Oxford Executive Diploma in Organisational Leadership

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Elevating your impact as a resilient, strategic leader
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Start date:

Duration:

  • One year

Time commitment:

  • Part time

Location:

  • Oxford

Cost:

  • £30,890

About the programme

Are you ready to lead with certainty in the ‘Age of Uncertainty’?

It’s clear that the ‘Age of Uncertainty’ is upon us, bringing with it market turbulence, stunted growth and political change. In unprecedented times, leaders bear the burden of balancing the scales, from the needs of the employer versus those of employees, to prioritising agility and innovation along with structure and strategy. The best leaders are the ones who master this balance, calmly addressing complex challenges with confidence and clarity. 

The Oxford Executive Diploma in Organisational Leadership creates meaningful connections between experienced leaders, enabling them to share best practices, experiences and develop practical professional tools to effectively navigate change, lead with purpose, and strategically respond to future challenges.

Immersive, interactive and rigorous, this part-time, master’s-level programme consists of four modules taught in person in Oxford over one year:

  1. Leadership fundamentals
  2. The strategic mindset
  3. The strategic leader
  4. Building resilience as a leader

Upon successful completion, you will graduate from this diploma programme with a deeper understanding of your executive influence, the practical tools to develop as a senior leader and to respond effectively to unprecedented business scenarios, and the advanced capabilities required for the most challenging leadership roles.

Programme outline and module dates

This rigorous academic programme offers a unique focus on the twin topics of leadership and the organisational landscape in which leaders work.

Sue Dopson

Academic Director and Professor of Organisational Behaviour

You and your class

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You and your peers will be experienced professionals, specialists and C-suite executives, who are looking to: 

  • Learn from other seasoned leaders, developing the tools and personal leadership style needed to accelerate their careers 
  • Broaden their perspective and advance their knowledge of effective leadership practices to lead effectively 
  • Sharpen their strategic leadership approach to navigate unprecedented business challenges 
  • Connect with other executives to expand their global network and formalise their leadership capabilities, ready to pivot into a new industry 
  • Develop a strategic approach to successfully lead, develop and scale their ventures

Class profile (2021-2023)

Study alongside a diverse range of executive peers from around the world, sharing experiences and gaining fresh insights.

60

Projected class size

42

Average age

20

Nationalities

23

Employment sectors

43%

Female students

I truly believe that this has been the most transformative development experience that I have had as a leader so far. Speaking to like-minded peers helped me to open myself up and to connect with my sense of self and purpose on a deeper level.

Jan Baan

Chief Executive Officer, Omoda, Netherlands

Benefits

Build your case

To you

  • Accredited, master’s-level University of Oxford qualification  
  • Meaningful connections with experienced global leaders 
  • Sharpened approach through leader-to-leader learning 
  • Study part-time and immediately apply your learnings 
  • Learn from world-leading faculty 
  • Expand your global professional network 
  • Access latest research and insights
  • Become a resilient leader 
  • Enjoy exclusive Oxford benefits (see below) 

To your organisation

  • Retain and nurture top talent to support organisational development and succession planning 
  • Benefit from participant diversity that encourages thinking beyond the bounds of individual organisations, geographies and sectors 
  • Gain practical solutions to address their greatest challenges through the findings from your Final Integrative Assignment (FIA) 

Oxford experience

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You will benefit from a variety of unique Oxford experiences.

Including: 

  • Dinners with your cohort at historic Oxford colleges 
  • An Oxford Union-style debate 
  • Executive insights sessions to enrich your learning
  • Executive impact workshops to help you elevate your presence
  • Social events such as punting, college visits and walking tours 
  • Associate Oxford college membership 
  • Membership of the prestigious University of Oxford alumni network and Oxford Business Alumni (OBA) Network, upon successful completion of the programme 
  • Traditional Oxford end-of-course celebration event with family and friends 
Alumni networks

Student stories

Discover what the Diploma in Organisational Leadership is really like in the words of our students.

Meet the faculty

Our outstanding teaching team brings access to cutting-edge research, a wealth of industry experience and the ability to present complex concepts and lead high-level executive debate.

I feel incredibly optimistic about the future – not only because of what I have learned and gained from the course, but also because of the networks and opportunities it has given me. It is a real door opener.

Katie Bradford

Operations Consultant for media and non-profit organisations, UK

A pathway to Oxford's Executive MBA

A route towards the Oxford Executive MBA.

Whilst the Diploma in Organisational Leadership is a stand-alone postgraduate qualification, the programme also offers a route towards the Oxford Executive MBA. Should diploma participants choose to pursue the Executive MBA, and gain a place on the programme, they will receive exemptions from four module assessments, as well as a fee reduction. Attendance will be required at all modules, regardless of assessment exemption.

The Oxford Executive MBA pathway

How to apply

More information

This programme is designed for experienced professionals, with at least five or more years' work experience.

This accredited organisational leadership diploma is designed for experienced executives, typically with an upper-second class undergraduate degree or equivalent at a minimum, and at least five years’ relevant work experience.

There are 45 places available in our 2024 cohort. The programme has received an average of 107 applications per year over the past three years (applications for entry in 2020-22).

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Scholarships and funding

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Our scholarship awards recognise exceptional talent across our diploma community.

In each class we offer:

  • Two Director’s Awards
  • Two Women’s Scholarships
  • One Rewley Award
  • Three Oxford Alumni Scholarships

Funded by the generosity of an Executive Diploma alumnus, we also offer one scholarship for an exceptional African female candidate across all our diploma programmes.

Executive Diploma Scholarships

Fees

Total programme fee for both home and overseas participants is £30,890.

The fee covers tuition costs, course materials, essential reading texts, assessments and associate college membership. Lunch and refreshments are provided daily, and there is a special evening dinner with your cohort during each module.

Accommodation is not included in the fee. You should make arrangements to stay in Oxford during the modules.

Further fee information

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