History including local and social history
Enrich and extend your knowledge
Short courses for adult learners
Explore a new topic or revisit a favourite subject over the course of a few days, a few weeks or a term. Our short courses run in person or online, with some offered in both formats – so you can choose the study option best for you.
- View all short courses in history (including local and social)
- Ways to study: how our short courses work
Many of our short courses, including flexible online courses, weekly classes (both in Oxford and online) and some summer schools, can be studied for credit, which means they can count towards a recognised qualification such as our Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education.
Interested in ancient history? Then take a look at our courses in archaeology, ancient history and anthropology.
Part-time Oxford University qualifications
From undergraduate level study to advanced graduate courses.
Upcoming courses
Online - flexible • Short courses
This course examines the rise and fall of the British Empire and its manifold legacies in Britain and beyond.
- Mon 12 Sep 2022 – 25 Nov 2022
Online - flexible • Short courses
Sir Winston Churchill, regarded as one of Britain's greatest statesmen, still provokes controversy and debate. The aim of this course is to study his life in detail, assess his successes and failures and to gain some insights into the complex personality.
- Wed 14 Sep 2022 – 25 Nov 2022
Online - flexible • Short courses
The civil wars that swept across the British Isles in the 17th century left few lives untouched. This course will explore the causes, conduct and significance of the English civil wars.
- Mon 19 Sep 2022 – 02 Dec 2022
Online - flexible • Short courses
The reign of Henry VIII transformed British history. This course charts the political, religious and cultural changes of the period.
- Mon 19 Sep 2022 – 02 Dec 2022
Online - flexible • Short courses
The recent discovery of Richard III's remains in Leicester highlights the dynamic new research being conducted into the period known as the Wars of the Roses. This course asks students to engage with the latest work on this exciting and tumultuous period.
- Mon 19 Sep 2022 – 02 Dec 2022
Award programmes
Part-time awards and graduate degrees in history and local history
Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education
A flexible, part-time route to an Oxford University qualification. Gain credit from flexible short online courses, weekly classes, and the Oxford University Summer School for Adults. Explore a wide range of subjects in this multidisciplinary programme.Foundation Certificate in History
The two-year part-time Foundation Certificate in History introduces key historical periods and is equivalent to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree in History at Oxford University.Undergraduate Diploma in English Social and Local History
A part-time modular course lasting two years, which covers English society from the early medieval period to the late twentieth century. Taught mainly through residential weekends, the course makes excellent use of Oxford’s historical resources.Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Local History (Online)
Advance your skills and methodology in researching local, regional and social history with this one-year, part-time online advanced diploma. Taught completely online, the course is taught at third-year undergraduate level.Postgraduate Certificate in Historical Studies
A taught postgraduate qualification in Historical Studies.MSt in Historical Studies
One-year part-time course combining focused study of key historical themes and concepts in British and Western European history.MSt in Literature and Arts (MLA)
An interdisciplinary programme which encompasses literature, history, art, architectural history, political thought and the history of ideas. Designed around 3 sequential periods of British history, from Early Modern to the early 20th century.MSc in English Local History
The MSc programme draws on knowledge and skills acquired in many years of providing specialist classes in local history.DPhil in English Local History
Drawing on knowledge and skills acquired in many years of providing specialist classes in local history.