Open-access short courses

Part-time learning at Oxford University
Join us online or in Oxford
Start or continue your learning journey with Oxford Lifelong Learning, 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 open-access short courses we offer below.
- Weekly learning programmes include courses that meet weekly in Oxford, online courses with live-time sessions, and flexible online courses.
- Professional development short courses are designed with academic experts from across the University and beyond, allowing professional learners from across the globe the opportunity to benefit from Oxford University's excellence in research and teaching.
- 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.
- Lecture series are a series of weekly lectures on a given topic, providing a comprehensive introduction to your chosen subject. All can be watched online, with many taking place in a hybrid format – so you can choose to attend online or in person at Rewley House, Oxford. Lectures from some series can also be booked individually
- 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
Summer schools • Short courses
Explore how the world’s most powerful intelligence agencies have failed to prevent surprise attacks, from 9/11 to October 7th, using real-world case studies and academic theories. Taught by Andrew Badger, a veteran of the US Intelligence Community (IC).
- Sun 27 Jul 2025 – 02 Aug 2025
Summer schools • Short courses
Drawing on the city of Oxford’s role in the history of pharmaceuticals, technology, philanthropy, hospitals and healthcare systems, this summer school will provide an introduction to medical and healthcare history in Britain since the 17th century.
- Sun 27 Jul 2025 – 02 Aug 2025
Summer schools • Short courses
Ever wondered why a liberal revolt in France ended in abject terror? Why the shadow of the guillotine continues to hang over politics today? If so join our course exploring the fascinating and nature of the French revolution’s descent into terror.
- Sun 27 Jul 2025 – 02 Aug 2025
Summer schools • Short courses
Flash fiction is a complete story told in 1000 words or fewer. Join us for a week of writing, experimenting and honing your writerly craft – and discover why flash fiction is the ideal form for beginners and seasoned writers alike.
- Sun 27 Jul 2025 – 02 Aug 2025
Short intensive • Short courses • Professional development
Explore the fascinating intersection of psychology and culinary arts in this online course, focusing on how food affects emotional regulation, mental health, and well-being. Join experts in culinary psychology from Oxford and Harvard University.
- Wed 03 Sep 2025 – 22 Oct 2025
- 2:00pm to 6:00pm (UK time)
Online - flexible • Short courses
A practical course covering all aspects of novel writing from character creation and story development to final edit.
- Mon 08 Sep 2025 – 21 Nov 2025
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