Leadership, Oxbridge and You

The Expanding World of Leadership Courses

Today’s students have more ways into leadership than ever before. Whether they’re interested in global issues, business, entrepreneurship, social impact or personal growth, there is now a wide and varied range of courses to help them explore their potential.

Young people can now explore leadership through

• academic study,
• real-world case scenarios,
• practical challenges,
• innovation labs,
• public speaking workshops,
• sustainability projects,
• international relations
• simulations
• hands-on outdoor leadership training.

This abundance of routes allows students to step into leadership from angles that truly match their interests, strengths, and ambitions.

Is this helpful to you or your child?

This wide range of entry points is a major advantage. Leadership is not one-size-fits-all, and teens thrive when they can approach it in a way that feels relevant and meaningful to them.

• Some students grow best through structured academic frameworks.
• Others flourish when navigating real business challenges or tackling global issues.
• Many gain confidence and clarity by learning in multicultural communities that reflect the real world

Offering students multiple pathways ensures that leadership development is more inclusive, more engaging, and more aligned with the demands of modern life. It means every young person—regardless of background, learning style, or career goals—can find a leadership programme that resonates and helps them flourish.

Summer Schools That Make This Possible

A number of world-class summer schools now offer this breadth of opportunity, providing students with rigorous academic teaching, experiential learning, and access to global perspectives.

These programmes blend theory with practice, pairing expert instruction with hands-on projects and placing students in environments where leadership is lived rather than simply studied. They help young people grow through:

• Business innovation and enterprise creation
• Global problem-solving and diplomacy simulations
• Collaborative challenges and real-world scenarios
• Personal development and communication workshops

Together, these experiences nurture confident, informed and future-ready young leaders—each in their own authentic way.

Finding the right leadership course starts with knowing what’s right for you or your child’s age. These tables break everything down clearly so you can see, at a glance, which programmes truly fit their stage and ambitions.

The first table starts for kids (under 13)

The table below includes  those 13 +

This table shows the courses to include older teens

This table is for Adults

With so many leadership and business programmes available, it helps to highlight a few exceptional options that stand out for their educational value, strong providers, and the unique experiences they offer. Below are four carefully chosen summer schools—one from each age category—that offer something genuinely distinctive and enriching.

Kids (Under 13)

Future Global Leader at Canford — Provider: Summer Boarding Courses (SBC)

Ages 11–16 | Canford School | Enrolling Now | Fees from £4,250 (2 weeks)

At a Glance

A dynamic two-week programme introducing young learners to the world of business and innovation. Students explore entrepreneurship, marketing, finance and strategy through hands-on workshops, real-world case studies and business simulations. Team projects and pitching sessions help build confidence, creativity and leadership skills in a supportive residential setting at the prestigious Canford School.

What parents say: The SBC Summer Boarding School delivers a unique and memorable experience… our daughters enjoy the quality of the courses, the variety of extra-curricular activities, and the excursions. (SBC)

What This Course Offers

15 hours of teaching per week, interactive workshops, business challenges, industry insight, team-based projects, supervised residential accommodation, excursions, meals, insurance, course materials, progress reports and a certificate of completion—all delivered by one of the UK’s leading junior summer providers.

What Students Gain

By the end of the programme, students leave with a solid introduction to core business principles and the confidence to apply them independently. They gain practical skills in teamwork, creative problem-solving, presenting, market analysis and strategic thinking—skills that support school success and early leadership development. Students also receive a certificate and personalised progress report to recognise their achievements. Living and learning in a respected UK boarding environment helps them build independence, resilience and self-belief, giving them a strong foundation for future academic and personal growth.

Young Teens (13–15)

Global Leadership — Provider: Reach Cambridge

Ages 13–18 | Cambridge | Enrolling Now | Fees £6,295–£18,495 (2–6 weeks)

At a Glance

A challenging and inspiring programme for teens who want to understand how leaders think, communicate and drive positive change. Students explore global issues, develop practical skills such as public speaking, persuasive writing and interview technique, and work on their own leadership ideas in the historic surroundings of Cambridge University colleges.

What students say: Reach Cambridge was by far the most wonderful, interesting and inspiring experience I have ever done… it gave me a taste of what studying at Cambridge University looks like and allowed me to get to know incredible people from all over the world. (Reach Cambridge)

What This Course Offers

Accommodation in Cambridge University colleges, 20 hours of academic tuition per week, practical leadership workshops, guest lectures from leading academics, two meals a day, full afternoon and evening activities, two UK cultural excursions, 24-hour supervision, course materials and a completion certificate.

What Students Gain

By the end of the course, students gain a strong foundation in communication, critical thinking, project planning and persuasive presentation. They develop independence, confidence and cultural awareness through living in a Cambridge college and collaborating with peers from around the world. The experience helps teens clarify their ambitions, articulate their ideas and take meaningful steps toward becoming thoughtful, proactive global citizens.

Older Teens (16–18)

Female Future Leaders in Cambridge – Immerse Education

Ages 16–18 | Cambridge | Enrolling Now | Fees from £7,495 (2 weeks)

At a Glance

An empowering and academically rich programme designed to help young women develop the confidence, strategic mindset and communication skills needed to lead in university and beyond. Students explore modern leadership through workshops, case studies, public-speaking training and scenario-based challenges, all set within the inspiring surroundings of Cambridge University.

What students say: The best part of my experience at Immerse was the people. Everyone I met—mentors, professors, other students—were all so supportive, kind and helpful. I was initially worried to be in a completely new environment alone but these people made this experience an amazing one I will never forget! (Immerse Education)

What This Course Offers

40 hours of academic tuition, 1:1 tutor sessions, leadership modules including public speaking and decision-making, guest speaker events, a personal capstone project, small class sizes (around seven students), 13 nights in a Cambridge University college, breakfast and dinner, tailored cultural activities, two full-day excursions, and full pastoral support from the Immerse Education team.

What Students Gain

By the end of the course, participants develop stronger communication skills, strategic thinking, negotiation ability and confidence in their leadership style. They complete a personal project that showcases their growth, gain insight from expert mentors, and build resilience through working collaboratively in an academically rigorous environment. This experience provides an outstanding foundation for university applications, interviews and future leadership roles.

Adults (18+)

PPE: Leadership in Business and Society — Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford

Ages 19+ | Oxford | Enrolling Soon | Fees from £4,384 (3 weeks)

At a Glance

A rigorous and intellectually stimulating programme designed for adults who want to deepen their understanding of leadership across business, politics and society. Taught within the distinguished setting of Lady Margaret Hall, the course introduces participants to classical and modern leadership theory, explores case studies drawn from global contexts, and incorporates Oxford’s signature approach of lectures, seminars and small-group tutorials. Learners develop the analytical frameworks, communication skills and strategic insight needed to lead thoughtfully and effectively in an increasingly complex world.

What students say about LMH summer schools :Attending the LMH Summer Program was an amazing mix of learning and surprises. … The learning experience was made even better by the supportive and friendly environment created by both the residential advisors and the other students, who were always cheerful and welcoming. 

What This Course Offers

Weekly lectures and seminars taught by experienced Oxford academics, small-group tutorials, three assessed written assignments with personalised feedback, access to the Lady Margaret Hall library, a co-curricular programme of skills workshops and guest speakers, single ensuite accommodation, breakfast daily plus weekday lunches and dinners in the college dining hall, two cultural excursions, a formal graduation banquet, full pastoral support, and an official transcript and certificate upon completion.

What Students Gain

By the end of the programme, participants develop a sophisticated understanding of leadership theory and its applications across business, policy and society. They build stronger critical thinking, analytical writing and presentation skills through immersive Oxford-style teaching, gain confidence in discussing complex ideas, and broaden their global perspective by studying alongside an international cohort. This academically rich experience supports both professional development and future academic pathways, offering a strong foundation for impactful leadership.

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