Program Overview

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University Programs

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

Subject Areas

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

Course Format

• 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)

Summer Schools

• Oxford University Summer School for Adults

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

Research Forums

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

Postgraduate Diploma in Health Research

Key Facts

• Level: Postgraduate
• Duration: 1-3 years part-time
• Start date: October 2026
• Course Director: Dr Annette Pluddemann

Course Details

The Postgraduate Diploma is normally completed between 1-3 years. The Postgraduate Diploma consists of two compulsory modules and four optional modules selected from an extensive list of subjects.

Modules

Compulsory Modules

• The Practice of Evidence-Based Health Care
• Introduction to Study Design and Research Methods

Optional Modules

• List B:
  • Clinical Trial Management
  • Mixed Methods in Health Research
  • Knowledge into Action
  • Evidence-based Diagnosis and Screening
  • Introduction to Statistics for Health Care Research
  • Systematic Reviews
  • Randomised Controlled Trials
  • Qualitative Research Methods
  • Essential Medical Statistics
  • The Structure of Clinical Trials and Experimental Therapeutics
  • How to do Research on Therapeutic Interventions: Protocol preparation
  • Biological Therapeutics
  • Pharmacodynamics, Biomarkers and Personalised Therapy
  • Adverse drug reactions, drug interactions and Pharmacovigilance
  • Drug development, Pharmacokinetics and Imaging
• List C:
  • Quality Improvement Science and Systems Analysis
  • Human Factors, Teamwork and Communication
  • Becoming a Clinical Educator
  • Teaching Evidence-Based Practice

Part-time Attendance Details

As a part-time student, you will be required to attend a minimum of two modules (one of which must be a compulsory module) in person in Oxford.

Assessment Methods

To complete the Postgraduate Diploma students must attend six modules and successfully complete six written assignments.

Course Aims

In addition to the skills acquired during the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Research, graduates of the Diploma will be able to demonstrate an ability to apply health research techniques appropriately for the solution of research questions and apply health research solutions in a novel manner when analysing health research problems.

Who Should Apply

Candidates will have successfully completed the final year of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery or Bachelor of Dental Surgery or equivalent, or have an appropriate degree or equivalent professional qualification in a profession allied to medicine with at least two years post-qualification experience.

IT Requirements

This course uses the Departments online assignment submission system. In order to prepare and submit your course assignments, you will need access to the Internet and a computer meeting our recommended minimum computer specification.

Fees and Funding

Fee Rates for the Academic Year

• Annual award fee: ｣9,020
• Module fee per module: ｣2,740

Scholarships

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

How to Apply

Applications for this course should be made via the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions website.

Accommodation in Oxford

Accommodation in the heart of Oxford for those visiting the city for study, work, or leisure.