MSc Governance

About the programme

The MSc Governance is delivered by KCB in collaboration with the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (CGIUKI) and the University of Essex. CGIUKI brings 125 years of professional governance expertise and the pathway to chartered status, while The University of Essex contributes its academic excellence as a university ranked 12th in the UK in the 2025 Guardian University Guide. Together, these partners ensure the programme is academically robust, professionally aligned and recognised across the governance sector.

The programme is a dual qualification. Upon successful completion of the programme students will be awarded an MSc Governance from the University of Essex and GradCG status of the Chartered Governance Institute in the UK and Ireland (CGIUKI). Students with the relevant work experience will be able to apply for full chartered status.

Who is the programme suitable for?

This programme is aimed at individuals working in the governance sector, whether you have been working in the sector for many years and want to formalise your knowledge or whether you are new to the sector and are looking to build your knowledge and skills. The programme is equally suitable for professionals in corporate or not-for-profit organisations. Students have the opportunity to specialise in their chosen area of interest through tailored module assignments and their final project.

The benefits

A key benefit of the programme is that it allows students the opportunity to explore module topics in detail to enhance specialist knowledge and gain expertise within their field of interest. It also seeks to develop a wide range of practical skills relevant to the governance professional. To maximise the learning and development experience for students, each intake is limited to 25 students.

Programme modules

Programme duration and delivery

The programme is delivered by KCB, a college with over 40 years delivering governance qualifications. All tutors are experts in their fields with a combination of academic and practitioner experience. The taught component of the programme are delivered online over two years, with additional time allocated for completion of the final project.

For each module there will be 10 weekly live online sessions delivered via Zoom. Further independent study and preparation time is required for candidates to successfully complete the programme.

Programme assessment

Our assignments are designed to help students build the practical skills expected of modern governance professionals, while also strengthening the deeper academic understanding that underpins decision making.

Students will engage with a blend of real-world and academic tasks including but not limited to:

• Case studies
• Group work presentations
• Time-constrained exams
• Simulations
• Audits
• Reviews

This variety ensures learners develop both the practical skills and the advanced critical thinking needed to apply governance principles with confidence.

Entry criteria

The general entry requirement is a minimum of a 2:2 Bachelor’s degree or international equivalent in any discipline or those that have attained Affiliate status of the Chartered Governance through an assessed programme of study and who have five years relevant work experience. We particularly welcome students who have undertaken any of the following CGI certificate programmes:

• Certificate in Company Secretarial Practice and Share Registration Practice
• Certificate in Corporate Governance
• Certificate in Charity Law and Governance
• Certificate in Academy Governance
• Governance Officer Apprenticeship

Programme commencement

25 February 2026

Please check back soon to learn more about our next enrollment.

Programme cost

Further details

For further details on the programme or to enrol, please get in touch with Lauren on 020 7400 0333 or lauren@kcbglobal.net