Awarded by The Corporate Governance Institute and Birkbeck, University of London

Diploma in Corporate Governance 

Whether you sit on a board or want to, know exactly what good governance looks like.

Many directors reach the boardroom through executive success, then find the role asks for something different: holding management to account, reading the numbers critically, shaping culture and owning risk.
The Diploma in Corporate Governance gives current and aspiring directors a structured grounding in how boards work and what effective directors do, from legal duties and board structures to strategy, finance, risk and the route to a non-executive role. No previous board experience is needed.
Spread the cost by paying with Klarna or PayPal. Contact us to arrange payment via invoice.
Format
Online, Self-study
Average Study Time
30+
Access for
6 months
Price
£4,395 incl VAT

Globally Recognised Governance Training and Education

The Diploma in Corporate Governance (DipCorpGov) is a professional qualification for current and aspiring board directors, senior executives and governance professionals. It is awarded and delivered by The Corporate Governance Institute and accredited by Birkbeck, University of London at Level 5 of the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ).

The course is studied online at your own pace, with 30+ hours of learning across 10 modules and 6 months' access to the learning platform. Most learners finish in 8 to 12 weeks. No previous board experience or formal qualifications are needed.

It covers director duties, governance structures, the governance handbook and board reporting, culture, strategy, financial oversight, risk, board evaluation and becoming a non-executive director. Learners complete two online multiple-choice assessments, and graduates can use the post-nominal letters DipCorpGov.

The course costs £4,395 incl. VAT. It is available worldwide through Duco Digital Training, an authorised partner of The Corporate Governance Institute and a BCS-accredited business and technology training provider.

Awarded by The Corporate Governance Institute. Trusted by directors and executives in over 80 countries. 

About the Course

Boards are under more scrutiny than ever. Investors, regulators and employees expect directors to understand their legal duties, challenge the executive with confidence and spot risk before it becomes a crisis. Yet most directors learn the role on the job, and many aspiring non-executives find that boards want evidence of governance knowledge before they will offer a seat.

The Diploma in Corporate Governance closes that gap. It explains how effective boards are structured, how they set strategy and culture, how they read financial information and oversee risk, and how they evaluate their own performance. It also covers the newer pressures on boards, including ESG, AI and cyber risk.

The final module turns to your own career, with practical guidance on building a profile, preparing for interviews and researching organisations before you take on a non-executive role.

You'll learn:

• Explain the duties, liabilities and regulatory obligations of a company director
• Design governance structures and board committees that suit your organisation
• Interpret financial statements and ask management the right questions
• Oversee risk, including cyber, AI and ESG risks, and agree an appropriate risk appetite
• Shape board and organisational culture, and handle dysfunctional board dynamics
• Contribute to and challenge strategy, including ESG strategy
• Plan and run internal and external board evaluations
• Plan your route to a non-executive director role.

What you get:

• 30+ hours of self-paced online learning across 10 modules, with 6 months' access
• The Diploma in Corporate Governance (DipCorpGov) from The Corporate Governance Institute, accredited by Birkbeck at FHEQ Level 5 and issued digitally
• Case studies, board simulations, expert interviews and a library of templates and toolkits
• Both graded assessments included in the course fee
• Optional live orientation session, webinars and masterclasses [confirm for Duco learners]
• Access to a global network of TCGI alumni.
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Course Syllabus
Course Requirements
Career Path
course subjects you will learn

Course Syllabus

Introduction to Corporate Governance
The Company Director: Duties, Liability and Board Appointments
Governance Architecture and Board Structures
The Governance Handbook and Board Reporting
Board and Organisational Culture
Strategy Development and Oversight
Financial Matters for Directors
Risk Oversight, Including Cyber, AI and ESG Risk
Board Evaluations
The Non-Executive Director: Planning Your Board Career
Practical Toolkit: Templates, Policies and Board Checklists to Keep
Two Graded Assessments Leading to the DipCorpGov
Eligibility for the course

Course Requirements

No formal prerequisites, and you don't need board experience. Designed for aspiring and current directors, senior executives, and governance, risk, compliance and company secretarial professionals.

A good level of English
is recommended
An internet connection with a laptop, tablet or mobile is required. The course is self-paced, so there are no fixed class times.

Not sure if this course is right for you?
Contact us to check your suitability before starting.

career opportunities 

Career Path

The Diploma in Corporate Governance helps learners:
• Evidence board readiness with a university-accredited qualification and the DipCorpGov post-nominals
• Stand out when applying for non-executive, trustee and board roles
• Contribute with confidence on strategy, finance, risk and culture
• Move into governance, company secretarial or board advisory work
• Build credibility with boards, investors and regulators
For employers, it strengthens board effectiveness, oversight and succession planning.
Industries
  • Healthcare and Life Sciences
  • Energy and Utilities
  • Engineering & Manufacturing

  • Financial Services
  • Public Sector and Government
  • Professional Services and Consulting

  • Retail
  • Technology and Telecoms
  • Charities and Non-Profits
Every organisation with a board, from start-ups to charities to listed companies, needs directors who understand good governance.

Pass Assist

Your course price isn’t just for learning materials — it includes the complete Pass Assist package, designed to give you the best chance of passing your Diploma with confidence.

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Study at Your Own Pace

No fixed class times. Fit the course around work within your 6-month access period.

Practical tools you keep

Templates, frameworks and board questions you can use straight away

Senior Peer Network

Learn alongside directors, executives and risk leaders from different sectors and countries

Real World Case Studies

Learn from real AI governance cases and boardroom failures, ending in a live crisis simulation

TCGI assessment included 

The Corporate Governance Institute's assessment fee is included at the end of your course. No additional fee to pay.

Employer sponsorship support

Help making the case for your employer to fund your place, with invoicing direct to your organisation
Format
Online, Self study
Average Study Time
30 hours
Access for
6 months
Price
£4,395 incl VAT

EMPLOYERS
NEED QUALITY AI GOVERNANCE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

55%

Directors who believe at least one board colleague should be replaced.

39%

Of those directors, the share who cite insufficient expertise, up from 21% a year earlier

35%

Executives who rate their board's effectiveness as excellent or good.

Book a Career Call

Unsure if the Diploma is Right for You?

Book a free 15-minute career call with our team. We'll talk through your experience and board ambitions, and help you decide whether the Diploma or a shorter certificate is the right starting point.
The Corporate Governance Institute's Diploma in Corporate Governance is ideal if you want to:

• Want your first non-executive or trustee role and need credible governance knowledge
• Have recently joined a board and want to understand the role properly
• Are an executive who reports to, or works closely with, a board
• Work in governance, risk, compliance or company secretarial roles
• Want a university-accredited qualification that evidences board readiness.

Typical roles include: aspiring and current non-executive directors, executive directors, chairs, trustees and charity board members, company secretaries, heads of risk and compliance, and senior managers and advisers who work with boards.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Diploma in Corporate Governance?

 The Diploma in Corporate Governance (DipCorpGov) is an online, self-paced professional qualification from The Corporate Governance Institute. It covers what directors need to know to be effective on a board, across 10 modules.

Who is The Corporate Governance Institute?

The Corporate Governance Institute (TCGI) is a global leader in corporate governance education and certification.

It has educated directors and executives in over 80 countries, and its faculty and Governance Advisory Council include leaders from organisations around the world. Duco Digital Training is an authorised partner of The Corporate Governance Institute.

What letters can I put after my name? 

Graduates can use the post-nominal letters DipCorpGov on their CV, LinkedIn profile and email signature.

How long does the Diploma take to complete?

The Diploma involves 30+ hours of study across 10 modules. Most learners finish in 8 to 12 weeks, and you have 6 months' access from enrolment.

How is the Diploma assessed? 

There are two graded online assessments, one after Module 5 and one after Module 10. Each has 75 multiple-choice-style questions and takes up to 90 minutes, and you choose when to sit them.

Do I need board experience to enrol?

No. You don't need previous board experience or formal qualifications. The course suits both aspiring and current directors.

What does the course include?

• Ten live 3-hour online sessions with expert faculty
• 6 months' access to recordings, materials and resources
• Case studies, peer discussion and knowledge checks
• Practical templates and frameworks to keep
• Two graded scenario-based assessments
• The Diploma in AI Governance (DipAIGov) on successful completion.

How to start the course?

Enrol online with card, PayPal or Klarna, or contact us to pay by invoice or bank transfer. If your employer is sponsoring you, please contact us and we can invoice them directly.

We train individuals and support teams with their training needs in organisations, colleges, universities, and government departments in different countries. Contact us if you have any questions.

What happens after I enrol?

  1. You receive a confirmation email from Duco Digital Training
  2. We register you with The Corporate Governance Institute within 2 working days
  3. TCGI will email your learning platform login and orientation session details
  4. Study the course
  5. Complete your assessment(s) in the course
  6. Receive your certificate from The Corporate Governance Institute.

Is the Diploma recognised outside the UK?

Yes. FHEQ Level 5 aligns with Level 5 of the European Qualifications Framework, and learners from over 80 countries have studied with The Corporate Governance Institute.

Can organisations buy this course for teams?

Yes. We can enrol boards, leadership teams and groups of senior managers, with a single invoice and support throughout. We can also advise on shorter TCGI programmes for wider management teams. Please contact us to arrange payment by invoice.

How long will I have access to the course? 

You have 6 months' access to the sessions, materials and resources from the programme start date.

Can my employer pay for the course, and enrol a team or board?

Yes. We can invoice your employer directly and if you wish, enrol a team or a board. Please contact us to arrange payment by invoice.

Training a Team or Your Whole Board?

Enrol directors, senior leaders or a whole board onto the Diploma together. Everyone works from the same governance frameworks and language, which makes board discussions sharper and board evaluations more meaningful.
*minimum of two people
Write your awesome label here.
Format
Online, Self study
Average Study Time
30 hours+
Access for
6 months
Price
£4,395 incl VAT

Corporate Governance Institute Testimonials

"The richness of the resources and the compelling material offered made the learning journey inspiring and the interactivity of the platform kept it dynamic and engaging throughout. Completing the course has had a direct impact on the way I contribute to my current boards. I bring a sharper governance perspective and a stronger ability to frame discussions around ESG and long-term value.
angela cretu
"I liked the detail of the course content... and the opportunity to work at my own pace and in my own time. It has given me greater confidence in carrying out my own duties and working with client organisations."
andrew madden
"I really enjoyed the interactive way of studying. In particular, using a case study of a company throughout the course helped to bring everything to life. It was a great visual, interactive way to help learning that I really enjoyed. I now use the skills I learned within my team."
Ilona Anderson

Get in touch today to discuss enrolment, team training, or payment options.

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