Short Courses Online (Live)

These courses are 10 weeks long. Most of your weekly study materials will be in the form of video lectures, complemented by readings or other study materials. Working through these materials over the course of the week will prepare you for a weekly 1-hour live webinar you will share with your expert tutor and fellow students.

All courses are led by an expert tutor. Tutors guide students through the course materials using text-based discussion forums. Tutors will also provide individualised feedback on your assignments.

All online courses are taught in small student cohorts so that you and your peers will form a mutually supportive and vibrant learning community for the duration of the course. You will learn from your fellow students as well as from your tutor, and they will all learn from you.

Nearly all of our short online courses are entry-level university courses, taught at FHEQ Level 4 (equivalent to the first year of undergraduate study). Most, therefore, require no prior knowledge, just an interest and an enthusiasm to learn. Where prior knowledge will help, this will be clearly indicated on the course page.

As part of your course, you will be expected to submit assignments, which will be marked by your tutor and returned with feedback to aid your progression. Course pages contain details on the nature of these assignments, which vary between subjects.

All courses (with the exception of Ancient Languages) are formally accredited by the University of Oxford. If you pass the assignment component of the course, you will be awarded academic credit in the form of 10 Credit Accumulation and Transfer points. This credit is transferable, for instance, to our own Certificate of Higher Education. 

Upon successfully passing the course, students will also receive a digital credential called a Certificate of Completion, verified by blockchain technology, which can be downloaded or added to an online profile.