Courses
Oxford University’s Department for Continuing Education welcomes students of all ages and backgrounds, from anywhere in the world. We offer a wide range of adult education courses: from day events, weekly classes and summer schools to part-time undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Find out more about the different course types below, or view all upcoming courses.
Open-access short courses
- Day and weekend events run in person or online, with some offered in both formats. Explore a topic in depth over one or two days with multiple speakers or hone your skills in small workshops and hands-on practical sessions.
- Weekly learning programmes are studied over one or two terms. These include courses that meet in Oxford, online courses with live-time sessions, and flexible online courses. Most of these courses are taught at undergraduate level, require coursework and may be studied for credit.
- Lecture series are a series of six weekly lectures on a given topic, providing a comprehensive introduction to your chosen subject. All are held in person in Oxford, with the majority also being livestreamed.
Oxford qualifications and professional development
- Undergraduate award courses (certificates, diplomas and advanced diplomas) are equivalent to, or taught at, first, second and third-year undergraduate level. Some have online study options and two are taught entirely online.
- Postgraduate programmes (certificates, diplomas, master's degrees and DPhils) are a great way to continue your studies and further your knowledge, progress in your career, or learn for personal enrichment. Some are taught mostly online, some are formed of short residencies in Oxford.
- Professional development programmes (CPD) include short courses and Oxford qualifications and are geared toward working professionals in many fields, including the health and medical sciences, technology, business, environment and sustainability.
Summer schools
Join us for a study holiday in Oxford – for personal enrichment, academic progression or professional development. Many summer schools can be taken for credit, while others require no coursework and are non-assessed.
Find a course for you
Our search tool allows you to search and filter based on your own preferences.
Upcoming courses
Online - live • Short courses • Lecture series • Hybrid - in person or online
Harold Wilson’s foreign policy exemplified a transition from hard to soft power, at a time when Britain was prioritising domestic affairs. This lecture looks at Wilson’s foreign policy balancing act, and his decision to seek membership of the EEC.
- Fri 22 Nov 2024
- 2:00 – 3:15pm
In-person day/weekend • Short courses
An intellectually stimulating survey of Oxford’s history, with an emphasis on economic change. Topics will include: urban origins, economic development before the University, the University’s impact, industrialisation and de-industrialisation.
- Sat 23 Nov 2024
- 9:45am – 5:30pm
In-person day/weekend • Short courses
We will take a brief look at the workings of the brain, and how psychologists describe the functions of attention, perception and memory. Explore how these processes can work to fool us, and what we have learned from dysfunction.
- Fri 29 Nov 2024
- 9:45am – 5:00pm
Online - live • Short courses • Hybrid - in person or online
Government and law present a difficult challenge for landscape archaeology. Yet, there is much that archaeology can contribute. This lecture discusses how the study of assembly places provides us with unique insights into early medieval society.
- Fri 29 Nov 2024
- 4:45 – 6:15pm
In-person day/weekend • Short courses
Christmas is coming. Think knights, banquets, carols and a massive Green man with an axe. Join us for a multidisciplinary feast of medieval merriment. We shall explore literary texts alongside historical accounts of the practice of feasting.
- Sat 30 Nov 2024
- 9:45am – 5:00pm
Flexible, short online courses
Flexible and accredited tutor-led online courses of 10 weeks. Study whenever it suits you, from anywhere in the world.Weekly 'live-time' classes
Classes which meet once per week either online or in Oxford. Most require coursework and are assessed.Lecture series
Weekly lectures on a given topic. All can be enjoyed in person at Rewley House, with the majority also being livestreamed – so you can choose to attend online or in Oxford.Day and Weekend Events
Join us in Oxford or online to explore a topic in depth over one or two days with multiple speakers or extend your knowledge over several weeks with a lecture series.Summer schools in Oxford
Study with us this summer in Oxford – for personal enrichment, academic progression or professional development. Explore a favourite topic while you discover the world’s most famous university city.Continuing professional development
Professional development (CPD) with Oxford University. From short courses and training in Oxford and online to flexible graduate programmes and bespoke courses.Gain an Oxford qualification
Requiring one or more years of part-time study, these courses lead to an award from the University of Oxford.Open events and information sessions
Oxford Continuing Education hosts day events, open evenings and afternoons and lectures aimed at new students.