Undergraduate Certificate in The Making of the English Landscape: Landscape History and Archaeology

We’ll look specifically at prehistoric and Roman sites, with case studies focusing on land use, evidence and interpretation. Continuing into the Anglo-Saxon and medieval periods, we’ll examine the development of settlements and agriculture as well as political and religious institutions, before bringing the story up to the present day, from the rise of capitalism to the growth of urban centres.  

As part of our learning community, you will: 

• use case studies to explore the archaeology of prehistoric and Roman sites, monuments and landscapes, focusing on the evidence and interpretation of land use  
• examine the changing character of post-Roman, Anglo-Saxon and medieval landscapes, with a particular focus on post-Roman continuity and change, the origins of towns, villages and fields, the impacts of the Church and feudalism, and the formation of boundaries and territories 
• combine history, archaeology, architecture and field studies to explore late medieval and post-medieval themes such as political and social structure, the privatisation of land and everyday life, the rise of capitalism and the industrialisation of agriculture 
• explore the radical transformations of countryside and towns from the later 1300s to today. 

 
Course breakdown  

This course will run from 19 October 2024 to 13 June 2025. 

For each Unit, there will be 2 linked teaching weekends taking place at Madingley Hall.  

Michaelmas term: Prehistoric and Roman Sites, Monuments and Landscapes 

• Course (unit 1) start date: Saturday 19 October 2024 

• Unit 1 end date: Wednesday 8 January 2025 

Teaching Weekend 1: Saturday 19th October – Sunday 20th October 2024 

Teaching Weekend 2: Saturday 30th November – Sunday 1st December 2024 

Lent term: Continuity and Change in the Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Landscape 

• Unit 2 start date: Saturday 15 February 2025 

• Unit 2 end date: Wednesday 26 March 2025 

Teaching Weekend 1: Saturday 15th February – Sunday 16th February 2025 

Teaching Weekend 2: Saturday 15th March – Sunday 16th March 2025 

Easter term: Interpreting Late Medieval and Post-Medieval Landscapes 

• Unit 3 start date: Saturday 3 May 2025 

• Unit 3 end date: Friday 13 June 2025  

Teaching Weekend 1: Saturday 3rd May – Sunday 4th May 2025 

Teaching Weekend 2: Saturday 31st May – Sunday 1st June 2025 

Students are expected to attend all face-to-face teaching at Madingley Hall. 

After the course 

Students who have completed the Certificate in The Making of the English Landscape may wish to progress to additional Level 4 courses such as:  

• Undergraduate Certificate in Archaeology of the Ancient World 

• Undergraduate Certificate in Archaeology of Ancient Britain 

• Undergraduate Certificate in World Archaeology 

• Undergraduate Certificate in the Study of Early Medieval England 

• Undergraduate Certificate in the Study of Medieval England 

You may also wish to consider applying for one of our Diplomas in Archaeology: 

• Undergraduate Diploma in Archaeology: Death and the Ancient World 

• Undergraduate Diploma in Archaeology: Conflict Archaeology and Heritage 

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 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. 

Non-UK or Irish Nationals  

This course is not suitable for non-UK or Irish nationals who do not already have immigration permission to be in the UK as the University cannot provide visa support for this course. 

Please note: There may be other courses of interest within ICE’s non-award-bearing short course provision, including the International Summer Programmes  See ICE’s visas page. 

IT requirements 

As the course is supported by a web-based virtual learning environment, you will need to have access to the internet via a computer, laptop, tablet or other smart device. 

The fee for this course is £3000. 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. 

The course fee covers tuition at Madingley Hall for each of the teaching weekends. You will be expected to cover any travel, accommodation and dinner costs. Complimentary sustenance during the teaching sessions is normally provided. 

Overnight accommodation is available at Madingley Hall at additional cost, however we recommend booking in advance as there may be limited availability. 

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 

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.