Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Oxford Women's Leadership Development Programme
Surmount gender obstacles and develop as a leader in your profession and workplace.
Start date
22 January 2025
Course duration
6 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
9–12 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The amount by which global GDP could increase in 2030 if urgent action is taken to advance gender equality.
McKinsey & Company (Jul, 2020).
The percentage of firms surveyed globally with a female top manager.
World Economic Forum (Jan, 2020).
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
It has been repeatedly demonstrated that businesses benefit significantly from having more women in leadership roles. As a result, addressing gender bias and workplace obstacles has become necessary for organisations, society, and the economy.
The Oxford Women's Leadership Development Programme offered by the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford provides a six-week online programme that allows participants to critically examine their leadership style and strengths. This programme is based on the idea of leadership as a reflective practice, and it is divided into three main themes: self-acceptance, self-management, and self-development.
Through the programme, participants will be able to challenge the gender prejudices that female leaders frequently face, and they will gain the necessary skills to lead, influence, negotiate, and manage difficult situations. This will enable them to become more effective leaders who can bring positive change within their organisations and beyond.
Is this programme for you?
This Oxford Women’s Leadership Development Programme is delivered online and is designed to equip current leaders with the tools and skills necessary to navigate the various challenges and gender biases that impede female professionals in the workplace. The programme is also aimed at aspiring female managers and executives who wish to improve their leadership abilities to influence, persuade, empower, and mentor others. Participants who aspire to senior management or C-suite positions will have the opportunity to enhance their leadership knowledge by reflecting on crucible moments and exploring different approaches to handling challenging situations. This programme is an excellent fit for those who are looking to break down gender barriers in the business world and develop both their career and organisation.
This Oxford Women's Leadership Development Programme is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The programme has an estimated 70 hours of learning.
Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is on you. Oxford Saïd and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
It has been repeatedly demonstrated that businesses benefit significantly from having more women in leadership roles. As a result, addressing gender bias and workplace obstacles has become necessary for organisations, society, and the economy.
The Oxford Women's Leadership Development Programme offered by the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford provides a six-week online programme that allows participants to critically examine their leadership style and strengths. This programme is based on the idea of leadership as a reflective practice, and it is divided into three main themes: self-acceptance, self-management, and self-development.
Through the programme, participants will be able to challenge the gender prejudices that female leaders frequently face, and they will gain the necessary skills to lead, influence, negotiate, and manage difficult situations. This will enable them to become more effective leaders who can bring positive change within their organisations and beyond.
Is this programme for you?
This Oxford Women’s Leadership Development Programme is delivered online and is designed to equip current leaders with the tools and skills necessary to navigate the various challenges and gender biases that impede female professionals in the workplace. The programme is also aimed at aspiring female managers and executives who wish to improve their leadership abilities to influence, persuade, empower, and mentor others. Participants who aspire to senior management or C-suite positions will have the opportunity to enhance their leadership knowledge by reflecting on crucible moments and exploring different approaches to handling challenging situations. This programme is an excellent fit for those who are looking to break down gender barriers in the business world and develop both their career and organisation.
This Oxford Women's Leadership Development Programme is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The programme has an estimated 70 hours of learning.
Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is on you. Oxford Saïd and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
What will set you apart
A personal development plan, and enhanced core leadership skills and resources, to help you grow confidently as a leader. 
Tools to help you navigate workplace challenges faced by women, and respond to culture and gender assumptions.
An understanding of your unique leadership style, strengths, and limiting behaviours, and the ability to recognise your own agency.
Guidance from leading industry experts and Oxford Saïd faculty, and the opportunity to learn alongside fellow women leaders from around the world.
Unlimited access to both the official Oxford Executive Education Alumni group on LinkedIn and edX’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.Programme curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
Accepting yourself as a leader
Module 2
Understanding your context
Module 3
Negotiating as a leadership practice
Module 4
Becoming an influential leader
Module 5
Developing as a leader: What can help you?
Module 6
Imagining your future possibilities as a leader
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What past students
think
Vaishali Baxi-Varma
HR Business Partner
I enjoyed the leadership programme as it gave me a good understanding of perceptions of being a woman leader and how we can improve our leadership approaches. Listening to experiences from women leaders who overcame challenges and negotiated or influenced to reach a positive outcome was very inspiring. The online programme gave me flexibility, and it was interesting to read experiences of other classmates through the online groups.
Programme Directors
Sue Dopson
Rhodes Trust Professor of Organisational Behaviour, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Kathryn Bishop
Associate Fellow, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
About the certificate
Learn more about women’s leadership development and earn an official certificate of attendance from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the programme handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the programme.
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Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter operates as edX's partner for premium online short course products from the world's leading universities and institutions. With edX, we leverage our people, technology, and resources to power your education and your potential.
We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.
Read more about GetSmarter here and edX here.
Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please visit your Account page here.
