How to Cite an Online Course in OSCOLA (4th edition)
Learn how to cite online courses and MOOCs (Coursera, edX, Udemy, FutureLearn) in OSCOLA format (4th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
OSCOLA Bibliography Format
Here is the standard OSCOLA format for citing an online course in your bibliography:
OSCOLA Example for an Online Course
A complete OSCOLA reference for an online course, formatted by the official OSCOLA CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
Duarte I, “Academic Writing for Graduate Students” (OpenLearn, 2024) <https://www.example.org/courses/academic-writing> accessed January 10, 2026
Matching in-text citation: Ines Duarte, “Academic Writing for Graduate Students” (OpenLearn, 2024) <https://www.example.org/courses/academic-writing> accessed January 10, 2026.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your online course.
- Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the OSCOLA (4th edition) template shown above.
- Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
- Add to your bibliography: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
- Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match OSCOLA requirements.
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