Archaeology
Explore your curiosity
Archaeology, ancient history and anthropology encompass the study of humanity from our origins to the present. The Department has a strong offering of part-time learning opportunities in these subjects, offering students the chance for progression from a short course through to a part-time graduate degree programme.
Short courses for adult learners
Explore a new topic or revisit a favourite subject over the course of a few days, a few weeks or a term. Our short courses run in person or online, with some offered in both formats – so you can choose the study option best for you.
Many of our short courses, including flexible online courses, weekly classes (both in Oxford and online) and some summer schools, can be studied for credit, which means they can count towards a recognised qualification such as our Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education.
Oxford qualifications and professional development
Upcoming courses
Online - flexible • Short courses
What are Greek myths? Who told them and why? How can we interpret them? Why are they still so powerful? How much history do they contain? This course will explore these fascinating tales from the past and attempt to make sense of them.
- Wed 19 Apr 2023 – 30 Jun 2023
Online - live • Short courses • Professional development • Hybrid - in person or online
The new National Planning Policy Framework strongly encourages the creation of design codes for towns in the UK. This course explains the concept of design codes and gives practical advice about how to create successful codes. Join us online or in Oxford.
- Thu 20 Apr 2023 – 21 Apr 2023
- 2 meetings
- 09:00 Thurs - 16:30 Fri
Online - flexible • Short courses
From royal pyramids, court artisans and powerful pharaohs, to grandiose temples, mysterious gods and foreign invasions, participants will experience the world of ancient Egypt, its highs and lows, and the rich tapestry of its culture.
- Mon 24 Apr 2023 – 07 Jul 2023
Online - flexible • Short courses
How do archaeologists recognise and interpret the lives of past peoples and their societies? An introduction to the methods and techniques of archaeological enquiry, from initial site survey and excavation to scientific analysis.
- Mon 24 Apr 2023 – 07 Jul 2023
In-person weekly • Short courses
Was 1066 the most important date in English history? This course will take a new look at the Norman Conquest and its aftermath and determine what the Normans actually contributed to British culture, society and economy.
- Tue 25 Apr 2023 – Tue 27 Jun 2023
- 10 meetings
- 10:30am – 12:30pm
Award courses and related programmes
Courses and workshops in the historic environment
Expert tuition for those with a keen interest, professional or personal, in archaeology and historic buildings.Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education
A flexible, part-time route to an Oxford University qualification. Gain credit from flexible short online courses, weekly classes, and the Oxford University Summer School for Adults. Explore a wide range of subjects in this multidisciplinary programme.Undergraduate Certificate in Archaeology
An introductory part-time undergraduate course for adults with little or no previous experience of academic archaeology. Taught at first-year undergraduate level, this two-year course introduces ideas, approaches, sites and methods.Undergraduate Diploma in British Archaeology
Gain a grounding in British archaeology with this two-year part-time undergraduate course, taught at second-year university level. Modules available: Early Prehistoric; Later Prehistoric and Roman; and Anglo-Saxon, Viking and Medieval.Advanced Diploma in British Archaeology
This one-year part-time advanced diploma consists of a taught module on one of three periods of British archaeology and includes a 10,000-word dissertation. The course is taught at third-year undergraduate level.MSc in Applied Landscape Archaeology
The MSc in Applied Landscape Archaeology is a part-time modular course over two years.DPhil in Archaeology
The part-time DPhil programme was first offered in Archaeology in 2003 with several successful DPhil completions now having taken place.