Why this programme?
The world is changing fast—and the kinds of leaders we need are changing too. In a landscape shaped by uncertainty, automation, and constant reinvention, leadership isn’t just about having the right answers. It’s about asking the right questions, staying grounded in your values, and knowing how to lead with courage, empathy, and hope.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, the most vital leadership capabilities include:
-
Analytical thinking & sound judgment
-
Creative problem-solving
-
Motivation and self-awareness
-
Empathy, resilience & adaptability
-
Social influence
-
Lifelong learning
The Oxford Future Leaders Programme is your opportunity to develop these capacities through hands-on learning, mentoring, and a supportive community of peers. Each session will give you the chance to reflect deeply, connect meaningfully, and act purposefully. You’ll not only build the skills to succeed in your career—you’ll cultivate the character to make a meaningful difference in the world.
Application launch: 5 June 2025
Apply to be part of the OFLP 2025 cohort
Application deadline: 27 June 2025 (Jesus College) and 23 July 2025 (Pembroke College)
Submit your application by 5pm BST to be considered
Decision announcement: Mid-July (Jesus College) and early August (Pembroke College)
All applicants will be notified about the outcome of their applications
Confirmation of acceptance: TBC
Successful applicants need to accept the offer to secure a spot in OFLP 2025
Michaelmas Term 2025: Week 0
OFLP will officially start with a half-day induction programme
Core themes
Michaelmas Term — Leading from Within
Begin your leadership journey by exploring your core values and sense of purpose. Learn what it means to lead with integrity, follow with intention, and build trust—starting with yourself.
Hilary Term — Leading Through Complexity
Build the skills to navigate uncertainty, solve complex problems, and lead with clarity. Learn directly from experienced leaders and mentors who have made tough decisions under pressure.
Trinity Term — Leading with Impact
Put your learning into action and lead with confidence. Reflect on your growth, refine your voice, and prepare to lead with purpose—within Oxford and beyond.
How it works
The Oxford Future Leaders Programme combines structure as well as flexibility to fit into your busy life at Oxford. Each term begins with a half-day kick-off to connect across colleges and dive into the term’s lessons. You will take part in nine evening workshops through the year (Weeks 2, 4, and 6) packed with guest talks, hands-on activities, and space for reflection—all within your college. Each session begins and ends with informal drinks and conversation—time to connect with peers and reflect with facilitators in a supportive community focused on personal growth. There will be student-led introductions, inspiring guest speakers, practical activities, and lively discussions and debates using real-world case studies and examples. You will stretch your thinking, practise new skills, and leave each session a little more confident, capable, and clear on the kind of leader you want to become.
Between sessions, you will complete self-study exercises (1 hour per week), using the Leading with Character course co-created by the Oxford Character Project and Harvard University's Human Flourishing Program. You will also be matched with a mentor—an Oxford alum working in your field of interest. With personalised feedback and a community that challenges and supports you, this is a leadership development opportunity designed for your life, not just for your career.
Please note that in 2025, we are accepting applications from Jesus College and Pembroke College. If you are an Oxford undergraduate student studying at a different college and wish to be part of the programme in 2026, please get in touch at info@oxfordcharacter.org, and we will add you to the waiting list.