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 short online courses (live and flexible), weekly classes in Oxford, 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 and great your own bespoke Oxford University qualification
- 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
Summer schools • Short courses
Explore the detective fiction of Agatha Christie, examining her two most famous detectives: Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. We’ll look at the historical contexts and narrative structures of some of Christie’s most successful whodunits.
- Sun 20 Jul 2025 – 26 Jul 2025
Summer schools • Short courses
Try your hand at four distinct types of short-form writing – micro-memoir, flash fiction, short creative non-fiction and prose poetry – and discover how each of them can benefit your writing life.
- Sun 20 Jul 2025 – 26 Jul 2025
Summer schools • Short courses
Flash fiction is a complete story told in 1000 words or fewer. Join us for a week of writing, experimenting and honing your writerly craft – and discover why flash fiction is the ideal form for beginners and seasoned writers alike.
- Sun 27 Jul 2025 – 02 Aug 2025
Online - flexible • Short courses
A practical course covering all aspects of novel writing from character creation and story development to final edit.
- Mon 08 Sep 2025 – 21 Nov 2025
Online - flexible • Short courses
Every day we meet people with interesting life stories. Our lives are made up of tragic, uplifting and humorous experiences which shape us as individuals. We love, fight, apologise, account for and endure through whatever comes our way.
- Mon 08 Sep 2025 – 21 Nov 2025
Online - flexible • Short courses
Some of the great writers of the Victorian period were women. Find out how they portrayed women's issues and lives in such compelling fiction.
- Mon 08 Sep 2025 – 21 Nov 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.