Company Direction Programme

Short practical courses...

Made up of short practical courses employing blended learning techniques, the Certificate and Diploma Programmes explore many critical issues facing today's senior professionals.

Given the relevant practical experience, the Programme also provides directors with the essential foundations, to achieve the coveted Chartered Director status. Delegates can only move towards gaining their Chartered Director status once the Certificate and Diploma levels of the course have been completed.

The coveted Chartered Director status is achieved through an intensive series of assessments of your professional practice and is the definitive qualification for directors today.

The Programme Structure

Please note: once registered for either Certificate, Diploma or Combined Certificate/Diploma programmes, you must complete the programme within 2 years.

Certificate Programme

The programme consists of four intensive short courses, each concentrating on particular aspects of the director's and board's role. The programme design has been shaped for maximum flexibility.

Delegates can take up to two years to complete the Certificate Programme.

Exemption may be granted from mandatory subjects for those applicants who hold an up-to-date recognised professional qualification in a relevant area. Exemption requests are considered on an individual basis by the IoD.

Individual Courses

The Certificate courses have also been designed as stand-alone so that directors can select individual topics to learn more about specific aspects of company direction and improve their skills in particular areas.

Diploma Programme

After completing the Certificate delegates may progress to the Diploma in Company Direction. This Diploma consists of a single 3 day module, Developing Board Performance. This module allows delegates to put into practice the knowledge gained in the Certificate. The module takes the form of a 3 day exercise which replicates the issues experienced by a “real” organisation and enables tutors to provide feedback to delegates on their individual impact and performance.

Combined Certificate and Diploma Programme

It is possible to register for both the Certificate and Diploma Programme at the outset. This allows delegates, if they wish, to progress to the Diploma course before taking the Certificate examination. It is, however, necessary to pass both the Certificate and Diploma examination before the Diploma can be awarded.

Company Direction Programme schedule and bookings...

The Awards

Those directors who undertake the Certificate programme and wish to achieve a recognised qualification must undertake an examination. This leads to the award of the Certificate in Company Direction. After attending Developing Board Performance directors may take an examination which leads to the award of the prestigious IoD Diploma in Company Direction.

Chartered Director Award

Diploma holders may progress to chartered status.

More details on IoD membership...

Examination Preparation Sessions

To help prepare delegates, we run Examination Preparation Sessions prior to the examination.