Short course
Improving Your Presentations
Course status:
Closed to new applications
Location:
Online or Rewley House 1 Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JA
Dates and time:
12/08/2026 - 12/08/202611:00 - 13:00
Study format:
Online - live
The ability to verbally present your work clearly and concisely is a crucial skill for a researcher to develop. Presenting at seminars and conferences facilitates reflection on constructive feedback. It also enhances your academic profile and helps you to prepare for the final viva examination (where you will need to orally defend your thesis).
During this session we will discuss various presentation contexts, approaches and techniques for both preparation and delivery. There will also be an opportunity to practice, observe and provide feedback.
Please note: students will be expected to prepare a short five-minute presentation in advance of the session.
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.
Before the session
In advance of the session you will be expected to prepare a short five-minute presentation. Details will be provided once your place is confirmed.
Key learning outcomes of the session
- Appreciate different styles of presentation for different academic contexts.
- Understand the practicalities of effective presenting and the importance of preparation and practice.
- Build confidence in terms of effective delivery and providing constructive feedback.
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 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 all six 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:
Recommended reading
Book
Schwabish, Jonathan A. (2016). Better presentations. New York: Columbia University Press.
Webpages
- How to Give a Killer Presentation
- 6 Tips for Giving a Fabulous Academic Presentation
- 10 Ways to Make Academic Presentations More Interesting
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 | £50.00 |
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 Critique
- Halfway Down the Stairs: Research Approaches
- Writing an Abstract
- Writing Your Methodology
- Research Interviews: Styles and Techniques
- Postgraduate Research Skills Training Sessions (discounted package)
Module code: T26P017GSP
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 5 August 2026.