Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
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Course overview
-
L27 -
City Campus -
Full-Time -
12 Months -
21 Sep 2026
MSc Corporate Governance is designed for company directors, governance professionals, senior business leaders, entrepreneurs, and company secretaries committed to shaping the future of organisations with integrity and vision.
You'll develop the critical skills, strategic insight, and global outlook needed to steer complex organisations in today's dynamic business environment with confidence. Through a rich blend of academic study and real-world application, you'll explore the pivotal role of strong, ethical leadership in bringing an organisation's mission to life.
The course offers you a rare opportunity to refine your leadership skills, elevate governance impact, and become catalysts for meaningful change within organisations and across the wider business landscape.
As part of this course, you'll:
- Explore the intricacies of corporate strategy, governance frameworks, and boardroom dynamics
- Gain powerful tools and actionable techniques that can be immediately implemented to drive performance, resilience, and long-term value
- Build the expertise and skills required of a company secretary
- Strengthen your understanding of governance and general management theory
- Challenge conventional thinking to improve your professional practice
- Collaborate with peers to share best practice and generate new ideas
- Gain a highly specialised set of board-level leadership capabilities to recognise, analyse and influence corporate affairs
Professional accreditation
This boardroom-focused programme is formally accredited to meet the requirements of the Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme (CGQP) - the benchmark standard for aspiring and established company secretaries and governance professionals. It provides a clear pathway to professional excellence, combining strategic insight with practical competencies that empower you to lead with confidence and integrity at the highest level.
Make a positive impact
The role of the company secretary and governance professional is far more than administrative. It's a pivotal, strategic force at the heart of organisational governance, shaping the ethical frameworks that guide boardroom decisions and corporate behaviour.
As a qualified company secretary, you'll gain access to the board and be uniquely positioned to champion transparency, accountability, and integrity. Your voice will help to steer organisations towards decisions that are commercially sound and socially responsible, enabling you to make a lasting, positive impact on business and society.
Enhance your prospects
This course opens a recognised route to senior leadership, governance and boardroom roles, including the prestigious designation of Chartered Secretary. It empowers you to confidently step into influential careers, where you can shape strategy, drive accountability, and lead with purpose.
The Chartered Governance Institute Competency Framework
See what it takes to be a high-performing company secretary in the Chartered Governance Institute's (CGI) competency framework. Find out more about becoming a governance professional in the CGI's brochure, including:
- The qualities and competencies required
- Possible career paths
- Typical pay levels
- Qualifications
Why study Corporate Governance at Leeds Beckett University...
- Access to international networks
- Become a resilient and authentic leader
- Focus on your direct route to the boardroom
- Access to a world-class peer group
- Develop your ability to influence
- Gain insight through Leeds Business School guest lectures
Why Leeds for business? Discover what the city of Leeds has to offer and why it’s a great choice for students studying business, finance or communications.
Everything you need to know
Discover all there is to know about the course, from entry requirements and fees to exploring the school you’ll be joining - we’ve got it covered.
Entry requirements
Applicants should either have at least a second class honours degree or have equivalent experience or training, normally from within the work environment.
All suitable candidates will be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.
All applications should be supported by a reference, either academic or professional; you can download our reference template for completion.
All applicants should satisfy our University English language requirements.
Entry requirements
Applicants should either have at least a second class honours degree or have equivalent experience or training, normally from within the work environment.
All suitable candidates will be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.
All applications should be supported by a reference, either academic or professional; you can download our reference template for completion.
All applicants should satisfy our University English language requirements.
IELTS
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through a number of modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to the specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.
Modules, teaching and learning
What you'll learn
This module empowers you with a comprehensive understanding of the UK legal framework that governs business organisations, specifically the laws governing registered companies. You'll delve into the intricacies of the Companies Act 2006 and related legislation, exploring the legal principles that underpin corporate operations. Navigating real-world legal issues, you'll learn to apply relevant laws effectively, understanding duties and responsibilities of company officers, rights and obligations of members, and vital aspects of corporate governance. You'll explore how companies are constituted, managed, and reorganised, addressing crucial topics such as winding-up, minority rights, and capital securities.
Equipped with essential knowledge and key skills, you'll be prepared to collaborate with governing authorities across the private, public, and voluntary sectors on regulatory compliance issues. By mastering these legal frameworks, you'll enhance your professional expertise and position yourself as a leader capable of driving ethical governance and compliance in today's dynamic business environment.
We’ll explore a wide range of financial reporting topics, from the preparation and presentation of single entity financial statements and interpretation of IFRS based accounting policies and published accounts, through to group reporting and the analysis of financial reports. We’ll also help you to examine the financial markets, discuss how financing needs are assessed through planning, budgeting, and forecasting, and look at the importance of cash and cash management. You’ll review various sources of finance, both long and short-term, and their associated advantages and disadvantages. Finally, we’ll cover the concepts of cost of capital and capital structure used in financial decision-making, followed by management of working capital. You’ll gain insights into risk assessment techniques, consider the impact of risk on investment appraisal, and discuss the techniques that can be used for company analysis and business valuation.
There is growing recognition of the crucial role of board dynamics in good governance and the inner workings of the board in practice. Together well consider the challenges of a company secretary and how they can champion and embed good governance practice.
You'll look at how executives can work more effectively as a team as you carry out an in-depth analysis of the board. Your study will investigate disruptors and consider the different interests and shifting human factors that influence board life. Working as a group, you'll explore the tools of effective process and dialogue. You'll understand how together these processes can build capability and shape the way organisations value diversity, and effective strategic and operational leadership.
Benefits for You
You'll be provided with the tools to enhance your effectiveness as a company secretary and gain a greater understanding of:
- The psychology of the board
- How to embed effective governance practices within the boardroom
- How to design effective meetings and agendas
- How to build effective executive board teams
- How to promote board diversity, dynamics and inclusion
- How to evaluate board performance
- How to evaluate cultural difference in support of better boardroom decision-making
- How to build behavioural agility
- How shape a new narrative where the company secretary acts as coach, consultant and confidence.
The global business environment is increasingly complex and uncertain. This, combined with extended value chains for many organisations, means delivering a business vision through an effective strategy is a progressively challenging task for the Boards of Directors. Environmental and social considerations now feature more regularly in decision-making, challenging Boards to act ethically and deliver financial success within corporate governance frameworks. While providing a comprehensive overview of governance, leadership and strategy-related topics, you’ll assess the critical role played by Chartered Secretaries as part of the senior management team. You’ll understand how Chartered Secretaries ensure the integrity of the policies, systems and processes that deliver an organisation’s strategic purpose and objectives. This module will also critically examine the tools, processes and techniques involved in the development and implementation of organisational strategy, within a framework of corporate governance. You’ll build an understanding of the ethical considerations raised by the development and implementation of strategy. You’ll study the impact strategy can have on reputation, in the light of the ongoing evolution of the global governance agenda. The module will use case studies to generate detailed discussion and consider theory to practice. Your discussions will provide you with a real-world view of the challenges faced by the Board when developing and implementing a strategy. This will enhance your understanding of the role of the Chartered Secretary. You’ll reflect upon your learning journey and identifying a path for future personal development and opportunity for praxis as a corporate governance professional.
The job of the company secretary has evolved over the decades to be dynamic where it was once largely administrative. In bigger companies, the company secretary occupies a pivotal position at the heart of the board. The role functions as an advisor to the directors and, when needed, as their conscience to help the board achieve good governance.
Governance culture and codes have seen significant development and adoption in recent decades. On this module, you’ll study the core duties and responsibilities of the company secretary in the context of the wider corporate governance culture and codes. You’ll work as a group to explore the practical aspects of the company secretary role and recognise the importance of soft skills in managing board dynamics. Through your studies you’ll understand that companies are increasingly led by purpose rather than purely for profit.
You’ll benefit from this module by gaining a sound and broad understanding of company secretarial practice. Your knowledge will include: roles and duties of the company secretary; relationships and duties of the company secretary with key company stakeholders; director appointment, roles, removal and effective board composition; shareholders, share issues and transfers, employee share schemes; company compliance and regulation; requirements for and consequences of listing on the London Stock Exchange or similar; annual reporting and other disclosure obligations; good practice for board and shareholder meetings; company constitution and authority of the board and the impact and importance of the Corporate Governance Code.
In today's dynamic business environment, managers face a myriad of fluctuating risks and opportunities that require careful assessment and navigation. This module equips you with a robust framework for evaluating risks and employing effective methods and techniques to address them. Through engaging case studies, you'll identify contemporary uncertainties and their impact on businesses, analysing scenarios from both academic and practical perspectives. This approach will help you develop a versatile toolkit for real-world application in your career.
You'll explore key concepts such as identifying, assessing, prioritising, and categorising risks, as well as designing effective mitigation strategies. Learning how to monitor risks and report on their status, you'll understand the interplay between company strategy and risk management and recognise the roles of various business units in relation to risk. Dive into the vital role of the corporate board and effective governance, and gain insight into established risk management frameworks, including ISO 31000 and IRM. By mastering these skills, you'll be prepared to lead confidently in an ever-changing landscape, turning challenges into opportunities for your organisation's success.
This module offers you a unique opportunity to embark on a project 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'll unlock a wealth of benefits that set this experience apart from traditional taught modules. Guided by a professional academic supervisor, you'll 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.
Fees and funding
£10,820
UK
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £10820. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.
£18,850
International 2026
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £18850. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.
Fees and funding
£10,820
For students entering in 2026
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £10820. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.
Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
Access to course resources, equipment and facilities, including:
- Simulation suite, an on-campus system that will help you to develop effective leadership and group participant skills.
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Optional Costs
- Student attendance of the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland conference (£400 for two days, or £250 for one day).
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
£18,850
For students entering in 2026
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £18850. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.
Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Access to course resources, equipment and facilities, including:
- Simulation suite, an on-campus system that will help you to develop effective leadership and group participant skills.
Optional Costs
- Student attendance of the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland conference (£400 for two days, or £250 for one day).
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
Funding support for your studies
Discover more about our range of postgraduate funding options including a Master's Loan of up to £13,206, and our 20% alumni discount*
*Terms apply
Career prospects
There’s a lot to consider when choosing a course. Take a look at the team you’ll be working with, employability statistics and career prospects to help make up your mind.
Corporate failure is often due to executives becoming removed from the reality of their business and focusing on the past instead of the future. For organisations to thrive in these challenging times, good governance is essential. Boards of directors have to take collective responsibility to protect the interest of their business but also support broader stakeholder communities and as such, directors must continually develop to stay ahead of the game. In support of this, the company secretary should champion good governance practice and critical thinking within the boardroom.
Dr Nick Beech
Course Director
Guest lecture events
Gain insight and network at our guest lecture events
Leeds Business School hosts guest lectures open to students, businesses, professionals, alumni and staff. Gain insight from industry experts, leading business figures and entrepreneurs who are invited to speak across a range of subjects including business and management, leadership, marketing, PR, economics, finance, accounting, and HR.
Find out about any future events by visiting our events pages.
Career Prospects
Corporate governance, and the related areas of business ethics and stakeholder theory, are increasingly recognised as being significant for business success and sustainability. This course will allow you to demonstrate a critical, ethical and reflective approach to these key areas within current practice and may help you progress your career to work at a senior ‘boardroom’ level across the private, public and tertiary sectors. Completing this course and gaining the accompanying GradCGI status will raise your opportunities to work internationally or locally in roles such as executive manager, corporate consultant, business mentor, and business analyst.
- Company secretary
- Executive director
- Non-executive director
- Chair
Beckett Careers Team
Our careers service is not just there for undergraduates, we support our postgraduate taught and research students too.
Your postgraduate degree will boost your CV and help you stand out from the crowd. Whether you're just starting out on your chosen career path, changing careers or moving to the next level, we can provide you with expert advice and resources to help you take the next steps to achieving your goals.
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Experience Leeds Beckett
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With great music venues, culture, shopping and parks – we’ve got it all. Voted no.1 student city in the UK* and the Best Place to Live in the North and Northeast**.
*StudentCrowd, Best Student Cities UK, 2024
**The Sunday Times Best Place to Live guide, 2024.
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