviews and how to carry out detailed research of organisations you may consider working with.
Assessments
- You need to complete two online assessments to achieve your Diploma in Corporate Governance qualification.
- Each assessment is 90 minutes long.
- Assessment 1 takes place after module 5 and includes 75 multiple-choice style questions.
- Assessment 2 takes place after module 10 and includes 75 multiple-choice style questions.
- You can complete each assessment at a time that suits you.
To see the full syllabus register your interest below
Learn with us
We have designed the best possible learning experience for you, bringing together some of the leading boardroom practitioners with global experience. Our syllabus is both modern and unrivalled. Your learning methods include
Videos & Case Studies
Learn best practice from recorded sessions delivered by company directors, who will share their experiences and learnings with you. The case studies are real-world, which you can bring into your world.
Webinars
Learn best practice from recorded sessions delivered by company directors, who will share their experiences and learnings with you. The case studies are real-world, which you can bring into your world.
Support
Learn best practice from recorded sessions delivered by company directors, who will share their experiences and learnings with you. The case studies are real-world, which you can bring into your world.
Learning Outcomes
You will have a clear understanding of how boards function and the format of effective board meetings.
You will understand how the various committees operate and how they enhance the effectiveness of a board.
You will be familiar with the skills and expertise that a board director needs to know to do their job effectively.
We will provide you with the tools, templates and confidence you need to make an impact in the boardroom.
We will introduce you to different reporting tools that will be useful to you as a director.
You will be introduced to the ongoing and changing ethical issues and apply them to a modern board.
You will clearly understand the nature and effect of culture on an organisation and how you can influence and shape it.
You will be in a stronger position to evaluate any risks facing an organisation and how to mitigate these risks.
We will provide you with the skills to evaluate a board, for instance, if you are thinking of joining one.
Frequently asked questions
Our faculty members are industry experts with an interest in teaching the next generation of directors and board members. Along with teaching, our lecturers are professionally involved in numerous types of businesses.
You will examine the most current and relevant case studies and learn about the latest thinking at the board level.
Students choose to learn at their own pace by taking the online, self-paced format, which gives you up to six months to complete the content of the course.
Definitely. We designed this Diploma to demystify and define what it means to be a company director and a boardroom leader. You will learn best boardroom practices from company directors, who share their experiences and knowledge. The case studies are real-world, practical and full of insights. Your resulting certification is globally recognised.
This Diploma is ideal for the next generation of leaders who wish to make a positive impact at the highest levels of organisations around the world.
Absolutely! We’ve had teams join us from PLCs, NGOs, law firms, public bodies, today’s financial and tech giants, and everywhere in between. If you’re interested in participating in teams of five or more, email paul@thecorporategovernanceinstitute.com for more information.
The diploma includes three assessments. You need to pass all three assessments to receive your university credit-rated qualification.
You’ll complete your assessments online, at a time that suits you, using our assessment platform. Once you enrol on the course, you’ll receive detailed instructions on how and when you’re eligible to attempt your assessments.
The assessment questions are based on the course materials. You’ll be very prepared to take the assessments once you’ve familiarised yourself with the course content. The assessments usually take the format of multiple choice style questions and each one will take you 90 minutes to complete.