Program Overview

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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
  • English Local History
• 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
• Languages and cultural studies
  • Languages and cultural studies
• Literature, creative writing and film studies
  • Creative Writing
  • English Literature
• Medical and health sciences
  • Medical and health sciences
• Music
  • Music
• Natural sciences
  • Nanotechnology
• Philosophy
  • Philosophy
• Psychology and counselling
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • Psychodynamic Counselling
• Religion and theology
  • Theological Studies
• Technology and AI
  • Technology and AI

Course Formats

• 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)

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

The university has an active interdisciplinary research community, with a strong focus on the humanities and social sciences.

Research Areas

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

The Fundamental Science of Nanotechnology

Course Details

• Code: O25C521F2Y
• Credit: 25 CATS points
• Fees: From Ł2645.00
• Dates: Mon 12 Jan 2026 - Sun 22 Mar 2026
• Location: Online

Course Aims

The overall purpose of the course is to:

• Apply basic mathematical operations to nanoscale phenomena in order to solve practical problems
• Acquire a basic understanding of the principles underpinning phenomena that result from nanoscale structures
• Explain the collective effects that occur in nanostructures
• Explain the optical effects that occur with nanoparticles
• Highlight the major applications of nanoscale phenomena and structures

Assessment Methods

Assessment will be based on submission of written assignments, including a short essay and two written reports, totalling not more than 6,000 words in length.

Academic Credit

Those wishing to may apply to take the course with accreditation. The University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education offers Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) points for the course.

Tutors

• Dr Victor Burlakov
• Professor Peter J Dobson OBE
• Dr Christiane Norenberg

Course Structure

The course begins in January and runs for ten weeks. The course is divided into ten units, each of which is designed to take approximately one week to study.

Features

• The course is taken part-time so students can complete it whilst continuing to work full-time
• The course is taught online and can be taken from anywhere in the world
• An induction course site helps to ease students into the course and familiarise themselves with the online learning environment
• Tutors provide online support and replicate electronically the famed Oxford tutorial system

Certification

Short course participants who do not wish to undertake the assessed work required for academic credit, but who do satisfy the course participation requirements, will receive a certificate of completion.

Fees

• 22-23 & before entry students enrolled on MSc in Nanotechnology: Ł2890.00
• 23-24 entry students enrolled on MSc in Nanotechnology: Ł2645.00
• 24-25 entry students enrolled on MSc in Nanotechnology: Ł2725.00
• 25-26 entry students enrolled on MSc in Nanotechnology: Ł2740.00
• Standalone fee for (online module): Ł3390.00

Funding

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

Selection Criteria

To apply for this short course you should:

• have a degree in a mathematical or physical sciences discipline, e.g. mathematics, materials science, physics, chemistry, or engineering
• have a degree in biology, pharmacy, medicine or business and be able to demonstrate at least A-level (or equivalent) knowledge in mathematics and physics
• have some practical experience in a related field
• be able to demonstrate an interest in nanotechnology
• be able to demonstrate a suitable level of English (if this is not your first language)