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
  • Certificate of Higher Education
  • English Literature
  • History
  • History of Art
  • 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
  • Creative Writing
  • Literature and Arts
• Medical and health sciences
  • Medical and health sciences
  • Health Research
  • Patient Safety and Quality Improvement
  • Psychodynamic Counselling
• Music
  • Music
• Natural sciences
  • Nanotechnology
• Philosophy
  • Philosophy
  • Practical Ethics
• Psychology and counselling
  • Psychology and counselling
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Religion and theology
  • Religion and theology
• 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)

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

Public Policy Economics Course

Course Details

• Code: O25P412SOV
• Credit: 10 CATS points
• Fees: Ł415.00
• Dates: Mon 26 Jan 2026 - Fri 10 Apr 2026
• Location: Online (Flexible)

Course Overview

This course covers some of the most important questions about the aims and tools of economic policy. It will equip students to evaluate the economic arguments made about public policy choices.

Programme Details

The course is broken down into 10 units over 10 weeks, each requiring approximately 10 hours of study time. The following topics are covered:

1. The aims of public policy
2. Social welfare and growth
3. Market Failures
4. State ownership, privatisation and regulation
5. Industrial policy
6. Social choice and individual choice
7. Social security
8. Behavioural public policy
9. Government Failure
10. Evaluating public policies

Textbooks

To participate in this course, you will need to have regular access to the Internet and you will need to buy the following books:

• Le Grand, J, Smith, S, and Propper, C., The Economics of Social Problems 4th edition (Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, 2008)
• Coyle, D., GDP: A Brief but Affectionate History (Princeton University Press, Princeton NJ, 2014)

Certification

• Credit Application Transfer Scheme (CATS) points
• Digital credentials

Fees

• Course Fee: Ł415.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees.

Tutor

• Dr Szilvi Schmitsek

Course Aims

This course aims to:

• Explore the rationale for public policy interventions in the economy.
• Provide an overview of a wide range of areas of applied microeconomics used in public policy, including relevant historical and international experience.
• Discuss the role of economics in the political process.
• Provide an introduction to the evaluation of economic policies.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will understand:

• The importance of definitions and ethics in framing policy questions and public debate.
• The limitations of both states and markets in collective action.
• The many trade-offs and choices that inevitably arise in economic policy.

Assessment Methods

You will be set two pieces of work for the course. The first of 500 words is due halfway through your course. This does not count towards your final outcome but preparing for it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work of 1,500 words due at the end of the course.

Level and Demands

This course is open to all and no prior knowledge is required. This course is offered at FHEQ level 4 (i.e., first year undergraduate level) and you will be expected to engage in independent study in preparation for your assignments. Our 10-week Short Online Courses come with an expected total commitment of 100 study hours.

English Language Requirements

We do not insist that applicants hold an English language certification, but warn that they may be at a disadvantage if their language skills are not of a comparable level to those qualifications listed on our website.

IT Requirements

This course is delivered online; to participate, you must be familiar with using a computer for purposes such as sending email and searching the Internet. You will also need regular access to the Internet and a computer meeting our recommended minimum computer specification.

University of Oxford

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Overview:

The University of Oxford is a renowned public research university located in Oxford, England. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world, with a rich history dating back to the 12th century. The university is comprised of 39 constituent colleges and a number of departments and faculties, covering a wide range of academic disciplines.

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Services Offered:

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

The university offers a vibrant and diverse campus experience, with a strong emphasis on academic excellence and personal development. Students can expect to be part of a close-knit community within their chosen college, while also having access to the wider university's resources and facilities. The university boasts a rich cultural scene, with numerous museums, libraries, and gardens, as well as a thriving arts and music scene.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Academic Excellence:

Oxford is consistently ranked among the top universities globally, known for its world-class research and teaching.

Prestigious Reputation:

A degree from Oxford holds significant weight and opens doors to various career paths.

Unique College System:

The college system provides a unique and supportive environment for students, fostering close relationships with peers and tutors.

Global Community:

Oxford attracts students from all over the world, creating a diverse and international learning environment.

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Academic Programs:

The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including:

Humanities:

Classics, History of Art, Music, Theology and Religion, English Language and Literature, Linguistics, Philology & Phonetics, Philosophy, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, History, Medieval and Modern Languages.

Mathematical, Physical & Life Sciences:

Computer Science, Life Sciences, Physics, Biology, Earth Sciences, Materials, Statistics, Chemistry, Engineering Science, Mathematics.

Medical Sciences:

Biochemistry, Experimental Psychology, Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Pharmacology, Primary Care Health Sciences, Women's & Reproductive Health, Clinical Medicine, Medicine, Paediatrics, Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics, Psychiatry, Clinical Neurosciences, Oncology, Pathology, Population Health, Surgical Sciences.

Social Sciences:

Anthropology and Museum Ethnography, Economics, Global and Area Studies, Internet Institute, Politics and International Relations, Archaeology, Education, Government, Law, Social Policy and Intervention, Business School, Geography and the Environment, International Development, Oxford Martin School, Sociology.

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Other:

The university also offers a range of services and facilities for students, including libraries, museums, sports facilities, and student support services. It is actively involved in research and innovation, with a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability.