Frequently Asked Questions
Start here to get more information about our learning model, courses, payment options, assessments and membership. We’re here to help you make an informed decision.
Both the Diploma in Corporate Governance and the Diploma in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) are credit-rated by Glasgow Caledonian University, a highly-rated UK university. They are recognised at Level 7 on the Scottish Curriculum and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). For the EU, British Isles, Ireland and other parts of the world there will be an equivalent award in your relevant educational systems. For guidance, please review the ‘Qualifications can Cross Boundaries‘ guide.
Find out more about Glasgow Caledonian University.
Find out more about The European Qualifications Framework.
All our courses have been designed and created by highly qualified and expert practitioners in their field. You will access the latest thinking and practical methodologies used by the world’s most admired boards. You will learn through a mix of real life case studies, expert video interviews, reading material, quizzes and assessments.
All our courses are aimed at:
- Existing directors who want to strengthen their boardroom skills and insights
- Aspiring directors who want to upskill to get a role on a board
- Leaders or managers who want to become experts in corporate governance, ESG or one of the many related aspects of governance
- Advisors to the board who need a good understanding of the many aspects of corporate governance
- Investors who need to fully understand corporate governance and ESG
Our experienced team of education advisors can clearly explain our current course offerings, and help you choose the right course to start making an impact.
Yes. However, all our courses are delivered in English, so you need to be proficient in English to get the most out of your course. You’re not required to submit any qualifications or certifications related to your level of proficiency in English.
Once you’re enrolled on a course, you’ll receive a welcome email with information about getting started, including your login details to the learning platform. The learning platform contains all your delegate information, learning materials and assessments information.
From the moment you show interest in one of our courses and/or membership, up until you finish your diploma or certificate, we will be with you at every stage. We’ll help you understand our courses and membership offering, how to get started, and answer any queries you may have along the way. Our teams are very supportive and always there to help you. If you need support choosing a course or while you’re taking a course, please feel free to email us at [email protected] and we will do our best to help you.
Each of our courses includes an assessment element.
- For the Diploma in Corporate Governance there are three assessments
- For the Diploma in Environmental, Social and Governance there are two assessments
- For certificate courses there is one assessment
You need to pass all assessments to receive your qualification. In the case of the diplomas, this qualification is university credit-rated.
You’ll complete your assessments online, at a time that suits you, using our assessment platform. Once you enrol on a 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 will be well prepared to take the assessments once you’ve familiarised yourself with the content. They have been created to last no more than 90 minutes each and usually take the format of multiple choice style questions.
We don’t provide any books or hardcopies. All learning materials are available online, some of which you can download or print.
We encourage you to network with our experts and faculty members. If there’s an expert you’d like to connect with, please feel free to contact them on LinkedIn and start a conversation. They will be delighted to connect with our delegates.
- You become a delegate when you enrol on one of our diploma or certificate courses. As a delegate you get access to all the learning materials and assessments for your course. If you successfully complete your course, you’ll become a qualified delegate of the institute.
- You become a member when you join the Corporate Governance Institute’s membership community. As a member you get access to a network of global experts, masterclasses, hundreds of recorded webinars hosted by us and many other benefits. Membership is available for 12 months and you can renew it at the end of the 12 months. Members don’t have access to any learning materials for the diplomas or certificates but they do get discounted rates on courses.
Note: If you’re a delegate of a diploma course you’ll get four months’ free access to membership once you complete your course.
We don’t issue physical certificates when you complete your course. However, you’ll receive a digital copy of your certificate by email. This can be easily shared with your network on LinkedIn.
When you receive your digital certificate by email, there are clear instructions on how to share it with your LinkedIn network. It’s a great way to let your network know about your achievement.
The Corporate Governance Institute provides many avenues for you to progress in your career. We regularly organise free webinars on governance related topics which are hosted by world-class experts in their field.
In addition to webinars, if you become a member of the institute you’ll be able to access many benefits that will help progress your leadership or boardroom career. For example, members can attend regular masterclasses with global governance experts which take an in-depth look at real world governance matters. Masterclasses also include an invaluable opportunity to network with peers and experts which is a great way to progress your career.
For a full list of membership benefits and how to become a member, have a look at the membership page.
The Corporate Governance Institute provides access to a large network of experts. This includes existing board members for profit and not for profit organisations, charities and multinational corporations. We also have a network of senior leaders and aspiring board members. We encourage you to use this network and other resources provided by us to explore board and leadership opportunities.
If you become a member of the Corporate Governance Institute, you’ll get access to view available board roles through partnerships we’ve developed with specialised boardroom and executive level recruiters.
We’re always working to develop new partnerships to support our recruitment network. All our members are notified when new opportunities arise.
The Corporate Governance Institute is the awarding body for the diplomas. The diplomas are university credit-rated by the Glasgow Caledonian University but you will graduate with a diploma from the Corporate Governance Institute. Our graduates are known as qualified delegates.
You can pay for a diploma or certificate course by selecting ”Enrol Now” on the relevant course page. For diplomas, you can pay in full or talk to us about the instalment plan.
If your organisation is paying for your course, please contact our sales team by emailing [email protected]. They’ll let you know what you need to do.
You can view all our courses on the Courses page.
When you purchase a course or membership from us, you have 14 days, from the day you make the payment, to cancel your purchase. You will need to cancel in writing by sending an email to [email protected]. In the case of digital content, this 14-day period only applies where course material has not been accessed.
If you’ve paid a deposit for a course, it is non-refundable. If you pay a deposit and you’re unable to take the course at the specified time, you can transfer your deposit to the next available course for the same price.
Please review our Terms and Conditions for more details on refunds and cancellations.
We don’t offer any scholarships or discounts. If you’d like to discuss payment options, please talk to our sales team by booking a call.
The Diploma in Corporate Governance has been designed so you can learn at your own pace, in your own time and wherever you want. The course is 100% online, self-paced and our learning platform gives you complete flexibility to create your own learning schedule based on your time availability.
You can access all course materials through the learning platform. You have six months access to your course materials and assessment from the time you enrol.
Have a look at the different course options for each course here.
The Diploma in Corporate Governance takes approximately 200 hours in total to complete. This recommended study time correlates to the diploma’s university credit rating for level 7 of the SCQF. The 200 hours can be broken down into the time it takes to complete each of the 10 modules, mandatory reading, various case studies, completing each assessment, and additional reading resources. While additional reading resources are not mandatory, we strongly encourage you to read these as they provide additional context to further your understanding of the subject.
Diploma is delivered 100% online and self-paced. You can access all course materials through the learning platform. You have six months access to your course materials and assessment from the time you enrol.
The course is a highly practical and interactive experience that includes expert teachings from practitioners in corporate governance.
The Corporate Governance Institute’s Diploma in Corporate Governance is university credit-rated by the Glasgow Caledonian University, a highly-rated UK university. The diploma is recognised at Level 7 on the Scottish Curriculum and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). Our staff, tutors and courses have been thoroughly vetted and are continually monitored by the university to ensure that we are meeting the highest standards possible.
More information about the SCQF Level 7 credit rating can be found here.
The course will cover the key principles of company law in common law countries.
These countries include Ireland, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Canada (excluding Quebec), Singapore, Hong Kong and the United States.
The Diploma in Corporate Governance enables existing or potential directors to ask about their specific duties and responsibilities as a director under company law in any common law country.
As an example, the Law Society of Ireland (the regulatory body for solicitors in Ireland) states:
“To qualify as CPD, the education/training must relate to law, management and professional development skills or regulatory matters and must be intended to develop the solicitor in his/her professional knowledge, skills and abilities. CPD credit may be claimed for actual time spent in training, minus registration/break times.
Please ensure that the attending solicitors retain suitable proof of CPD (e.g. Certificate of Attendance), as it is required in all instances for solicitors to be credited with CPD.”
Yes, 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 qualification 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.
Our delegates, and graduates are a multi-talented group of individuals, who come together to share their knowledge of board experience. With access to these delegates and graduates, we are confident that you will find the right board that meets your specific requirements and matches your skillset.
Please contact us to discuss your options.
Our faculty members are industry experts with an interest in teaching the next generation of directors and board members. As well as teaching on the diploma, our lecturers are professionally involved in numerous types of businesses.
Meet our faculty members.
You have six months access to your course material from the time you enrol.
You have six months to complete and submit your assessments from the date you enrol.
When you successfully complete the Diploma in Corporate Governance, you can use the post nominals DipCorpGov on your digital signature and LinkedIn profile.
The Diploma in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) has been designed so you can learn at your own pace, in your own time and wherever you want. The course is 100% online and our learning platform gives you complete flexibility to create your own learning schedule based on your time availability.
The Diploma in Environmental, Social and Governance takes approximately 200 hours in total to complete. This recommended study time correlates to the diploma’s university credit rating for level 7 of the SCQF. The 200 hours can be broken down into the time it takes to complete each of the 10 modules, mandatory reading, various case studies, completing each assessment, and additional reading resources. While additional reading resources are not mandatory, we strongly encourage you to read these as they provide additional context to further your understanding of the subject.
The diploma is delivered fully online and is self paced. It’s an immersive and interactive experience that includes expert video interviews with professionals in the field, infographics, graphs, discussions and additional readings to compliment your learning. This model is very popular with professionals who have busy schedules and want to move through the diploma at their preferred pace.
The Corporate Governance Institute’s Diploma in Environmental, Social and Governance is university credit-rated by the Glasgow Caledonian University, a highly-rated UK university. The diploma is recognised at Level 7 on the Scottish Curriculum and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). Our staff, tutors and courses have been thoroughly vetted and are continually monitored by the university to ensure that we are meeting the highest standards possible.
More information about the SCQF Level 7 credit rating can be found here.
The diploma and each module in it has had input from industry experts who are also practitioners in ESG. Most modules contain video interviews with global experts in their field on matters such as ESG Reporting, ESG Risk and the Investor perspective. These experts were carefully selected to represent a variety of skill sets, ethnicities, gender and race. The speakers have a range of experience including corporate governance, partners in law, vice presidents of companies and lecturers at business schools, such as Wharton. They have years of academic as well as industry experience.
Yes. While CPD is usually applied by your own awarding body, the Diploma in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) should qualify for CPD recognition.
Each module features a global expert in ESG who provides a unique perspective on the topics from a practitioner’s point of view. They are specialists in ESG and come from a wide variety of industries. As well as speaking frequently on ESG topics, they are also professionally involved in numerous types of businesses.
They will bring you through the most current and relevant case studies. You will learn about the latest thinking in ESG at leadership level.
Our faculty members are industry experts with an interest in teaching the next generation of directors and board members. As well as teaching on the diploma, our lecturers are professionally involved in numerous types of businesses.
Meet our faculty members.
Definitely. We designed this diploma to demystify and define what it means to be a leader in ESG. It covers key concepts in ESG all the way through to in-depth analysis. You will develop your own personal brand as an ESG leader.
The case studies are real-world, practical and full of insights. Your resulting certification is globally recognised.
This diploma is ideal for leaders who wish to make a positive impact in their organisation, society and the environment.
You have six months access to your course material from the date you enrol.
You have six months to complete and submit your assessments from the date your enrol.
When you successfully complete the Diploma in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), you can use the post nominals DipESG on your digital signature and LinkedIn profile.
Each of our courses includes an assessment element.
- For the Diploma in Corporate Governance there are two assessments
- For the Diploma in Environmental, Social and Governance there are two assessments
- For certificate courses there is one assessment
You need to pass all assessments to receive your qualification. In the case of the diplomas, this qualification is university credit-rated.
You’ll complete your assessments online, at a time that suits you, using our assessment platform. Once you enrol on a 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 will be well prepared to take the assessments once you’ve familiarised yourself with the content. They have been created to last no more than 90 minutes each and usually take the format of multiple choice style questions.
Each assessment takes 90 minutes to complete for diplomas and certificates.
This will depend on the course you are doing.
- For certificates, once you have submitted your assessment, the result will appear on your screen immediately. You will also receive an email with your result.
- For the Diploma in Corporate Governance, the result will appear on your screen immediately after you submit assessments 1 and 2. The results for assessment 3 (final assessment) need to go through an additional check by our university partners before they can be published.
- For the Diploma in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), the result will appear on your screen immediately after you submit assessment 1. The results for assessment 2 (final assessment) need to go through an additional check by our university partners before they can be published.
You will receive more information about your assessment results and how they will be shared with you once you enrol on your course. If you have additional questions about assessments, you can contact the learning support team by emailing [email protected].
This will depend on the course you are doing.
- For certificates, once you have submitted your assessment, the result will appear on your screen immediately. You will also receive an email with your result.
- For the Diploma in Corporate Governance, the result will appear on your screen immediately after you submit assessments 1 and 2. The results for assessment 3 (final assessment) need to go through an additional check by our university partners before they can be published.
- For the Diploma in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), the result will appear on your screen immediately after you submit assessment 1. The results for assessment 2 (final assessment) need to go through an additional check by our university partners before they can be published.
You will receive more information about your assessment results and how they will be shared with you once you enrol on your course. If you have additional questions about assessments, you can contact the learning support team by emailing [email protected].
If you fail your assessments, you have the option to resit them. There is a fee to resit each assessment. Full details of the fees and process are available on request from the learning support team by emailing [email protected].
If you’re not happy with your assessment grade and want to appeal it, you can do so. Please note that all appeal requests are subject to a fee. Full details of the appeals process are available on request by emailing [email protected].
If you require an extension, the first extension to the diploma and assessments will be free, and will be for three months from the due date of your assessments. Any further extension will be charged. A maximum of three extensions will be allowed. Extension requests will be reviewed by the learning support team and you will be notified of the decision. You can email [email protected] for full details on extensions.
If you’re unable to complete your diploma assessments, you won’t receive your qualification. However, you can request a Certificate of Attendanceif you’ve completed all your modules. Full details of this process are available on request from the learning support team by emailing [email protected].
You can pay for a diploma or certificate course by selecting ”Enrol Now” on the relevant course page. For diplomas, you can pay in full or talk to us about the instalment plan.
If your organisation is paying for your course, please contact our sales team by emailing [email protected]. They’ll let you know what you need to do.
You can view all our courses on the Courses page.
When you purchase a course or membership from us, you have 14 days, from the day you make the payment, to cancel your purchase. You will need to cancel in writing by sending an email to [email protected]. In the case of digital content, this 14-day period only applies where course material has not been accessed.
If you’ve paid a deposit for a course, it is non-refundable. If you pay a deposit and you’re unable to take the course at the specified time, you can transfer your deposit to the next available course for the same price.
Please review our Terms and Conditions for more details on refunds and cancellations.
Yes, your employer can pay for the course. If your employer is paying for your course, please contact our sales team by emailing [email protected]. They’ll let you know what you need to do.
You can view all our courses on the Courses page.
We don’t offer any scholarships or discounts. If you’d like to discuss payment options, please talk to our sales team by booking a call.
Yes, we offer plans in case you would like to pay for your course in instalments. You can pay the price of the program in 4 instalments over a 4 month period.
The instalment plans give you the option to pay for your course over 4 months. Each month, you would pay ¼ of the final price of the course. With the payment of each instalment, we will release access to a part of the course. You will progress through the course and gain access to all modules as you complete the instalment payments.
Here is an example for the instalment payment schedule for Diploma in Corporate Governance.
Yes, VAT is included in the price of the course. The price that you see on our website for the course of your choice is the final price you would pay for the course. There are no other hidden charges.
The certificate is delivered fully online and is self paced. It’s an immersive and interactive experience that includes expert video interviews with professionals in the field, news resources, web resources, case studies, readings, discussions and interactive quizzes to complement your learning.
You have three months access to your course material and assessment from the date you enrol. You will need to take the assessment within this timeframe.
Each certificate has one assessment. You need to pass this assessment to receive your certificate.
You’ll complete your assessment online, at a time that suits you, using our assessment platform. Once you enrol on a course, you’ll receive detailed instructions on how and when you’re eligible to attempt your assessment.
The assessment questions are based on the course materials. You will be well prepared to take the assessment once you’ve familiarised yourself with the content. The assessment lasts no more than 60 minutes and takes the format of multiple choice style questions.
Our certificates do not have an option to extend the deadline for the assessment. You will not be able to resit the assessment once you submit it. To get the best result possible, we suggest you familiarise yourself with the course materials before attempting the assessment.
Yes, there is an annual membership with the Corporate Governance Institute. The cost of membership is €395. If you are interested in our corporate membership, please contact our Membership Team for more information, [email protected]
Membership with the Corporate Governance Institute is available in two ways
- Premium membership, €395 per annum
- Freemium membership, free of charge with limited access to benefits
Premium membership: As a CGI premium member you have unlocked access to our full catalogue of member benefits.
You have full access to our range of toolkits and templates – they are practical, easy to use and save you time. Helping you improve your productivity and performance.
You can join The Masterclass – these sessions will help you connect with like-minded members. Facilitated by a CGI expert, you’ll be challenged and inspired in these workshop networking combo events.
Connect with your community through the member directory. It gives you access to a thriving hub of knowledge and expertise through a global network spanning multiple geographies and industries.
Contact us about featuring in community insights or events. We’ll open doors to connect with our community and create opportunities for you to showcase your skills and experience.
Use this opportunity to build and develop your personal brand and set yourself up as an expert and thought leader.
Your full list of premium member benefits include:
- Lifetime programme access (qualified members only)
- Full resource library
- Toolkits and templates
- CGI news analysis
- Roundtable discussions
- The Masterclass sessions
- CGI webinars
- Feature in a CGI event
- Virtual networking sessions
- CGI premium newsletter
- Premium member badge and social media toolkit
- CGI membership directory
- Member-only Slack and LinkedIn groups
- CGI community insights
- Jobs board
- Discounts for CGI training
Freemium membership: Our freemium option is free of charge and you will have limited access to our benefits. If you are unsure if membership is for you, then freemium is a great option to give you an introduction to what we offer.
As a freemium member, you will have access to:
- CGI news analysis
- CGI webinars
- Weekly newsletter
- Freemium member badge and your social media toolkit
- Limited access to our comprehensive resource library
- Testing yourself anytime with the Company Director Skills Test
Here are 5 steps to starting getting the most out of your Premium membership:
- Login to your membership area: Use your member hub to access all the key benefits of your membership tier.
- Register for an upcoming event: Webinars are 60 minutes and focus on key trending and practical topics. The Masterclass series are 90 minutes of a workshop and networking combo session.Be expertly guided as you work through a governance problem along with community peers and fellow members.
- Share your members badge: Use your social media toolkit to leverage your membership for career growth. Not only does the badge highlight your membership, it also showcases that you’re a champion of continuous learning and development in good governance and ESG.
- Access the resource hub: Stay up-to-date on industry news, regulatory changes and emerging trends.
- Start connecting: Start checking out the Slack group, LinkedIn group and your global member directory. Remember, membership offers valuable opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals within the institute’s network.
By actively engaging with the institute’s offerings, networking with professionals, and leveraging available resources, you’ll start maximising the benefits and enhance your professional growth in corporate governance and ESG.
By staying connected, you’ll discover the value and ease that comes with being a part of our vibrant community.
Your premium membership will expire 12 months from the date it started. You will receive notifications from CGI outlining when your renewal is due.
To renew your premium membership you can do so by adding your card details to your member area under ‘myaccount’. This will allow your membership to auto renew on the day it is due. Alternatively, you can request an invoice and you can pay through our bank account.
Please note, by unsubscribing from premium membership you’ll no longer have access to the full catalogue of CGI premium member benefits and will become a freemium member.
You can manage or upgrade your membership subscription at any time via the ‘Myaccount’ section in your members’ area.
You can change your password using the “Forgot Password” option on our website. Please
click here and it will take you directly to the relevant webpage.
Follow the instructions sent to your email to reset your password securely
We have lots of networking opportunities for you to choose from and depending on which membership tier you have chosen will determine your networking opportunities. For more information on what networking opportunities are available to you please see the table below. For more information on our membership tiers, please find more information in our FAQ’s.
| Networking opportunities | Premium | Freemium |
| The Masterclass
Connect with like-minded members and get inspired through our combination workshop and networking sessions. These 1.5 hour sessions are led by an experienced practitioner who will encourage everyone to delve into practical topics, and challenge you to explore new ideas and perspectives. Run: Monthly |
✓ | x |
| RoundTable Discussions
We bring together a carefully selected group of premium members who will engage in deep discussions on timely and relevant topics and issues. Guided by a subject matter expert, these conversations will provide valuable insights and takeaways. Run: Quarterly |
✓ | x |
| Networking Sessions
In these virtual events we bring community members together and facilitate the exchange of ideas and opportunities. Use these sessions to make lasting connections and build a strong network. Run: Periodically |
✓ | x |
| Membership Directory
Discover, connect and network. Our extensive member directory keeps you connected to your fellow community members. Connect: You can access via your membership hub |
✓ | x |
| Forum Access
Our Slack forum community offers opportunities to acquire new knowledge, exchange ideas, and work together. Connect: You can access via your membership hub |
✓ | x |
| Members-only Linkedin group
Access to keep up-to date with what is happening in CGI such as community events, the masterclass sessions, and latest updates. Use this additional community setting to connect with your fellow CGI members and expand your network. Connect: You can access via your membership hub |
✓ | x |
Can’t find the answer to your question? Visit our contact page or book a call.
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