skip to content

Institute of Continuing Education (ICE)

Please note: The Better Futures Programme operates a rolling application process with monthly application deadlines, with a final application deadline for the 2025-26 cohort of Monday 02 June 2025, midnight GMT. Applications are reviewed each month and may be closed if sufficient applicant numbers are received. We encourage individuals interested in the Better Futures Programme to submit their application as soon as possible. The apply by date to the right is the next monthly application deadline.

This programme is available in both 12-month and 6-month pathways. You are currently viewing the 6-month programme page. To learn more about the 12-month pathway click here.

Better Futures 6-month programme

The Cambridge Better Futures Programme convenes the power of Cambridge and equips accomplished individuals to create transformative change in the world. Whether your ambition is to improve your local community or deliver something truly global, the Cambridge Better Futures Programme will help you define your vision and prepare to put it into action.

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. This 6-month programme will enable you to engage deeply with the Cambridge community during Michaelmas and Lent terms, following the same core programme and vibrant Cambridge lifestyle as those on the 12-month programme. Over 6 months, you’ll develop foundational knowledge, forge meaningful connections, and gain clarity on your 10-year vision. 

You will be able to draw upon:

  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

Before leaving Cambridge, you’ll take part in an accelerated Wayfinding workshop designed to equip you with the strategic tools and frameworks to craft your impact plan independently. As a Better Futures Programme alumnus, continued support is available to you as you refine your plan. 

What does the programme offer you?

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.

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 using that combination to craft paths for change that are meaningful, impactful and sustainable. The programme team and academic host 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.

This 6-month pathway is ideal for those with visa or personal considerations, offering structured engagement in Cambridge with the flexibility to take your impact forward in a way that works for you. Like the 12-month programme, it culminates in the Better Futures Conference in September, where you’ll present your progress to advisors, mentors, and peers.

To find out more information and request a copy of the programme brochure click here

To learn more about our partner, the Centre for Better Futures, click here 

 

Container

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes and evaluation

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 (e.g climate change, 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 in ways that help shift societal norms 

· potentially make a credible transition to a new career 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

Course dates

29 Sep 2025 to 20 Mar 2026

Course duration

6 Months

Apply by

05 May 2025

Course fee

£40,000

Academic Directors, Course Directors and Tutors are subject to change, when necessary.

Venue

Qualifications / Credits

Non-accredited

Course code

2526BFP002