Ambitious Futures: the Graduate Programme for University Leadership

Published: 11 December 2017

Would you like to be involved in one of the most innovative, vibrant and exciting environments in which to build a career? If so, Ambitious Futures may be for you! VIDEO

Would you like to be involved in one of the most innovative, vibrant and exciting environments in which to build a career? If so, Ambitious Futures may be for you! Here, Heather Corley and Zoe Tupling, this year’s graduate trainees, explain what attracted them to the programme and offer tips for those thinking of applying.

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Ambitious Futures is a cutting-edge programme that shows graduate trainees how the challenging and stimulating business of a university operates. Participants work alongside a diverse range of partners, from students and employers to funding bodies and commercial organisations. 

The basics...

If your Ambitious Futures application is successful, you will be employed by the University for 18 months, during which time you'll undertake three different placements in administrative and support roles. The first and third placements will be here and the second at another university in the Scottish regional cluster. Each placement will involve project-based work offering you diverse and challenging opportunities. 

You will also have the opportunity to study a higher education focused Emerging Leaders and Managers Programme (eLAMP), and to participate in other training and development activities.

You will be supported by a mentor and placed in a group coaching set so you can share your experiences with other Ambitious Futures participants.

Am I eligible?

You must have graduated as an undergraduate or postgraduate student in the last five years. If you do not have a postgraduate qualification you must have achieved or be predicted to achieve at least a 2:1 in your undergraduate degree. You must be eligible to work in the UK for the length of the programme.


First published: 11 December 2017