How our short courses work
Join us online or in Oxford
Ways to study with Oxford Continuing Education
Explore a new topic or revisit a favourite subject over a few days, a few weeks or a term. Our short courses run in person or online, with some offered in both formats – so you can choose the study option best for you.
- ‘Online – live’ courses are taught completely online and have scheduled, live-time meetings to attend. Live-time discussions and Q&A take place via an online platform. Additionally, some ‘online – live’ weekly courses have prerecorded lectures to enjoy. Courses include day events, weekend schools, lecture series and weekly classes.
- ‘Online – flexible’ courses are taught fully online but have no live-time meetings – so you can study when it suits you at any time of the day or night. Teaching takes place in a virtual learning environment, with students and tutors interacting in online text-based forums. The forums are not live and students can add their comments at any time.
- In-person events require attendance in Oxford and have no online components. These include weekly classes, day events and weekend schools.
- Hybrid teaching events are livestreamed from Oxford and include lecture series, day events and weekend schools. You can choose to join either in person or online.
Upcoming courses
Online - live • Short courses • Professional development
This advanced workplace psychology course builds emotional intelligence for business success, helping you improve self-awareness, manage relationships, and develop the confidence and resilience to thrive in fast-paced environments.
- Tue 06 May 2025 – 09 May 2025
- 4 meetings
- 11:00-12:30 (UK time)
In-person day/weekend • Short courses • Professional development
This course aims to give participants an understanding of traditional construction and its defects, and to provide the skills to carry out balanced and informed surveys of historic buildings.
- Tue 06 May 2025 – 08 May 2025
- 3 meetings
- 9.00am Tues - 5.00pm Thurs
In-person weekly • Short courses
Develop a practical understanding of geological landscapes in Oxfordshire and adjacent counties. See the rock outcrops and learn techniques for geological fieldwork by visiting geological localities within driving distance of Oxford.
- Tue 06 May 2025 – Tue 10 Jun 2025
- 6 meetings
- 10:30am – 12:30pm
Online - flexible • Short courses
This course introduces you to Old English literature: from tales of heroism, courage and fellowship, to poignant elegies of love and loss.
- Wed 07 May 2025 – 18 Jul 2025
Online - flexible • Short courses
How old is the universe? How unusual is the Solar System? How will it all end? Oxford astronomers Chris Lintott and Robert Simpson provide an overview of the last 13.7 billion years of cosmic evolution, answering these questions and more.
- Wed 07 May 2025 – 18 Jul 2025
Online - flexible • Short courses
The reign of Henry VIII transformed British history. This course charts the political, religious and cultural changes of the period.
- Wed 07 May 2025 – 18 Jul 2025
Day and weekend events
Join us in Oxford or online to explore a topic in depth over one or two days with multiple speakers or extend your knowledge over several weeks with a lecture series.Lecture series
Weekly lectures on a given topic. All can be enjoyed in person at Rewley House, with the majority also being livestreamed – so you can choose to attend online or in Oxford.Weekly learning
Study with Oxford on a weekly schedule over one or two terms. Choose from courses that meet in-person in Oxford, online courses with live-time sessions and flexible online courses.