Open-access short courses

Part-time learning at Oxford University – online and in Oxford

Start your learning journey at Oxford Continuing Education, at any time of life! You’ll join a highly diverse learning community: students of all ages, from all backgrounds and from all over the world. 

Learn more about the different types of courses we offer below.

  • Day and weekend events run in person or online, with some offered in both formats. Explore a topic in depth over one or two days with multiple speakers or hone your skills in small workshops and hands-on practical sessions.
  • Weekly learning programmes are studied over one or two terms. These include courses that meet in Oxford, online courses with live-time sessions, and flexible online courses. Most of these courses are taught at undergraduate level, require coursework and may be studied for credit.
  • Lecture series are a series of six weekly lectures on a given topic, providing a comprehensive introduction to your chosen subject. All are held in person in Oxford, with the majority also being livestreamed.
  • Summer schools: Join us in Oxford for personal enrichment, academic progression or professional development. Many summer schools can be taken for credit; others require no coursework, and are non-assessed.

Upcoming courses

Online - live • Short courses • Hybrid - in person or online
  • Sat 22 Feb 2025
  • 9:45am – 5:00pm
Online - live • Short courses • Professional development
  • Mon 24 Feb 2025 – 07 Mar 2025
  • 4 meetings
  • 7.00pm - 8.30pm (UK time)
Online - live • Short courses • Lecture series • Hybrid - in person or online
  • Wed 26 Feb 2025
  • 2:00 – 3:15pm
In-person weekly • Short courses
  • Thu 27 Feb 2025 – Thu 27 Mar 2025
  • 5 meetings
  • 1:30 – 3:30pm
In-person day/weekend • Short courses • Lecture series
  • Fri 28 Feb 2025
  • 11:00am – 12:15pm
In-person day/weekend • Short courses
  • Sat 01 Mar 2025
  • 9:45am – 5:00pm