Equitech Futures Institute Oxford
in collaboration with the
An immersive four-week tech leadership program
Oxford, UK | July 6 – August 3, 2025 | Rolling admissions through April 30, 2025
For undergraduate or gap-year students from any discipline (ages 18-24)








Overview
Launching the next generation of Global Technology Leaders
Technology is profoundly shaping societies globally. The world needs a new generation of interdisciplinary leaders who can anticipate both the risks and the possibilities of emerging technologies, and use them to tackle pressing challenges from climate change to healthcare.
The Equitech Futures Institute in Oxford (EFI Oxford) will bring together aspiring technology leaders from around the world. Established as an extension of the Technology and Society Forum created in collaboration with the Rhodes Trust, EFI Oxford is a four-week intensive summer program in Oxford that will cultivate a network of future entrepreneurs, researchers, and civic leaders who are equipped to use emerging technologies to tackle global challenges.

Why join this program?
Learning by Doing
Our curriculum focuses on experiential learning that blends live instruction with projects in small cohorts.
Global Community
Students in the Equitech Futures community come from more than 50 countries. Learning in collaboration with aspiring technologists and innovators from around the world provides unique perspectives on both tech and global challenges.
Individualized Mentorship
Students joining the Equitech Futures Institute will join a thriving global network of alumni and mentors who are dedicated to providing individualized mentorship for students at pivotal points in their careers.
Career Support & Planning
Equitech Futures provides ongoing career support for every student in the alumni network. Students receive support with graduate school applications, scholarship applications, and networked connections to discover the best career path.
Venture Support
At the Equitech Ventures studio, we have cultivated a deep talent network from more than 50 different countries. Alumni can participate in exclusive innovation challenges and gain access to mentorship as well as funding to explore their potential as founders.
Forums & Networking
Equitech Futures alumni have access to leading networks like the Rhodes Forum on Technology & Society as well as in-person Tech Futures Forums hosted by Equitech Futures. Additionally, all alumni are invited to year-long virtual programming with technology leaders.
A curriculum designed for technology leaders who want to tackle global challenges
To tackle complex global challenges in the 21st century, aspiring innovators need tools and perspectives that transcend traditional disciplinary silos. The Equitech Futures curriculum breaks down traditional disciplinary barriers and approaches technological education through three lenses:

01
A Computational Lens
How can AI and data science be applied to tackle real-world problems?
02
A System Lens
How can governments, markets, and the social sector work together?
03
An Ethical and Societal Lens
How can we build technological solutions need to be human-centered and ethically sound?
The Equitech Futures Institute is designed to develop the interdisciplinary technological skills and build the global networks that emerging leaders need to tackle challenges of the future.
Excited to start? Take the first step towards joining the program.
Curriculum
What you’ll learn
Experience what it’s like to be part of an Equitech classroom.
Applied AI
Beyond the Code: Building with AI
This course provides you with a functional understanding of how to apply artificial intelligence tools in various domains. Unlike many courses that focus on developing AI algorithms, we will focus on how to deploy AI algorithms and the potential and risks associated with them. Whether you want to launch a startup, lead a nonprofit, work in policy, or pursue academic research, this will help cultivate an "AI architect mindset" that goes beyond understanding the mechanics behind algorithms. By the end, you will learn how to identify good (and problematic) use-cases for AI and be well-placed to create new companies, nonprofits, or policies using these novel tools. Covered topics include Introduction to Supervised Learning, Building AI Blueprints, Datafication, Applications in Healthcare, Applications in Education, and Applications in Climate and Environment.
Entrepreneurship Lab
Ideas in Motion: Build, Test, Launch
This course provides you with a practical understanding of how to apply entrepreneurial tools to bring ideas to life. Unlike many courses that focus on business theory or case studies, we will focus on how to actually build and validate ventures through hands-on experimentation and user-centric design. Whether you want to launch a startup, join an early-stage company, or innovate within an existing organization, this will help cultivate a "builder's mindset" that goes beyond understanding business fundamentals. By the end, you will learn how to identify promising opportunities and be well-placed to create and scale ventures using iterative development methods. Covered topics include Customer Discovery, Rapid Prototyping, User Testing, Business Model Design, and Go-to-Market Strategy.
Communicating Innovation
Craft Your Vision, Lead the Change
Strong leaders are effective communicators. They articulate visions for the future and motivate teams by fostering trust and engagement. Leaders also document their visions in writing, extending the life of the thought in ways that can be clarified, referenced, and shared. This course invites each scholar to hone their narrative as a future innovator. We will practice the range of storytelling, process, and feedback that position thoughtful leaders for success.
Societal and Ethical Perspectives on Technology
The Bigger Picture
The goal of these discussion-based seminars is to help you navigate vital themes at the intersection of technology and society. These seminars will give you the opportunity to hear from and interact with practitioners and experts working across a variety of fields. The seminars will help you explore the social implications of technological tools and the ethical implications of your work as innovators. You will learn to think deeply about a problem, inhabit multiple viewpoints, and analyze arguments across a range of source material. Previously covered topics include Building Human-Centered Technologies, Gender and Technology, The Politics of Automation, The Many-Headed Climate Monster, Intellectual Property Rights, and Public Trust in STEM.







For more than a century, the Rhodes Trust has been bringing future leaders together in Oxford with a shared commitment to making positive change in the world. In recent years, we have worked with Equitech Futures to deliver the impactful Technology and Society events series, and I am excited to see their Futures Institute launching in 2025.
I look forward to seeing the positive impact in years to come of those who attend the EFI Oxford programme!
Sorina Campean
Director of Global Programmes and Alumni Engagement at the Rhodes Trust
Who is the program for?
We believe transformative innovators transcend disciplines and are not defined by test scores. Our ideal applicants are creative problem-solvers in the social sector who are highly motivated and persistent in the face of challenges. We want people who welcome collaborative spaces, who wear their talent with humility, who take responsibility for their own learning and growth, and who want to use their talents in the service of other people.

Eligibility Criteria
- Scholars must be at least 18 years of age but no older than 24 years of age on July 6, 2025.
- Scholars may be enrolled in university study or on gap years.
- We welcome applicants from all academic, professional, geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We particularly encourage women and individuals from underrepresented communities to apply for the Equitech Futures Institute Oxford.
Selection Process
Early Admission:
- Applications for early admission have closed on February 16, 2025.
- Finalists were invited for an interview with the faculty by February 28, 2025.
- Early admission decisions were made by March 1, 2025.
Rolling Admission:
- Applications for rolling admission close April 30, 2025.
- Finalists will be invited for an interview with the faculty within two weeks of applying.
- Final admission decisions will be made by May 15, 2025.

Day in the life
12:30pm
Lunch with members of your cohort in Oxford city centre
5:00pm
Social hour
7:30pm
Evening social activities (hackathons, city walking tours, concerts in the park)
10:30pm
Homework and bedtime at The Queen’s College




















Alumni impact
Discover Alumni Success Stories
Our alumni have gone on to land top internships, fellowships, and jobs in AI, policy, and entrepreneurship.
Community
Creating a lifelong community of ambitious minds
At the conclusion of each program term, graduates are entitled to a Certificate of Completion and are welcomed to join the Equitech Alumni Network. This cross-cohort community of talented young innovators share opportunities, collaborate on shared research, and inspire one another. A few of the privileges of alumni status include:

Continuing Education

Regional Gatherings




Career Support
Tuition & financial aid
$17,900
$7,900
With generous support from our philanthropic partners, we are offering a US $10,000 tuition scholarship to all selected candidates. The total tuition after scholarship is US $7,900.
What’s Included?
Four weeks of live, in-person instruction
Accommodation at The Queen’s College, Oxford
Daily breakfast and dinner at The Queen’s College
A month-long transit pass for buses throughout Oxford
All social activities and field trips (hackathons, speaker events, etc.)
Special gala dinners at Rhodes House and Reuben College
A full-access pass to the Rhodes Forum on Technology & Society 2025
Year-long career support and mentoring
Year-long access to Equitech Alumni Network programming
Not Included:
Airfare, visa fees, daily lunch, or personal expenses
Payment Deadlines
- Early admission scholars: down payment due by April 15, 2025
- Regular admission scholars: payment due by May 15, 2025
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be received, in writing, to our admissions team at admissions@equitechfutures.com
- 31 days or more from program start date: 50% tuition less deposit
- 30 days or fewer from program start date: no refund
































Let’s shape the future of technology together
Don’t miss your chance to join the next generation of global tech leaders