Oxford qualifications > qualification types

Undergraduate awards

Undergraduate awards offered by the department are certificates, foundation certificates, diplomas and advanced diplomas.

Undergraduate awards: Certificates and Foundation Certificates.

• Undergraduate Certificates are part-time courses specifically designed for adult students who have little or no previous experience of the certificate subject. Weekday and occasional weekend teaching sessions are provided by University teaching staff as well as by known subject-area authorities. The syllabus and teaching of courses are aimed at first-year undergraduate level. Students are eligible for the award of 60 transferable credit (CATS) points on successful completion of a one-year module (FHEQ Level 4). An Undergraduate Certificate (120 CATS points) will be awarded to each student on completion of the two modules of the course within two years . Credit points may be transferred to the Open University, modular universities such as Oxford Brookes University, and other institutions of higher Education. No formal academic qualifications are required for entry, but offers of places will be based on evidence of motivation, an awareness of the time commitment and the suitability of the level of study.
  
  The Department offers Undergraduate Certificates in Archaeology, History of Art, Theological and Religious Studies and the Certificate of Higher Education.
• Foundation Certificates are part-time courses of study equivalent to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree. Successful candidates are mature individuals who can show, both in their application and at interview, strong motivation and a prior interest in the subject. Courses are intensive and intellectually challenging; students devote at least 12 hours a week to private study. Students who complete the course successfully will be awarded an Oxford University Foundation Certificate in English Literature, equivalent to 120 CATS points at undergraduate first-year level (FHEQ Level 4). These credit points are recognised widely in terms of credit for transfer to other Higher Education institutions, including the Open University and modular universities such as Oxford Brookes University.
  
  The Department offers foundation certificates in Modern History and English Literature.

Undergraduate Awards: Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas

• Diplomas are part-time, modular course, lasting two years. The syllabus and teaching of courses are aimed at second year undergraduate level. Diploma courses offer an opportunity to learn from tutors specially chosen for their expertise in particular subjects. Guidance from a tutor and regular contact with fellow students within the context of a small, friendly and supportive group are especially important features. No formal qualifications are required.
  
  Undergraduate Diplomas are available in the following subjects: British Archaeology, Creative Writing, Envionmental Conservation, History of Art and Local History.
• Undergraduate Advanced Diplomas can be either part time or full time, last for one or two years and are taught at the level of the third year at a university in the UK. The Department offers advanced diplomas in British and European Studies, Data and Systems Analysis, Environmental Conservation and Local History.

Postgraduate awards

Postgraduate qualifications offered by the Department are Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters of Science (MSc), Masters of Studies (MSt), and DPhils.

Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas are typically one to two year part-time courses, flexibly structured. Postgraduate Certificates can act as a precursor to further academic study, and as an enhancement to one's professional qualifications.

• Postgraduate Certificates are offered in Archaeology, Architectural History, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Diplomatic Studies, Ecological Survey Techniques, Evidence-Based Health Care, Health Research, Historical Studies, Psychodynamic Counselling and Nanotechnology.
• Postgraduate Diplomas are offered in Advanced Cognitive Therapy Studies, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Diplomatic Studies, Evidence-Based Health Care, Health Research, International Wildlife Conservation Practice, Mathematical Finance, Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Psychodynamic Practice.

Master of Science (MSc) by coursework
These degrees are generally offered in Science or Social Science subjects and typically require students to undertake one, two or more years of study. The exact composition of the course will vary according to the programme of study, but will often comprise a range of core and optional modules, supported by teaching in the form of lectures and seminars. Assessment is by a combination of course assignments (in many cases including a dissertation of around 10,000–15,000 words) and written examinations.

• The Department offers MSc degrees in Advanced Cognitive Therapy Studies, Applied Landscape Archaeology, English Local History, Evidence-Based Health Care, Experimental Therapeutics, Mathematical Finance, Surgical Science and Practice and Sustainable Urban Development.

Master of Studies (MSt)
Students are normally required to undertake three terms of study followed by an examination. The exact composition will vary according to the programme of study, but will usually involve a range of core and optional courses often including research methods and the submission of a dissertation of 10,000–15,000 words. Study is supported by seminars and lectures. Assessment may be by coursework as well as by examination papers and dissertation. Some course elements may be common with Master of Philosophy (MPhil) programmes and it is possible in some cases to progress subsequently to either the MPhil or DPhil.

• MSt degrees available through the Department include Creative Writing, Diplomatic Studies, History of Design, International Human Rights Law, Literature and Arts, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Psychodynamic Practice.

Research Degrees: DPhil
A DPhil is the Oxford term for a PhD. It is an advanced research degree awarded on the basis of a thesis and an oral examination (assessment of other work is not taken into consideration). Examiners must be satisfied that the thesis represents a significant and substantial piece of research, is conveyed in a lucid and scholarly manner and that the candidate has a good general knowledge of the field of their thesis. It is expected that the thesis will be submitted three or, at most, four years from the date of admission.

• The DPhil degrees offered by the Department are in Archaeology, Architectural History, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, English Local History and Evidence-Based Health Care.

Beyond these established programmes, we are able to recruit exceptionally well qualified research students in subject areas where we feel able to offer appropriate supervision and where we can identify suitable facilities and resources for candidates. In recent years, for example, we have recruited candidates wishing to work in the areas of Sustainable Urban Development and Psychodynamic Counselling. These DPhil degrees are also offered on a part-time basis over a six to eight year period, but can be completed in a minimum of four years. Informal enquires should be directed to the Graduate Studies Assistant, Phil Barber, on gsa@conted.ox.ac.uk in the first instance.