Skills development programmes open for applications

Your time at Oxford offers plenty of opportunities to learn beyond your studies. Taking part in extra-curricular activities and programmes can help you explore your interests, develop new skills, build on your strengths, and gain practical experience, all of which can support your future career. 

To help you build your employability skills, the Careers team runs a range of programmes for Oxford students. Explore the opportunities available and apply to take part in programmes that can help you learn more about yourself, develop your skills and consider your next steps.

Here are the programmes you can apply for or sign up for this Michaelmas term.

Insight into Consulting

Insight into Consulting is available as a CareerConnect pathway, introducing you to the fundamentals of business strategy, consulting approaches and the core skills needed in the sector. It includes an interactive team case study, the Client Consulting Challenge, where you can put your learning into practice. 

Individual event sign-up is required for Michaelmas term events, while a separate application process is in place for the Client Consulting Challenge in Trinity term.

Go Public!

The Go Public! programme is available as a CareerConnect pathway, introducing students to careers in the public sector through events, online resources, panel discussions with professionals and Micro-Internships. The programme helps Oxford students explore career options, understand entry routes and gain valuable experience. 

There is no application process, but you will need to sign up for individual events you wish to attend.

Insight into Policy  

Insight into Policy is a series of events taking place throughout the academic year, designed to help you understand the different types of roles and entry routes available within policy careers. 

There is no application process, but you will need to sign up for individual events you wish to attend. 

Insight into Academia

Insight into Academia is a seminar series exploring topics relevant to those considering careers in higher education, including roles in research, teaching and related areas. 

There is no application process, but you will need to sign up for individual events you wish to attend.

Micro-Internship Programme: Winter vacation 2026

Micro-Internship Programme offers two- to five-day voluntary learning and development opportunities during the vacation period, in weeks 9 and 10 of Michaelmas term. These opportunities are available to University of Oxford students, including undergraduates and postgraduates, from first-year students through to final-year DPhil students.

Applications for winter micro-internships open on 6 October and close on 2 November 2026. 

Crankstart Internship Programme: Winter vacation 2026

The Crankstart Internship Programme provides internship opportunities during the spring vacation exclusively for University of Oxford Crankstart Scholars. 

Crankstart winter internship applications open on 19 October and close on 9 November 2026. Please check individual opportunities carefully, as some internships may have different application deadlines. Be sure to submit your application by the closing date listed in each opportunity.

OxAbility: Winter vacation 2026

OxAbility offers placements of up to 10 days with supportive host organisations for Oxford students with a long-term health condition, disability, or neurodivergence. Workplace adjustments are expected and supported, so you can focus on learning, contributing, and getting the most from your placement.

Applications for OxAbility placements open on 5 October and close on 2 November 2026.