Oxford Programme in AI and Business Analytics

Programme FAQs

• Who is the ideal candidate for this programme?

  The programme is for mid-to-senior professionals with at least five years of experience. It is most useful for those who need to guide strategy and interpret analytics results rather than build the technical models themselves.

• Is coding experience required to participate?

  No technical or coding background is necessary. The curriculum focuses on management and application. We teach you to use AI tools as a decision-support system, not how to write the software code behind them.

• What is the weekly time commitment?

  You should plan to set aside three to five hours each week. This time is sufficient to watch the video lectures, attend the live sessions with eperts of Oxford University and complete the readings and project work.

• How is the programme assessed?

  There are no traditional exams. Instead, we assess your progress through your contributions to weekly discussion forums, knowledge checks within modules and the final capstone project where you apply your skills to a business scenario.

• Can I join if I am a recent graduate?

  We require a minimum of five years of professional experience. The discussions and coursework rely on participants bringing their own industry context and leadership challenges, which makes it unsuitable for those just starting their careers.

• Will I earn a certificate from Oxford?

  Yes. If you successfully complete the requirements, you will earn a certificate of completion from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. This serves as a formal validation of your new skills in AI and analytics.

• What does Oxford Saïd Elumni Status mean for me?

  Upon completion, you earn Oxford Saïd Elumni Status. This gives you access to a global network of over 50,000 peers, invitations to school events, research access and a 10% discount on future online programmes.

• Do I need to purchase software licences?

  We do not provide licences, but they are generally not required. The exercises are designed to work with the publicly available versions of the AI tools we use. You are free to upgrade to paid versions if you wish, but it is not mandatory.

• What industry sectors is this relevant to?

  The principles we teach apply to any sector where data drives decisions. Professionals in finance, healthcare, consulting, retail and technology will find the frameworks particularly relevant to their daily work.

• Is the content delivered live?

  The programme uses a blended format. Core concepts are taught through high-quality pre-recorded videos you can watch anytime. We also hold live interaction sessions to allow you to discuss topics directly with faculty.

• What happens if I cannot attend a live session?

  We record all live sessions so you can watch them at your convenience. However, we recommend joining live when possible to get the most out of the Q&A opportunities with the faculty and your peers.

• Who leads the academic instruction?

  Dr Agni Orfanoudaki leads the programme. She is an Associate Professor at Oxford Saïd and specialises in using machine learning and optimisation to solve high-stakes problems in healthcare and insurance.

• What is the focus of the capstone project?

  For the final project, you take on the role of a business analyst for 'Rialto', an e-commerce startup. You must analyse data to solve retention problems and present a strategic plan to the leadership team.

• How does the Hartford HealthCare case fit in?

  This case study offers a look at AI implementation at scale. You will examine how a real healthcare network handles the practical challenges of governance, data quality and workforce integration when deploying AI.

• Will I learn prompt engineering?

  Yes, this is a key skill we cover. You will learn how to structure your queries to get precise, high-quality strategic analysis from generative AI models, effectively turning them into an intelligent analyst for your team.

• What is 'human-in-the-loop' decision making?

  This concept is central to our ethical approach. We teach you how to ensure human judgement remains the final authority, using AI to support your decisions while you maintain oversight of risks and ethical implications.

• Can I pay for the programme in installments?

  Flexible payment options are often available. We suggest checking the fees section on this page or speaking directly with our admissions team to understand the specific plans available for your region.

• Is there an application fee?

  There is no fee to apply. You simply need to fill out an online form describing your professional background. If our panel accepts you into the cohort, you will then pay the programme fee to secure your spot.

• Does the programme cover technical model building?

  No. This is a strategy programme for leaders. We do not teach you how to build machine learning models from scratch; we teach you how to use the outputs of those models to make better business decisions.

• How long does the programme last?

  The learning journey spans 12 weeks. This duration is designed to let you absorb the material deeply without disrupting your full-time professional responsibilities.

• How do I access the Oxford Saïd Elumni Network?

  Once you complete the programme, you will receive an invitation to join the Oxford Saïd Elumni Network. This includes instructions on how to join the closed LinkedIn group and how to access your other benefits.

• Can I interact with other professionals in the programme?

  Yes. Peer learning is a major component. You will interact with a diverse, global cohort through moderated discussion boards and live sessions, sharing insights from different industries and regions.

• How does the programme approach data analysis?

  We use AI assistants that allow you to perform advanced data analysis through a chat interface. This demonstrates how leaders can extract deep insights from their data without needing to know Python or SQL.

• What makes this different from other AI courses?

  Most courses are either purely technical or purely theoretical. We blend the two by focusing on the strategic application of AI tools. You leave with the ability to actually use these tools to solve business problems immediately.

• What is the refund policy?

  To qualify for a refund, you must submit your refund request within 7 days from the start date of the regular class (Live or Recorded, as the case may be), whether attended or not. Any refund request failing to meet this requirement will not be accepted and no refund will be provided.

• Can I change my cohort after enroling in the programme?

  Yes. You are eligible for one complimentary cohort change within the first 30 days of your enrolment. If you cannot continue in your current cohort or have already used your complimentary change, you may request an additional cohort transfer by paying the applicable fee. For details on the process and support with your request, please contact our support team.