Dig deeper into the transition from Roman occupation to Early Medieval (Anglo-Saxon) culture, and the emergence of an English identity. Supported by expert tutors and fellow enthusiasts, you will be able to explore history through direct contact with the objects and places that bring it to life.
Course Dates
Course details
Tutors
Key Features
Course highlights
During this part-time online certificate course, you will:
- piece together the archaeological, documentary, art and architectural evidence for the origins and development of Early Medieval (Anglo-Saxon) England
- develop key study and writing skills.
Join us to explore the radical changes brought about by climatic, economic and political factors as the landscape shifted from Roman occupation to the emergence of an English identity. Through flexible study, we’ll examine the archaeology of Early Medieval (Anglo-Saxon) England from 400 to 1100 AD, and appreciate the art and architecture of this fascinating period.
As part of our learning community, you will:
- explore the effect of economic and political changes and significant immigration between 400 and 650 AD
- find out how agricultural, administrative, economic and social innovations left their mark on the landscape
- understand the balance between tradition and transformation in the transition from Roman Britain into the Early Medieval (Anglo-Saxon) centuries
- explore, through the rich archaeology of the period, evolving Anglo-Saxon identities as the kingdom of England was established
- consider the impact on the landscape of events such as the Viking raids and the Norman conquest
- investigate the art and architecture of Anglo-Saxon England through a wide range of high-status objects, some imported from Europe and Byzantium, as well as carved stones and monumental churches and other buildings.
Course breakdown
The course will run from Saturday 11th 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: The Landscape Archaeology of Anglo-Saxon England, 400-1100 AD
Discover the dramatic transformation of the English landscape from Late Roman Britain through to the end of the Anglo-Saxon era (400–1100 AD). This course delves into how local communities navigated the sweeping economic, political, and social upheavals of this era, including periods of significant immigration, exploring both the deep threads of continuity and the evidence for dramatic innovations in agriculture, administration, and settlements. We will investigate this enduring tension between continuity and change, uncovering the imprints of tradition and transformation etched into fields, pastures, villages, towns and fortifications, and asking just how this can be explained. Using the landscape as a living archive, supported by archaeological, documentary and place-name evidence, students will delve into the profound shifts that shaped medieval and modern England.
- Unit 1 start date: Saturday 11 October 2025
- Unit 1 end date: Wednesday 7 January 2026
Lent term: The Archaeology of Anglo-Saxon England, 400-1100 AD
This unit explores the origins of the English and England in the early medieval period through the rich, fascinating and often enigmatic archaeological evidence of this era. We will investigate the origins of the ‘Anglo-Saxons’ and the English, including their relationship to the former Romano-Britons, and how the Anglo-Saxon/English cultural identity evolved and spread over time and what impact external influences had on this. The Anglo-Saxon burial and settlement evidence for this era will be examined, through wonderful sites like Mucking and Sutton Hoo, along with key questions about population movement, migration and the origins of kings and kingdoms in this era. Likewise, the evidence for belief and religious sites, cultural and material influence resulting from trade, travel and contact, and the archaeological impact of the Vikings will all be considered.
- Unit 2 start date: Wednesday 7 January 2026
- Unit 2 end date: Wednesday 25 March 2026
Easter term: Anglo-Saxon Art and Architecture, 400-1100 AD
The third term offers an art historical survey of the beautiful and intriguing visual culture of Anglo Saxon England. You will explore architecture and arts from manuscript painting to metal work through chronological and stylistic surveys and the case study of iconic buildings and art works such as the Lindisfarne Gospels, Franks Casket and Alfred Jewel.
- Unit 3 start date: Saturday 11 April 2026
- Unit 3 end date: Wednesday 10 June 2026
After the course
If you enjoyed this Certificate in the Study of Early Medieval England, why not think about taking the companion course, the Certificate in the Study of Medieval England, next year?
Students who have successfully completed 2 certificates can apply to be awarded the Certificate of Higher Education in the Study of Early Medieval and Medieval England, worth 120 CATS credits at level 4.
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.
