Aurora Development Programme
Aurora is Advance HE's leadership development initiative for women. It is run as a unique partnership bringing together leadership experts and higher education institutions to take positive action to address the under-representation of women in leadership positions in the sector.
While most leadership programmes are aimed at leaders and managers already in role, Aurora is designed to enable a wide range of women, in academic and professional roles in higher education, to engage with leadership development at an earlier stage in their careers.
Who is eligible for Aurora?
Aurora is for women, up to senior lecturer level or the professional services equivalent, who would like to develop and explore issues relating to leadership roles and responsibilities. Participants should have the endorsement of their institution (either through their Aurora Champion, People & Organisational Development (P&OD) department or line manager) and be committed to developing and enhancing their career.
Before you apply
As the process of applying has changed we recommend reading our FAQs and the overview of the new application process before you get started.
Additionally as there is a cost and time commitment involved in Aurora we recommend speaking with your line manager before beginning the process of applying.
Read about the new application process
Read more about the Aurora programme content
Read more about the development days and Action Learning Sets
We also recommend you view the cohort dates to ensure you can attend the sessions which are held both virtually and in person. The cohort dates also contain price information.
Before beginning the Aurora programme (successful applicants only)
Colleagues who are successful in securing a place on the Aurora programme will be required to finalise their application via the My Advance HE online portal. If you have not set up an account you can do so via the link:
Successful applicants will also be required to engage with a mentor during the programme. Some participants have an existing relationship with a mentor which they continue with during Aurora, while others establish a new relationship through their line manager, their own network or using the University's Mentoring Portal.
*NEW* Aurora Application Process
Previously colleagues could secure permission and/or funding from their department and book onto Aurora directly with AdvanceHE.
Due to increased demand for the programme the University requires clearer oversight of application numbers in order to better manage each cohort and ensure a high quality of service. Therefore from 2024 University of Glasgow applicants will complete a short online form within a designated window to register their interest, prior to finalising an application through the AdvanceHE portal.
Once submitted by the applicant, the line manager (or other specified individual) will be alerted to review the application automatically and then submit it to College/US People & Organisational Development (P&OD).
Once the application window closes in August (and subject to numbers), P&OD will collate applications in partnership with local areas and write to all applicants to confirm the status of their place on the programme.
A diagram of the process can be viewed in the image within this section and more detail can be found in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Access Aurora FAQs
Apply for a place on Aurora
The application window has not yet opened for the 2024-2025 cohort.
We expect this to open at the start of July 2024.
You can add your email address to our list to be alerted when the application window opens: