Oxford Executive Diploma in Strategy and Innovation

Are you in a leadership position where you need to create, navigate and evolve the strategy of your organisation?

Do you sometimes feel that you should, and need to, innovate, but it feels at odds with the need to plan a comprehensive strategy, due to preconceived ideas about planning?

In today’s uncertain world, strategies must be agile. The days of 5–10-year plans are over. Innovation equally is not static. Continuous ‘creative problem-solving’ propels organisations forward. Those who do not give equal attention to strategic agility and innovation, risk stagnating, losing their value and competitive edge. In the words of our programme participants, ‘strategy and innovation are all about applying a creative approach to an existing problem to achieve your vision, and how you plan to get there,’ and yet this interdependency between the two is often overlooked.  

The Oxford Executive Diploma in Strategy and Innovation offers a sharp focus on the relationship and interdependencies between these two concepts. This highly interactive programme is designed to equip experienced professionals with the practical tools to both effectively formulate and execute transformative, evolving strategies that drive growth, maximise value and make a dynamic impact in our rapidly changing world.  

This part-time postgraduate qualification consists of four modules taught over one year: 

1. Strategy 
2. Innovation strategy 
3. Globalisation and strategy 
4. Strategy in action 

What you can expect

By the end of the diploma programme, you will have gained not only a complete set of professional strategic tools and a revitalised approach to innovation, but the advanced capability to select, tailor and develop your own frameworks to deliver an effective solution to future challenges. 

You can choose to study this diploma either in person or fully online.

By studying with us in person, you will join us in Oxford for four, four-day modules over the course of the year.  

If attending Oxford physically might not be practical for you, our new online format, combining live, virtual classes and self-paced learning, ensures you can access the benefits of a world-class Oxford education and globally renowned network from anywhere in the world.

A route towards the Oxford Executive MBA.

Whilst the Diploma in Strategy and Innovation is a stand-alone postgraduate qualification, the programme also offers a route towards the Oxford Executive MBA. Should diploma participants choose to pursue the Executive MBA, and gain a place on the programme, they will receive exemptions from four module assessments, as well as a fee reduction. Attendance will be required at all modules, regardless of assessment exemption.

This programme is designed for experienced professionals with at least five or more years' work experience.

Both streams of this accredited innovation strategy diploma are designed for experienced executives, typically with an upper-second class undergraduate degree or equivalent at a minimum, and at least five years’ relevant work experience in a leadership position.

There are 65 places available in the in-person stream and 35 places available in the online stream of this diploma in 2025. The programme received an average of 186 applications per year for entry in 2020-22.

Total programme fee for both home and overseas participants is £33,900.

The fee covers tuition costs, course materials, essential reading texts, assessments and associate college membership.  

For in-person participants, lunch and refreshments are provided daily and a special dinner is arranged for your cohort during each module. Accommodation is not included in the fee. You need to make your own arrangements to stay in Oxford during the modules.