Leadership and Personal Development Programmes

A series of Leadership and Personal Development Programmes at Durham University since 2008.

Organisation Overview

Durham University is one of the oldest established universities in the UK. The Business School is one of an elite group of business schools in the UK to hold triple accreditation: AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS. The School is an internationally renowned research-led institution with a network of over 13,000 alumni from more than 100 countries and offers a range of acclaimed programmes.

Our Approach

First Ascent provides leadership programmes to university staff and students on the MBA/MA/MSc programmes.

The three-day residential student programme equips students with essential personal awareness, team working and leadership skills, as they embark on their MBA.

The programme includes Emergenetics profiles for each student and a range of team challenge situations to enhance individual and collective leadership skills.

This learning is embedded through supporting sessions on a range of leadership skills that run throughout the academic year. All students also have access to ongoing mentoring and access to Foundation events. First Ascent also provides behavioural skills training to the MA/MSc programme.

First Ascent delivers leadership development training to staff at Durham University covering a range of topics, including managing change and leading high performance teams.

Impact and ROI

Every year, the programmes receive exceptional feedback and are remembered by students as one of their high points during their time at Durham.


Client Quote

“First Ascent are an absolute pleasure to do business with. Their focus on the customer is second to none. Nothing is ever too much trouble. Our students really appreciate the real-life leadership experience that the facilitators bring, alongside the high energy, experiential delivery style.”

Marcia Hoynes, Career Development Manager, Durham University Business School

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