The Edinburgh Leader

The Edinburgh Leader provides a framework to develop the skills and behaviours required of a strategic leader. It also gives an opportunity to grow your network with other University of Edinburgh leaders.

Programme Aims

  • To develop leadership capability.
  • To increase self-awareness in relation to own values and leadership behaviours.
  • To create a community of leaders crossing boundaries between departments, schools, disciplines and professional backgrounds.
  • To support leaders to take action that generates positive change and advances the University strategic objectives in their own areas, across the organisation, and in the wider context, locally and globally.
  • To provide a collective voice for leaders across the University.

Target Audience

The Edinburgh Leader is suited to both professional services and academic staff who are mid manager to early senior leaders including those in leadership roles who do not have direct line management responsibility but are required to influence across the University.

Professional services staff

  • Who lead a number of services or departments

Academic staff

  • Who contribute to the strategic leadership of their subject area, School, College or the University
  • With or without direct line management authority (examples include chairing committees and leading on key academic processes)

Time Commitment

The programme runs over 6 months. It is mostly delivered online, with some elements delivered in person. Attendance is required for all facilitated sessions and discussion groups.

Commitment includes:

  • 3 facilitated sessions (up to half day each)
  • 5 Leadership Essentials workshops (2.5 hours each)
  • 2-4 hours of self-directed learning between each of the sessions
  • 4 discussion groups (2 hours each)
  • Submission and peer review of final reflective presentation

Information Pack

Programme Dates

Applying for a programme 

We run 2 cohort intakes per academic year beginning in October and January. 

The nominations window for both 2025/26 cohorts closed on Friday 15th August 2025 however as there are still places available for the January 2026 cohort, the forms will remain live until Friday 24th October. 

Applications are processed based on eligibility and first come basis.

We require a delegate application and supporting nominating manager form to be completed and submitted for each application.

Programme delegate application form

Nominating manager form

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