Program Overview

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University Program Information

The university offers a wide range of programs, including short and online courses, undergraduate, postgraduate, professional, and research degrees.

Subject Areas

• Archaeology and anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Theological Studies
• Architectural history
  • Architectural History
• Business and management
  • Business and management
• Data science, computing, maths
  • Data science, computing, maths
• Diplomatic studies and law
  • Diplomatic Studies
• Economics and politics
  • Economics and politics
• Education and study skills
  • Education
• Environment and sustainability
  • Environment and sustainability
• History of art
  • History of Art
• History, including local and social
  • History
  • English Social and Local History
• Languages and cultural studies
  • Languages and cultural studies
• Literature, creative writing and film studies
  • English Literature
  • Creative Writing
• Medical and health sciences
  • Medical and health sciences
• Music
  • Music
• Natural sciences
  • Nanotechnology
• Philosophy
  • Philosophy
• Psychology and counselling
  • Psychology and counselling
• Religion and theology
  • Religion and theology
• Technology and AI
  • Technology and AI

Course Formats

• Day and weekend events
• In-person learning
• Lecture series
• Online learning
• Professional
• Summer schools
• Weekly learning

Undergraduate Programs

Certificates

• Archaeology
• Certificate of Higher Education
• English Literature
• History
• History of Art
• Theological Studies

Diplomas

• Archaeology
• Creative Writing
• English Social and Local History
• History of Art

Advanced Diplomas

• British Archaeology
• IT Systems Analysis and Design (Online)
• Local History (Online)

Pre-Master's

• Advanced Pre-sessional Course for Graduate Students (nine weeks, full-time)
• Foundations of Diplomacy Pre-Master's Course (six months, full-time)

Postgraduate Programs

Certificates

• Architectural History
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Ecological Survey Techniques
• Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Health Research
• Historical Studies
• Nanotechnology
• Patient Safety and Quality Improvement
• Psychodynamic Counselling
• Qualitative Health Research Methods
• Teaching Evidence-Based Health Care

Diplomas

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Severe Mental Health Problems
• Health Research
• International Wildlife Conservation Practice
• Psychodynamic Practice

Master of Studies (MSt)

• Creative Writing
• Diplomatic Studies
• Historical Studies
• History of Design
• Literature and Arts
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
• Practical Ethics
• Psychodynamic Practice

Research Degrees (DPhil)

• Archaeology
• Architectural History
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• English Local History
• Evidence-Based Health Care
• Literature and Arts
• Sustainable Urban Development

Master of Science (MSc)

• Applied Landscape Archaeology
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• English Local History
• Evidence-Based Health Care
• Evidence-Based Health Care Medical Statistics
• Evidence-Based Health Care Systematic Reviews
• Evidence-Based Health Care Teaching and Education
• Experimental and Translational Therapeutics
• Nanotechnology for Medicine and Health Care
• Surgical Science and Practice
• Sustainable Urban Development
• Translational Health Sciences

Professional Programs

Continuing Professional Development

• Business and management
• Cultural heritage
• Data science, computing, maths
• Diplomatic studies
• Education
• Environment and sustainability
• Medical and health sciences
• Nanotechnology and nanomedicine
• Philosophy and ethics
• Psychology and counselling
• Research methods and skills
• Technology and AI
• Urban studies

Research

Research Community

Research at Oxford Lifelong Learning extends across the disciplines and is supported by a research culture that encourages interdisciplinary initiatives.

Research Areas

• Academic staff profiles
• Part-time DPhil programmes
• Research areas
• Research students

Graduate School

The Graduate School offers a supportive and stimulating environment for both internal and external postgraduate students and researchers.

Research Forums

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Steering Group
• Lifelong Learning Pedagogies forum
• Research Ethics Colloquium
• The Vice-Chancellors Colloquium

MSt in Diplomatic Studies

Key Facts

• Level: Postgraduate
• Duration: 12 months full-time
• Format: In-person
• Starts: 5 October 2026
• Course Director: Dr. Yolanda Spies

Course Details

The Diplomatic Studies Programme is a unique postgraduate course that combines vocational and academic education, specific to the field of diplomacy.

Programme Details

• The programme enhances the knowledge and skills required for the conduct of diplomacy in a complex, interdependent world.
• The course includes a dissertation and four taught courses: Diplomatic Practice, International Politics, International Trade & Finance, and Public International Law.
• The taught courses run concurrently throughout the academic year, and the pedagogical approach includes the use of tutorials.

Core Components

• Diplomatic Practice: The course reflects on the vocational, institutional, and contextual aspects of contemporary diplomacy.
• International Politics: Focusing on key concepts in International Relations leading to central issues in world politics.
• International Trade & Finance: Covering the basics of international trade theory and macroeconomics.
• Public International Law: The course expounds the principles of international law and the processes of legal reasoning.
• The Dissertation: A substantial, individualised research project.

Assessment

To complete the MSt, students must pass all the core components of the programme.

Oxford College Affiliation

As a matriculated postgraduate degree student, you will become a member of one of the Universitys famous interdisciplinary colleges.

Academic Staff

• Course Director: Dr. Yolanda Spies
• Current staff profiles

Fees and Funding

• For information about the course fee and the cost of living in Oxford, please visit the Oxford University Graduate Admissions webpages for the MSt in Diplomatic Studies.
• Scholarships: Many DSP students hold scholarships.

How and When to Apply

• Please visit the course page on the Oxford University Graduate Admissions website for entry requirements, selection criteria, and how to apply.
• Application deadlines:
  • Stage 1: Wednesday 28 January 2026
  • Stage 2: Tuesday 3 March 2026

Student Spotlights

• Adeel Hussain
• Syed Nizamuddin Bin Sayed Khassim
• Mirbek Sydygaliev
• Sarah Parker
• Barbie Jane Rosales
• Nana Afia Twum-Barima
• Mohannad Shaddad
• Guillaume Soto-Mayor
• Laura Silva
• Jeremy Vallerand