There are six main routes into the Qualifying Programme:
- The Foundation Programme entry – 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).
- Part One entry – Those with relevant education and experience will start at Part One of the Qualifying Programme.
- Related Degree entry – Law or finance graduates start at Part One and may be eligible for exemption from the law or finance module. MBA graduates start at Part One and will be assessed for other exemptions.
- Professional entry – Accountants or lawyers with up to five years’ professional experience start at Part One and may be eligible for exemption from two modules.
- Fast Track Professional entry – Accountants or lawyers with more than five years’ experience may only need to complete two modules.
- MOU entry - Members of ICSI and ICSAN may be eligible for module exemptions under our Memorandum of Understanding agreements with these organisations.
We carefully assesses applications for all exemptions and successful applicants can significantly streamline their studies.
Route 1: Foundation Programme entry
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.
Route 2: Part One entry
Students who have one or more of the following qualifications may be eligible to start directly on Part One of the Qualifying Programme:
- HND in Law or Accounting;
- HND or degree in Business Studies or Business Management;
- The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland Level 5 Diploma in International Finance and Administration (IFA);
- The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland Level 5 Diploma in Offshore Finance and Administration (DOFA); or
- an 'unrelated' degree (i.e. anything other than law, finance or business) and five years’ or more experience in a company secretarial or governance professional related role.
Route 3: Related Degree entry
Students with a law or finance degree may be eligible for Part One entry and a module exemption.
Law Degree Entry
If you have a degree in law, you may be exempt from the Company Law module.
Finance Degree Entry
If you have a degree in finance, you may be exempt from the Finance module.
MBA Entry
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.
Law Degree and Finance Degree Entry
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.
Route 4: Professional entry (less than five years' experience)
Professionals working in law or finance (for less than five years) may be eligible for exemption from two Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme modules.
Law Professional Entry
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:
- The Bar Council
- The Law Society
- Or equivalent, compliant with the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme Regulations.
Finance Professional Entry
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:
- Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
- Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)
- Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI)
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
- Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
- Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)
- Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland (CPA Ireland)
Route 5: Fast Track Professional entry
As a qualified lawyer or accountant with more than five years’ relevant experience, you can become qualified in a year or less. Our Fast Track Professional route recognises your knowledge and experience and requires the completion of just two modules, Corporate Governance and Risk Management.
Relevant experience
In order to be eligible for the Fast Track professional route, you must be able to evidence a minimum of five-years’ post qualifying experience in one (or more) of the following areas:
- Company Secretarial & Legal
- Corporate Governance
- Financial Management
- Committee Administration and Accounting
- General Management and Administration
- Pensions & Insurance
Lawyers
You must be a current member of the following professional bodies relevant to your jurisdiction:
- The Bar Council
- The Law Society
- Or equivalent, compliant with the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme Regulations.
Accountants
You must also be a current member of one of the following major accountancy bodies relevant to your jurisdiction:
- Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
- Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)
- Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI)
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
- Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
- Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)
- Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland (CPA Ireland)
Route 6: MOU entry
The Institute has a special arrangement with the Institute of Chartered Secretaries India (ICSI) and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators Nigeria (ICSAN), where members of these Institutes can study the Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme and be exempt from certain modules.
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)
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.
The Institute of Company Secretaries and Administrators Nigeria (ICSAN)
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.
