This is the only governance qualification built for academy trusts.
Our Certificate in Academy Governance lets you build the governance expertise that protects your trust, supports your board and delivers better outcomes for every school in your care.
Academy trusts operate in one of the most scrutinised governance environments in the public sector. The DfE, RSC and Ofsted all have expectations of governance standards — and the stakes of getting it wrong affect children, staff and communities.
Yet most people in academy governance roles have had no formal governance training. This qualification changes that.
What you get
- Level 4 Certificate, equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree
- Registration, exam and certification fees all included
- Digital syllabus, study materials and full course text
- 12 live webinars with world-class faculty, all recorded
- Access to online learning platform with peer discussion forums
- CGIUKI student membership throughout your course
- MyCG portal access — past papers and mark schemes
- A professional community of practice
- Eligibility for CGIUKI Affiliated membership on completion
One simple price
£1,500
You will have to create an account to enrol on this Sector Qualification.
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Note: if you don't yet have a login with us, you'll have to create one before you can register onto one of our Sector Qualifications. But don't worry: it's easy and only takes a few minutes. You can return to this page by clicking Qualifications & Training > Sector Qualifications > CG in the navigation bar at the top of your screen.
Bursary
We’re proud to offer bursaries each year to cover 90% of the course fees supported by the Chartered Secretaries’ Charitable Trust. There are 40 bursaries available for each cohort, awarded between the sector qualifications in Charity Law and Governance, Academy Governance, Health Service Governance and Social Housing Governance.
Bursary applications will be considered by the Trustees in line with two phases below:
Phase 1 – Main application window
- Apply: 19 May – 30 June 2026
Notification: 16 July 2026
Phase 2 (Subject to Availability)
- Apply: 3 August – 18 September 2026
Notification: 6 October 2026
Please note: Phase 2 will only open if bursaries remain after Phase 1. Early application is strongly encouraged.
To apply for a bursary, you/your organisation must:
- Be able to cover the remaining 10% of the course fee.
- Be able to supply a copy of your organisation’s most recent annual report and accounts.
- Be able to supply a reference from your employer to support your application.
The second application window is open, but there is a limited number of bursaries available, and priority will be given to those from smaller organisations who can demonstrate the largest impact from the bursary.
Reference will be made to annual accounts and financial statements with priority given to applicants from organisations with limited training funds.
The Trust was established in the summer of 2013 for the benefit of current and former members, graduates, students and employees of The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland and for the promotion of good governance.
Why take the governance path?
Career progression
Earning potential
Global opportunities
