Chartered status is the benchmark for company secretaries and governance professionals. It shows that you have the knowledge, skills and experience to take on a job with significant and wide-ranging responsibilities. In larger organisations, this may be within the secretariat or governance team or as part of a professional services team. In medium and smaller organisations, this may be in the sole governance or company secretarial role.
Anyone is eligible to apply, but the programme rises to Level 7 (equivalent to postgraduate degree level) in the final stages. Our students range from entry-level to established professionals, some already working in governance as company secretaries and others transitioning from legal, financial, compliance and risk careers.
The entire programme can take up to five years to complete. However, we offer alternative entry routes for those with relevant education or professional experience. For example, a professional with five years of relevant experience may achieve the qualifying programme within one year via the fast-track professional entry route.
On successful completion of the programme you will receive Grad status which is your first step on the road to achieving Chartered Status.
The programme is divided into two levels, Part One and Part Two.
Students with a law, finance or governance background may be able to start at Part One at
Level 6 (equivalent to final year undergraduate level). You complete your learning at Part Two at Level 7 (equivalent to postgraduate degree level), developing commercial understanding through the study of risk, strategy and board dynamics.
You can view the full syllabus here.
These are not small considerations, but you are not alone. Becoming a student member with the Institute gives you access to expert support and guidance along with a range of other benefits.
The full qualifying programme is divided into two sections, Part One and Part Two. You may be exempt from certain modules through our alternative routes of entry.
You can also purchase the recommended study texts in our book shop.
Part One is a Level 6 course (final year undergraduate level). Each module requires around 200 hours of study, and is assessed by a three-hour exam. The modules are:
Corporate Governance
The aim of this module is to provide advanced knowledge and key skills necessary for the company secretary or governance professional to act as chief adviser to the board and other stakeholders on best practice in corporate governance, and as the facilitator for systematic application across a wide range of organisations.
Company Compliance and Administration
The aim of this module is for students to develop their knowledge and skills to prepare for practice as a company secretary, ensuring that the company operates in accordance with good governance principles and the regulations of the jurisdiction in which it operates.
Interpreting Financial and Accounting Information
The aim of this module is to develop your knowledge of finance and accounting and the ability to use that knowledge to interpret financial and accounting information when providing advice to the board, or a similar decision-making body, in strategy development and/or decision-making.
Company Law
The aim of this module is to provide a thorough grounding in, and knowledge and understanding of, the legal framework governing certain business organisations, with particular focus on the registered company. Where appropriate, the module will also cover relevant corporate governance topics, and the relationship between company law and corporate governance.
Part Two is a Level 7 course (postgraduate degree level). Each module requires around 200 hours of study, and is assessed by a three-hour exam. The modules are:
Development of Strategy
As the pace and volume of change in the environment affecting organisations in all sectors increases, company secretaries/governance professionals must seek to understand what is happening and play their part in determining the organisation’s response. All organisations are faced with the challenge of strategic direction either to grasp new opportunities or to overcome significant problems.
The aim of this module is to provide the elements, processes and techniques involved in the development and implementation of organisational strategy.
Risk Management
The aim of this module is for students to develop and extend their understanding of the discipline of risk management, including how risk management links to compliance management and complements effective corporate governance in organisations.
Boardroom Dynamics
The aim of this module is to provide the advanced knowledge, understanding and skills needed for the company secretary/governance professional to support boardroom performance by enabling both effective individual behaviours and group processes.
If you feel this is the right qualification for you check your entry route eligibility.
There are six main routes into the qualifying programme:
We carefully assesses applications for all exemptions and successful applicants can significantly streamline their studies.
Students who are not eligible to start the programme at Part One will need to take the Foundation Programme to start their journey to GradCG. This is set at Level 4 (equivalent to first year undergraduate level). This route is open entry, meaning you don't need any prerequisites to begin the programme.
Students who have one or more of the following qualifications may be eligible to start directly on Part One of the qualifying programme:
Students with a law or finance degree may be eligible for Part One entry and a module exemption.
If you have a degree in law, you may be exempt from the Company Law module.
If you have a degree in finance, you may be exempt from the Finance module.
If you hold an MBA, you can start at Part One and can supply your transcript so we can assess you for any further exemptions.
If you have a degree in law and a degree in finance, you may be exempt from the Company Law module and the Finance module.
Professionals working in law or finance (for less than five years) may be eligible for exemption from two qualifying programme modules.
If you are a lawyer working in a relevant role and a current member of one of the following professional bodies relevant to your jurisdiction, you may be exempt from the Company Law and Strategy modules:
If you are a qualified accountant working in a relevant role and a current member of one of the following professional bodies relevant to your jurisdiction, you may be exempt from the Finance and Strategy modules:
As a qualified professional with more than five years post-qualifying experience (PQE), you can become qualified in a year or less. Our fast-track route recognises your knowledge and experience. It typically requires the completion of just two modules, Corporate Governance and Risk Management. Although, some professionals will be required to study Boardroom Dynamics as their second module.
Please read through the guidance note on fast-track applications Fast Track Guidelines.
To be eligible for the fast-track professional route, you must have five years of PQE in three or more of the following areas:
For further information please review the Fast Track Guidelines.
You must be a current member of the following professional bodies relevant to your jurisdiction:
The Chartered Governance Institute has a special arrangement with the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators Nigeria (ICSAN), where members of these Institutes can study the qualifying programme and be exempt from certain modules.
If you are a current Associate or Fellow of ICSI with a minimum of two years’ relevant experience/training, you may be exempt from up to four modules from the full qualifying programme. You would only be required to complete: Company Law, Corporate Governance and Risk Management.
For further information on the route, please visit our FAQ’s
If you are a current member of ICSAN and completed your final exam after November 2011, you may be exempt from five modules and would be required to complete: Corporate Governance and Risk Management.
Once you know your route through the qualifying programme, you can register for the course, pay your initial fees and begin your studies. We recommend the use of a registered tuition partner, though some students choose to self-study.
We work with a variety of tuition partners and we strongly recommend our students take tuition. They can be used on a module by module basis and offer options that include distance learning and face-to-face classes. In addition to higher student pass rates, the benefits include:
The cost of tuition is typically £350 – £600 per module depending on the tuition provider you choose and the services they offer.
You prepare for each exam yourself, using the facilities provided as part of your student membership of the Institute. These include:
Undertaking the Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme is a big decision. It’s important to consider how it will fit into your existing lifestyle and career.
Costs can vary significantly from student to student. While everyone pays for registration, exam fees and membership of the Institute, a student’s route and tuition choice can make a big difference to the investment required.
The following table provides a summary of typical costs, but while the full fees apply for students in the UK, EU and Crown Dependencies, those in many other countries pay reduced rates.
|
UK and | Reduced rate | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration | One-off fee | £165 | £95 |
| Student membership | Annual fee – full year (1 Aug – 31 July) | £230 | £165 |
| Annual fee – half year (1 Feb – 31 July) | £115 | £83 | |
| Module fees | Exam entry | £284 | £193 |
| Exemption or re-sit | £284 | £193 | |
| Study texts | Per exam module | £50 | |
| Optional tuition | Per exam module, depending on provider | £350 – £600 | |
| Single fee | UK and overseas | Reduced rate |
| Registration, student membership, exemptions and exam entry | £2,303 | £1,531 |
Achieving chartered status requires both knowledge and experience.
Therefore, upon completing your last Part Two examination, you will receive your results in either February (Nov exam session) or August (June exam session).
Once you have received your final pass mark, our Membership Team will be in touch with you with the following steps to become chartered.
By clicking here, you can start familiarising yourself with what is required to qualify as a Chartered Governance Professional/ Chartered Secretary.
Is for those who have either achieved all four Part One modules on the Chartered Governance Qualifying Progamme, or have passed one of our Certificate or Diploma qualifications. Affiliated members use the post-nominals CG (Affiliated).
Is for those who have completed the qualifying programme or postgraduate equivalent and are working towards the experience required for Chartered membership. Graduates use the post-nominals GradCG.
Is the first level of Chartered membership, for those who have achieved GradCG status and have six years’ relevant work experience (this can be reduced to three if you hold a degree). Associate members use the post-nominals ACG and the professional designation of Chartered Secretary or Chartered Governance Professional.
Is the highest level of Chartered member for those who have achieved GradCG status and have eight years’ relevant work experience, three of which are in a senior position. Fellows use the post-nominals FCG and the professional designation of Chartered Secretary or Chartered Governance Professional.
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