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

 Diploma in ESG

ESG has moved from the sustainability team to the boardroom. Be ready to lead it.

Investors, regulators and customers now expect organisations to show credible ESG strategies, backed by reliable data and transparent reporting. The people who can connect ESG to strategy, risk and governance are in short supply.

The Diploma in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) gives you that expertise, from materiality and ESG investing to risk management, data quality, reporting standards and leading organisational change. No previous ESG experience is needed.
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Format
Online, Self-study
Average Study Time
30+
Access for
6 months
Price
£3,495 incl VAT

The Diploma in ESG at a glance

The Diploma in ESG (DipESG) is a professional qualification for sustainability professionals, board members and senior leaders who work with ESG strategy, risk or reporting. 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 ESG or governance experience is needed.

It covers the history and drivers of ESG, ESG investing, board oversight, materiality and strategy, ESG risk management, ESG data quality, reporting standards including GRI, SASB and IFRS, and leading ESG transformation. Learners complete two graded online assessments, and graduates can use the post-nominal letters DipESG.

The course costs £3,495 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

ESG used to sit in a corporate responsibility report. Now it shapes access to capital, regulatory compliance, supply chain decisions and how organisations are valued. Boards are being asked difficult questions. Which ESG issues are material to us? Is our ESG data reliable enough to publish? Which reporting frameworks apply in the markets we operate in? Who is accountable for our targets?

The Diploma in ESG helps you answer them. It traces how ESG developed and what drives it today, explains how investors assess ESG performance, and shows how boards oversee ESG and build it into strategy through materiality and targets.

The second half of the course is practical: managing ESG risk within enterprise risk frameworks, improving the quality of ESG data, comparing the major reporting standards and embedding an ESG strategy into people, processes and technology.

You'll learn:

• Explain what ESG means, how it developed and what is driving regulatory change
• Understand how ESG investing, ratings and disclosure requirements work
• Describe the board's role and fiduciary duties in overseeing ESG
• Carry out a materiality assessment and build an ESG strategy with meaningful targets
• Manage ESG risks using enterprise risk management and the Four Lines of Defence model
• Improve ESG data quality, controls and assurance
• Compare GRI, SASB, IFRS and other reporting frameworks, and know which are mandatory where
• Lead ESG transformation across people, processes and technology.

What you get:

• 30+ hours of self-paced online learning across 10 modules, with 6 months' access
• The Diploma in ESG (DipESG) 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 
• 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

History and Evolution of ESG: Foundations for Sustainable Governance
The ESG Landscape: Stakeholder Drivers and Trends
ESG Investing, Ratings and Disclosure
ESG Governance: Board Roles and Fiduciary Duties
Integrating ESG into Strategy: Materiality and Targets
ESG Risk Management: Managing Material Issues
ESG Data Quality: Collection, Controls and Assurance
 Corporate Governance and ESG: Embedding Sustainable Practice
ESG Reporting Standards: GRI, SASB, IFRS and Beyond
Leading ESG Transformation: People, Process and Technology
Practical Toolkit: Materiality, ESG Risk and Reporting Templates to Keep
Two Graded Assessments Leading to the DipESG
Eligibility for the course

Course Requirements

No formal prerequisites, and you don't need previous ESG experience. Designed for ESG and sustainability professionals, board members and senior leaders, and finance, risk, compliance and legal 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 ESG helps learners:
• Evidence ESG expertise with a university-accredited qualification and the DipESG post-nominals
• Move into ESG, sustainability or sustainability reporting roles
• Lead ESG strategy, risk and reporting within their organisation
• Advise boards and clients with credibility on ESG frameworks and disclosure
• Stand out for board roles where ESG oversight is expected.

For employers, it strengthens ESG strategy, reporting quality and readiness for investor and regulatory scrutiny.
Industries
  • Construction and Property
  • Energy and Utilities
  • Engineering & Manufacturing

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

  • Food, Retail and Consumer Goods
  • Technology and Telecoms
  • Charities and Non-Profits
Any organisation facing investor, customer or regulatory scrutiny of its environmental and social impact needs people who can lead on ESG.

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 in ESG 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

Learn from ESG practitioners

Modules led by sustainability leaders, company secretaries, lawyers and governance experts.

Real World Case Studies

Learn from real ESG cases and failures.

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
£3,495 incl VAT

EMPLOYERS
NEED QUALITY ESG SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

29%

Board directors who feel completely knowledgeable enough to challenge management on sustainability.

89%

Directors who rely only on management updates to stay informed about ESG.

7 in 10

Directors who say their board is only moderately or not at all effective at integrating ESG into strategy.

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 ESG Diploma or a shorter certificate is the right starting point.
The Corporate Governance Institute's ESG Diploma is ideal if you want to:

• Work in sustainability or ESG and want a recognised, university-accredited qualification
• Sit on a board and need to oversee ESG strategy, risk and disclosure
• Work in finance, risk, compliance or legal and are taking on ESG reporting
• Want to move into an ESG role from another profession.

Typical roles include: 
ESG and sustainability managers, board members and directors, CFOs and finance managers, risk and compliance professionals, company secretaries, legal advisers and investor relations teams.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Diploma in ESG?

The Diploma in ESG (DipESG) is an online, self-paced professional qualification from The Corporate Governance Institute. It covers ESG strategy, investing, board oversight, risk, data and reporting 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.

Is the Diploma in ESG university-accredited?

Yes. It is accredited by Birkbeck, University of London at Level 5 of the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ). The Corporate Governance Institute is the awarding body.

How long does the Diploma in ESG 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 questions and takes up to 90 minutes. You need an overall average of at least 50% across both to pass.

Do I need ESG experience to enrol?

No. Experience in sustainability, governance or risk helps, but it isn't required.

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.

What can I put after my name?

Graduates can use the post-nominal letters DipESG on their CV and LinkedIn profile.

Training a Team or Your Whole Board?

Enrol your board, sustainability team and finance leads together, so everyone responsible for ESG strategy and reporting works from the same frameworks and understands the same obligations.
*minimum of two people
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Format
Online, Self study
Average Study Time
30 hours+
Access for
6 months
Price
£3, 495 incl VAT

Corporate Governance Institute Testimonials

"Since completing the course we are busy preparing for CSRD reporting and I am certainly benefiting from the course learnings. I have taken responsibility for ESG Reporting. The course content was excellent and clearly delivered. What stood out to me was the breadth of additional resources and reading materials made available to students."
marie porter
"The most beneficial part of the course for me was the depth of material referenced and available throughout the course. I've ended up feeling empowered to make a practical difference, as well as being much better informed."
Andrew Tyrtania
"The course had an excellent structure that greatly enhanced my understanding. It provided a perfect balance between theoretical concepts and insights from industry experts. As a result of completing this course, I was entrusted with leading the project for my company."
Helen Zapounidou

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

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