Corporate Governance (Fast Track for ICSA Graduates) Top-up MSc

Semester 1

• Corporate governance principles and practice
• Research design and methods

Semester 2

• Dissertation (circa 16,000 words) in the subject area of corporate governance

Workshops, seminars, case studies and student led discussion facilitate an active mode of learning. Assessment is by written coursework.

An academic is appointed as your Dissertation Facilitator, to offer guidance and constructive advice on the preparation of your dissertation.

Due to their varied knowledge and expertise, qualified chartered secretaries command highly-paid jobs in the private, public and voluntary sectors. A Masters degree in Corporate Governance combined with the internationally recognised ICSA qualification makes graduates highly employable in senior roles within governance, law, finance, strategy, leadership, and administration. For more information refer to the Become a Chartered Secretary section of the ICSA website.

Past employability skills events held include:

"My Employability event"

• My dream job
• Preparing CVs and cover letters
• Using databases to research the company
• IT qualifications for your CV
• Preparing for interviews
• Managing expectations
• Internships

Employability Service

We are University of the Year for Graduate Employment - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018.

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

• An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
• Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

This course has been developed in close collaboration with, and accredited by, ICSA, the international membership and qualifying body for chartered secretaries and other governance professionals..

The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) is the international membership and qualifying body for chartered secretaries and other governance professionals, and a recognised world authority on governance, risk and compliance.

Centre of Excellence status is the IoEE’s (Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs) flagship organisational accreditation for organisations that promote and deliver enterprise skills development – and is in recognition of the School’s entrepreneurial culture and leading-edge practice.

Recent guest lecturers:

• Helen Mahy, Group Company Secretary, National Grid plc
• Simon Osborne, Chief Executive, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators

Other past past events include:

"Customer Focus in Banking: How to implement it?"      

Keynote speaker: Owen Woodley, Managing Director, Lloyds Bank Retail.
Panel: Mark Mullen, Chief Executive, First Direct & Head of UK Contact Centres; Paul Lynam, CEO, Secure Trust Bank; Ashleye Gunn, Consumers Association 'Which?'; Richard Goodman, Policy Director, Financial Ombudsman.
Chairman: Chris Skinner, Chair, the Financial Services Club 

"Making Corporate Governance effective in banking"

Keynote speaker: Peter Swabey, Policy and Research Director, ICSA.
Panel: Prof. Andrew Chambers, International Internal Audit Standards Board; Mike Trippit, Director, Equity Research - Banks, Numis; Catherine Howarth, CEO, Share Action; Robert Hingley, Director of Investment Affairs, Association of British Insurers; Charles Middleton, CEO, Triodos Bank.
Chairman: Simon Osborne, CEO, ICSA

"Fixing our banks:  What to fix and by whom?"

Participant Speakers:

• Chris Skinner - Chairman – European Networking Forum. The Financial Services Club
• A bank's perspective: Triodos Bank – Charles Middleton
• Board of Directors and Shareholders' issues: ICSA – Patrick Gonsalves
• Employees' issues: Unite. Finance & Legal – National Officer – Dominic Hook
• Customer's issues: Which? Consumers Association. Head of Money Content – James Daley
• Regulatory issues: Internal Audit Guidance for Financial Services, set up by the FSA and the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors – Professor Andrew Chambers

The conference discussed the different stakeholders' perspectives about the changes that should be introduced in the banking system to deal effectively with the current crisis affecting financial institutions.

You'll benefit from the opportunity to take internships, be encouraged to get involved in initiatives that promote links with different firms and companies, and to participate in different programmes and schemes comprising voluntary work.

Lectures cover concepts which underpin and facilitate informed participative approaches to learning. Workshops, seminars, case studies and student led discussion facilitate more active modes of learning. 

Assessment is by written coursework. 

Lecturers offer a rich profile of academic and professional qualifications backed by professional , teaching and/or research experience. An academic is appointed as your Dissertation Facilitator, to offer guidance and constructive advice on the preparation of your dissertation.

This course is available on a full or part time basis to anyone already holding Grad ICSA or full membership of the ICSA.

• MSc CG (Fast Track for ICSA Gradurates): Completion of Professional Stages Part II of the International Qualifying Scheme of the ICSA.
• Business experience is considered desirable.
• Required English language skills  to undertake this programme IELTS and have a balanced score of 6.5 in IELTS (or equivalent).

International students

International (non Home/EU) applicants should follow our international how to apply guide.

Full-time/part-time postgraduate students and research students apply through the UCAS Postgraduate. Full details of how to do this are supplied on our How to apply section for postgraduate students and our How to apply section for research students.

Postgraduate applicants are required to provide up to two references as part of their application.

Accommodation

Students should apply for accommodation at London South Bank University (LSBU) as soon as possible, once we have made an offer of a place on one of our academic courses. Read more about applying for accommodation at LSBU.

Finance

It's a good idea to think about how you'll pay university tuition and maintenance costs while you're still applying for a place to study. Remember – you don't need to wait for a confirmed place on a course to start applying for student finance. Read how to pay your fees as a postgraduate student.

Postgraduate Application Service

Book a session with one of our specialist Postgraduate Advisors. Over a one on one Advice Session they'll advise you on postgraduate degrees at LSBU that match your interests and experience. Book an Advice Session.

For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for postgraduate students.

Possible fee changes

The University reserves the right to increase its fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions.

The fees for international students are reviewed annually and the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fees in line with the RPIX measure of inflation up to 4 per cent.

Postgraduate loan (PGL) for Masters study

If you are starting a Masters course, studying either full- or part-time, you may be entitled to apply for a postgraduate study loan. Find out more at our postgraduate fees and funding section.

Scholarships

We offer several types of fee reduction through our scholarships and bursaries. Find the full list and other useful information on funding your studies on the scholarships and fee discounts page.

Fee status

Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a home, EU or international student for fee-paying purposes by reading the UKCISA regulations.

We help our students prepare for university even before the semester starts. To find out when you should apply for your LSBU accommodation or student finance read How to apply tab for this course.

Enrolment and Induction

Enrolment takes place before you start your course. On completing the process, new students formally join the University. Enrolment consists of two stages: online, and your face-to-face enrolment meeting. The online process is an online data gathering exercise that you will complete yourself, then you will be invited to your face-to-face enrolment meeting.

In September, applicants who have accepted an unconditional offer to study at LSBU will be sent details of induction, which is when they are welcomed to the University and their School. Induction helps you get the best out of your university experience, and makes sure you have all the tools to succeed in your studies.

Read more about Enrolment and Induction.

Prepare for MSc Corporate Governance

When you are a student you'll be able to access key texts through the Perry Library or purchase. Because this is a fast moving subject area it is important that you are reading the most current editions. We would recommend that you do not buy textbooks until you are on the course. However, there is important reading you can do in preparation.

Your main source in advance will the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) where you should subscribe to email notifications. You should particularly look at the ICSA Guidance on Company Secretaries and Corporate Governance. If you are a member, Graduate or student you should also look online at the ICSA Chartered Secretary Journal.

• 'Governance and Compliance' ICSA monthly magazine
• 'One Stop Company Secretary' David Martin 
• 'ICSA Company Secretary's Handbook' 10th Edition Doug Armour ISBN 
• 'Corporate Secretarial Practice' 2nd Edition Luke Thomas.
• 'A Practical Guide to the UK Listing Regime' Herbert Smith Freehills 3rd Edition.
• Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis and Argument (Palgrave Study Skills) Dr Stella Cottrell:

Websites as follows:
www.frc.org.uk
www.icsa.org.uk

Keep up to date with all events impacting companies generally and specific companies concerning corporate governance and board performance, including director and company secretary responsibilities. This means reading the business section of a serious daily newspaper or the Financial Times.