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
  • 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
  • English Social and Local History
• Languages and cultural studies
  • Languages and cultural studies
• Literature, creative writing and film studies
  • English Literature
  • Creative Writing
• Medical and health sciences
  • Medical and health sciences
• Music
  • Music
• Natural sciences
  • Natural sciences
• Philosophy
  • Philosophy
• Psychology and counselling
  • Psychology and 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

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

The Department

About Us

• 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

Course Details

In Search of Time: The Art and Science of the Fourth Dimension

Overview

This course celebrates the myriad mysteries of the fourth dimension, examining the inexhaustible lure of times arrow for physicists, writers of literature, film-makers, theologians, and historians.

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: Clocking Time
• Tuesday: Time and Space
• Wednesday: Time in the Mind
• Thursday: Times Arrow
• Friday: Story Time

Recommended Reading

• Greene, Brian (2005). The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time and the Texture of Reality
• Hammond, Claudia (2013). Time Warped: Unlocking the Mysteries of Time Perception

Certification

• Certificate of Attendance
• Digital badge

Fees

• Fee option 1 (single en suite accommodation and meals per person): Ł2380.00
• Fee option 2 (single standard accommodation and meals per person): Ł2270.00
• Fee option 3 (double en suite accommodation and meals per person): Ł2260.00
• Fee option 4 (twin en suite accommodation and meals per person): Ł2260.00
• Fee option 5 (twin set standard accommodation and meals per person): Ł2260.00
• Fee option 6 (no accommodation; includes lunch and dinner per person): Ł1660.00

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.
• 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: Ł50

Supplementary Costs

• Any excursions listed in the programme details are included in the course fees.
• Optional, plenary excursions/social activities may incur an additional cost.

Payment Terms

• If enrolling online: full payment by credit/debit card at the time of booking.
• If submitting an enrolment form: full payment online by credit/debit card or via bank transfer within 30 days of invoice date.

Cancellations and Refunds

Please see the terms and conditions for our open-access courses.

Tutor

• Dr Tim Barrett

Teaching Methods

• Short lectures/presentations
• Seminars/group discussions
• Video recordings

Application

• Enrolment deadline: registration closes at midnight on 1 May 2026.
• Most courses fill quickly, so early registration is strongly recommended.

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.
• The course fee includes breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.
• Residential options are available, including single, twin, and double bedrooms.
• Non-residential options are also available.