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.

Short and Online Courses

• 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

About Us

The Department

• Academic staff profiles
• Mission, vision and values
• Our history
• Student spotlights
• Vacancies and tutor panel
• Visiting Fellowships Scheme

News and Events

• News
• Open events
• Whats on

Our Venues

• Accommodation
• Conferences
• Dining and catering
• Facilities

Student Information

• Continuing Education Library
• Oxford qualifications
• Student resources and support

Connect with Us

• Contact information removed for compliance

Support Lifelong Learning

• Donate to support our work

Course Details

Memoir: Begin Writing your Life

Overview

It is not necessary to have lived an extraordinary life in order to write an extraordinary memoir. Every day we meet people with interesting life stories. Everyone is exotic to someone else.

Programme Details

• Daily schedule: Seminars meet each weekday morning after breakfast.
• Afternoons are free for individual study or exploring the city.
• Optional plenary excursions and social activities, including walking tours, are available.

Seminars

Monday Seminars

• So, you want to write a memoir? Identifying topics about which to write.
• Other peoples children. At Home: Jeanette Winterson, Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?

Tuesday Seminars

• Your own flesh and blood. Diana Athill, Bill Bryson, Andrew Motion.
• Back to the beginning. First, second, third: Paul Auster, Winter Journal.

Wednesday Seminars

• Defining moments. Where were you? Fiction, poetry, journalism.
• Mums and Dads. And When Did You Last See Your Father?; Things My Mother Never Told Me.

Thursday Seminars

• The beginning of the end. A little help from Winston.
• The end of the beginning.

Friday Seminars

• Sharing and feedback.
• What next? Directions in which to go.

Recommended Reading

• Cline, Sally & Angier, Carole (2010). The Arvon Book of Life Writing: Writing Biography, Autobiography and Memoir. Methuen Drama.
• Karr, Mary (2015). The Art of Memoir. Harper.
• Roorbach, Bill (2008). Writing Life Stories: How to make Memories into Memoir, Ideas into Essays and Life into Literature. Writers Digest Books.

Certification

• Certificate of Attendance
• Digital badge

Fees

Description	Costs
Fee option 1 (single en suite accom and meals per person)	｣2380.00
Fee option 2 (single standard accom and meals per person)	｣2270.00
Fee option 3 (double en suite accom and meals per person)	｣2260.00
Fee option 4 (twin en suite accom and meals per person)	｣2260.00
Fee option 5 (twin set standard accom and meals per person)	｣2260.00
Fee option 6 (no accom; incl lunch and dinner per person)	｣1660.00

Funding

There are no sources of funding available for the Oxford Experience programme.

Payment

All fees are charged on a per week, per person basis.

Tutor

Mr Jeremy Hughes - Tutor

Teaching Methods

Participants will be taught in seminar groups of up to 12 people. The teaching methods used during this course may include:

• Short lectures/presentations
• Physical handouts
• Seminars/group discussions
• Written exercises in-class
• Video recordings

Application

Enrolment deadline: registration closes at midnight on 1 May 2026.

Level and Demands

The Oxford Experience is aimed at non-specialists: no prior knowledge is required, and classes are pitched at an introductory level. There are no assessments for this course.

Accommodation

During your course, you can stay in typical Oxford student accommodation at Christ Church, in buildings which range from the 18th to the 20th century. Bedrooms are modestly-furnished and do not have air-conditioning.

Residential options include:

• Single, twin, and double bedrooms
• Non-residential option, where participants can take classes and have lunch and dinner at Christ Church, having arranged their own accommodation elsewhere.