Program Overview

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Introduction to University Programs

The university offers a wide range of programs for students, including undergraduate, postgraduate, professional, and research degrees. These programs cater to various subject areas, such as archaeology, business, data science, economics, education, environment, history, languages, literature, medical sciences, music, natural sciences, philosophy, psychology, and technology.

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

MSt in Creative Writing

Key Facts

• Level: Postgraduate
• Duration: 2 years part-time
• Format: In person, Oxford
• Starts: Saturday 19 September 2026
• Course Director: Dr Clare Morgan

Course Details

The Master of Studies in Creative Writing is a two-year, part-time master's degree course offering a unique combination of high contact hours, genre specialisation, and critical and creative breadth. The emphasis of this postgraduate creative writing course is cross-cultural and cross-genre, pointing up the needs and challenges of the contemporary writer who produces his or her creative work in the context of a global writerly and critical community.

Programme Details

Course Content

The first year concentrates equally on prose (fiction and narrative non-fiction), poetry, and drama. There is a significant critical reading and analysis component, which is linked to the writerly considerations explored in each of the three genres.

The second year offers specialisation in a single genre, again accompanied by a significant critical element focused around issues of interest to the individual student and related to the genre of choice.

How is the Course Structured?

The programme offers a clustered learning format of five Residences, two Guided Retreats, and one Placement over two years.

How is the Course Assessed?

Year 1:

• 4 x 2500-word assignments, 2 creative writing and 2 critical analysis
• 1 x 7000-word portfolio of creative writing
• 1 x 4000-word extended critical essay

Year 2:

• 1 x 2500-word report of Research Placement
• 1 x final creative writing project
• 1 x 5000-word extended essay on a genre-related critical approach of own choice

Oxford College Affiliation

As a matriculated postgraduate degree student, you will become a member of one of the Universitys famous interdisciplinary colleges.

Student Comments

Students have praised the course for enabling them to fast-track their career in writing, explore and experiment with their craft, and develop their skills and confidence.

Awards and Successes

Students and alumni have achieved significant writerly successes, including publication, awards, and shortlistings across various genres.

Destinations

Many graduates have signed with agents, undertaken doctoral study, or obtained positions in publishing, media, and the creative arts industries.

Who Should Apply?

The course is suitable for writers with a proven record of commitment to their craft, who are keen readers, and bring an open-minded, questioning approach to both reading and writing.

Staff

The course is led by a team of published, active writers working across diverse forms and genres, dedicated to helping students develop their craft and confidence.

Fees and Funding

Please visit the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions website for details of course fees and costs. The Clarendon Fund and other sources of funding are available to support students.