Course Overview
The IoD Company Direction programme (Certificate and Diploma) is recognised internationally as the benchmark for directors. It provides a robust and challenging programme to meet the needs of today’s executives. It comprises the IoD Certificate in Company Direction (Certificate) and the IoD Diploma in Company Direction (Diploma).
The Certificate qualification will equip you with the core knowledge and awareness needed to function effectively as a director. Following successful completion of the Certificate, you can undertake the Diploma which will provide you with the opportunity to challenge and utilise the knowledge gained from the Certificate in an applied and dynamic way.
Course Content
The Certificate comprises four modules, each focusing on a key area in which boards and directors must collectively be proficient to achieve continued organisational success.
Module 1: Role of the Director and the Board (24-25 March 2025)
Outlines the key duties, roles and responsibilities of directors, corporate governance and the role of the board. The programme also looks at the crucial differences between management, direction and ownership and offers guidance on improving board effectiveness.
Module 2: Finance for Non-Finance Directors (14-16 May 2025)
Provides in-depth knowledge of financial terms and concepts to allow you to monitor the financial health of your business and evaluate new business plans with confidence.
Module 3: Leadership for Directors (09-10 July 2025)
Enables you to explore strategic leadership issues both within and beyond your organisation. This module introduces a more personalised approach to leadership. You will be encouraged to understand and develop your own self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
Module 4: Strategy for Directors (17-19 September 2025)
Introduces you to the key ideas and concepts for creating an effective organisational strategy. It considers the main approaches to strategic direction and marketing within the organisation, and will assist you in your role of leading the strategic process.
Following successful completion of the Certificate you can choose to undertake the Diploma in Company Direction. The Diploma is a three-day development workshop entitled Developing Board Performance (07-09 January 2026) which enables you to practice application, analytical skills and decision-making in a realistic but safe environment. This develops and enhances your ability to apply principles covered at Certificate level.
For those with time or financial constraints, there is the flexibility to defer some modules until a later date but please note that a deferral fee will apply (see below for all fees).
FEES
- Full programme: £10,495 IoD member (£13,350 non-member)
- Certificate: £8,485 IoD member (£10,495 non-member)
- Diploma: £2,975 IoD member (£4,210 non-member)
- One module of the Certificate: £2,475 IoD member (£2,740 non-member)
- Deferring a module of the Certificate: £325 per module
- Deferring the Diploma when the full programme is booked: £600
Course Benefits
This accredited and globally recognised programme sits as an equivalent to degree level. It is delivered by directors for directors, covers the key areas of governance, finance, strategy and leadership and provides you with a foundation in effective directorship as follows:
- An in-depth view of the role, responsibilities and legal duties of a director
- An understanding of the characteristics of an effective board
- Sound knowledge of financial terms and concepts
- The issues and processes associated with formulating strategic business plans and achieving strategic leadership
Completion of the IoD Company Direction programme allows you to apply for the prestigious qualification of Chartered Director – the ultimate qualification for today’s director.
Assessment
EXAMINATIONS
You are required to pass an exam for each of the four modules in order to be awarded the Certificate. Each modular exam is 45 minutes in duration and is composed of 16 multiple-choice questions drawn from a randomised question bank. Flexible examination dates are available throughout the year and examinations are taken via remote invigilation. The exams can be taken after each module or in one session after the four modules have been studied. Examination fees are additional and payable direct to the IoD. Fees are £200 for each module, or £600 for the Certificate (all four modules).
You are required to pass an additional exam to be awarded the Diploma. The three-hour exam is based on a specific case study and scenario where you are marked on your application of the knowledge you have learned, and the communication of that knowledge. Several examination dates are available throughout the year and examinations are taken via remote invigilation. The examination fee for the Diploma is additional and payable direct to the IoD. The fee is £600.
Please note: examinations must be booked with, and paid directly to, the IoD. Please call their examinations team on 020 7766 8910 or email [email protected]
Next Steps
Contact Julie Eaton, Programmes Manager, who will be happy to discuss this programme, and your individual requirements, in more detail. Please phone 224575 or email [email protected].
Alternatively, click the ‘register interest’ button on the right of this page and Julie will get back to you. To book, please contact Julie Eaton who will process the booking on your behalf.