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 programs.

Subject Areas

• Archaeology and anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • English Local History
• Architectural history
  • Architectural History
  • History of Design
• Business and management
  • Business and management
• Data science, computing, maths
  • Data science, computing, maths
  • Nanotechnology
• Diplomatic studies and law
  • Diplomatic Studies
  • Foundations of Diplomacy Pre-Master's Course
• Economics and politics
  • Economics and politics
• Education and study skills
  • Education
• Environment and sustainability
  • Environment and sustainability
  • Sustainable Urban Development
• History of art
  • History of Art
• History, including local and social
  • History
  • Local History
• Languages and cultural studies
  • Languages and cultural studies
• Literature, creative writing and film studies
  • Creative Writing
  • English Literature
• Medical and health sciences
  • Medical and health sciences
  • Evidence-Based Health Care
• Music
  • Music
• Natural sciences
  • Natural sciences
• Philosophy
  • Philosophy
  • Practical Ethics
• Psychology and counselling
  • Psychology and counselling
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Religion and theology
  • Theological Studies
• Technology and AI
  • Technology and AI

Course Format

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

Academic Credit

Many courses can be studied for academic credit, which means they can count towards a recognised qualification.

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

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

Research Degrees (DPhil)

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

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

Research Forums

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

Introduction to Study Design and Research Methods

Course Details

• Code: O25C177B9Y
• Credit: 20 CATS points
• Fees: From Ł2740.00
• Dates: Mon 18 May 2026 - Fri 22 May 2026
• Location: Online

Overview

This module will introduce some of the more advanced concepts and skills of research design, emphasising how they relate to evidence-based health care.

Programme Details

This module is run over an eight-week cycle where the first week is spent working on introductory activities using a Virtual Learning Environment.

Fees

• Module fee for 25/26 starters: Ł2740.00
• Short Course in Health Sciences: Ł3390.00

Funding

Details of funding opportunities, including grants, bursaries, loans, scholarships, and benefit information are available.

Discounts

• 10% discount for University of Oxford employees
• 20% fee reduction for NHS employees

Tutors

• Prof Clare Bankhead - Module Coordinator
• Dr Susannah Fleming - Co Module Coordinator

Assessment Methods

Assessment will be based on submission of a written assignment which should not exceed 4,000 words.

Academic Credit

Applicants may take this course for academic credit, which may be counted towards a postgraduate qualification.

Application

This course requires you to complete the application form and to attach a copy of your CV. If you are applying to take this course for academic credit, you will also be required to provide a reference.

Selection Criteria

• Be a graduate or have successfully completed a professional training course
• Have professional work experience in the health service or a health-related field
• Be able to combine intensive classroom learning with the application of the principles and practices of evidence-based health care within the work place
• Have a good working knowledge of email, internet, word processing, and Windows applications
• Show evidence of the ability to commit time to study and an employer's commitment to make time available to study, complete course work, and attend course and university events and modules
• Be able to demonstrate English Language proficiency at the Universitys higher level

IT Requirements

Please ensure that you have access to a computer that meets the specifications detailed on our technical support page.