Curtin University -
Master of Corporate Governance and Leadership
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
Gain advanced skills in contemporary governance and leadership that respond to the global call for greater accountability, fairness, and social and environmental responsibility in business.
Course Overview
Corporate governance is experiencing rapid change due to socioeconomic and environmental issues related to organisational business models. Globally, there is a call for greater fairness and social responsibility in business; across Australia, thousands of governance and risk management professionals are expected to drive better governance within their organisations.
Responding to that need and in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this master's degree nurtures contemporary leadership that champions accountability, inclusion and diversity.
Co-designed with the Governance Institute of Australia and industry consultation, this course has aspects of international business, human resource management, and innovation and entrepreneurship to give you advanced corporate governance and responsible leadership skills.
Key Facts
1st September, 2025
What you will study
To complete the Master of Corporate Governance and Leadership, you must complete 200 credit points.
Complete the following units:
- Corporate Governance (GIA) (25 credit points)
- Finance for Decision Making (GIA) (25 credit points)
- Risk and Compliance (GIA) (25 credit points)
- Corporate Strategy (25 credit points)
- Responsible Leadership (25 credit points)
Students from the Private sector take Applied Corporate Law (GIA)
Students from the Public sector take Public Law and Government (GIA)
Students with less than 3 years of leadership experience take Fundamentals of Leadership
Students with 3 years or more leadership experience take Leadership in Crisis and Recovery
Entry requirements
What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.
- Applicants who will transition to the proposed course after completion of the GIA Certificate in Applied Corporate Governance (100-credit course) have to meet the admission criteria of GIA outlined below (extracted from GIA Admissions Guidelines).
- Applicants require a relevant bachelor degree or higher degree from an Australian University or an equivalent qualification from an approved higher education provider in Australia (as defined by Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA)) or recognised overseas university or higher education provider. Curtin students should refer to the Course Structure Note to identify relevant undergraduate degrees. Applicants external to Curtin will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
- Professional memberships and professional experience alone do not qualify as degree equivalent for entry into a postgraduate course.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be able to get credit for your course based on prior formal, non-formal or informal learning. To apply, you will need to provide supporting documentation outlined by the university. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Conceptualise knowledge of the theories and principles related to the legal regulation of governance and risk compliance and appropriate strategic approaches.
- Identify and critically evaluate sources of finance and the impact of corporate conduct, behaviours and culture on risk and compliance management practices with their associated risks and returns.
- Develop effective teamwork strategies incorporating communication and networking skills.
- Critically appraise and apply corporate governance principles, as well as best practices in risk management for the board of organisations.
- Apply contemporary leadership theory to contemporary work contexts using UN SDGs and develop effective teamwork strategies incorporating communication, leadership and networking skills.
- Formulate creative strategies and apply effective governance and responsible leadership knowledge, skills and competencies to highly complex global problems that require sustainability thinking and application.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Average 2025 first-year fee: $32,340 (domestic full-fee paying place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 100 credit points (normally four units) per semester or 200 credit points (normally eight units) per year.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.