Literature, creative writing and film studies
Develop your own creativity and examine that of others
Join us for a short course – in Oxford or online
Start (or finish) your own novel, poem or play; produce critical analyses of classic and contemporary literature; or explore the cinematic works of a country, genre or director.
- View all short courses in literature, creative writing and film
- Ways to study: how our short courses work
Gain credit from short courses
Many of our short courses, including weekly learning programmes (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.
Part-time Oxford University qualifications
From undergraduate level study to advanced postgraduate courses.
- Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education (gain credit from short courses)
- Undergraduate Certificate in English Literature (choose from two study options including one mostly online)
- Undergraduate Diploma in Creative Writing (choose from two study options including one mostly online)
- MSt in Creative Writing (formed of short residencies and a research placement)
- MSt in Literature and Arts (formed of online modules and short residencies)
- DPhil in Literature and Arts
Upcoming courses
In-person day/weekend • Short courses
Acclaimed as a wunderkind of theatre and radio, Welles was seemingly destined to dominate 1940s Hollywood. By analysing key movies such as Citizen Kane, The Magnificent Ambersons and The Lady of Shanghai, we will chart his fascinating fall from grace.
- Sat 29 Mar 2025
- 10:15am – 5:30pm
In-person day/weekend • Short courses
Gain an appreciation and understanding of the exciting contemporary literary and visual cultures of the geographically, culturally and linguistically diverse region of Southern Africa. Many different forms of cultural production will be discussed.
- Sat 12 Apr 2025
- 9:45am – 5:00pm
In-person weekly • Short courses
Best known for The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer's earlier work takes us to the fantastical worlds of dream vision and philosophical romance. We’ll explore 'The Book of the Duchess', 'The House of Fame', 'The Parliament of Fowls' and 'Troilus and Criseyde'.
- Tue 22 Apr 2025 – Tue 24 Jun 2025
- 10 meetings
- 7:00 – 9:00pm
Online - live • Short courses
Writing flash fiction brings benefits to writers of all stripes. In this hands-on workshop, we'll be writing each week, discussing our work, and developing new skills in brevity, language and form.
- Tue 22 Apr 2025 – 24 Jun 2025
- 10 meetings
- 7:00 – 8:00pm
In-person weekly • Short courses
This course introduces the work of the major Hollywood director Otto Preminger, offering critical approaches to understanding his film style across a range of genres and his place within debates about film authorship
- Tue 22 Apr 2025 – Tue 24 Jun 2025
- 10 meetings
- 7:00 – 9:00pm
Online - flexible • Short courses
A practical course covering all aspects of novel writing from character creation and story development to final edit.
- Wed 23 Apr 2025 – 04 Jul 2025
Part-time qualifications
Part-time undergraduate and postgradute programmes.
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.Undergraduate Certificate in English Literature
A two-year part-time course, equivalent to the first year of a full-time undergraduate English degree. Two study options are available, including a mostly online option.Undergraduate Diploma in Creative Writing
For aspiring writers, the Diploma offers involvement in a wide range of literary projects over two years of focused part-time study. Two study options are available including an online option with a summer school in Oxford.MSt in Creative Writing
A two-year, part-time master's offering a unique combination of high contact hours, genre specialization, and critical and creative breadth.MSt in Literature and Arts
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.