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

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

• Stay in touch

Support Lifelong Learning

• Donate to support our work

Course Details

Overview

Explore the stories of Greek Mythology principally for the pleasure they give us with their intriguing mix of strangeness and familiarity.

Programme Details

• Daily schedule: Seminars meet each weekday morning after breakfast.
• Afternoons are free for individual study or exploring the many places of interest in and around the city.
• Optional plenary excursions and social activities including walking tours will also be available.

Seminars and Field Trip

• Monday seminars: The myths of Hercules displayed the essential characteristics of the ideal male.
• Tuesday seminars: The adventures of Jason and his search for the Golden Fleece are a paradigm for mans universal quest for adventure, triumph over adversity and the uncertainty of success.
• Wednesday seminars: Homers epic poetry provided a template for almost every facet of Greek life.
• Thursday seminars and field trip: The legend of Lost Atlantis will be reviewed in relation to archaeology to discover to what extent myth preserves and transmits remembered history?
• Friday seminars: We conclude our course by examining the ideas of Freud, his fascination with these ancient stories, and his project to excavate myth in order to explain the human mind.

Field Trip

• Destination: The Ashmolean Museum
• Duration: Afternoon, after lunch
• Excursion Rating: Moderate - up to two hours' walk on even ground or up to an hour's walk on rough and/or steep ground or up lots of stairs and steps.

Recommended Reading

• Buxton, Richard (2004). The Complete World of Greek Mythology. Thames & Hudson.
• Graves, Robert (2017).The Greek Myths: The Complete and Definitive Edition. Penguin.
• Fry, Stephen (2017). Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold. Michael Joseph.

Certification

• Certificate of Attendance
• Digital badge

Fees

Description	Costs
Fee option 1 (single en suite accom and meals per person)	Ł2385.00
Fee option 2 (single standard accom and meals per person)	Ł2275.00
Fee option 3 (double en suite accom and meals per person)	Ł2265.00
Fee option 4 (twin en suite accom and meals per person)	Ł2265.00
Fee option 5 (twin set standard accom and meals per person)	Ł2265.00
Fee option 6 (no accom; incl lunch and dinner per person)	Ł1665.00

Funding

Please note there are no sources of funding (scholarships, bursaries, etc) available for the Oxford Experience programme.

Payment

• All fees are charged on a per week, per person basis.
• Please be aware that all payments made via non-UK credit/debit cards and bank accounts are subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.
• Course change administration fee: Please note that course transfers may be permitted in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the programme administrator, up to the 1 May 2026. In accordance with our Terms and Conditions, an administration fee of Ł50 will be charged.

Tutor

• Mr Michael Duigan

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
• Tutor-led field trips
• Questions, discussions, reflections, critiques and observations during the presentations.

Application

• Enrolment deadline: registration closes at midnight on 1 May 2026.
• Most courses fill quickly so early registration is strongly recommended.
• If your preferred course is fully booked, you may wish to add yourself to the waiting list and the Programme Administrator will contact you should a place become available.

Level and Demands

• The Oxford Experience is aimed at non-specialists: no prior knowledge is required, and classes are pitched at an introductory level.
• The courses are designed for an international audience aged 18 and over.
• 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.
• Please note that bedrooms are modestly-furnished and do not have air-conditioning.
• The course fee includes breakfasts Monday-Saturday (residential guests only), lunches Sunday-Friday, and three-course dinners Sunday-Thursday. On Friday, there will be a special four-course gala dinner to celebrate the closing of the week. All meals are taken in Christ Churchs spectacular dining hall.