CORPORATE GOVERNANCE FUNDAMENTALS - 2026/7

Module Overview

This module introduces students to the legal, regulatory, and ethical foundations of corporate compliance in a modern business environment. It explores the purpose of regulation, the role of corporate governance and the realities of compliance within organisations. Students engage with the ways in which legal requirements are translated into practical policies, controls, and behaviours. Focusing primarily on the UK context, the module examines key compliance risk areas such as corporate governance, financial crime, data protection, ESG, and regulatory enforcement, while also considering the challenges faced by organisations operating transnationally. 

In this module, students should develop an understanding of how effective compliance frameworks support ethical decision-making, risk management, and organisational resilience. The module emphasises practical application through case studies, problem-based learning, and simulated professional tasks, enabling students to identify compliance risks, assess legal exposure, and propose appropriate compliance responses.

Module provider

Surrey Law School

Module Leader

HSIN Lisa (Law)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

LAW1054 Contract Law and LAW3145 Company Law

Module content

• Principles of Corporate Compliance and the development of Corporate Responsibility
• Ethics, Risks & Corporate Governance 
• Risk assessment tools including Compliance software, aides and professional considerations in deployment
• Key topics in legal & regulatory compliance (with a focus on the statutory interpretation), such as: anti-bribery & corruption (FCPA, UK Bribery Act); antitrust & competition law; trade sanctions & export controls; insider trading & market abuse; data privacy fundamentals (GDPR, CCPA, etc.); employment law issues including DEI; ESG, sustainability & Corporate Responsibility. 
• Reporting, Monitoring & Enforcement: the role of technology in Corporate Compliance 
• Sector-specific case studies, such as: financial integrity and fraud prevention (e.g. SFO regulations); and third-Party & Supply Chain Compliance (e.g. Modern Slavery Act). 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Alternative assessment for eligible students will be the equivalent of assessed coursework and graded according to the same marking criteria.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:

foundational understanding of the legal, regulatory, and ethical foundations of corporate compliance within the UK context and the role of compliance in corporate governance and risk management. On completion, students should be able to identify and analyse compliance risks and apply legal reasoning and regulatory guidance to assess legal exposure. Students will gain skills to evaluate, propose and justify appropriate compliance measures, communicate compliance risks clearly to non-legal audiences in written and oral form, respond effectively to professional questioning, and demonstrate ethical awareness, independent learning, and active engagement. Students will have the opportunity to develop their understanding and skills in relation to the key issues and gain an insight into how commercial law works in practice. 

• One mini case study strategy 

Students are required to complete one short strategy proposal based on a case study. The proposal should draw connections to course readings, lectures and discussions where appropriate. Submission constitutes a pass with relevant feedback provided as a building block for the formative assessment.

• Written Compliance Programme Design

Students must design a compliance programme for a fictional company; address legal risk areas and justify design choices by reference to relevant law and guidance. Critically construct and analyse compliance and/or governance structures with reference to commercial, legal issues and organisational practice to provide a risk management plan. This is an in-class practical exercise with a voluntary preparatory workshop. Feedback will be provided before the oral presentation to aid preparation and design. 

• Oral presentation

Building on the compliance programme design test, students must present their findings as if briefing a company board, or a regulatory compliance committee that summarises the compliance risks identified; explain legal exposure; and justify recommended compliance measures. Assesses the ability to communicate legal analysis clearly; use of legal authority in oral form; responsiveness during Q&A. An additional preparatory workshop will be held to develop skills in oral presentation. Powerpoint presentation is mandatory (and must be submitted), scripts/speaking notes can be handed in on a voluntary basis on the day of the presentation. 

 Feedback

Feedback is provided throughout the course to enhance understanding and engage students in professional practice and practical application. Feedback on the mini case study strategy will be provided to the entire cohort. Individual feedback on the written test will further assist students in preparation for the oral presentation. Individual feedback on the course can be regarded as cumulative with specific attention given to practical application and professional practice. 

Module aims

• Provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the key legal, regulatory, and ethical issues underpinning corporate compliance and risk management within the UK context
• Develop practical professional skills assessed within the module, including the ability to read regulations, design and justify effective compliance programmes, communicate compliance risks and legal exposure clearly to non-legal audiences, and respond critically and confidently to questioning in professional settings
• Expose students to the challenges of interdisciplinary thinking in corporate compliance, including the interaction between law, ethics, corporate governance, organisational culture, and regulatory enforcement

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

emphasise active learning, professional skills development, and critical engagement with a range of legal and regulatory frameworks in a corporate context. To enable the delivery of a blended, practice-oriented teaching approach, lectures and seminars are the primary modes of delivery. Within these environments, a range of learning activities (case studies, professional briefings, and practice-based assessments) are incorporated to simulate professional practice and cater to diverse learning preferences and develop cognitive skills such as critical analysis, legal reasoning, and risk assessment. Feedback from the written coursework will form part of the teaching and learning. Students are encouraged to be proactive with their learning and seek feedback and ask questions as needed.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: LAW3158

Other information

Other Information:

The School of Law is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to enable students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

Employability:

The knowledge, understanding, qualities, and skills developed through module lectures, seminars and assessments provide students with opportunities to develop key transferable skills relevant to careers in law, compliance, governance, and risk management. These include legal risk analysis, professional communication, problem-solving, adaptability, resilience, written and oral presentation skills, and effective time management. The assessment structure reflects authentic professional tasks commonly undertaken in compliance roles.

Digital Capabilities:

This module introduces key software and technological aides in Compliance practice. The module develops students¿ digital capabilities through the awareness of these resources, critical assessments in deployment. Additionally, students will use online legal research tools, regulatory databases to gain experience in locating, interpreting, and applying legislation, regulatory guidance, and enforcement materials, reflecting the increasing reliance on technology in modern compliance and risk management functions.

Global and Cultural Capabilities:

The module promotes global and cultural awareness by examining corporate compliance challenges in both domestic and international contexts. While focused primarily on the UK regulatory framework, students are encouraged to consider how multinational organisations manage compliance across different legal systems, regulatory cultures, and societal expectations.

Sustainability:

Students explore the role of corporate compliance in promoting ethical business conduct, sustainable governance, and long-term organisational resilience. The module considers how effective compliance frameworks contribute to responsible decision-making, accountability, and the prevention of harm to stakeholders and society.

Resourcefulness and Resilience:

Students develop resourcefulness and resilience through active engagement with complex compliance problems and evolving regulatory expectations. Interactive seminars and assessments encourage critical thinking, independent research, and reflective learning, supporting students in managing ambiguity and developing confidence in professional judgement.

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2026/7 academic year.