Undergraduate award: Diploma in Archaeology: Death and the Ancient World

Course highlights

During this part-time online diploma course, you will:  

• immerse yourself in a fascinating historical period
• develop academic skills in research, analysis, evaluation and problem-solving
• prepare for further study at postgraduate level 

Learn about the theoretical and practical aspects of osteoarchaeology, the study of human skeletal and mummified remains from archaeological contexts. Enjoy lectures and discussions that will set this specialism in context: its integration into field and research archaeology and funerary studies, and the ethical aspects of working with human remains. We’ll look at the earliest evidence for treatment and commemoration of the dead, and combine archaeology, anthropology and funerary texts to understand the funerary customs of the ancient Egyptians. 

As part of our learning community, you will: 

• learn how to record human bones and produce an osteobiography for an excavation or museum report
• use 3D models, CT scans and images to identify skeletal elements, understand how disease manifests in skeletal tissues, and discover innovative techniques used in investigating human remains
• explore different responses to death, building a picture of how mortuary practices developed
• take a biocultural approach to funerary archaeology, combining osteology and burial practices to explore how bioarchaeology can unlock the past
• find out about the ancient Egyptians’ concepts of the soul and life after death, and the mechanisms they used to ensure a smooth transition to the afterlife. 

This is one of our 3 diplomas in archaeology. You can study it as a standalone course or combine it with one or both of these complementary courses, which can be studied in any order. 

Course breakdown

This course will run from 9 October 2026 to 9 June 2027. 

Most of the teaching for each term will usually take place on Thursdays evenings, with occasional sessions taking place on Saturdays. Exact teaching dates and times will be confirmed in the course guide upon enrolment. 

Michaelmas term: Life and Death in the Ancient Mediterranean

• Course (unit 1) start date: 9 October 2026
• Unit 1 end date: 6 January 2027 

The Mediterranean’s rich archaeological record has preserved major moments in human history. This unit explores life and death via key themes: the transition from Mesolithic hunting and gathering, seafaring, Neolithic farming, mobility, sedentism, the first cities, burials and monuments. Regional case studies will show how major trends are transformed by people in light of their life and environment. 

This unit will start by exploring what the Mediterranean is. It might seem obvious that it is a geographical area, but the Mediterranean is as much a creation by historians and archaeologists as it is the result of geography. Is the Mediterranean a single entity or is it defined by its diversity? Many of the key moments in human history occurred in the Mediterranean. This course will explore how these came into being. Starting with the first peopling of the Mediterranean, this course will then focus on the Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Ages. Boundaries between time periods are often blurred, as are the physical boundaries of the Middle Sea itself. The result is a complex and unusual area which shines a light on the diversity of human behaviour and ingenuity. 

Lent term: Osteoarchaeology and Palaeopathology

• Unit 2 starts: week commencing 4 January 2027
• Unit 2 end date: 24 March 2027 

This unit will cover the theoretical and practical aspects of osteoarchaeology, the study of human skeletal and mummified remains from archaeological contexts. Students will learn how to record human bones and produce an osteobiography that could be for an excavation or museum report. 

These sessions are interleaved with lectures and discussions setting the specialism in context: its integration into field and research archaeology and funerary studies and the ethical aspects of working with human remains. 

Using 3D models, CT scans, and images, students will learn how to identify skeletal elements, understand how disease manifests in skeletal tissues, and learn about innovative techniques used in investigating human remains. 

Easter term: Unwrapping the dead: funerary archaeology in Ancient Egypt

• Unit 3 starts: week commencing 29 March 2027
• Unit 3 end date: 9 June 2027 

In this unit we will explore the evidence concerning burial practices and afterlife beliefs in ancient Egypt. Starting with the burials that were made in the period before Egypt formed as a state level society, and following the development of burial practices from the pyramids of the Old Kingdom to the animal mummies of the Late Period, we will examine the rich diversity of material practices surrounding the preparation and equipping of the dead for the afterlife. 

We will study tomb design, artefacts, techniques of mummification and magical texts within the context of their relationship to beliefs about the nature of the afterlife. We will also consider what makes a ‘good burial’, the performance of the funeral, and other social aspects of death in ancient Egypt.

After the course

• Why not consider applying for our Diploma in Archaeology: Conflict Archaeology and Heritage.
• Students may take any two Diplomas in Archaeology to acquire a Diploma of Higher Education in Archaeology, which is equivalent to 120 credits at level 5, and is equivalent to the second year of an undergraduate degree. 

Entry requirements

To be accepted onto a Diploma course, you will normally have passed a Certificate (level 4) qualification, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject.  

We are able to make exceptions, especially if you have evidence of relevant professional experience that demonstrates your suitability for the course. 

Please tell us about any previous study or relevant educational and professional experience when you apply.

Your application will be reviewed by PACE Admissions along with the Course Director or Academic Director who will decide whether to make you an offer of a place.

English language requirements

Our courses are taught in English and require a good level of fluency. If English is not your first language, you’ll need to meet the requirements of one of the language proficiency tests below. You’ll need to complete your test and submit the results to our admissions team by 15 September 2026. 

IELTS (Academic), IELTS for UKVI Academic, IELTS One Skill Retake

https://ielts.org/

Overall score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in any component. 

TOEFL iBT or TOEFL Home Edition

https://www.ets.org/toefl.html

Overall score of 92, with no element below 20.

(Please note that changes to TOEFL Internet Based Test and Home Edition mean that it will no longer be suitable for entry to Cambridge at Undergraduate level from 21 January 2026. Tests taken after this date will not be accepted.)

Cambridge English C2 Proficiency

https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/proficiency/

Overall score of 176, with no element lower than 169.

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, and interactive and experiential learning activities. We will also give you reading and assignments to complete outside of classroom sessions. 

You will demonstrate your learning using a range of assignments usually submitted during and at the end of each unit. 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 second year of a full-time undergraduate degree. It offers 60 CATS credits, which are recognised by higher education institutions and employers.

Hours of study

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.

Fees

The total fee for this course is shown above in 'Course details'.

To help you manage your finances more comfortably, you can pay the fee in instalments. For more information on payment options, and how to secure your place, see how to pay.

Funding

We're dedicated to reducing and removing financial barriers to learning. Visit financial support before applying to find out what options may be available to help you in your studies. You can explore external funding and stay up to date on our concessions and bursaries.

Undergraduate early enrolment offer

Want to learn for less? Apply and enrol by 31 May 2026 and you'll save £150 on your course fee. Terms and conditions apply. 

We're committed to supporting you in your learning journey, and we offer a variety of support opportunities to meet individual needs. Visit student support to find out more about how we can help.