The Corporate Governance Institute is a global educational technology company specialising in corporate governance education, training and certification for current and aspiring board members, directors, company secretaries and governance professionals. Our courses, membership and enterprise training help leaders build practical governance, ESG and boardroom capability.

The Corporate Governance Institute was co-founded by Anthony Quigley and David W Duffy, bringing together experience in online education, corporate governance, board advisory and director development.

The Corporate Governance Institute was founded in 2020 and has grown into a global governance education provider serving delegates, members and organisations internationally.

Corporate governance is the system of rules, practices and processes by which an organisation is directed and controlled. It covers how boards make decisions, oversee risk, support accountability, protect stakeholder interests and guide ethical long-term performance.

Our courses are designed for current and aspiring board members, directors, company secretaries, governance professionals, ESG and sustainability leaders, risk and compliance professionals, senior executives and managers preparing for board-level responsibilities.

Yes. The Corporate Governance Institute courses are delivered online and are accessible to delegates worldwide. Course content is designed to be globally relevant, while specific legal or regulatory examples may vary by course and jurisdiction.

The right course depends on your experience, goals and how deeply you want to study. Foundation Certificates are suitable for introductory learning, Professional Certificates support focused upskilling, Advanced Professional Certificates build deeper multi-topic expertise, and Diplomas are the most comprehensive option for board-level governance development.

A Diploma is the most comprehensive option, with 10 modules, 30+ contact hours and two graded assessments. An Advanced Professional Certificate has 5 modules, 15+ contact hours and five graded assessments. A Professional Certificate has 2 modules, 6+ contact hours and two graded assessments. A Foundation Certificate has 1 module, 3+ contact hours and one graded assessment.

No formal academic qualification is required to enrol in The Corporate Governance Institute courses. The content is designed for working professionals from a range of backgrounds and experience levels. If you are unsure where to start, an Education Advisor can help you choose the right course.

Yes. Many delegates complete more than one course, either over time or as part of a broader development pathway. You can build from a Foundation Certificate to a Professional Certificate, Advanced Professional Certificate or Diploma depending on your goals.

We do not offer a free trial of course content, but you can book a free consultation call with an Education Advisor to discuss the course structure, content, outcomes and suitability before enrolling.

All courses are delivered in English. You do not need to submit a formal English language qualification, but you should be comfortable reading, writing and completing assessments in English.

The Corporate Governance Institute offers diploma-level qualifications including the Diploma in Corporate Governance, Diploma in ESG, Certified Company Secretary Professional and Diploma in AI Governance. Accreditation, delivery format and cohort details should be checked on the relevant course page because not every diploma follows the same structure or recognition model.

The self-paced diploma courses are delivered fully online through the course platform. They include interactive module content, expert video interviews, case studies, reading materials, knowledge checks and graded assessments. You can study at a pace that fits your schedule during your access period.

The Diploma in Corporate Governance covers 10 modules spanning corporate governance fundamentals, director responsibilities, governance architecture, governance reporting, culture, strategy, financial matters, risk, board evaluations and the role of the non-executive director.

The Diploma in ESG covers 10 modules across ESG foundations, stakeholder drivers, ESG investing, board roles, ESG strategy, materiality, risk management, ESG data, reporting standards and leading ESG transformation.

The Certified Company Secretary Professional covers the company secretary role, legal and regulatory frameworks, statutory compliance, board roles and committees, board dynamics, financial literacy, risk management, shareholder and stakeholder management, emerging governance trends and effective company secretarial practice.

The Diploma in AI Governance focuses on board-level AI oversight, responsible AI, AI risk, governance frameworks and AI regulation, including the EU AI Act. Because this is a newer programme with its own delivery model, check the dedicated course page for the latest cohort, format, assessment and recognition details.

Most self-paced diploma delegates complete their course in 8 to 12 weeks of focused study, although they have six months of course platform access from enrolment. Live cohort-based programmes may follow a different schedule, which is confirmed on the relevant course page.

An Advanced Professional Certificate is an in-depth multi-topic governance qualification that sits between a Professional Certificate and a Diploma. It includes 5 modules, 15+ contact hours, five graded assessments and six months of course platform access.

A Professional Certificate is a focused online course designed to help professionals upskill in a specific governance, ESG, AI governance or boardroom topic. It includes 2 modules, 6+ contact hours, two graded assessments and six months of course platform access.

A Foundation Certificate is a short introductory course for professionals who are new to corporate governance or want a focused introduction to a key topic. It includes 1 module, 3+ contact hours, one graded assessment and six months of course platform access.

No. Professional Certificates, Advanced Professional Certificates and Foundation Certificates are professional development qualifications issued by The Corporate Governance Institute. If you are looking for a university-accredited qualification, review the eligible diploma-level programmes.

Professional Certificates and Foundation Certificates are delivered online through the course platform. They are self-paced and include interactive content, expert insights, knowledge checks and graded assessments.

After successful completion, you receive a digital Certificate of Completion issued by The Corporate Governance Institute and delivered through Accredible. The certificate can be downloaded, printed and shared online, including on LinkedIn.

Assessments depend on the course type. Diplomas usually include two graded assessments, Advanced Professional Certificates include five graded assessments, Professional Certificates include two graded assessments, and Foundation Certificates include one graded assessment. Assessment details are confirmed on each course page and in the course platform after enrolment.

Each self-paced diploma includes two graded assessments: one at the midpoint after Module 5 and one after Module 10. Diplomas also include ungraded knowledge checks and a sample assessment to help you prepare.

Each graded diploma assessment consists of 75 questions and is designed to be completed in 90 minutes. The timer starts when you begin the assessment and cannot be paused.

For most qualifications, you must achieve an overall score or average of at least 50% to pass. Grade bands are Distinction at 75% or above, Merit at 60% to 74%, Pass at 50% to 59%, and Fail below 50%.

For current online courses, results are normally displayed in the course platform when your graded assessment is submitted and your grade is confirmed. Your final certificate or diploma is issued separately through Accredible, typically within five working days of your final grade being confirmed.

Resit options depend on the course type. Diploma resits may be available if your overall average is below the pass mark, while some certificate courses do not offer standard resits. Contact Learning Support for the correct process for your course.

For diploma courses, you may be able to submit a formal appeal within the stated appeals window if you believe there was an issue with how your assessment was conducted or scored. Appeal rules, fees and timelines are set out in the relevant policy and should be checked before submitting a request.

Extension options depend on your course type and circumstances. Diploma delegates may request extensions under the Extenuating Circumstances Policy, while certificate extension options may differ. Contact Learning Support as early as possible if you think you will need more time.

Yes. The Diploma in Corporate Governance, Diploma in ESG and Certified Company Secretary Professional are accredited by Birkbeck, University of London at Level 5 within the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ). The Corporate Governance Institute is the awarding body and Birkbeck provides accreditation for these programmes.

No. The eligible diploma programmes are accredited by Birkbeck, University of London at FHEQ Level 5, but they are not credit-rated qualifications and do not carry transferable academic credits. This distinction should be used consistently across the website.

The diploma qualifications accredited by Birkbeck, University of London at FHEQ Level 5 align with Level 5 on the European Qualifications Framework, which helps international delegates and employers understand the academic level. Professional Certificates and Foundation Certificates are professional development qualifications issued by The Corporate Governance Institute.

You are a graduate and award holder of The Corporate Governance Institute. Birkbeck, University of London accredits eligible diploma programmes but is not the awarding body, so completing the programme does not make you a Birkbeck graduate.

No. Certificates and diplomas are issued digitally through Accredible. You can download and print your digital credential, share it on LinkedIn and provide a secure verification link to employers or institutions.

After successfully completing an eligible diploma, you may use the relevant post-nominal letters: DipCorpGov for the Diploma in Corporate Governance, DipESG for the Diploma in ESG, and CCSP for the Certified Company Secretary Professional.

Our courses are not formally CPD-accredited by a specific professional body. However, many delegates use their The Corporate Governance Institute qualification as evidence of structured professional development in their own CPD records. You should check with your relevant professional body for recognition within its CPD framework.

You can enrol by selecting the purchase or enrolment option on the relevant course page. Diploma courses may offer full payment or instalment options, while most certificate courses require full payment at enrolment.

We accept credit card payment through the secure online checkout. Bank transfer, credit transfer or invoice payment may also be available for company-sponsored or offline payments. Contact the team if you need to arrange an alternative payment method.

Course fees are available in EUR, GBP and USD on relevant course pages or at checkout. Prices are inclusive of applicable VAT unless otherwise stated on the checkout or invoice.

Yes. Interest-free instalment plans are available for eligible diploma courses, usually spread over four equal monthly payments. Instalment plans are currently available for diploma courses only unless otherwise stated on the relevant course page.

Yes. Many organisations sponsor employees through The Corporate Governance Institute courses. Employers can usually pay by invoice or bank transfer by contacting the team to arrange employer-sponsored enrolment.

We do not currently offer scholarships. Members of The Corporate Governance Institute may receive course discounts depending on their membership tier, so check the membership page or contact the team before completing your enrolment.

There is a 14-day cooling-off period from enrolment. You may cancel during this period for a refund provided you have not accessed the course content. After the cooling-off period, course fees are generally non-refundable. Always review the Terms and Conditions for the full policy.

Membership connects you to a global community of governance professionals with access to resources, events, webinars, masterclasses, networking opportunities and career tools. Membership is separate from course enrolment, although many delegates choose to become members as part of their long-term governance development.

The Corporate Governance Institute offers membership tiers including Free, Essentials and Directors. Each tier offers a different level of access to resources, community features, networking and professional development benefits. Check the membership page for current pricing and full benefit details.

No. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in corporate governance, whether or not they have completed a course with The Corporate Governance Institute.

You become a delegate when you enrol in a course. Delegates receive access to course materials, assessments and Learning Support for that course. You become a member when you join the membership community, which provides access to resources, networking, events and member benefits outside a specific course enrolment.

Yes. Depending on your membership tier, you can access networking opportunities through the private director network, member directory, forums, direct messaging, live events, webinars and masterclasses.

Paid memberships are annual. You can manage renewal, upgrades or cancellation by contacting the membership team or following the account-management guidance provided in your member area and renewal emails.

After your payment is confirmed, you will receive a welcome email within a few hours with your login details, a link to the course platform and instructions to get started. Your access period begins from your enrolment date.

Check your spam or junk folder, confirm that the enrolment email address is correct and allow a few hours after payment confirmation. If you still have not received your welcome email, contact Learning Support so the team can help resend your access details.

Use the email address you enrolled with, try the Forgot Password option, clear your browser cache or use Google Chrome in an incognito window. If the issue continues, contact Learning Support with details of the problem.

Yes. The course platform can be accessed on mobile and tablet devices through a browser. For the best experience, especially during timed assessments, we recommend using a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date browser such as Google Chrome.

Course materials are delivered online through the course platform. Printed or hard copy materials are not provided as standard. If you have specific learning needs or medical circumstances, contact Learning Support to discuss appropriate arrangements.

For detailed help articles, visit The Corporate Governance Institute Help Centre. It includes guidance on choosing a course, diplomas, certificates, membership, billing, platform access, technical support and general information.

For general course enquiries, contact [email protected]. Enrolled delegates can contact Learning Support at [email protected], and membership enquiries can be sent to [email protected]. You can also book a call with an Education Advisor.

Yes. The Corporate Governance Institute works with organisations that want to enrol multiple employees or develop governance capability across teams. Group enrolment can include invoicing, tailored support and onboarding arrangements.

Yes. The Corporate Governance Institute offers bespoke training solutions for boards, governance teams and leadership groups. Organisations can contact the enterprise team to discuss their goals, audience, delivery needs and preferred training format.

Yes. The Corporate Governance Institute works with partners through models such as introducer, reseller and instructor-led partnerships. Partnership suitability depends on your audience, market, delivery model and commercial goals.