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
In-person day/weekend • Short courses
Chipping Norton (Oxon) is a Cotswolds market town with a rich history, recently the subject of a major study by the Victoria County History. This day provides an overview of the latest research on the town’s archaeology, history and historic buildings.
- Sat 16 Nov 2024
- 9:45am – 5:15pm
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
Online - live • Short courses • Professional development
This online course will provide you with a thorough introduction to finance, financial markets and how financial markets interact with the wider economy.
- Tue 26 Nov 2024 – 06 Dec 2024
- 4 meetings
- 19:00 - 20:30 (UK time)
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