New course options
Our programme for aspiring and current digital leaders returns next year, and we're offering a new format to support different learning preferences and provide more flexibility.
You can now choose from two different course formats:
- Reflect and apply (March–June): monthly modules designed to give you time to reflect, apply insights, and embed learning between sessions and fit around other commitments
- Intensive (November): fast-track your development with four focused modules delivered over four consecutive weeks - ideal for those who prefer immersive learning
What to expect
This course offers a variety of sessions and exercises to help you develop as a digital leader.
It is designed for current and aspiring leaders in further and higher education organisation regardless of discipline, function or department who wish to develop their digital leadership skills or have an interest in digital transformation.
You'll collaborate with like-minded peers to explore the tools needed for effective leadership in the digital era. The programme equips you with the skills to lead and manage digitally-driven transformations across all levels of an organisation.
You'll gain insights into how digital technology is changing organisational dynamics, explore a variety of challenges and opportunities that digital leaders encounter and learn useful techniques and strategies to influence change and lead effective digital transformation in your organisation.
Training outcomes
By the end of the programme you will be able to:
- Define digital leadership and explore what makes an effective digital leader
- Outline and visualise your organisation’s digital practice
- Align digital strategy with organisational goals
- Assess the impact of emerging new technologies on your organisation
- Use data and stories to communicate digital transformation
- Explore and examine different approaches to digital transformation
- Apply change management models and techniques to embed and anchor change in your organisation
- Foster a culture of innovation through digital leadership
By taking part in this course, you can also earn digital credentials to show your achievement.
A key feature of the programme is the opportunity to connect and network with other digital leaders, participants are encouraged to join our free online digital leadership and culture forum.
Our video explains what makes an effective digital leader and how we can support you wherever you are on your leadership journey.
Modules
The digital leaders programme is constantly evolving to keep it up to date with latest good practice for digital technology.
The current modules are:
Foundations of digital leadership
Work together to explore the definitions and focus of digital leadership, reflect upon your own digital practice and consider how learners align digital strategy with their organisation's priorities.
Work together to explore the definitions and focus of digital leadership, reflect upon your own digital practice and consider how learners align digital strategy with their organisation's priorities.
Understanding approaches to digital transformation
Clarify what digital transformation is, begin to explore how it happens and consider how data and new technologies are changing and can change how organisations operate.
Clarify what digital transformation is, begin to explore how it happens and consider how data and new technologies are changing and can change how organisations operate.
Managing change in a digital world
Digital transformation is more about people than technology. Explore what makes change difficult and how to manage it effectively.
Digital transformation is more about people than technology. Explore what makes change difficult and how to manage it effectively.
Approaches to digital transformation
Take a closer look at different ways of working that enable the ongoing digital transformation of teams and organisations.
Take a closer look at different ways of working that enable the ongoing digital transformation of teams and organisations.
Who should attend
These sessions are suitable for a wide audience from these sectors:
- Further education
- Higher education
- Research
- Independent education
- Multi-academy trusts
These sessions are aimed at those who have an interest in digital leadership or digital transformation. Previous participant roles have included Heads of Digital Learning, Digital Learning Manager, IT Training Lead, Senior Learning Technologist, Curriculum Manager, Project Manager, Professional Development Manager right through to Provost and Director.
Programme options
The digital leaders programme is usually delivered online using an active learning approach. It provides participants with regular opportunities to collaborate, share experiences and network while engaging in reflective practice.
Our online learning option offers the benefit to fully engage from home or office with reduced travel time and cost. The online programme is made up of eight sessions, usually on Tuesdays (10:00-12:00) and Thursdays (14:00-16:00). All sessions are recorded allowing you to review content at your convenience.
Reflect and apply option (March-June)
The reflect and apply option offers a more gradual and reflective learning journey. Participants may choose to undertake standalone modules or complete all four over a longer period. This format suits those who benefit from a slower pace and more time to integrate new ideas into practice.
Digital module badges are awarded for each completed module, showcasing expertise in areas such as digital leadership foundations, approaches to transformation, and managing change in a digital context.
Participants who complete all four standalone modules within a consecutive two-year period may submit a reflective piece of work to earn the digital leaders programme open digital badge, signifying comprehensive participation.
An additional benefit of this modular approach is its financial flexibility. Standalone modules may be easier for participants to get approval for, as they often involve lower individual costs compared to full programme enrolment. This can make professional development more accessible within constrained budgets.
Confirmed dates 2026
- Module 1: 17 and 19 March
- Module 2: 21 and 23 April
- Module 3: 2 and 4 June
- Module 4: 7 and 9 July
Confirmed dates 2027
- Module 1: 16 and 18 March
- Module 2: 20 and 22 April
- Module 3: 25 and 27 May
- Module 4: 22 and 24 June
Join the waiting list to be the first to know when 2027 dates are available for booking.
Course fees
Offering more flexibility, this option enables you to take and pay for modules on a monthly basis, with the option to complete the programme over two years instead of one.
- Jisc members (FE, HE and research organisations): £237.50 + VAT
- Non-profits (eligible local government, public sector, independent education providers and non-profit customers): £281.25+ VAT
- Commercial organisations (non-member commercial partners): £368.75 + VAT
The reflect and apply option offers a more gradual and reflective learning journey. Participants may choose to undertake standalone modules or complete all four over a longer period. This format suits those who benefit from a slower pace and more time to integrate new ideas into practice.
Digital module badges are awarded for each completed module, showcasing expertise in areas such as digital leadership foundations, approaches to transformation, and managing change in a digital context.
Participants who complete all four standalone modules within a consecutive two-year period may submit a reflective piece of work to earn the digital leaders programme open digital badge, signifying comprehensive participation.
An additional benefit of this modular approach is its financial flexibility. Standalone modules may be easier for participants to get approval for, as they often involve lower individual costs compared to full programme enrolment. This can make professional development more accessible within constrained budgets.
Confirmed dates 2026
- Module 1: 17 and 19 March
- Module 2: 21 and 23 April
- Module 3: 2 and 4 June
- Module 4: 7 and 9 July
Confirmed dates 2027
- Module 1: 16 and 18 March
- Module 2: 20 and 22 April
- Module 3: 25 and 27 May
- Module 4: 22 and 24 June
Join the waiting list to be the first to know when 2027 dates are available for booking.
Course fees
Offering more flexibility, this option enables you to take and pay for modules on a monthly basis, with the option to complete the programme over two years instead of one.
- Jisc members (FE, HE and research organisations): £237.50 + VAT
- Non-profits (eligible local government, public sector, independent education providers and non-profit customers): £281.25+ VAT
- Commercial organisations (non-member commercial partners): £368.75 + VAT
Intensive option (November)
Delivered online over a focused four-week period, the intensive option format is ideal for participants who prefer a fast-paced, immersive experience, enabling deep engagement with the content in a condensed timeframe. Participants are encouraged to network and collaborate as part of a cohort-based learning experience.
Those who complete all four modules and submit a reflective piece of work outlining their experiences and insights will be eligible for the digital leaders programme open digital badge. This badge signifies comprehensive engagement and a strong commitment to digital leadership development.
Confirmed dates 2026
- Week 1: 3 and 5 November
- Week 2: 10 and 12 November
- Week 3: 17 and 19 November
- Week 4: 24 and 26 November
Confirmed dates 2027
- Week 1: 2 and 4 November
- Week 2: 9 and 11 November
- Week 3: 16 and 18 November
- Week 4: 23 and 25 November
Join the waiting list to be the first to know when 2027 dates are available for booking.
Course fees
- Jisc members (FE, HE and research organisations): £950 + VAT
- Non-profits (eligible local government, public sector, independent education providers and non-profit customers): £1125 + VAT
- Commercial organisations (non-member commercial partners): £1475 + VAT
Delivered online over a focused four-week period, the intensive option format is ideal for participants who prefer a fast-paced, immersive experience, enabling deep engagement with the content in a condensed timeframe. Participants are encouraged to network and collaborate as part of a cohort-based learning experience.
Those who complete all four modules and submit a reflective piece of work outlining their experiences and insights will be eligible for the digital leaders programme open digital badge. This badge signifies comprehensive engagement and a strong commitment to digital leadership development.
Confirmed dates 2026
- Week 1: 3 and 5 November
- Week 2: 10 and 12 November
- Week 3: 17 and 19 November
- Week 4: 24 and 26 November
Confirmed dates 2027
- Week 1: 2 and 4 November
- Week 2: 9 and 11 November
- Week 3: 16 and 18 November
- Week 4: 23 and 25 November
Join the waiting list to be the first to know when 2027 dates are available for booking.
Course fees
- Jisc members (FE, HE and research organisations): £950 + VAT
- Non-profits (eligible local government, public sector, independent education providers and non-profit customers): £1125 + VAT
- Commercial organisations (non-member commercial partners): £1475 + VAT
Alumni experiences
“I wanted to do something that would give me more confidence"
—Alicia Owen, digital learning manager, Wrexham Glyndŵr University
"It's given me a better understanding of digital technologies"
—Dr Alison Lawson, head of the division of marketing and operations, Derby Business School
"The programme enables you to meet like-minded people"
—Jo Loss and Paula Kilburn, from Essex Adult Community Learning, the Education Training Collective
Joining the sessions
Our live online sessions (courses, clinics and webinars) are delivered using Microsoft Teams. Therefore, to benefit from the full experience, you will require a Microsoft account, either personal or organisational.
If this poses a barrier, please email training@jisc.ac.uk to discuss alternative options.
Our live online sessions (courses, clinics and webinars) are delivered using Microsoft Teams. Therefore, to benefit from the full experience, you will require a Microsoft account, either personal or organisational.
If this poses a barrier, please email training@jisc.ac.uk to discuss alternative options.
Contact us
- Contact our training team for more information