Home › AGRC certificates › AGRC Certificate in ESG Principles and Standards
Governance · AGRC certification · Self-paced online

AGRC Certificate in ESG Principles and Standards

Apply Environmental, Social and Governance frameworks with confidence.

The AGRC Certificate in ESG Principles and Standards is a self-paced online programme, accredited by the London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF), for professionals building ESG into corporate strategy and reporting.

Self-paced online
20 to 25 hours
LIBF-accredited
PAGRC designation
€880
Book a free scoping callEnquire or enrol

Prefer email? Write to info@aureninstitute.com.

Prices are indicative euro equivalents and exclude VAT. Page updated August 2026.

Certificate at a glance

AGRC Certificate in ESG Principles and Standards is an LIBF-accredited, AGRC-awarded certificate, studied online at your own pace.

AwardAGRC Certificate in ESG Principles and Standards
Awarding bodyAssociation of Governance, Risk and Compliance (AGRC)
AccreditationAccredited by the London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF)
FormatSelf-paced, online, tutor-supported study
Study hours20 to 25 hours
MembershipFree AGRC membership for one year
AssessmentOne online exam, 60 minutes long, 40 MCQs, 70/100 pass mark
AttemptsTwo attempts included, within a three-month access period
CertificationAGRC certificate and PAGRC designation
Delivered byAuren Institute, in association with the AGRC
Fee€880 (indicative, excl. VAT)

Overview

The AGRC Certificate in ESG Principles and Standards equips professionals to understand and apply Environmental, Social and Governance frameworks across a wide range of industries. ESG has become a central part of corporate strategy, and organisations that fail to integrate it effectively risk their growth, stability and long-term continuity.

You learn ESG from a compliance and reporting perspective, and leave better prepared to help your organisation develop a sound, long-term ESG strategy. The certificate suits compliance officers, sustainability managers and executives seeking to strengthen their expertise in ESG and corporate governance.

What you will study

The programme covers:

  • Stakeholder theory, and CSR versus ESG
  • Sustainability and the three ESG pillars
  • Green finance and the principles of responsible banking, investment and insurance
  • The business case for CSR, ESG and sustainability
  • Global initiatives: the Paris Agreement, the European Green Deal and the UK Green Finance Strategy
  • ESG reporting standards and frameworks
  • ESG investing strategies
  • The future direction of ESG

What is included

  • 20 to 25 hours of self-paced, online and interactive learning, including practical case studies
  • The AGRC study handbook
  • Practice questions and a final mock exam
  • Free AGRC membership for one year
  • One online exam with two attempts to pass
  • The AGRC certificate and the right to use the PAGRC designation on successful completion

Who it is for

No previous experience is required.

Compliance and sustainability managers

Directors, senior managers and advisers

Professionals building ESG reporting

How the certificate works

Three things you get with every AGRC certificate.

1

Fully self-paced

Study 20 to 25 hours of interactive material online, whenever it suits you, over a three-month access period.

2

Recognised credential

An LIBF-accredited, AGRC-awarded certificate and the PAGRC designation to put after your name.

3

Practical and current

Real-world case studies and current regulatory frameworks you can apply in your role straight away.

Exam and assessment

  • One online exam, 60 minutes long
  • 40 multiple-choice questions
  • 70/100 pass mark
  • Your result appears as soon as you submit your answers
  • The certificate is issued as a PDF and emailed within 48 hours
  • Two attempts are included; the programme and exam must be completed within three months
  • After three months, a fee of 175 euro applies to sit the exam and for any further attempt

Accreditation and awarding body

An internationally recognised professional qualification, delivered through Auren Institute.

Association of Governance, Risk and Compliance (AGRC)

The AGRC is a professional body for governance, risk and compliance practitioners. Its certificates are studied online and recognised across banking, insurance and financial services. On completion you gain the AGRC certificate and the right to use the PAGRC designation, plus free AGRC membership for one year.

London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF)

The programme is accredited by the London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF), a recognised UK professional body for banking and finance education, which underpins the standard and credibility of the qualification.

Delivered through Auren Institute

Auren Institute makes these AGRC qualifications available to professionals and employers in Malta, the UK and across the EU, with local support on enrolment, employer sponsorship and study planning. Compliance, Done Right.

Fee

Shown as an indicative euro equivalent. Prices exclude VAT.

Single certificate
€880

Full self-paced programme, AGRC study handbook, mock exam, one online exam with two attempts, one year of AGRC membership, and the AGRC certificate with the PAGRC designation.

Team or employer
Talk to us

Enrol a group or arrange employer sponsorship. Book a free scoping call and we will tailor it to your team.

Good to know: the programme and exam must be completed within three months. After that, a fee of 175 euro applies to sit the exam and for any further attempt.

Common questions

Who is the AGRC Certificate in ESG Principles and Standards for?
It suits compliance and sustainability managers, directors, senior managers and advisers, professionals building esg reporting. No previous experience is required, though a good command of English and a sound educational background are assumed.
Is it accredited, and what qualification do I earn?
The programme is accredited by the London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF) and awarded by the Association of Governance, Risk and Compliance (AGRC). On passing the exam you receive the AGRC certificate and the right to use the PAGRC designation.
How is it delivered?
It is fully self-paced and online. You study 20 to 25 hours of interactive material at your own pace, work through practical case studies, and sit one online exam. It is delivered by Auren Institute in association with the AGRC.
How am I assessed?
Assessment is one online exam, 60 minutes long, with 40 multiple-choice questions and a 70/100 pass mark. Your result appears as soon as you submit, and the certificate is emailed as a PDF within 48 hours.
How many attempts do I get, and how long do I have?
Two attempts are included and the programme and exam must be completed within a three-month access period. After three months, a fee of 175 euro applies to sit the exam and for any further attempt.
What is included?
The AGRC study handbook, interactive learning and case studies, practice questions and a final mock exam, free AGRC membership for one year, the online exam with two attempts, and the AGRC certificate with the PAGRC designation.
What does it cost?
The fee is 880 euro, shown as an indicative euro equivalent and excluding VAT. Talk to us about employer sponsorship or enrolling a team.
Can my employer sponsor it, or can I enrol a team?
Yes. Employers can sponsor an individual or enrol a group. Book a free scoping call or use the contact form and we will set it up.

Related certificates

Part of the AGRC certificate suite offered through Auren Institute. See all AGRC certificates.

Governance

AGRC Certificate in Corporate Governance

€880
Compliance

AGRC Certificate in Compliance

€880
Financial crime

AGRC Certificate in Anti-Money Laundering (AML)

€880

Enquire or book a call

Send an enquiry and we will get back to you, or book a free 30-minute scoping call now.

Send an enquiry

Book a 30-minute scoping call

Prefer email? Write to info@aureninstitute.com. Prices shown are indicative euro equivalents and exclude VAT.

Enrol on AGRC Certificate in ESG Principles and Standards

Study online at your own pace and earn an LIBF-accredited, AGRC-awarded certificate. Enrol yourself, sponsor a colleague, or ask about enrolling a team.

Book a free scoping callEnquire or enrol

Or email info@aureninstitute.com.