Psychology and counselling
Understand the human mind
Short courses and training
Introducing a range of theories, skills and techniques to help you understand the human mind and its functions, and to gain an appreciation of how we think, both collectively and as individuals. There are options to progress your studies to postgraduate study.
Many of our short courses, including flexible online courses, weekly classes (both in Oxford and online) 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.
Postgraduate programmes
Upcoming courses
In-person day/weekend • Short courses
We will take a brief look at the workings of the brain, and how psychologists describe the functions of attention, perception and memory. Explore how these processes can work to fool us, and what we have learned from dysfunction.
- Fri 27 Jun 2025
- 10:00am – 5:00pm
Summer schools • Short courses
The 'Dark Triad' (Narcissistic, Machiavellian, psychopathy) is a very specific set of personality traits. Learn how to spot the signs and the patterns of behaviour, and look for areas where the Dark Triad is a common feature.
- Sun 13 Jul 2025 – 19 Jul 2025
Short intensive • Short courses • Professional development
Explore the fascinating intersection of psychology and culinary arts in this online course, focusing on how food affects emotional regulation, mental health, and well-being. Join experts in culinary psychology from Oxford and Harvard University.
- Wed 03 Sep 2025 – 22 Oct 2025
- 2:00 – 6:00pm
Online - flexible • Short courses
This course introduces the science of psychology, exploring the richness of human functions, uncovering the brain's secrets and revealing its complexities. Studies from biological, psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioural and social approaches are presented.
- Mon 08 Sep 2025 – 21 Nov 2025
Online - live • Short courses • Professional development
This course explores emotional intelligence as a vital leadership skill, with insights from workplace psychology to help you manage conflict, make better decisions, and build more engaged, resilient teams.
- Mon 22 Sep 2025 – 25 Sep 2025
- 4 meetings
- 11:00am - 12:30pm (UK time)
Online - live • Short courses • Professional development
This advanced workplace psychology course builds emotional intelligence for business success, helping you improve self-awareness, manage relationships, and develop the confidence and resilience to thrive in fast-paced environments.
- Mon 17 Nov 2025 – 21 Nov 2025
- 4 meetings
- 11:00-12:30 (UK time)
Further study
Part-time postgraduate programmes and professional development courses.
Master's Programme in Psychodynamic Studies
Part-time master's programme providing training in psychodynamic counselling, including academic study and research.