Oxford Executive Diploma in Strategy and Innovation

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Developing innovative strategies to make a dynamic impact

Start dates:

Duration:

  • One year

Time commitment:

  • Part time

Locations:

  • Oxford
  • Online

Cost:

  • £30,890

About the programme

Are you in a leadership position where you need to create, navigate and evolve the strategy of your organisation?

Do you sometimes feel that you should, and need to, innovate, but it feels at odds with the need to plan a comprehensive strategy, due to preconceived ideas about planning?

In today’s uncertain world, strategies must be agile. The days of 5–10-year plans are over. Innovation equally is not static. Continuous ‘creative problem-solving’ propels organisations forward. Those who do not give equal attention to strategic agility and innovation, risk stagnating, losing their value and competitive edge. In the words of our programme participants, ‘strategy and innovation are all about applying a creative approach to an existing problem to achieve your vision, and how you plan to get there,’ and yet this interdependency between the two is often overlooked.  

The Oxford Executive Diploma in Strategy and Innovation offers a sharp focus on the relationship and interdependencies between these two concepts. This highly interactive programme is designed to equip experienced professionals with the practical tools to both effectively formulate and execute transformative, evolving strategies that drive growth, maximise value and make a dynamic impact in our rapidly changing world.  

This part-time postgraduate qualification consists of four modules taught over one year: 

  1. Strategy 
  2. Innovation strategy 
  3. Globalisation and strategy 
  4. Strategy in action 

What you can expect

By the end of the diploma programme, you will have gained not only a complete set of professional strategic tools and a revitalised approach to innovation, but the advanced capability to select, tailor and develop your own frameworks to deliver an effective solution to future challenges. 

Your learning, your way

You can choose to study this diploma either in person or fully online.

By studying with us in person, you will join us in Oxford for four, four-day modules over the course of the year.  

If attending Oxford physically might not be practical for you, our new online format, combining live, virtual classes and self-paced learning, ensures you can access the benefits of a world-class Oxford education and globally renowned network from anywhere in the world.

Looking back on what I have learnt through the Diploma in Strategy and Innovation, if I had the tools that I have gained now when I started my role as Corporate Vice President at Microsoft, my approach would have been very different.

Yu-Ting Kuo, Former Corporate Vice President, Microsoft, United States

You and your class

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However you choose to study this diploma, we believe that a global programme should be matched with a global outlook. You and your peers will be experienced professionals with strategy and innovation-related roles in private, public or not-for-profit sectors around the world who seek to:  

  • advance their careers by deepening their knowledge
  • sharpen their strategic approach
  • expand their global professional network
  • formalise their strategic capabilities to pivot into a new industry
  • forge connections across sectors to refresh their approach
  • develop, launch and scale a startup or venture at pace.

Class profile (2021-23)

Exchange ideas and build a global network with other senior professionals across sectors and around the world.

60

Projected class size

40

Average age

29

Nationalities

22

Employment sectors

42%

Female students

Benefits

Build your case

In-person study

  • Study part-time and experience Oxford in person four times a year 
  • Gain practical tools that can be immediately applied from day one 
  • Develop strong relationships with your global cohort 
  • Learn from word-class faculty and other global leaders 
  • Access world-leading research and insights 
  • Gain prestigious Oxford postgraduate credentials 
  • Enjoy exclusive Oxford experiences

Online study

  • Study part-time and access an Oxford education anywhere
  • Benefit from a flexible combination of live online classes and self-paced learning 
  • Gain practical tools that can be applied immediately
  • Develop strong relationships with your global cohort 
  • Learn from world-class faculty and other global leaders 
  • Access world-leading insights and research
  • Gain prestigious Oxford postgraduate credentials 
  • Enjoy exclusive Oxford experiences

This diploma, in my opinion, is a world-class learning experience that teaches precise methods and approaches to resolve organisational challenges in a changing environment. If you want to move your company forward, this is the programme for you.

Sujatha Yaramsetti

Enterprise Architect, Digital Security, BP, United Kingdom

Oxford experience

Alumni networks

In-person stream experiences

  • Programme dinners with your cohort at historic Oxford colleges 
  • A traditional Oxford Union-style class debate 
  • Online Executive Insights sessions to enrich your learning 
  • Online Executive Impact workshops to help you elevate your presence 
  • Social and networking events 
  • Associate college membership 
  • Membership of the prestigious University of Oxford alumni network and Oxford Business Alumni (OBA) Network  
  • A traditional Oxford end-of-course celebration event 

Online stream experiences

  • An online Oxford Union-style class debate 
  • Online Executive Insights sessions to enrich your learning 
  • Online Executive Impact workshops to help you elevate your presence 
  • Online networking events 
  • Associate college membership 
  • Membership of the prestigious University of Oxford alumni network and Oxford Business Alumni (OBA) Network  
  • A special, in-person end-of-course Oxford experience week 
  • A traditional Oxford end-of-course celebration event 

Student stories and news

Top news

Discover what the Diploma in Strategy and Innovation is really like in the words of our students.

Meet the faculty

Watch a lecture

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.

A pathway to Oxford's Executive MBA

A route towards the Oxford Executive MBA.

Whilst the Diploma in Strategy and Innovation 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.

How to apply

More information

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

Both streams of this accredited innovation strategy diploma are 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 in a leadership position.

There are 60 places available in the in-person stream and 40 places available in the online stream of this diploma in 2024. The programme has received an average of 186 applications per year over the past three years (applications for entry in 2020-22).

 

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.

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.  

For in-person participants, lunch and refreshments are provided daily and a special dinner is arranged for your cohort during each module. Accommodation is not included in the fee. You need to make your own arrangements to stay in Oxford during the modules.

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