University of Cambridge
Women Leading Change: Shaping Our Future
Comprehend the impact that female leaders can have as catalysts for change — within organisations, communities, and society as a whole — in confronting systemic inequality.
Start date
05 March 2025
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Course duration
8 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
7–10 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The projected number of years it will take to close the worldwide gender pay gap.
World Economic Forum (Mar, 2021).
Globally, less than a third of senior leadership roles are held by women.
Grant Thornton (2021).
Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)
As our society undergoes major shifts, women continue to face barriers to achieving true equality. The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic fallout have only exacerbated these structural hurdles. Equipping women with the skills and confidence necessary to build inclusive and sustainable organisations and societies is more important than ever.
The University of Cambridge Women Leading Change: Shaping Our Future online short course explores the personal and professional capabilities needed to be a purpose-driven leader. This eight-week course from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) provides a comprehensive understanding of the challenges women face and the tools available to create more equal and just societies. Through tutor-led learning and peer support, you will enhance your ability to drive transformational, systems-level change and gain insight into creating psychologically safe environments that foster innovation and collaboration. By completing this women in leadership online course, you will be equipped with a practical roadmap to drive positive change in your sphere of influence and expand your network with like-minded women from around the world.
Is this course for you?
This course is designed to equip individuals with the skills to lead organisational and societal change. It is ideal for individuals interested in becoming leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Students will gain a fresh perspective, a forward-thinking mindset, and practical techniques and strategies to accelerate change within their organisations and beyond. The course offers a supportive environment for personal reflection and growth, allowing students to identify and overcome self-limiting beliefs and habits. If you want to join a diverse community of learners who inspire and support one another, this course perfectly fits you.
This course 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 course has an estimated 80 hours of learning.
Note: should students wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is upon them. The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
This is your opportunity to unleash your potential for extraordinary impact. By completing a course with CISL, you'll develop the skills, confidence, and network to lead change in your sector, organisation and sphere of influence to make significant contributions to society. Extraordinary change happens when passionate and inspired individuals share a common purpose to drive meaningful impact for the collective good.
Course overview
Course overview
Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)
As our society undergoes major shifts, women continue to face barriers to achieving true equality. The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic fallout have only exacerbated these structural hurdles. Equipping women with the skills and confidence necessary to build inclusive and sustainable organisations and societies is more important than ever.
The University of Cambridge Women Leading Change: Shaping Our Future online short course explores the personal and professional capabilities needed to be a purpose-driven leader. This eight-week course from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) provides a comprehensive understanding of the challenges women face and the tools available to create more equal and just societies. Through tutor-led learning and peer support, you will enhance your ability to drive transformational, systems-level change and gain insight into creating psychologically safe environments that foster innovation and collaboration. By completing this women in leadership online course, you will be equipped with a practical roadmap to drive positive change in your sphere of influence and expand your network with like-minded women from around the world.
Is this course for you?
This course is designed to equip individuals with the skills to lead organisational and societal change. It is ideal for individuals interested in becoming leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Students will gain a fresh perspective, a forward-thinking mindset, and practical techniques and strategies to accelerate change within their organisations and beyond. The course offers a supportive environment for personal reflection and growth, allowing students to identify and overcome self-limiting beliefs and habits. If you want to join a diverse community of learners who inspire and support one another, this course perfectly fits you.
This course 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 course has an estimated 80 hours of learning.
Note: should students wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is upon them. The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.
This is your opportunity to unleash your potential for extraordinary impact. By completing a course with CISL, you'll develop the skills, confidence, and network to lead change in your sector, organisation and sphere of influence to make significant contributions to society. Extraordinary change happens when passionate and inspired individuals share a common purpose to drive meaningful impact for the collective good.
What will set you apart
In-depth knowledge of the systemic challenges women face and the ability to lead change with confidence, resilience, and transformational leadership skills.
An authentic leadership style and voice to create your personal narrative, and the principles and skills to communicate with influence.
The tools to create purpose-led, psychologically safe environments, build strong relationships, and nurture teams for long-term effectiveness.
An extended network and community of like-minded women, and a leadership action plan to lead sustainable transformational change in your sphere of influence. 
Unlimited access to 2U’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
Shaping the future we want
Module 2
Being an agent of change
Module 3
Building confidence and catalysing impact
Module 4
Leading flourishing and effective teams
Module 5
Cultivating purpose-led organisations
Module 6
Collaborating for positive impact
Module 7
Creating your leadership action plan for transformational change
Module 8
Expanding the community leading change
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What past students
think
Stephanie Gilliver
Head of Responsible Investing, Virgin Money
I am excited to be leading Virgin Money Investments in [highlighting] the transformational change required to become a responsible investor and help[ing] our customers understand what that means in the journey we all need to be on. Inspiring leadership with more diversity is critical for speeding up progress to achieve sustainable business practices and live within our ecosystem limits. A big thank you to the team at CISL for their inspiring courses – in particular, Zoë Arden and Janice Lao for the Women Leading Change online course. Also, thank you to those who have supported me to get this position to lead change.
Course Convenors
Zoë Arden
Fellow and Leadership Consultant, CISL
Martin Roberts
Director of Digital Learning, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
About the certificate
Create a comprehensive leadership action plan that will bring about transformative change and earn an official certificate of completion from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with your digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
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Want to know more?
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.
