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How to Attend Oxford In-Person, Without Living There (Yes, It’s Possible)

You can absolutely attend Oxford without living there.

And this is not some weak, watered down online program – because if it was, I wouldn’t be interested in it myself, or sharing it with you.

My hope is that knowing about this program can save you time, money and stress… and help you pursue your dream of going to Oxford if that’s what you really want to do.

By the way – I’m writing as much to myself as I’m writing to you.

Even knowing what I know now, seeing it all become more possible, I’m still catching myself saying things like:

“Yeah, yeah – everything is possible in theory… but is this possible for ME?”

To you, and to me, it is possible.

And this is tactically how we can do it.

View of the iconic Christ Church College in Oxford, featuring classic architecture and a dramatic sky.

Yes – You Can Go to Oxford As a Nontraditional Student

You’re just like me: a history nerd at heart.

Someone who feels like they were born in the wrong era – for both the good and the bad at that.

Maybe you resonate better with a particular place and period of time.

Or maybe, you find yourself saying things like:

“I wish I would have wanted this sooner.”

“I wish I would have known that this is what I wanted, back when all of this would have been moer possible for me.”

If you feel that I’m in your head right now, ask me how I know!!

I know that, yes – in theory, anyone could pack up and leave where they live at anytime.

That at any given moment, I could decide to live in a new city, state, country, etc.

If you’re anything like me (which, I’m guessing you are if you’re here), there’s very much a part of you who wants to do that.

But also a big part of you that doesn’t.

Because you DO have a life that you’ve built. And even if part of you feels like you’ve outgrown it, or that it doesn’t altogether “fit” anymore, you still love it and you don’t want to give it all up.

You might have a 9-to-5 career, kids, an aging parent, a mortgage, and/or a business to run.

You may have deep, beautiful connections to your community.

Friends and fellowship at your local church.

This is exactly where I am.

So while moving to England sounds like a beautiful, maybe-someday dream, I would never want to leave the people, creatures, and places I love here in Arizona (at least, not for a long period of time; I’m always traveling so I’m good leaving for weeks or a couple of months at a time).

I even host tours to help people really experience history in incredible places (click here to learn more about my upcoming tours).

In the past, attending Oxford for a master’s or more meant quitting your job, packing your life into suitcases, and moving across the Atlantic.

But Oxford has quietly kept a door open for people just like us.

It’s called the Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Historical Studies, which could lead to a Master’s in Historical Studies… and it might be the most flexible way to get an elite history education on the planet.

I’m actually shocked that more people aren’t talking about it, and that’s exactly what we’re diving into today.

The Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Historical Studies: What Is It?

The PGCert in Historical Studies is a high-level, master’s-tier program that acts as a standalone qualification.

But if/when you decide to apply for the Oxford’s Master in Historical Studies, it basically acts as the first year of your master’s degree (just keep in mind that admittance into the PGCert isn’t guaranteed admittance into the master’s program).

Instead of forcing you into a single, narrow box, or picking a particular specialty, the course is built around five distinct themed units.

You get a broad look at historical methodologies and eras, culminating in a dissertation where you get to deep-dive into a topic you choose.

Just even seeing this was an option has been a huge relief to me.

Because, while it could change, it’s so difficult to pick just one area to focus on.

Maybe that’s just where I am in my journey.

But if that resonates with you too, this could be exactly what you need.

More About the PGCert

What really stood out to me about it is the fact that it’s the best of both worlds for me.

Theme Song Opening GIFfrom Theme Song GIFs

I don’t like online-only degrees, because I find that you lack the community, discussion, and in-person experiences that really make an educational experience worthwhile.

But also, everything I’ve just said is true.

So Oxford has done an incredible job creating a certificate where you can pursue an elite education, while still getting the in-person experience… even though you’re not living there.

There are five weekend units, during which supported learning will be provided in a variety of formats: presentations, tutor-led discussion, group discussion, and student presentations on prepared topics. During the final, Special Subject weekend (Unit 5), there will also be one to one tutorials with the dissertation supervisor.
OXFORD WEBSITE

I wasn’t familiar with the term “tutorial” so I’ll quickly define that here.

At Oxford, a “tutorial” is basically what we’d call a semi-private tutoring session, done in a small group.

You can expect an intimate, weekly academic teaching session consisting of one to three students and a subject expert tutor.

Students spend the week independently reading, solving problem sheets, or writing an essay on a specific topic.

The session itself lasts for about an hour, and the meeting involves reading or summarizing the work, answering targeted questions, and debating points. You definitely want to arrive prepared.

Being in-person allows for you to get in-person feedback and build relationships with leading researchers in their fields. And they’ll test you.

They’ll help you interrogate your own logic, test your own assumptions, and point out any flaws in your writing and arguments to sharpen your analytical skills.

This is especially invaluable considering how hard it can be to get 1:1 or small group attention during online coursework, or in-person with bigger groups.

More About the Master’s

“The MSt course builds upon the skills and knowledge developed in the PGCert and encourages students to engage actively with theoretical and historiographical approaches underpinning modern historical research. You will received systematic training in research methods and the opportunity to research a substantial dissertation.”
OXFORD WEBSITE

Why it’s built for non-traditional lives

If you’ve ruled out grad school because your life doesn’t fit a standard timeline, here is why this program is different:

Study from your own desk
The bulk of the program is designed to be completed online. You don’t have to leave your job, uproot your family, or say goodbye to your local community. You can read, write, and analyze right where you are. You’ll just want to make sure that you can get to the physical campus during the in-person periods.
The “Oxford Magic” is still real
This isn’t a completely faceless, online course, either. It’s somewhere in the middle. The program intentionally builds in opportunities for in-person exploration and community. You get the chance to step into Oxford’s ancient libraries, meet your cohorts over coffee or a pint, and sit across from world-class historians (just for a shorter period of time). You get the community without the logistical nightmare of a permanent move.
A low-risk test drive
Committing to a full multi-year master’s program can feel incredibly daunting when life is busy. Because the PGCert functions as a standalone certificate or the stepping stone to a full MSt, you can test the waters. See how high-level research fits into your current lifestyle before deciding to go all the way.

The difference between the MSt and other master’s programs

Every country has its own way of doing things.

And then, even within a certain country, different universities have their own language.

The MSt is just the formal title Oxford and Cambridge give to many of their taught master’s programs.

(fun historical quirk: at Oxford, an “MA” isn’t a degree you earn through coursework; it’s an honorary title awarded to Oxford Bachelor of Arts graduates a few years after they finish)

In terms of academic weight, prestige, and global recognition, an MSt is identical to an MA or MSc.

While a typical American MA might require you to take a long list of survey classes, the MSt in Historical Studies is designed more like an elite research incubator.

It skips the “busywork” and focuses heavily on two things: methodology (how historians actually use archives and theoretical frameworks) and original research (your dissertation).

Oxford also offers an MPhil (Master of Philosophy).

The MPhil is typically a full-time, two-year degree on campus designed almost exclusively as a launchpad for a full-time PhD.

The MSt in Historical Studies gives you that same high-caliber historiographical training, but packages it into a part-time, modular structure.

How it turns into an Oxford Master’s Degree

Here is where the program gets incredibly cool for those of us with busy lives. Committing to a multi-year Master’s degree right out of the gate can feel paralyzing. What if your work schedule changes? What if life gets crazy?

Oxford solves this by treating the PGCert as the official Year One of a two-year, part-time Master of Studies (MSt) in Historical Studies.

Think of it as a low-risk test drive. You complete your certificate year, get a feel for the rhythm of graduate-level research, and see how it fits into your lifestyle. If you decide that’s enough, you walk away with a prestigious Oxford postgraduate qualification.

But if you catch the research bug, you can apply to transition straight into the MSt year.

Here is how that second year works:

Deep-Dive Research
While the first year gives you a broad foundation across different historical eras, the Master’s year is all about your specific passion. You dive deep into advanced historical theory, archive analysis, and historiography (the history of history itself).
The Same Flexible Structure
The Master’s year keeps the exact same non-traditional-friendly format. You study from home for about 15 hours a week, coming together for three intensive weekend residences in Oxford throughout the year.
One-on-One Oxford Supervision
You get paired with a dedicated Oxford faculty supervisor to guide you through writing a massive, original dissertation based on actual archival research.
Full College Affiliation
Once you step up to the MSt level, you officially matriculate into one of Oxford’s historic colleges. You become a lifelong member of the university community, giving you access to the full weight of the Oxford network.

By the time you finish, you’ve earned a full Oxford Master’s degree without ever having to pack up your life or move across the globe.

The difference between the MSt and other master’s programs

Every country has its own way of doing things.

And then, even within a certain country, different universities have their own language.

The MSt is just the formal title Oxford and Cambridge give to many of their taught master’s programs.

(fun historical quirk: at Oxford, an “MA” isn’t a degree you earn through coursework; it’s an honorary title awarded to Oxford Bachelor of Arts graduates a few years after they finish)

In terms of academic weight, prestige, and global recognition, an MSt is identical to an MA or MSc.

While a typical American MA might require you to take a long list of survey classes, the MSt in Historical Studies is designed more like an elite research incubator.

It skips the “busywork” and focuses heavily on two things: methodology (how historians actually use archives and theoretical frameworks) and original research (your dissertation).

Oxford also offers an MPhil (Master of Philosophy).

The MPhil is typically a full-time, two-year degree on campus designed almost exclusively as a launchpad for a full-time PhD.

The MSt in Historical Studies gives you that same high-caliber historiographical training, but packages it into a part-time, modular structure.

And if you’re still not done after the MSt…

If someone completes an MSt at Oxford and wants to keep studying, the official, designed progression is to go straight into the DPhil (Oxford’s name for a PhD).

Oxford views the MSt as a complete, rigorous “stepping stone” that satisfies the entry requirements for doctoral research.

If you perform well on your MSt dissertation, your supervisor will encourage you to expand that research proposal and apply directly for the DPhil, completely skipping the MPhil.

Okay, cool… but what is it actually like?

This is the hard part.

I searched everywhere – podcasts, YouTube videos, blog posts, Substack articles and social media… and I really couldn’t find any deep dives from a first-person, experiential perspective.

If you’ve done this, definitely reach out to me on Instagram and let me know!

I’d be happy to link to your video, post, article, podcast episode… whatever you’ve created to share about the experience.

For now, this is something I’m seriously considering… though I’m not 100% sure yet.

Ironically, even with the astronomical tuition prices Oxford has, getting the program through this setup may actually be MORE affordable (!!!) then going with a local university here in the States – unless I get a full ride, generous funding, or I come across some other kind of financial opportunity.

In the meantime, I’m sharing my journey as I prep for grad school over on my YouTube channel.

And on my Substack, Home for Historians, I share deeper dives about building a life and making a living out of my love for history.