Unlock Your Full Potential

Forge the Future

The Cambridge Better Futures Programme provides the tools so accomplished individuals from all sectors of business and life can unlock their full potential and forge a better future for society.

DURATION

1 Full Academic Year
29 September 2025 - 19 June 2026

LOCATION

University of Cambridge, in person

Why apply?

Because you want to make a difference..

…or more of a difference over the next stage of your life. Perhaps you’re looking for a pivot from a life focused on commercial success towards a life of greater significance.

Or maybe you have a potentially life changing idea to forge a better future for society and yourself, and you value structure and partnership to make it real.

We’ll help you identify significant issues facing society, possible solutions, and pathways to making a real difference. If selected, you will have the chance to:

1.

REFLECT DEEPLY ON YOUR PERSONAL PURPOSE

2.

BUILD A PERSONALISED LEARNING PATHWAY, DRAWING ON THE UNIVERSITY’S RESOURCES

3.

ENGAGE WITH GLOBAL EXPERTS ACROSS DISCIPLINES

4.

BUILD A DIVERSE AND SUPPORTIVE NETWORK OF PEERS

5.

DEVELOP ACTIONABLE IDEAS TO SHAPE A BETTER FUTURE

What does the programme offer you?

A personalised programme

As a Better Futures Programme participant you will be part of a select cohort. Your journey will be unique, based around your specific interests, and arena of exploration. Alongside a core programme, we will help you construct a truly personalised programme of study with guidance from your academic departmental host and the Better Futures team. You will be able to draw from:

1.

TAUGHT COURSES*, OPEN LECTURES/SEMINARS

2.

DEPARTMENTS, INSTITUTES, RESEARCH CENTRES, NETWORKS

3.

PAST AND ONGOING RESEARCH PROGRAMMES

4.

ACADEMIC EXPERTS AND RESEARCHERS TO SERVE AS ADVISERS AND RESOURCES

5.

PARTNERSHIP OF EXTERNAL EXPERT PRACTITIONERS IN THE BETTER FUTURES MENTOR NETWORK

6.

THE WIDER CAMBRIDGE ECOSYSTEM AND NETWORK OF ALUMNI

7.

TERMLY SYMPOSIA/DINNERS THAT BRING TOGETHER THOUGHT LEADERS AND PROMINENT ACTORS IN DISCUSSION AROUND KEY ISSUES BY PROGRAMME THEME

*With lecturer permission

1.

TAUGHT COURSES*, OPEN LECTURES/SEMINARS

2.

DEPARTMENTS, INSTITUTES, RESEARCH CENTRES, NETWORKS​BUILD A PERSONALISED LEARNING PATHWAY, DRAWING ON THE UNIVERSITY’S RESOURCES

3.

PAST AND ONGOING RESEARCH PROGRAMMES​

4.

ACADEMIC EXPERTS AND RESEARCHERS TO SERVE AS ADVISERS AND RESOURCES​

5.

PARTNERSHIP OF EXTERNAL EXPERT PRACTITIONERS IN THE BETTER FUTURES MENTOR NETWORK​

6.

THE WIDER CAMBRIDGE ECOSYSTEM AND NETWORK OF ALUMNI​

7.

TERMLY SYMPOSIA/DINNERS THAT BRING TOGETHER THOUGHT LEADERS AND PROMINENT ACTORS IN DISCUSSION AROUND KEY ISSUES BY PROGRAMME THEME

3 STRANDS TO SUPPORT YOU​

Your journey will be built around the following framework:

You’re invited to connect the foundational awareness of your world view and experiences to cutting-edge knowledge, and using that combination to craft paths for change that are meaningful, impactful and sustainable.

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. 

FOUNDATIONS

Re-assess your skills, capabilities, motivation, and personal health, and refine how you relate to society and the world around you.

FRONTIERS

Explore major societal issues and opportunities with Cambridge academics and develop a personalised learning plan.

WAYFINDING

Craft future impact pathways to follow in the coming years.

IS THIS PROGRAMME RIGHT FOR YOU?

The programme is for accomplished individuals in the broadest sense

You may already have achieved great things in society or in your career and have a desire to contribute to a better world. You might simply have delivered as much as you want in your career and are asking yourself what’s next.

Whatever your motivation, you must demonstrate achievement and leadership in your field and have a proven track record of impact and expertise. You will show an aptitude for system transformation and self-development, and you’ll be passionate about enhancing your skills and pivoting to a new focus on social impact.

PARTICIPANTS WILL COME FROM FROM A DIVERSE RANGE OF SECTORS SUCH AS:

WHO DELIVERS THE PROGRAMME?​

Our programme is run by the University of Cambridge's Institute of Continuing Education (ICE).

Your programme will be devised by our academic team, including leaders of the Cambridge Better Futures Programme. No two years will be the same because we see every cohort as unique. You will have support and guidance at department and college level.

ICE represents a pinnacle of accessible, high-quality lifelong learning. It has a history dating back to 1873 and offers a wide range of opportunities designed to transform lives and careers.

Better Futures Team

ALISON WOOD

ALISON WOOD

Programme Lead – Foundations

Academic Director, Homerton Changemakers

ROBERT DOUBLEDAY

ROBERT DOUBLEDAY

Programme Lead - Frontiers

Executive Director at Centre for Science and Policy, University of Cambridge

JAIDEEP PRABHU

JAIDEEP PRABHU

Programme Lead - Wayfinding

Director of the Centre for India & Global Business, Cambridge Judge Business School

Kate Wilson

Kate Wilson

CEO, Centre for Better Futures

STEWART MCTAVISH

STEWART MCTAVISH

Director of Academic Programmes, Better Futures

HOST COLLEGE HEADS

SONITA ALLEYNE

SONITA ALLEYNE

Master of Jesus College

Member, BBC Trust and Co-Founder, Somethin' Else

GRAHAM VIRGO

GRAHAM VIRGO

Master of Downing College

Former Senior Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education), University of Cambridge

SIMON WOOLLEY

SIMON WOOLLEY

Principal of Homerton College

Founder, Operation Black Vote

CHRIS YOUNG

CHRIS YOUNG

Master of St Edmund’ s College

Former Head of the School of Arts and Humanities, University of Cambridge

Brochure and more information

For more details on tuition, application process and learning outcomes, please visit the course page here.

Join the founding cohort of the Cambridge Better Futures Programme, commencing September 2025.  Immerse yourself within Cambridge’s world-leading innovation and research ecosystem, where you will sharpen your path to purpose and impact for the next stage of your life.

Register Your Interest or Start a Conversation

Interested in the Better Futures Programme and eager to learn more?

Fill out the form below to register your interest and stay connected, or drop us a message to start a conversation.

We’re always happy to connect with potential applicants and explore how the programme could be a fit for you.

Download the Brochure

Want to learn more about the Cambridge Better Futures Programme? Fill out the form below to get your brochure.

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