Undergraduate certificates
Our part-time undergraduate certificates are equivalent to, or taught at, first-year undergraduate level.
Certificates are offered in:
- English Literature (two study options available, inluding a mostly-online pathway)
- History
- Archaeology
- History of Art
- Theological Studies
As well as these we also offer the Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education. With this flexible programme you gain credit from taking short courses and attending the Oxford University Summer School for Adults (OUSSA). You study a main subject discipline, but also undertake study in other academic subjects.
How you study
All of our courses are taught on a part-time basis which means that many of our students study alongside work and family commitments. The majority meet weekly and are taught in Oxford. Other courses are taught with online components and with short residencies in Oxford.
Credit
The syllabus and teaching of these award courses are aimed at first-year undergraduate level and students are eligible for the award of 60 transferable CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme) points at FHEQ Level 4 on successful completion of each year. On completion of two years, 120 CATS points will be awarded. They are therefore equivalent to the first year of full-time study.
Find out more about CATS points
Credit transfer scheme
The Department does not offer undergraduate degrees, but students who obtain a Certificate may, if they wish, apply to transfer the credit to another academic institution, such as the Open University, modular universities such as Oxford Brookes University, and other institutions of higher eduction. Please note that successfully completing a course does not give you automatic right of entry to any institution, the transfer-in of credit is always at the receiving institution's discretion.
Opportunities vary for the transfer of credit, so students who are considering taking this course in order to transfer credit are advised to discuss the possibilities before applying. Please contact Student Support on +44 (0)1865 280355 or student.support@conted.ox.ac.uk.
Alternatively, students who complete a Certificate and who wish to continue study in their main subject area may be interested in applying for other award-bearing courses within the Department for Continuing Education. The Department offers a number of Diplomas at undergraduate level.
Courses
Undergraduate Certificate in English Literature
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 Certificate in History
Undergraduate Certificate in History
The two-year part-time Undergraduate 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 Certificate of Higher Education
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 Archaeology
Undergraduate Certificate in Archaeology
An introductory part-time undergraduate course for adults with little or no previous experience of academic archaeology. Taught at first-year undergraduate level, this two-year course introduces ideas, approaches, sites and methods.
Undergraduate Certificate in the History of Art
Undergraduate Certificate in the History of Art
The part-time Certificate in the History of Art teaches students about the production and provenance of works of art in museums, as well as key skills such as how to view and describe works of art.
Theological Studies
Theological Studies
Bachelor of Theology, Undergraduate Certificate in Theological Studies, and Undergraduate Diploma in Theological Studies. Together these three courses constitute a coherent programme of studies. All three may be studied either full-time or part-time.
Student spotlights
Discover how others have used their Oxford undergraduate certificate for further study, career progression or personal enrichment.