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
Short intensive • Short courses • Professional development
This five-day course provides a thorough overview of the exciting and emerging discipline of nanomedicine, which is already starting to transform the way that medical and health care solutions are developed and delivered.
- Mon 24 Mar 2025 – 28 Mar 2025
Online - live • Short courses • Hybrid - in person or online
Introducing a wide variety of different election forecasting methods for UK general elections. As well as pre-election forecasts, the day will cover exit poll methodology and seat prediction from early constituency results.
- Sat 29 Mar 2025
- 1:45 – 5:00pm
In-person day/weekend • Short courses
Acclaimed as a wunderkind of theatre and radio, Welles was seemingly destined to dominate 1940s Hollywood. By analysing key movies such as Citizen Kane, The Magnificent Ambersons and The Lady of Shanghai, we will chart his fascinating fall from grace.
- Sat 29 Mar 2025
- 10:15am – 5:30pm
In-person day/weekend • Short courses
A celebration of the latest advances in astronomy, with some of the best images from satellites, space probes and ground-based observatories. With world-leading experts, all are welcome at this popular and richly illustrated event.
- Sat 29 Mar 2025 – 30 Mar 2025
- 10.15am Sat - 5.00pm Sun
Online - live • Short courses • Professional development
Lead with confidence – This evidence-based course explores the unique challenges women face in leadership, equipping you with the strategies, insights, and confidence to navigate the path to senior roles.
- Mon 31 Mar 2025 – 03 Apr 2025
- 4 meetings
- 11:00-12:30 (UK time)
Online - live • Short courses • Professional development
This online course covers the essential knowledge for technology commercialisation, providing you with an overview of the organisational dynamics in acquiring and transferring technologies to the market.
- Tue 01 Apr 2025 – 04 Apr 2025
- 4 meetings
- 11:30am - 1:00pm (UK time)