Undergraduate Diploma in Archaeology: Death and the Ancient World

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
• examine the origins of mortuary behaviour in Palaeolithic Europe and the African Middle Stone Age, and consider them in the wider context of global human evolution
• 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 three 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 10 October 2024 to 13 June 2025.

Most of the teaching for each term will usually take place on Thursdays evenings, with occasional social sessions taking place on Saturdays.

Michaelmas term: Life and Death in the Ancient Mediterranean   

• Course (unit 1) start date: Thursday 10 October 2024
• Unit 1 end date:  Wednesday 8 January 2025

Lent term: Osteoarchaeology and Palaeopathology 

• Unit 2 start date: Thursday 9 January 2025
• Unit 2 end date: Wednesday 26 March 2025

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

• Unit 3 start date: 3 April 2025
• Unit 3 end date: Friday 13 June 2025

Please note: Academic Directors, Course Directors and Tutors are subject to change, when necessary.

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 the Course Director or Academic Director, who will decide whether to make you an offer of a place. 

If you are still unsure which academic level to study, would like an informal discussion on academic matters before making your application, or would like to know more about the admissions process, please complete this enquiry form with your questions.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you need to be able to prove you meet the University of Cambridge English language requirements on application. Please refer to our English language requirements for Undergraduate Certificates, Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas pages for further information.

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.

The fee for this course is £3,000. You can either pay:

• in full when you enrol,
  or
• in 3 equal instalments: the first when you enrol, the second by 1 January, and the third and final instalment by 1 April. 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.

Help with fees

The University has many sources of financial help that you can explore. Please visit our pages on bursaries and sources of funding and Disabled Student’s Allowances (DSAs) for more information. 

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.

If you would like to cancel your place on the course, please refer to our Cancellations and Refunds policy, which we encourage you to read in full before applying.
 

We welcome learners of all ages, backgrounds and abilities at the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE), and for this reason we have robust learning support in place for any student who needs it.

If you have a physical disability, mental health condition and/ or learning difficulties, please indicate this on your application form. You will then be sent a Student Additional Requirements Form (SARF) to complete. The form asks for further details about your requirements and support needs, and requests that you submit supporting evidence so we can make any reasonable adjustments that you need.

You can also disclose a disability at any time during your course by contacting either the Course Administration team, or the Disability Liaison team: da@ice.cam.ac.uk

Student wellbeing is a key priority at ICE. Please read our page about the support we offer to our students with additional needs.

Are sessions recorded?
Where teaching is delivered face-to-face, sessions are not normally recorded.
Where teaching is delivered remotely (via Zoom, for example), and wherever possible, sessions are recorded. There may be some instances where we are not able to share a recording or part of a recording; for example, for technological, confidentiality or copyright reasons.

It is worth noting that regular attendance is a requirement of the course, whether that be in person or by participating remotely (via Zoom) in the live and interactive teaching sessions.

What if I can't attend a session? 
We understand that you may need to miss a session from time to time. We would simply ask that you let your tutor and/or Course Director know, and ideally in advance of the session. We will do what we can to ensure that you are able to catch up on any work missed, and we encourage you to listen to recordings of sessions where available.

Is any financial help available?
Details of any bursaries available through ICE are listed on our website.

Information about other sources of funding (including loans, Disabled Students’ Allowance etc.) may also be useful.

Can I apply for/undertake multiple courses at any one time?
You are welcome to apply for multiple courses. However, you would not normally be able to undertake more than two Certificate, Diploma or Advanced Diploma level courses in any one year.

When considering whether to undertake more than one course, you will firstly need to ensure that there are no date clashes between teaching sessions. We would also advise you to carefully consider the workload of undertaking more than one course - consider any reading you will want to do as well as the time required to attend classes and complete assignments. You may also want to consider what commitments you have beyond your studies.

If you would like to undertake a second course, we would ask you to contact us so that we can liaise with both Course Directors. They will need to approve your application on the understanding that you will be undertaking two courses simultaneously.

If I complete a Certificate/Diploma/Advanced Diploma with ICE, does it guarantee me a place on another course at ICE, including an MSt?
We are delighted that many of our students want to return to study with us again and again. Unfortunately, however, completion of one course does not guarantee that you will be offered a place on another.

To ensure quality of teaching, places on courses are necessarily limited, and where an offer is made, places can only be confirmed subject to availability.

A Course Director may also feel that a higher level course is not the best fit for you. In this case, the Course Director may recommend another more suitable Certificate-level course or a non-award bearing short course or online course. This is, by no means, a rejection, but a way for us to help you to prepare more fully for study at a higher level.

Do I need to have completed the Certificate-level course before applying for a place on the Diploma?
The Certificate and Diploma courses have been designed to provide a progression path for your studies, and some students on the Diploma will have previously completed the Certificate; however, completion of the Certificate is not a requirement for entry onto the Diploma. It very much depends on your experience, the information you provide in your Personal Statement, and on your writing sample.

If you apply for a place on the Diploma, our Course Directors will let you know if they would recommend you complete the Certificate first. Please don’t be deterred – ultimately, we want you to find the course that is the best fit so that you are comfortable and feel a sense of achievement throughout.

Can I transfer credits/CAT points from a course completed elsewhere?
For queries regarding credits please visit European Credit Transfer and Accumulation

Is the course accredited by the University of Cambridge?
All qualifications offered by ICE are qualifications of the University of Cambridge, endorsed by the relevant Faculties or Departments and approved by the University’s Academic Standards and Enhancement Committee.

Will I become the member of a College by undertaking a Certificate/Diploma/Advanced Diploma course?
Enrolment on a Certificate, Diploma or Advanced Diploma level course does not lead to College affiliation.

Can I pay in instalments?
Yes. When you come to confirm your course place with payment, you will be given the option to pay in instalments. Course fees for Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses are normally split into three equally weighted instalments spread throughout the year, with the first instalment due by way of deposit at the point of confirming your course place.

How many hours of study are required to complete a Certificate/Diploma/Advanced Diploma course?
The course webpage in each case should provide you with an idea of the study hours you can expect - see ‘Teaching and Assessment’ tab.

Certificates, Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas equate to 60 credits. Credit is generally calculated in terms of hours of study and assumes that each credit is awarded for around 10 hours of successful learning; so, by this calculation, a 60-credit course will involve around 600 hours of successful study. Examples of how study may be broken down are: pre-class preparation, classroom time (lectures, seminars, discussion, presentations, debates, case-studies etc.); engagement with the VLE; peer-to-peer interaction, preparations for assignments, assignment writing and feedback etc.