Programme & Governance Policies
The PGDCSL programme and governance framework is controlled by the Global Converged Security Board (GCSB). Converged Security Institute (CSI) is a separate education and learning-delivery provider. Qualification, assessment, credential and appeal decisions follow the applicable GCSB rules and independent governance.
Programme and manual intellectual property: Global Converged Security Board (GCSB).
- Reference
- GCSB-MAN-PGDCSL-001
- Effective
- 01/01/2027
- Next review
- 01/01/2028
Programme Specification
Purpose and professional status, ownership and delivery, the five-component pathway, learning outcomes and recognition.
Programme Specification
PGDCSL is an independent professional qualification, not a university degree; the title does not establish a nationally regulated qualification level. The pathway comprises CSCE, CSP, CSL, CCSO and the Executive Integration Portfolio. CSI remains a separate education and learning-delivery provider; provider fees, enrolment or completion do not guarantee a GCSB award.
Qualification Policy & Academic Regulations
Overarching rules for admission, progression, recognition, assessment and award.
Qualification Policy and Academic Regulations
Standard route: the four core certifications and the Executive Integration Portfolio. Executive entry may be considered for applicants with at least 15 years of relevant experience and suitable leadership evidence; it does not automatically waive other components. Portfolio marked out of 100, pass mark 70; outcomes Pass, Revisions Required or Fail.
Modular Progression, Transfer, Recognition and Award Regulations
Standard progression CSCE > CSP > CSL > CCSO > Executive Integration Portfolio > PGDCSL. Route transfer needs a written mapping, candidate agreement and authorised approval. Single registration period of five years from formal PGDCSL registration; no transfer awards an unassessed certification or eliminates the capstone.
Recognition of Prior Learning, Executive Entry and Advanced Standing Policy
Recognition is based on verified learning and competence, not job titles. An independently appointed recognition panel decides (Approved, Approved with Conditions, Deferred or Not Approved) with mapping, reasons, conditions and outstanding requirements. Appeals within 30 calendar days. Recognition never waives the 15-credit capstone.
Assessment, Award & Portfolio
The Executive Integration Portfolio capstone, final mark, classification and conferment.
Executive Integration Portfolio Assessment Handbook and Marking Rubric
3,000-5,000 words excluding appendices. Suitable topics include GCSB Organisational Trustmark readiness; a readiness portfolio is an educational assessment only, not a Trustmark audit, certification decision or promise of an award. Weighted rubric totals 100%; each portfolio has a lead assessor and an independent moderator.
Academic Award, Classification and Conferment Regulations
Final weighted mark: CSCE 15%, CSP 20%, CSL 20%, CCSO 25%, portfolio 20% (assessment weighting, not credit allocation). Distinction 90 or above; Merit 80 to below 90; Pass 70 to below 80. Where recognition supplies no numeric mark, classification is deferred until a method is approved; marks are never invented.
Governance & Quality Assurance
Established GCSB bodies, Charter quorum, related-party recusal, external scrutiny and the Assessment Board.
Academic Governance Regulations
Uses the existing GCSB structure: Governing Council, Certification and Standards Committee, Academic Board and Assessment Board. Charter quorum: a majority of appointed voting members and at least three. The founder's connection to CSI is a related-party interest; CSI has no GCSB seat or decision right, and conflicted persons are recused.
Quality Assurance, Assessment Governance and External Verification Regulations
Assessment must be valid, reliable, transparent and fair. Every portfolio is independently moderated; calibration and sampling are proportionate to actual cohort size. Annual operational review, three-year strategic review and five-year revalidation. No assumption is made that an examiner or independent panel is already appointed.
External Examiner, Independent Review and Academic Standards Regulations
Examiners are independent of delivery, recruitment, coaching and the decisions they review; term of three years with one renewal. Annual random sample of the greater of 10% of submissions or five, capped at the number available. Examiners advise; they do not confer awards or overturn appeals.
Assessment Board Regulations
The GCSB Assessment Board confirms outcomes against published criteria and recommends qualification outcomes for the formal conferment route, reporting to the Governing Council. Quorum follows the GCSB Charter. Related-party cases require independent capacity; lack of capacity means deferral, not a founder or provider override.
Candidate Lifecycle & Credentials
Admissions, registration, candidate status, credential issuance, verification and records.
Admissions, Registration, Candidate Status and Progress Monitoring Regulations
Registration under the approved GCSB programme administration arrangement, with provider enrolment recorded separately. Statuses include Registered, Executive Entry, Portfolio Candidate, Deferred, Suspended, Withdrawn and Graduated. Five-year registration period; deferral up to 12 months by written decision.
Credential Issuance, Digital Badging and Records Management Regulations
A GCSB credential is issued only after the required independent outcome and conferment are recorded, and is verified through gcsb.uk/verify. Historical CSI certificates keep their original issuer and Spain location and are not backdated or converted. Decision records are normally retained for at least seven years.
Academic Integrity & Conduct
Academic integrity, AI use, investigations, appeals and complaints.
Academic Integrity, Ethics and Professional Conduct Regulations
Plagiarism, collusion, fabrication, impersonation and credential fraud are prohibited. AI may support research, editing and structure within GCSB rules; candidates disclose material assistance and remain responsible for accuracy. Allegations are handled by unconflicted decision-makers with reasons and independent appeal rights.
Appeals and Complaints Regulations
Assessment, recognition, award and conduct appeals use GCSB's independent route, within 30 calendar days of notification under GCSB-STD-005. Teaching and delivery complaints go first to the contracting provider, without restricting concerns raised with GCSB. Statutory and contractual rights are preserved.
CPD, Credential Maintenance & Membership
Annual GCSB CPD, current credential standing and the separation of CSI membership.
CPD, Credential Maintenance and Membership Distinction Regulations
Minimum annual GCSB CPD: CSCE 10h, CSP 15h, CSL 20h, CCSO 25h, PGDCSL 25h; holders of several credentials meet only the highest requirement. Hours count only after GCSB approval. Current standing is recorded separately from the original achievement; CSI membership renewal and FCSI standing remain CSI matters.
Qualification Framework & Credit
Qualification identity, GCSB Academic Credits and programme review.
Qualification Framework and Professional Level Descriptor
An independent professional qualification, not a university degree; no placement on a national regulated qualifications register is established. Descriptors are internal design expectations, not formal EQF, RQF, SCQF, AQF or NZQF classifications. No learning-hour estimate or external credit conversion is included.
GCSB Academic Credit Framework
90 GCSB Academic Credits: CSCE 15, CSP 20, CSL 20, CCSO 20, portfolio 15. Credits are not assessment weightings. The core subtotal of 75 is not an automatic RPL entitlement; any RPL cap requires separate approval. No automatic transfer, degree equivalence or guaranteed advanced standing is offered.
Programme Approval, Review and Continuous Improvement Regulations
GCSB's Governing Council approves policy and framework changes within the Charter; the Academic Board oversees qualification design and academic integrity. The manual is not an assignment deed or provider licence. Suspension or closure requires a documented candidate-protection and teach-out plan.
What you need to know
Five steps to the diploma. CSCE, CSP, CSL, CCSO and a final Executive Integration Portfolio.
Study at your own pace. Most candidates plan 24-36 months; your registration lasts five years.
Experience counts. With 15+ years in senior roles you can apply for executive entry, reviewed by an independent panel. The final portfolio is always part of the diploma.
Fair, independent assessment. The portfolio is marked out of 100 (pass mark 70) by an assessor and an independent moderator, with Distinction, Merit and Pass results.
90 GCSB Academic Credits. Shown on your transcript. They are professional credits, not university credits unless a formal agreement recognises them.
Stay current with CPD. 25 hours a year after graduation, submitted online at gcsb.uk/cpd.
A right to appeal. You can appeal an assessment or recognition decision within 30 calendar days.
Appendices A-F
Who to contact
CSI learning delivery and service complaints
Teaching, customer service and delivery matters go first to CSI as the delivery provider. Your statutory rights and the applicable provider terms are not affected.
Email CSI: info@convergedsecurity.esGCSB qualification governance and credential concerns
Assessment, recognition, award and conduct appeals use GCSB's independent route, within 30 calendar days of notification under GCSB-STD-005.
Contact GCSB (opens in a new tab)