Closing Date: 18 September 2026
Applications are now open for the Oxford Leadership Programme Global Challenges in Transport Programme (Full Scholarships and Discounts available)
Applications are now open!
Oxford is delighted to welcome applications for the next Global Challenges in Transport, Oxford Leadership Programme at the Transport Studies Unit, University of Oxford.
The six week online course is designed for transport professionals and researchers looking to expand their thinking on how infrastructure is planned, financed, evaluated, managed and used.
The Global Challenges in Transport Programme
The Global Challenges in Transport programme provides decision-makers from a range of sectors with the necessary skills and expertise to address the complex challenges of sustainable transport futures. The courses attract mid-career and senior professionals, as well as academic researchers. The expertise of the speakers is global, spanning both research and practice.
During the courses participants are encouraged to take an active part in the sessions, which emphasise small-group teaching, critical thinking, and debate. You will be able to draw on expertise from different sectors and disciplines to develop new insights into the challenges you encounter in your day-to-day practice or research.
The five courses, which focus on core challenges, aimed at encouraging participants to share knowledge, think critically, and generate ideas within the transport policy/ planning arena to address the complex challenges of sustainable transport futures.
Global Challenges in Transport Scholarships
The Transport Studies Unit (TSU) is strongly committed to delivering an executive education programme that facilitates knowledge exchange and dialogue amongst a diverse group of researchers and practitioners from different countries and backgrounds.
Since 2011 TSU has awarded Diversity Scholarships to a number of applicants from Development Assistant Committee (DAC) assisted countries. These have greatly enriched exchange and dialogue during the courses and helped participants and ourselves to better understand what truly global transport planning entails.
In 2026, TSU is expanding its scholarship offer. Alongside its unwavering commitment to supporting transport researchers and professionals from the Global South, TSU is introducing additional scholarships to applicants who would otherwise be unable to participate, wherever they are in the world.
Some scholarships will cover the full cost of the online course, while some applicants will be offered substantially reduced fees in recognition of the excellence of their application.
Applicants must satisfy the following requirements:
- have at least three years of experience (research and/or professional) in transport or a related field;
- show strong evidence of experience or interest relevant to the specific content of the course for which they are applying; and
- have fluency in the English language.
All scholarship applications will be assessed on:
- financial need,
- excellence in the field,
- demonstrable benefits for the applicant in attending the course,
- commitment to attending and actively participating in live sessions, and
- commitment to working and developing a career in transport or a related field.
To apply, please complete the online application form and provide evidence of how you meet the above criteria in the ‘Scholarships’ section.
PhD Scholarships
TSU has a limited number of places reserved for national and international PhD students for each course. The scholarship allows students to attend the online course for £330. The application deadline for PhD Scholarships is 27 September 2026.
Applicants must satisfy the following requirements:
- be a PhD candidate in a recognised University in any country;
- have fluency in the English language; and
- be able to show evidence of work/research experience in policy/planning in transport or a related sector in line with the specific theme/content of the course for which they are applying.
GCT Scholarship
This is a full scholarship to attend the course), keeping in mind that GCT scholarships are extremely competitive and applications are evaluated only on the evidence you provide. The application deadline for a GCT Scholarship is 27 September 2026.
Awards are based on:
- financial need,
- relevance to research project and excellence in the field,
- demonstrable benefits for the applicant in attending the course,
- commitment to attend and actively participate in live sessions, and
- commitment to work and develop a career in sustainable transport.
Each application will be assessed in line with these specific criteria. Please make sure to provide evidence that you meet the criteria in your application.
Certification
All participants who complete a Global Challenges in Transport course will receive a certificate of successful completion of the course from the University of Oxford.
On completion of any of the Global Challenges in Transport courses, participants are eligible to join the Global Challenges in Transport Alumni Network.
