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 can be enjoyed online via a livestream, most can be attended in person in Oxford.
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
In-person weekly • Short courses
Deepen your knowledge and appreciation of Shakespeare's tragedies with this in-person weekly class. We shall study Richard II, Hamlet, Othello and King Lear.
- Tue 03 Oct 2023 – Tue 05 Dec 2023
- 10 meetings
- 10:30am – 12:30pm
In-person weekly • Short courses
Discover Earth's origin, its chemical composition, continents and oceans, mountains, earthquakes, volcanoes, the history of life, climate change, energy resources, species diversity and natural disasters: geological science explains all these and more.
- Wed 04 Oct 2023 – Wed 06 Dec 2023
- 10 meetings
- 7:00 – 9:00pm
In-person day/weekend • Short courses
Providing an overview of the impacts of the technological revolution on international security. We will explore cyber-espionage, cyber-warfare and cyber-terrorism. For those with an interest in the field of cyber security.
- Sat 07 Oct 2023
- 9:45am – 5:00pm
In-person day/weekend • Short courses
An introduction to the dramatic story of volcanoes, mountains, seas, ice and other environments that have come and gone during three billion years of Britain’s history. Look at geological specimens in the teaching room and bring in your own.
- Sun 08 Oct 2023
- 9:15am – 5:15pm
Online - live • Short courses • Hybrid - in person or online
Discover how historical events, myths and stories from the ancient world have inspired artists through an investigation of a variety of works from the ancient world to the present day. Watch online or in person at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts.
- Mon 09 Oct 2023
- 10:00am – 4:00pm
Open events
We hold open events and info sessions for a number of our award-bearing programmes. Each session is free and all are invited to attend.
Continuing Education news
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Flexible, short online courses
Flexible and accredited tutor-led online courses of 5, 10 or 20 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 online via a livestream, with the majority being offered in a hybrid format – so you can choose to attend online or in Oxford.Day schools 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.