Literature, creative writing and film studies
Read deeply and write boldly
Join us for a short course – in Oxford or online
Start (or finish) your own novel, poem or play; produce critical analyses of classic and contemporary literature; or explore the cinematic works of a country, genre or director.
- View all short courses in literature, creative writing and film
- Ways to study: how our short courses work
Gain credit from short courses
Many of our short courses, including short online courses (live and flexible), weekly classes in Oxford, and some summer schools, can be studied for credit, which means they can count towards a recognised qualification such as our Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education.
Part-time Oxford University qualifications
From undergraduate level study to advanced postgraduate courses.
- Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education – gain credit from short courses and create your own bespoke Oxford University qualification
- Undergraduate Certificate in English Literature – choose from two study options, including one mostly online
- Undergraduate Diploma in Creative Writing – choose from two study options, including one mostly online
- MSt in Creative Writing – formed of short residencies and a research placement
- MSt in Literature and Arts – formed of online modules and short residencies
- DPhil in Literature and Arts
Upcoming courses
In-person weekly • Short courses
An introduction to the western horror film. Discover the reasons for the genre’s continued popularity and its ability to explore anxieties about existential and social identities.
- Tue 21 Apr 2026 – Tue 23 Jun 2026
- 10 meetings
- 7:00 – 9:00pm
In-person weekly • Short courses
A beginners' course introducing a range of concepts for those with an interest in cinema but with little/no experience of film analysis or critical film theory. Classes will be focused around 'Memento', 'You Were Never Really Here' and 'Mulholland Drive'.
- Tue 21 Apr 2026 – Tue 19 May 2026
- 5 meetings
- 2:00 – 4:00pm
In-person weekly • Short courses
Have you ever wondered why people study poetry? Have you ever read a poem and thought, 'Is there a way I should be reading this?' Have you ever been intimidated by poetry? If the answer is 'yes' to any of these questions, then this course is for you.
- Tue 21 Apr 2026 – Tue 19 May 2026
- 5 meetings
- 7:00 – 9:00pm
Online - flexible • Short courses
This course is for anyone who would like to learn to read beneath the surface, pay attention to language and form, and become a critical reader.
- Wed 22 Apr 2026 – 03 Jul 2026
In-person weekly • Short courses
Learn to tell powerful stories for screen. Combining critical film theory with practical screenwriting, this course explores how meaning is made in cinema and TV through film analysis and writing your own screenplay samples.
- Wed 22 Apr 2026 – Wed 24 Jun 2026
- 10 meetings
- 7:00 – 9:00pm
In-person weekly • Short courses
The Middle Ages was a period of widespread travel. Explorers, pilgrims, missionaries, soldiers, and diplomats all ventured to the ends of the known world. This course investigates medieval travelers, their accounts, and their conception of the world.
- Wed 22 Apr 2026 – Wed 20 May 2026
- 5 meetings
- 2:00 – 4:00pm
Part-time qualifications
Part-time undergraduate and postgradute programmes.
Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education
Study your passion and discover new ideas with Oxford’s flexible, part-time Certificate of Higher Education – designed for learners who want to learn widely, deeply, and on their own terms.Undergraduate Certificate in English Literature
A two-year part-time course, equivalent to the first year of a full-time undergraduate English degree. Two study options are available, including a mostly online option.Undergraduate Diploma in Creative Writing
For aspiring writers, the Diploma offers involvement in a wide range of literary projects over two years of focused part-time study. Two study options are available including an online option with a summer school in Oxford.MSt in Creative Writing
A two-year, part-time master's offering a unique combination of high contact hours, genre specialisation, and critical and creative breadth.MSt in Literature and Arts
An interdisciplinary programme which encompasses literature, history, art, architectural history, political thought and the history of ideas.Student spotlights
View all student spotlights for this subject area