History including local and social history
Journey back through history and uncover the secrets of our past
Short courses for adult learners
Whether you're eager to explore a new interest or delve deeper into a historical time period, our short courses are designed for adult learners seeking intellectual enrichment. Taught in person or online, with some courses offered in both formats, so you can choose the study option that best suits you.
► View all short courses in history
► Ways to study: how our short courses work
More interested in ancient history? Take a look at our short courses in archaeology, ancient history and anthropology.
Part-time Oxford University qualifications
Explore the curious, the mysterious or the perplexing with a part-time undergraduate or postgraduate programme. Exchange ideas and develop questions with a group of like-minded peers sharing experience and knowledge in a range of historical contexts.
Part-time qualifications in history
Part-time qualifications in history
Our part-time undergraduate courses and postgraduate degree programmes in history are designed for adult learners with busy lives
Part-time qualifications in local history
Part-time qualifications in local history
Our part-time local and social history courses concentrate on cultural and social aspects of history and on different strata of society.
Upcoming courses
- Wed 08 Jan 2025 – 21 Mar 2025
- Wed 08 Jan 2025 – 21 Mar 2025
- Mon 13 Jan 2025 – 28 Mar 2025
- Wed 15 Jan 2025 – 28 Mar 2025
- Mon 20 Jan 2025 – Mon 24 Mar 2025
- 10 meetings
- 11:00am – 1:00pm
Part-time Oxford qualifications
Undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in history and local history.
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 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 Diploma in English Social and Local History
A part-time modular course lasting two years, which covers English society from the early medieval period to the late twentieth century.Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Local History
Advance your skills and methodology in researching local, regional and social history with this one-year, part-time online advanced diploma. Taught completely online, the course is taught at third-year undergraduate level.Postgraduate Certificate in Historical Studies
The Postgraduate Certificate in Historical Studies offers an exciting opening for graduates of all disciplines to pursue a taught postgraduate qualification in historical studies.MSt in Historical Studies
One-year part-time course combining focused study of key historical themes and concepts in British and Western European history.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.MSc in English Local History
The MSc programme draws on knowledge and skills acquired in many years of providing specialist classes in local history.DPhil in English Local History
Drawing on knowledge and skills acquired in many years of providing specialist classes in local history.