Essentials courses
Build confidence at the board table with our Essentials suite of courses.
These one-day courses provide practical learning across the foundations of governance, finance, strategy, AI governance and risk - supporting directors and senior executives who work with boards to strengthen their understanding of core board responsibilities.
Register for three or more one-day Essentials courses and receive a 10% preferential rate. Your rate will be automatically applied to your shopping cart at checkout.
Explore our in-person and online Essentials courses below to find the right fit for you.
In-person
Governance Essentials
Learn the roles and responsibilities of the board and directors across a range of governance settings.
Not-for-Profit Governance Essentials
Understand the boards’ role and the unique challenges within a not-for-profit environment.
AI Governance Essentials
Lead your board with confidence in the age of AI. This one-day course will equip you with the knowledge, tools and frameworks to govern AI responsibly and strategically.
Finance Essentials
Gain the confidence to challenge the financial reports and ask the right questions on behalf of your stakeholders.
Strategy Essentials
Learn the role of the board in developing strategy and how to formulate, develop, and communicate it across the organisation.
Risk Essentials
Risk is a crucial factor to consider in any organisation. This course will provide you with the tools to identify, manage and govern risk.
Online
Governance Essentials - online module series
Gain a confident understanding of robust board processes, good decision-making and board operations through this online module series.
Not-for-Profit Governance Essentials - online module series
Understand the boards’ role, processes and unique challenges in the not-for-profit environment.
Climate Change Governance Essentials
Gain a comprehensive overview of the responsibilities and opportunities associated with climate change governance at the board level. Chapter Zero supporters can receive a 20% preferential rate on the 11 Feb - 18 Mar 2026 intake.
Finance Essentials – online module series
Gain the confidence to challenge the financial reports and ask the right questions on behalf of your stakeholders.
Not-for-Profit Finance Essentials - online module series
Explore the financial role of a not-for-profit board member.
Online course bundles
The IoD Essentials online bundle
This bundle includes our online Governance Essentials modules and Finance Essentials modules.
Not-for-Profit Essentials online bundle
This bundle includes our online Not-for-Profit Governance Essentials modules and Not-For-Profit Finance Essentials modules.