Digital Transformation Summer School
Join our five-day summer school for a unique chance to enhance your skills and stay ahead in the digital world. Perfect for busy professionals from any background.
About the programme
This five-day summer school is a unique development opportunity designed for busy professionals from any type of educational background who aim to stay up-to-date and develop their professional skills in the fast-paced digital world.
This course is designed for everyone, regardless of your background in business or technology. The curriculum includes a wide range of sessions that address both technical and business topics, ensuring that all participants benefit from the programme and from collaboration in mixed-background groups.
2025 Theme: Leadership and Innovation in the Age of AI
We have brought together a combination of informative sessions and workshops delivered by world-class experts from the School of Computer Science and Informatics and Cardiff Business School. The sessions will provide valuable perspectives on current trends in Digital Transformation, discuss the role of all-pervasive AI and future directions in technology.
The topics covered in the programme include:
- technology leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship
- responsible innovation and ethics of AI
- cybersecurity and privacy in the AI era
- continuous improvement and its role in the tech-driven world
- AI and its diverse applications in research and business (the Art of Possible)
- digital marketing
- enhancing your productivity with AI
Unique networking opportunities
This summer school will offer a remarkable opportunity to connect with like-minded leaders and future leaders. Our carefully curated programme of activities will include multiple opportunities for meaningful interactions with other participants, exchange of ideas among attendees and for professional network building with experts from the UK and from across the globe. These valuable interactions will enrich your understanding of global tech and innovation challenges.
Who it is for
This summer school is ideal for aspiring young professionals from industry and academia in the early stages of their career:
- early career practitioners and academics (with under 5 years of experience)
- master’s and PhD students from any field of study
- individuals aiming to transition into leadership roles
The summer school agenda includes interactive sessions with aspiring innovators from Wales and with experienced tech entrepreneurs who will share their practical experience with the participants and offer insights into the specifics of innovation and leadership in the tech sector in the UK. These sessions will allow you to see first-hand how theoretical concepts and innovative ideas are converted into profitable businesses under the guidance of seasoned professionals.
If you would like to discuss a group booking, please email us to discuss options.
This programme is delivered in English and all associated course materials are in English. Although you do not need a set English language test (e.g. IELTS) level, we strongly recommend those who are confident in the English language abilities apply to take part in the Summer School.
Dates and important information
Programme dates: 23-27 June 2025
Fee: £2,800
Applications open: 27 March 2025
Important: do not make any travel/visa preparations until your application has been accepted and you have made payment. Not all applicants will be successful.
Applications close: 21 April 2025
We will inform successful applicants on 2 May 2025.
How to apply
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exclusive programme designed to unlock your full potential. Spaces are extremely limited and we expect the programme to be very popular.
- to begin your application process, please email train@cardiff.ac.uk, and we will send your application materials.
- we will inform successful applicants on 2 May 2025.
- do not make any travel/visa preparations before this date because not all applicants will be successful.
- if you are offered a place on the programme, we will ask you to complete payment online.
Your place is not confirmed until payment has been received.
What is included
Your fee includes the five day programme tuition, daily refreshments during the programme (and lunch on teaching days only), learning materials, company visits, official social and cultural activities and excursions. Also included are a formal dinner and award ceremony with certificate presentation.
A typical day during the Digital Transformation Summer School programme will include interactive seminars from a multi-disciplinary group of world-class academics from the School of Computer Science and Informatics and Cardiff Business School with input from data scientists from the Digital Transformation Innovation Institute and from industry experts who will offer talks and workshops in their areas of expertise.
As well as the formal programme, you will also enjoy informal social and cultural activities to allow you to explore the vibrant capital city of Cardiff and better understand its unique culture and history.
Flights, transfers, accommodation, and food/drinks other than those stated above are not included in the fee. You will need to arrange your own transport and accommodation, as well as visas (as applicable) and insurances.
After the programme you will receive a certificate of completion, which you add to your CV.
Accommodation in Cardiff
Cardiff has a wide range of places to stay, from hotels and bed & breakfasts to ‘Airbnb’ type holiday let accommodation. Situating yourself in Cardiff city centre or Cathays area of Cardiff will provide an excellent base for easy access to the Cardiff University campus.
Our team will be happy to share accommodation options with you, once your place on the course has been confirmed.
What to pack
You will need to bring a laptop computer capable of connecting to Cardiff University Wifi. We recommend bringing summer clothing, along with a jumper and lightweight raincoat, and some comfortable footwear.
Apply now to secure your spot and take the first step toward transforming your future.
Cardiff - the capital city of Wales
Cardiff is a safe, welcoming city with a population of around 350,000 people. It was one of the UK’s first multi-cultural cities and an estimated 94 languages are spoken here. Read more about why people love living in and visiting Cardiff below.
During your free time you may wish to explore the wide range of attractions, relax in one of the beautiful green spaces, or discover the many shops, cafes, and restaurants Cardiff has to offer (which include many excellent vegetarian and halal options).
In the summer months (June-August), daylight hours in Cardiff are approximately 06:00 – 21:00, leaving you plenty of time to explore the city in the evening sunshine.
Cardiff is a compact and friendly city with a remarkable castle, museums and galleries with some of the finest art collections in Europe, and a huge stadium right in the centre of the city that hosts major sporting, music and entertainment events.
Cardiff has been recognised as one of the friendliest cities in the UK (Condé Nast, 2023), described as a beacon of warmth and excitement.
As well as an academic hub with thousands of international students from every part of the world, it is a city that embraces everyone and has become a prime location for international professionals and business.
You’ll find people helpful and friendly, and we encourage you to mix with the community in Cardiff as much as possible during your stay.
Travelling to and from Cardiff
Cardiff has an international airport nearby, which is a short taxi ride away. Other airports include Bristol and London Heathrow, both with trains running into Cardiff.
Cardiff is easily accessible by train, with a large train station in the City Centre, and Cathays train station, which takes you into the heart of the University campus.
Regular coaches operate from Cardiff University campus to cities such as London, Bath and Oxford.
As a compact city, Cardiff is easy navigate on foot or by taxi.
The programme team
Lead academic
Dr Cherdantseva leads the Digital Transformation Innovation Institute (DTII), one of Cardiff University’s strategic innovation units. She is also a co-director of the Hartree Centre Cardiff Hub, an initiative funded by STFC, dedicated to providing essential support for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in adopting artificial intelligence technologies.
CPD Unit
The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Unit team will organise this programme, and administer bookings and payments.
Jessica Gasson and Phil Swan will be your main contacts during the programme, and will also organise pastoral care.
Our friendly team will be on hand every day throughout the duration of your stay in Cardiff. Whether you’d like recommendations and suggestions for how to spend your free time in Cardiff, or you have questions about the formal programme, we’ll be happy to help you make the most of your time with us.
Our team act as a gateway to the university, helping you to make connections and access any support you might need.
Dr Phil Swan
Business Development Manager - College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
- swanp1@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2087 4638
Digital Transformation Innovation Institute
We focus on real-world, applicable solutions that are driven by collaboration and partnership, to ensure that we deliver research with impact so that new digital processes are designed, deployed, and adopted in ways that are transparent, inclusive and with security at their core.
We have the vision of delivering co-designed solutions that enable new and disruptive capabilities by converging technologies, people and digital infrastructures. We are committed to the delivery of solutions that are responsibly developed and implemented, co-created with those that are most likely to be affected by these developments.
We are excited to invite young, enthusiastic professionals to our summer school at Cardiff University, where we have designed a unique programme tailored for those passionate about digital technology and its impact on society. This five-day intensive course will provide an invaluable opportunity to learn from leading academics and industry practitioners about the latest trends in technology and innovation. Participating in this programme will undoubtedly enhance your career trajectory and equip you with essential, cutting-edge skills for the future.
Contact us
If you would like more information about the Digital Transformation Summer School, Cardiff University or what it's like to spend time in our beautiful capital city, contact our friendly team: