Curious about the great civilisations of the ancient world? Join our flexible learning community for a fascinating exploration of the archaeology of ancient Egypt, the Mediterranean world of the Romans and Greeks, and the civilisations of Mesopotamia, the Levant, the Andes and Africa.
Course Dates
Course details
Tutors
Key Features
Course highlights
During this part-time online certificate course, you will:
- benefit from lectures that focus on key artefacts of the period
- learn from experienced tutors
- have the chance to develop your own expertise in ancient cultures
develop key study and writing skills.
We’ll explore the evolution of Greek and Roman culture, spanning everything from art to burial customs. We’ll also look more widely at the archaeology of complex societies and emerging states, and look in depth at Egyptology and the fascinating culture of ancient Egypt.
As part of our learning community, you will:
- examine the development of the ancient Greek and Roman cultures, focusing on their interaction, their influence on each other, and the emergence of Western civilisation
- explore Greek and Roman material culture through a series of seminars
- investigate the development of social complexity
- consider research on the development of the state, of urbanisation, and of the world’s progressive integration as illustrated by discoveries in Africa, the Andes and the Levant
- conduct a term-long study in Egyptology, linking archaeological, documentary, environmental and anthropological evidence.
Course breakdown
The course will run from Wednesday 15th October 2025 to Wednesday 10th June 2026.
Each term's teaching usually takes place on Wednesday evenings with occasional social sessions taking place on Saturdays. Exact teaching dates and times will be confirmed in the course guide upon enrolment.
Michaelmas term: ‘Civilisation’: The archaeology of complex society
What is a complex society and how can we identify it? Is it the same as a civilization? Human behaviour is incredibly diverse and defies attempts at reducing it to a set of markers. Each week, we will explore diverse and often contrasting societies. What does a state look like in Africa and how does it compare with states in the Andes? This module will take you through societies in the Levant, Mesopotamia, Africa and the Andes, as we follow fascinating dynamic relationships and interactions. Guided by expert tutors, you will explore agriculture, social organization, literacy, art and technology in new ways.
- Unit 1 start date: Wednesday 15 October 2025
- Unit 1 end date: Wednesday 7 January 2026
Lent term: An introduction to Egyptology
Ancient Egyptian art and culture is some of the most recognisable yet enigmatic that survives to us from the ancient world. Interleaving key evidence from temples, palaces, fortresses and tombs with themes such as religion, material culture, art and daily life, this module explores what it was like to live, work and die in Ancient Egypt. As one of the most enduring ancient civilisations, this module will contextualise the history and culture of ancient Egypt in its relationship to Mediterranean and African cultures, referring to archaeological, documentary, environmental and anthropological evidence.
- Unit 2 start date: Wednesday 7 January 2026
- Unit 2 end date: Wednesday 25 March 2026
Easter term: The Classical World
Uncover the ancient Greeks and Romans through an exploration their most magnificent monuments and artworks. Behind the gleaming marble of the Athenian Acropolis and the grandeur of the Roman Forum lie remarkable stories of individuals, of politics, religion, life and death. Our exploration winds through the sun-drenched streets of Pompeii and into the great theatres of Athens, revealing how these powerful civilisations shaped one another and transformed the Mediterranean world. Drawing on the latest archaeological discoveries, we'll examine spectacular architecture and precious artefacts that challenge traditional views of classical antiquity. From imperial ambitions to everyday life, this course reveals the complex identities and lasting legacy of these extraordinary ancient worlds.
- Unit 3 start date: Saturday 11 April 2026
- Unit 3 end date: Wednesday 10 June 2026
After the course
Why not consider studying one of our other certificates or diplomas in archaeology, such as:
- Certificate in Archaeology of the Ancient Britain
- Certificate in World Archaeology
- Diploma in Archaeology: Death and the Ancient World
- Diploma in Archaeology: Conflict Archaeology and Heritage
Students who successfully complete two out of three of the Certificates in Archaeology will be eligible for the award of the Certificate of Higher Education in Archaeology.
Entry requirements
There are no formal academic entry requirements for this course, which is open to all students with an interest in the subject area.
English language requirements
If you are applying to study an Undergraduate Certificate, Diploma or Advanced Diploma and your first language is not English, you will need to meet the requirements of one of the language proficiency tests below:
IELTS (Academic), IELTS for UKVI Academic, IELTS One Skill Retake
Overall score of 7.0, with not less than 7.0 in Speaking, Listening and Writing, and 6.5 in Reading.
TOELF iBT or TOEFL Home Edition
https://www.ets.org/toefl.html
Overall score of 100, with no element below 25.
Cambridge English C2 Proficiency
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/proficiency/
Overall score of 200, with no element lower than 185.
IT requirements
The course content will be delivered, and the learning outcomes met, through video-based teaching platforms and a dedicated course Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
You will therefore need to have access to:
- the internet via a computer, laptop, tablet or other smart device
- speakers or headphones in order to hear any pre-recorded material
- a webcam and microphone for any interactive sessions which may be available
Identity Check
As part of your application you are required to provide a copy of your ID. At the beginning of the course, you will be required to attend a live zoom session, so that we can verify your identity. Please note we will not be able to issue the award if an identity check has not been completed.
As part of our open and inclusive learning environment, you can enjoy the world-class resources and expertise of the University of Cambridge wherever you are on your academic journey.
Our video-based teaching platforms offer a flexible way to access lectures, while our Virtual Learning Environment makes it easy to study and learn online and interact with your tutor and fellow students.
Our teaching methods include lectures, presentations by guest speakers and facilitators, and interactive and experiential learning activities. We will also give you reading and assignments to complete outside of classroom sessions.
You will normally be asked to submit two assignments totalling 3,000-4,000 words for each unit to demonstrate your learning. There are more details about how this course is assessed in the course guide we will send you once you have enrolled.
Qualifications
This course is equivalent to half of the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree. It offers 60 CATS credits, which are recognised by higher education institutions and employers.
How many hours of study are required?
The award of academic credit is a means of quantifying and recognising learning and within the UK, one credit notionally represents 10 hours of learning. This course attracts 60 credits, so students should expect to need to study for approximately 600 hours in total to complete all units successfully. However, it is recognised that students study at different paces and use a variety of approaches, so this is a recommendation, rather than a hard-and-fast calculation.
SEEC Credit Level Descriptors for Higher Education (2021) here.
The fee for this course is £3,300. You can either pay:
- in full when you enrol,
or - Your account will be set up for you to pay in 3 equal instalments: the first when you enrol, the second by 1 January, and the third and final instalment by 1 April – (standard instalment plan). The exact dates will be confirmed in your booking details.
Important: your place on the course is not secured until we receive your first payment along with any required documents, such as proof of English language proficiency.
If you are offered a place, you will receive instructions as to how to register and pay. Please note that places are limited and on a first-come first-served basis.
Help with fees
We have many sources of financial support that you can explore.
Refunds
This course will require a minimum number of students to run. In the rare event that the course is cancelled by us, due to minimum numbers not being met, or for any other reason, you will receive a full refund of any fees paid.
Disability Support
The University’s Accessibility & Disability Resource Centre Non-Matriculated Service (ADRC NMS) provides advice, guidance, and resources to University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) award-bearing undergraduate and postgraduate students who have a diagnosed disability or medical condition, including mental health conditions. The support provided can include:
- appointments with a Senior disability adviser or Neurodiversity disability adviser
- reviewing/assessing medical or diagnostic evidence
- production of a Student Support Document (SSD)
- signposting to sources of disability-related funds (Disabled Students’ Allowances [DSA], as well as other internal funds for home and international students)
- coordination of human support, such as specialist mentoring or specialist study skills
- neurodiversity screening service (Autism, Specific Learning Difficulties, ADHD)
- signposting to disability library services
- signposting to assistive technology and software support
If you would like to access support then please indicate this on your course application form and then complete the ADRC NMS online Student Information Form so they can work with you to fully support your studies. Please upload medical evidence (written in English) when prompted to within the Student Information Form. The following links to guidance on medical evidence or diagnostic evidence will help to answer any questions you may have.
If you have any questions concerning disability support then please contact the ADRC NMS team via [email protected] or view their website.
Wellbeing Support
It is important that all our learners feel safe in their learning environment and student wellbeing is our key priority. We have a dedicated Student Support team who can offer a variety of support mechanisms to those who are experiencing challenges maintaining positive mental wellbeing. The PACE Student Support Team are here to support you throughout the duration of your studies with us and can:
- meet with you via teams/zoom (camera can be off) to discuss any concerns surrounding your wellbeing, mental health, academic pressures, or welfare
- advise you on options and signpost you to appropriate sources of guidance which range from self-guided resources to wellbeing conversations
- direct you to specialist support and help concerning welfare, wellbeing, safeguarding and prevent
- in specific circumstances (where there is a clear need unmet elsewhere) provide access to counselling
- provide access to study skills resources
If you have any questions concerning learning support, then please contact us.
