Better Futures Programme: 2-Term Pathway

Who is the programme designed for?

The programme is designed for experienced professionals from diverse industry backgrounds, including those with no prior academic research experience. Interested applicants should be prepared to pose a topic of study grounded in their previous professional experience with the potential for lasting global impact.  

Aims of the programme

The programme aims to enable participants to:  

• experience and embed practices that enhance wellbeing, capacity for life-craft, and life-long reflective practice 
• acquire understanding of cutting-edge knowledge in core areas of interest (such as climate change or health inequalities) and the ability to frame critical questions based on this understanding 
• design and enact a change pathway aligned with their experience, values and knowledge 
• be prepared to initiate a change pathway – personal, high-level collaborative across sectors – in ways that engage with global challenges, that are aligned to participant’s values and skills, and help shift societal norms 
• potentially make a credible transition to a new life stage, connecting existing competencies and leadership with sufficient new knowledge, networks and practices 
• develop a strong community amongst and beyond the cohort to support longer-term system change 

Programme dates 

Arrival Fortnight: The programme begins. During this period, you’ll have a chance to meet the team, tour your assigned host College, and begin building connections with your fellow cohort members, as well as getting set up with your University IT account and general administrative tasks. This period includes the Cohort Retreat, where you’ll begin building a unique community with your peer Leaders.  

Core Learning: The 2-term pathway spans Michaelmas Term and Lent Term, following University academic term dates, with an intensive 2-day workshop at the end. Core programming takes place 3 times per week during University terms on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. We’ll share details of teaching venues, course materials and recommended reading at the start of term. 

Better Futures Conference: Participants from both 2-term and 3-term pathways will be invited to return as alumni to the Better Futures Conference, where you’ll have the opportunity to present your project to advisors, mentors, and peers, and to meet the incoming cohort of Better Futures Leaders.  

Programme learning 

The course is structured around 3 core intellectual strands that underpin the seminar content and the work that you will engage in during your time in Cambridge.  

These strands weave together across a weekly core programme of seminars, your personalised learning and research, and the broader intellectual and cultural communities of Cambridge. You're invited to connect the foundational awareness of your world view and experiences to cutting-edge knowledge and use that combination to craft paths for change that are meaningful, impactful and sustainable. The programme team will work with you to curate a set of lectures, workshops and other learning opportunities to delve deeper into subjects connected to your interests, and to draw on Cambridge networks to help activate your plans.   

You’ll be able to draw upon:  

• taught courses (with lecturer permission), and open lectures/seminars 
• departments, institutes, research centres, networks 
• past and ongoing research programmes 
• academic experts and researchers to serve as advisors and resources 
• partnership of external expert practitioners in the Better Futures mentor network 
• the wider Cambridge ecosystem and network of alumni 
• one-to-one support from a personal coach for the duration of the programme 
• symposia/dinners that bring together thought leaders and prominent actors in discussion around key issues  

For more information on the programme learning, visit the Better Futures programme overview.

Time commitments and an immersive Cambridge experience 

The programme is designed to be close to full-time. In addition to core programme learning you’ll need to allocate time for preparation and self-study. Elements of your personalised programme of study will fill out much of the rest of the week, and College events and dinners are also key intellectual and social elements of your experience.  

To fully engage with the programme and its community, we strongly encourage participants to either relocate to Cambridge or live within easy travelling distance. While we aim to strike a balance between flexibility and your personal commitments, much of the programme’s value comes from the time spent in person with your cohort, fostering connections and enhancing your learning experience.  

Assessment 

As a non-award-bearing programme there is no formal assessment.   

Certificate of participation 

To qualify, participants need to attend 90% of the core programme sessions. 

Certificate of completion  

To qualify, participants need to have created a ‘next phase plan’ bringing together what they have learned throughout the programme. You’ll be invited to present your plan at the Better Futures Conference. 

We welcome applications from senior leaders with a variety of backgrounds and professional experiences. As part of our admissions process, you’ll need to meet certain requirements.   

Applicants will be screened on the basis that they have: 

• demonstrable professional and personal experience suitable for a programme aimed at senior leaders (likely 10-15 years of senior leadership experience)
• evidence of enthusiasm and aptitude for system transformation coupled with self-development
• an interest in enhancing current skills and/or pivoting to a new focus for social impact in professional and beyond professional spheres
• understanding of, and an affinity with, the culture and values of The University of Cambridge 
• capacity for learning and developing in a cohort setting 
• the ability to pay the course fees or to identify a funding sponsor 

English language requirements 

Our courses are taught in English and require a good level of fluency. If English is not your first language, you'll need to prove you have sufficient fluency before admission. If we offer you a place, it will be subject to you meeting this requirement.   

Language requirements for this course are:  

• IELTS Academic: Overall band score of 7.0 (with a minimum of 6.5 in each individual component) 
• TOEFL Internet: overall score of 5.0 with no element below 5.0. Please note, the TOEFL test format has recently changed. If you take it on or after 21 January 2026, we'll ask you to take an additional assessment with the University of Cambridge Language Centre. If your test results are from before 21 January 2026 and no more than 2 years old before the programme start date, the required overall score is 110 (a minimum of 25 in each individual component), and you will not need to take an additional assessment.  
• C1 Advanced: Grade  A or B (with at least 193 in each individual element), plus a Language Centre assessment 
• C2 Proficiency: Grade A, B, or C (with at least 200, with no element lower than 185)  

For more information, visit the University’s English language requirements page.   

Visa information  

The University of Cambridge cannot provide student visas for participants on the Better Futures Programme.  

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) rules state that you can study a short course of up to 6 months under Visitor immigration permission. To meet the requirements of study on the Visitor route, it is not possible to study on a short course for any longer than 6 months.  

We recommend you read through this information on UK visitor visas to make sure you understand the requirements.  

In line with UKVI regulations, the University is required to confirm you have the immigration permission to study in the UK when you arrive for the beginning of your programme. If you do not hold immigration permission that allows you to live and study in the UK, you will not be able to participate in the course.  

Fees 

Tuition for this programme is £43,000, to be paid in instalments, as follows: 

• a deposit of 50% of the tuition balance (£21,500): no later than 08 June 2027 
• the final payment of the remaining balance (£21,500): no later than 09 Aug 2027 

Funding support

Some funding support (25% or 50% of total tuition fees) is available for qualified applicants whose background falls into one of the following industries:  

• charity/3rd sector 
• education 
• public service  
• journalism/writing  

Please note that funding support is very limited, as we try to spread our funding across the greatest number of worthy applicants.  

If you indicate in your application that you wish to be considered for funding support, the programme team will contact you with a link to the funding support form.  

Spouses and partners

If you and a spouse or partner are both accepted to the programme for the same academic year, the partner programme offers a 25% reduction in course fees per person. Each partner applies separately and goes through the same interview process as any other applicant.  

Accommodation costs 

Accommodation is not included as part of the programme. The programme team can provide a list of accommodation providers in Cambridge once you have accepted your place onto the programme, but cannot assist you with securing housing or moving services.

Subsistence costs 

Daily catering is not included. However, as part of the programme, you’ll enjoy light refreshments at lectures as well as occasional dinners and social events. You’ll also have dining privileges in your host College – 3 high table dinners per term and open access to the dining hall throughout the academic year.  

How to pay 

Payment must be made by bank transfer (BACS or international equivalent). We cannot accept payment by credit card or debit card for this course.  

Ready to apply? We look forward to receiving your application. Key dates are in the table below: 

Please note that the application portal may be closed early if sufficient applications are in hand. We encourage interested applicants to submit their materials as soon as possible.   

Application stages

There are 5 stages to the application and admissions process.   

Stage 1: connect  

To learn more or speak to one of our team, please register your interest. Our team can help you explore if the programme meets your needs.  

Stage 2: apply

Once you’re happy the programme meets your needs, click the 'apply now' button in the course dates section on this page.   

Application   

Please submit a written application with answers to the questions below:  

• What issue or issues would you like to explore during your time on the programme and why are they meaningful to you? 
• What life experiences have been most meaningful to you and what do you hope the next phase of life will consist of? 
• The Better Futures Programme involves close collaboration with a diverse cohort, academics, and mentors across a shared year at Cambridge. What kind of environment brings out the best in you, and how do you tend to show up as a colleague, collaborator, or peer? 
• Why do you think the Better Futures programme in Cambridge is a good fit for you? 

You’ll be able to pause and return to the application draft until you’re ready to submit. 

CV  

Submit an up-to-date resume or CV with your application.   

References    

We require 2 references in support of your application. References should be business references rather than from personal connections. After you submit your application, your referees will receive an automated email from University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) requesting a reference. Please advise them to look out for this email in case it is diverted by their spam filters.  

Please note: the deadline for receiving reference letters is 09 April 2027. We cannot move forward with scheduling your interview until we’ve received all references. We’ll contact any outstanding references, but delays in receiving their responses may impact the consideration of your application. 

Stage 3: first-round interviews

Shortlisted applicants will be asked to attend an online interview with 2 members of our programme team.  

Stage 4: second-round interviews

If your application is selected to move forward following your first interview, we’ll be in touch to schedule a second interview with our Programme Chair or another senior member of our team. 

Stage 5: decision

On the basis of the above process, the programme team will decide on your suitability for the programme and contact you with the outcome of your application.