Course Overview
Earn your MSc in Corporate Governance, accredited by the Chartered Governance Institute, and unlock a world of possibilities for your career. This internationally recognized dual qualification, delivered in partnership with Leeds Beckett University, empowers you with the knowledge and skills to lead with confidence and drive impactful change in the corporate landscape. One that both elevates your professional journey and becomes a catalyst for good governance and corporate social responsibility practice.
The course harnesses the latest real-world scenarios and insights to foster critical thinking and promote systems thinking, integrated problem-solving, peer learning, and reflective practice. It empowers you to understand, critique, and influence the complex and dynamic factors shaping corporate affairs. In today’s landscape, organisations and their boards face increasing accountability for their decisions, with heightened expectations for ethical behaviour and alignment with core values. This programme equips you with the acumen to navigate these challenges and lead with integrity, ensuring your influence contributes to a more responsible and values-driven corporate environment. It is the ideal governance programme for those working in any sector including private, public, and nonprofit organisations.
This programme is delivered entirely online through the GTA and is only available to residents of the Channel Islands.
Course Content
The programme is fully aligned with the CGIUKI Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme (CGQP), ensuring that you receive a comprehensive and recognised education in corporate governance.
Delivery
All modules on this course will be delivered through a combination of asynchronous activities that you can study at any time (such as pre-recorded lectures, case studies, and other-directed online activities), supported by regular synchronous tutorials and discussions to be held live virtually online at the GTA, which will allow you to work through issues in real-time with your tutors.
Dates for these discussion sessions can be found alongside each module below.
Induction – Face-to-Face at the GTA
17 January 2025 (09:00-17:00)
Interpreting Financial & Accounting Information
The module explores a diverse array of financial reporting topics, from preparing single-entity financial statements to interpreting IFRS-based policies and group reporting. You will explore financial markets and assess financing needs through strategic planning, budgeting, and forecasting, while understanding the critical role of cash management. We will review various financing sources, their advantages and disadvantages, and dive into concepts like cost of capital and capital structure for informed decision-making. You will also learn risk assessment techniques and their impact on investment appraisal, equipping you with the insights needed for effective company analysis and business valuation. Get ready to enhance your financial acumen and drive impactful decisions!
31 January, 21 February, 14 March, 4 April 2025 (all sessions 09:00-17:00)
Applied Company Law
This module provides a comprehensive understanding of the UK legal framework governing business organisations, with a focus on registered companies. You will explore key legal principles and their practical application, particularly the Companies Act 2006. Topics include the duties of company officers, the rights of members, corporate governance, company operations, reorganisations, and regulatory compliance. By the end of the module, you will be equipped with essential knowledge and skills to effectively engage with governing authorities across various sectors.
2 May, 23 May, 13 June 2025 (all sessions 09:00-17:00)
Risk Management
The business environment is filled with dynamic risks and opportunities that leaders must navigate with skill, insight and competence. In this module, we will explore a powerful framework for evaluating these risks and the techniques to address them effectively. Through engaging case studies, you will uncover modern uncertainties and their real-world impacts on businesses, blending academic insights with practical applications to equip you with a valuable toolkit for your career.
You will learn to identify, assess, prioritize, and categorize risks; design effective mitigation strategies; and monitor and report on risk status. We will also examine the role of company strategy in risk management, the interconnections between different business units, and the corporate board’s governance responsibilities. Additionally, you’ll delve into established risk management frameworks like ISO 31000 and IRM.
3 October, 24 October, 14 November 2025 (all sessions 09:00-17:00)
The Practice of Governance, Leadership and Strategy
The global business landscape is increasingly complex, challenging Boards of Directors to effectively deliver their vision through strategic governance. As environmental and social factors play a larger role in decision-making, Boards must act ethically while achieving financial success within sound governance frameworks.
In this module, you will explore the essential functions of Chartered Secretaries as key members of the senior management team, ensuring the integrity of policies and processes that drive organisational objectives. Through case studies, you will critically examine the tools and techniques for developing and implementing strategy, while addressing the ethical implications involved. We encourage deep discussions that help you to bridge theory and practice, enhancing your understanding of the Board's challenges.
6 February, 27 February, 20 March 2026 (all sessions 09:00-17:00)
Research Methods Workshop
17 April 2026 (09:00-17:00)
Corporate Secretarial Practice
The role of the company secretary has transformed from a largely administrative position to a dynamic, pivotal one at the heart of corporate governance. In larger organisations, the company secretary acts as a trusted advisor and moral compass for the board, ensuring good governance amidst evolving cultural codes.
In this module, you will explore the essential duties and responsibilities of the company secretary within the broader governance landscape. Collaborating in groups, you will explore the practical aspects of the role, focusing on the importance of soft skills in managing board dynamics, the broader relationships with stakeholders, and the implications of the Corporate Governance Code, along with compliance and regulatory requirements.
8 May, 29 May, 19 June 2026 (all sessions 09:00-17:00)
Research Methods Workshop
2 October 2026 (09:00-17:00)
Board Dynamics
Discover the vital role of board dynamics in effective governance and the practical workings of a board. Together, we will explore the challenges faced by company secretaries and how they can champion good governance practices. You will learn how executives can collaborate more effectively while analysing the complexities of board life, including disruptors and shifting human factors. Through group work, you will gain insights into effective processes and dialogue, enhancing organisational diversity and leadership.
23 October, 13 November, 4 December 2026 (all sessions 09:00-17:00)
Leadership, Governance and People Management Dissertation Project
This module offers you a unique opportunity to embark on a project that is deeply significant to your professional practice and directly relevant to your workplace. With the freedom to fully tailor your dissertation and direct your own research, you will unlock a wealth of benefits that set this experience apart from traditional taught modules.
Guided by a professional academic supervisor, you will cultivate deep expertise in a topic that resonates with you personally. This empowering journey allows you to make a meaningful impact not only on your organisation but also on your career and the broader field of study. This provides you with the opportunity to shape your future and contribute to something truly transformative.
Dissertation Submission – 30 June 2026
Course Benefits
• Experience a rigorous and transformative qualification that empowers you with practical skills for real-world impact. You will evaluate, synthesize, and apply advanced contemporary theories and techniques to navigate complex, open-ended challenges in corporate governance.
• Gain insights into navigating the board’s role, dynamics, influence, and power to enhance your ability to effectively administer corporate affairs. This understanding will empower you to make meaningful contributions to corporate performance, positioning you for success in senior-level roles.
• Adopt an interdisciplinary approach to explore the dynamics and interrelationships among diverse disciplines and functional specialisms. This understanding will illuminate how these elements impact corporate governance practices, helping to mitigate risk and champion safety and compliance effectively.
• Gain valuable insights into key areas like risk and crisis management, decision-making, and mergers and acquisitions, to nurtures a deep appreciation for ethics and values in the business community and their connection to corporate governance affairs.
• Access techniques and tools to enhance your competencies, evaluate board performance, and boost your career potential.
Fast-Track Programme
If you already hold full CGI CSQS, ACA, ACCA or CIMA or equivalent, you would be eligible to exemption from the first year of this course and can apply to the MSc Corporate Governance/Graduate CG – Fast-Track Programme, commencing in January 2026.
Assessment
Assessment is by coursework and assignments.
Prerequisites
A Bachelor’s Honours degree, 2:2 or above, or equivalent professional qualifications/experience will be considered.
Next Steps
If you would like to join this programme, or find out further information, please contact [email protected] or call 224570.