Short course
Writing an Abstract
Course status:
Closed to new applications
Location:
Online or Rewley House 1 Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JA
Dates and time:
05/08/2026 - 05/08/202611:00 - 13:00
Study format:
Online - live
The ability to write a clear and effective research abstract is important in numerous academic contexts including proposing conference papers, applying for research grants, summarising articles and book chapters, and preparing your PhD/DPhil thesis.
This session will consider what makes a good abstract and how to go about writing one. Practical examples will be considered and there will be opportunities to write and share your own abstracts.
This session is aimed at external postgraduates (those not studying at Oxford University) who are applying for, or are currently enrolled on, a PhD programme.
The session runs in a hybrid format – so you can join us in person, in Oxford, or attend online.
This session is part of our Graduate School programme of research skills training. To stay informed of future courses and training events, sign up to receive email updates.
Apply for this course
Apply using the button below.
Key learning outcomes
- Understand the purpose of abstracts and the importance of the audience.
- Consider the contents and style of a good abstract.
- Improve your confidence and ability to write your own abstracts.
Tutors
Sarah Frodsham is Co-Director of the Graduate School and Chair of Ethics at Oxford Lifelong Learning, Department for Continuing Education.
Alistair Beecher is Co-Director of the Graduate School and a history tutor at Oxford Lifelong Learning, Department for Continuing Education.
About our series of research skills training sessions
In 2024 we launched a trial series of research skills sessions open to postgraduate researchers external to the University and, due to the sucess of these, the sessions have run again each year since.
Each session is independent of each other and can be applied for separately, although a fee reduction is available for anyone applying for six all sessions.
All sessions can be attended either in Oxford or online.
Learn more about the other individual sessions on offer as part of this series:
- Academic Reading: Approach and Critiques
- Halfway Down the Stairs: Research Approaches
- Improving Your Presentations
- Writing Your Methodology
- Research Interviews: Styles and Techniques
- Postgraduate Research Skills Training Sessions (discounted package)
Recommended reading
Essential reading and videos
Before the session, please watch these short YouTube clips and read these brief articles. Compare and contrast the information contained and consider critically for discussion.
YouTube clips:
- How to Write an Abstract for a Research Paper
- How To Write An Abstract In 5 Minutes? A Practical Guide With Examples!
- How to write an abstract for a research paper
Articles:
- Jane Coad and Patric Devitt, ‘Research dissemination: The art of writing an abstract for Conferences’, Nurse Education in Practice (2006) 6, 112-16, doi: 10.1016/j.nepr.2005.08.003.
- Elisabeth Heseltine, ‘Writing an abstract: window to the world on your work’, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health (2012) 36/3, 204-5, doi: 10.1111/j.1753-6405.2012.00865.x.
- Ashish Kumar, ‘Writing an abstract: revealing the essence with eloquence’, Indian Society of Periodontology (2022), 26, 1-2, doi: 10.4103/jisp_634_21.
Upon successful completion of this session, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford.
After the session, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add your badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Fee for this training session | £75.00 |
Payment
Successful applicants will be emailed an invoice for the training session fees.
If you register for all 6 sessions a discount of 20% is available. To obtain this discount please apply for the discounted package.
Learn more about the other individual sessions on offer as part of this series:
- Academic Reading: Approach and Critiques
- Halfway Down the Stairs: Research Approaches
- Improving Your Presentations
- Writing Your Methodology
- Research Interviews: Styles and Techniques
- Postgraduate Research Skills Training Sessions (discounted package)
Module code: T26P016GSP
This session is aimed at external postgraduates (those not studying at Oxford University) who are applying for, or are currently enrolled on, a PhD programme.
Applicants must submit a current CV which will allow the course tutors to assess your suitability for this training session.
How to apply
To apply for this session, please select the green ‘apply’ button.
Application deadline
Applications will close at 9am UK time on Wednesday 29 July 2026.