1、Program Background

The deep integration of strategic management and business leadership is becoming a core issue in the transformation of global business education. The uncertainty of the business environment, the complexity of organizational behavior, and the dynamic nature of decision-making logic have raised entirely new demands on the comprehensive competence of managers. To help students understand these challenges from the cutting-edge perspective of the world's top business schools, this program integrates the profound heritage of management education and the case-oriented teaching tradition of Girton College, University of Cambridge, immersing students in the strategic management and business leadership cultivation model of a world-renowned university. It explores the intrinsic linkages between strategic thinking and leadership practice, building a high-level management framework that bridges cognition and action.

2、About the University of Cambridge

Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge is a world-leading institution of higher education with a long and distinguished history. It holds an esteemed academic position and extensive influence in fields such as arts and humanities, mathematics, physics, engineering and technology, medicine, law, and business. The university is ranked 5th globally in the 2026 U.S. News Global Universities Ranking and 6th in the 2026 QS World University Rankings.

3、Program Information

1）项目时间

August 16–22, 2026

2）Program Cost

RMB 19,500. The fee includes: tuition, college dormitory accommodation (on-campus or off-campus), access to university facilities, college meals (including the formal dinner), cultural experience activities (including King's College admission and punting on the River Cam), medical and accident insurance, airport transfer service, and program service fees.

The fee does not include: international airfare, UK visa fees, other personal expenses, admission tickets to other attractions not specified, public transportation costs associated with sightseeing visits in Cambridge, meal expenses during the London excursion, and transportation costs incurred during free-time activities.

3）Course Instructor

Professor Chris Coleridge

• Associate Professor (Management Practice), Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge

• MBA, London Business School; Ph.D., London School of Economics and Political Science

• Main research interests: collaborative innovation, top management teams, networks and innovation ecosystems

• Prior to entering academia, he was an entrepreneur with many years of rich practical business experience

4）Program Content

This program is specially designed by Girton College, University of Cambridge, for students majoring in strategic management, business leadership, or business studies. The course integrates two core pillars of general management education—"Strategy" and "Leadership"—into an overarching framework suited for students of strategic management and business leadership. Rather than treating strategy as an abstract analytical exercise or simply viewing leadership as a set of interpersonal skills, the course focuses specifically on how strategic outcomes are ultimately achieved through human judgment, organizational behavior, and leadership action.

Core Curriculum and Study Arrangements

• Strategy and Leadership: Understanding strategy; reasons for differences in firm performance; leaders as decision-makers under uncertainty; cognitive biases and bounded rationality

• Opportunities, Innovation, and Entrepreneurial Judgment: Sources of innovation and opportunities; entrepreneurship and corporate strategy; effectuation and judgment-based decision-making

• Customers, Value Creation, and Strategic Choices: Products, brands, and customer engagement; product-market fit; learning from customers amid uncertainty

• Competitive Advantage, Positioning, and Power: Competitive positioning and trade-offs; economic moats and sustainability; power, influence, and internal politics

• Motivation, Incentives, and Strategy Execution: Factors behind strategy execution failure; motivation, incentives, and performance; aligning goals, structures, and rewards

• Teams, Social Networks, and Organizational Capabilities: Teams as strategic assets; psychological safety and performance; social networks and latent influence

• Growth Strategies and Leadership Enhancement: Growth strategies after product-market fit; scaling challenges and organizational evolution; adaptation of leadership styles

• Organizational Culture, Change, and Strategic Transformation: Organizational culture as a strategic asset; leading and managing change; strategic transformation of mature organizations

On-Site Visit

In addition to the core courses, the program also plans to arrange an on-site visit to the Cambridge Innovation Parks, allowing students to experience up close the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem of Cambridge. Founded in 2012, the Cambridge Innovation Parks are an essential part of the North Cambridge Cluster, consisting of the Cambridge Science Park, St John's Innovation Centre, Cambridge Business Park, and Cambridge Research Park. Their mission is to provide entrepreneurs and enterprises with rich knowledge and proprietary technology to support the creation of globally transformative companies.

Cultural Experience

Traditional Formal Dinner, visit to prestigious London universities, in-depth experience at the Fitzwilliam Museum, and exploration of the university's historic libraries.

4. Program Highlights

1) Authentic Cambridge Academics, Taught by Outstanding Faculty

The program is organized and directly managed by Girton College, University of Cambridge, ensuring high-quality teaching with outstanding faculty. Students will deeply experience the teaching model and academic atmosphere of a world-class university. Students will be granted access to Cambridge's official teaching system, Moodle, and will reside in Girton College student dormitories, ensuring safety and security. They will also enjoy access to various university resources and facilities, and participate in rich cultural experience activities guided by student assistants.

2) Immersive Cambridge Classroom, Integrating Multidimensional Management Practice

Students attend all classes at Girton College, Cambridge, listening to professional insights shared by professors from the Cambridge Judge Business School, deepening core knowledge in relevant fields. They will also conduct an on-site visit to the Cambridge Innovation Parks to personally experience Cambridge's vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, complemented by local cultural experiences in Cambridge and a one-day excursion to London, comprehensively enhancing the learning experience.

3) High-Value Outcomes

Students will receive an official program certificate and transcript issued by Girton College, University of Cambridge, helping to enhance their personal background.

5. Application Process

1) Application Requirements

Full-time registered undergraduate students of our university (all majors welcome);

Love the motherland and hold a correct concept of international exchange;

In good physical and mental health;

Abide by laws and regulations, consciously uphold the national image and the reputation of the university, and strictly follow the university's designated time for departure and return.

2) Application Procedure

The online application form must be completed in one session, and relevant supporting documents must be submitted. Therefore, applicants are advised to prepare the following application materials in advance before beginning to fill out the form:

● Personal details including contact information

● Academic information such as university and GPA

● Copies of English language certificates and scores

● Scholarship application (optional; please refer to the instructions on the first page of the application form for details)

*After submitting the online application form, it will be reviewed within one week. Following the online assessment and interview, admission notifications will be sent via email.

3）Application Deadline:

Please complete the program application before May 1.

6. Program Funding

The International Cooperation Office of the university will provide funding support for students who successfully participate in the program and complete the study visit as required by the university. The funding will be implemented in accordance with the "Management Measures for Funding Undergraduate Students of Northwestern Polytechnical University for Overseas Exchange." For the European region, the funding does not exceed RMB 10,000 per student.

Note: Each student may only receive funding support for one winter/summer vacation program within a natural year (once per natural year; if the number of funded places is exceeded, priority will be given to lower-year undergraduate students participating in the "Soaring the Four Seas" program for the first time).

Students from the School of Management may also enjoy complementary funding of RMB 5,000 per person (awarded on a merit basis). For complementary funding policies of other schools, please consult your school's foreign affairs secretary.

7. Program Consultation

Program Consultation QQ Group: 1017253033. Notices regarding the on-campus registration process will be announced in the group.

School of Management Contact: Ms. Quan

Tel: 88431129

Email: mtzquan@nwpu.edu.cn