Insight into Start-ups

The Insight into Start-ups programme aims to inspire and equip Oxford University students with the skills, knowledge and positive behaviours to start, work in and lead a new venture. 

Taking place over a term, Insight into Start-ups is made up of inspiring guest speaker sessions, group exercises, and in-person training. The programme content will consider start-ups and entrepreneurial activity in a wide context including in business, social enterprise, and the charity sector.

Insight into Start-ups is a skills development programme from the Careers Service and EnSpire Oxford developed exclusively for Oxford University students.

We regret to inform you that the Hilary term programme has been cancelled. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and encourage you to explore our term planner for further opportunities. If you have any questions, please email us on courses@careers.ox.ac.uk

Applications

The selection process consists in an application form. Successful applicants will be offered a place on the programme and then invited to a launch event for the programme.

Selection

After applications close on 24 January 2025. Successful applicants will be offered a place on the programme by 31 January 2025 and then invited to the training sessions starting on 7 February 2025.

Programme structure

Insight into Start-ups consists in a blend of interactive learning activities over three sessions: you will learn and work individually, in small teams and as a whole group. The programme will run through Hilary term.

Group sessions

The learning activities will be delivered over three half-day sessions on Fridays. Lunch will be provided.

The sessions will be a mix of presentations, guest speakers and group activities covering a range of content relating to starting and sustaining a new venture. They will take place at the Careers Service, 56 Banbury Road.

What to expect

The programme will provide an insight into the people, challenges, models and good practice for starting a new venture. Topics will include marketing and the customer proposition, financial planning and investment funding, vision and strategy, team working, recruitment and people development. The learning activities will offer development opportunities across key employment skills: team working, communication, initiative, creativity, planning, self-management, business awareness and leadership.

At the end of the programme, you should be able to:

• Demonstrate to prospective employers a broad understanding of start-ups.
• Explain the marketing essentials that are core to a start-up strategy.
• Explain business finance principles, commonly used reports and funding options.
• Know how to prepare a business plan.
• Prepare a development plan for yourself and others in a new venture.
• Ask informed and relevant questions at interviews.

Eligibility

The programme is open to Oxford University Undergraduate (with the exception of freshers) and Postgraduate students, and DPhils.

We cannot accept applications from first year students (freshers starting in October 2024) or from Saïd Business School students, visiting students, research staff or alumni.

Programme commitment

We recognise that participants on learning and development programmes, have to fit these programmes around their academic work, and that academic work takes priority. How much time you can spend each week will necessarily vary depending on your other commitments; we have observed previous participants spending an average of 8-10 hours / week.

Contact

If you cannot find the answer to your question, please get in touch on hello@careers.ox.ac.uk.