Advanced Diploma in British Archaeology

Course details

Unearth the story of Britain’s archaeological past. 

This one-year, part-time Advanced Diploma is your opportunity to build on your archaeological knowledge and specialise in a key period of British history. You’ll develop the skills to uncover, analyse and interpret evidence from excavation to evaluation, and carry out independent research on a topic that fascinates you. Benefit from in-person study in Oxford where you will be surrounded by land steeped in ancient history, for tutorials, field visits and practical exercises.  

Please note that 2026 entry is the last chance to study the Advanced Diploma in British Archaeology in its current format. If you would like to know more about the changes for 2027 entry, please get in touch: undergraduate@conted.ox.ac.uk. 

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Who is this course for?

This course is taught at third-year undergraduate level (FHEQ Level 6) and is ideal if you’re ready to take your archaeology studies further. It’s the natural next step for those who have completed – or are about to complete – our Undergraduate Diploma in British Archaeology, or another course at second-year undergraduate level (FHEQ Level 5). 

How you will study

You will attend weekly classes, which are usually on Thursday evening and two hours long. You will also have tutorials, weekend field visits and attend a practical course held over two weekends. You are given a programme of reading for the teaching sessions and the written work. Assessment is based on three assignments, a practical logbook and a dissertation. 

As well as the time spent in teaching sessions, you will need to spend around 12 hours a week studying in term-time. This might include reading, preparing course work, and visiting museums, libraries and sites. You will be able to use the facilities of the Continuing Education Library for your background reading and research. 

Teaching delivery 

This course is expected to be taught in person at Rewley House, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JA. Should circumstances dictate, the teaching can be moved online (either fully or partly). 

The course in detail

Course content 

You obtain the Advanced Diploma by successfully completing one module in British Archaeology. The module taught in 2026-27 will be Module 2: Later Prehistoric and Roman Britain.  

Course structure 

Provisional teaching programme for 2026-27  

Thursday evenings, 7-9pm 

Module 2: Later Prehistoric and Roman Britain 

This course explores the late Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman period in Britain - covering the first millennium BC through to the early fifth century AD. This was a time of great technological, economic and social change, which we will study by looking at landscapes, settlements and material culture. To what extent did people continue to inhabit hillforts and roundhouses? Who lived in cities and towns, villas and farmsteads? How can we trace the impact of the continent on Britain’s cultural and political relationships? This course will investigate these and other questions. 

 

Michaelmas Term: Landscape, settlement and society in the Bronze Age and Iron Age 

  • Introduction: an overview of chronology, the nature of the evidence 

  • Landscapes: theory and practice 

  • Hillforts 

  • Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland 

  • Lowland settlement and farming 

  • The Atlantic coastal zone 

  • Northern Britain 

  • Cross Channel connections and oppida 

  • Social re-ordering in the late Iron Age 

 

Hilary Term: The Roman period 

  • The conquest 

  • The role of the army: forts, frontiers and communications 

  • Establishing Roman rule: administration and the Roman system 

  • Towns of Roman Britain: the built environment 

  • The economy of Roman Britain 

  • Rural settlement patterns: farms, villas and villages 

  • Environmental archaeology and agricultural practices 

  • Religion and ritual 

  • Religious sites 

  • The living and the afterlife 

 

Trinity Term Material culture and society 

  • Roman industry, engineering and technology 

  • Roman art and material culture 

  • Celtic art: craftsmanship and patronage 

  • Later prehistoric and Roman metalworking 

  • Later prehistoric pottery 

  • Roman ceramics: the industries and their economic impact 

  • Practical session: working with Roman ceramics 

  • Group Project presentations 

  • The end of Roman rule

 

​Assessment

You will need to complete: 

  • Three assignments of up to 2,500 words. 
  • A practical logbook of up to 4,000 words, to include two tasks. The tasks usually involve a practical element, for example a field trip and/or museum visit and/or archaeological fieldwork. 
  • A 10,000-word dissertation on a topic agreed with the Course Director. 

IT requirements

To study at this level you are expected to have some IT skills, access to a computer and the internet. Your course requires you to engage with the Virtual Learning Environment for course materials and uses the Department’s online assignment submission system. Students need to have regular access to a computer and the internet and some level of experience and skill including the use of Microsoft Word or similar word-processing package, email and internet browser such as Firefox or Google Chrome.

The computer you use should meet our recommended minimum computer specification.

Teaching staff

The Course Director is Dr Jade Whitlam.  

Along with Dr Whitlam, the teaching panel includes a number of experienced tutors – not only in their subject but in teaching adult students. They understand the learning needs of students returning to education and will be able to advise you on subject-based study skills throughout the course. 

In addition, there are academic literacy and academic English courses available to help you develop and improve the academic skills needed for effective study. 

Contact information

  • If you would like an informal discussion on academic matters before making your application, you may contact Dr Jade Whitlam:  jade.whitlam@conted.ox.ac.uk 

  • For general guidance, application and admissions advice, course specific information, or credit transfer: undergraduate@conted.ox.ac.uk, +44 (0)1865 280882. 

How to apply

Click the 'Apply' button to request the online application link. We will email you the form and application guidance, usually by the next working day.  

You should allow plenty of time to complete the application form, and upload any supporting documents required. You should also allow sufficient time for your referee(s) to submit their reference by the application deadline. 

You will need to upload the following documents as part of your application: 

  • a written statement stating why you wish to undertake the course, and including (if relevant) an outline of previous experience of the subject; 

  • contact details for one referee 

  • proof of English language ability if a non-native English speaker. Further information on English language requirements can be found here. 

Application deadlines 

  • 12 February 2026, 12:00 GMT 

  • 28 May 2026, 12:00 BST 

Early application is advised. The sooner you submit your application, the sooner your place will be considered. 

Referees 

Oxford Lifelong Learning Diploma students who wish to progress to the Advanced Diploma should submit their completed application with a statement of reasons for wanting to apply to the course. No reference is necessary. 

Other applicants need to provide contact details for one referee. If possible, your referee should be able to comment on your academic ability and background, but where this is not appropriate, please choose a referee who can vouch for your motivation, commitment and potential. References from family members cannot be accepted. 

If you are an Oxford Lifelong Learning Diploma student, a place on the Advanced Diploma will be reserved for you if your application form is received by the first deadline and if there are enough places available. If there are more  Diploma students than places available, a selective system will operate. 

Admissions decisions will be based on an assessment of knowledge, relevant experience, academic ability, potential and suitability for a course of study. We welcome applicants who may not hold traditional qualifications but can demonstrate relevant career experience or life skills. 

Selection criteria 

Even if a course has no specific academic entry requirements then: (a) assessment of an applicant’s academic ability and suitability for the course of study will still take place and (b) since applications for many courses often significantly exceed places available, each application will be judged against the gathered field of applicants for each course each year. 

The University is committed to promoting diversity, equality, inclusion, and widening access, including during the admissions process. We fully endorse the Equality Policy and our admissions procedures are kept under regular review to ensure compliance with this policy. 

Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview. 

The final decision on admission to the course rests with the Department.

English language requirements

Please check the information on the specific English language requirements for this course. Applicants are required to have the higher level scores.

Award and credit transfer

An Undergraduate Advanced Diploma will be awarded on completion of the course. You will be invited to celebrate at the annual Awards Ceremony , held at Oxford’s Sheldonian Theatre. 

Students who successfully complete this course will be awarded an Oxford University Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in British Archaeology. The Diploma carries a Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) rating of 60 points at FHEQ Level 6. Outstanding performance will qualify for a Distinction.   

Opportunities vary for the transfer of credit, so students who are considering taking this course in order to transfer credit are advised to discuss the possibilities with the Course Administrator on undergraduate@conted.ox.ac.uk or student.support@conted.ox.ac.uk.  

Learn more about the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS points). 

Fees

Fees for 2026-27 will be £3,725 (Home, Islands, and Republic of Ireland students) or £7,025 (Overseas students). 

Please be aware that fees will usually increase annually.  

Information for applicants from the EU, EEA and Switzerland 

On 11 May 2021 the UK Council for International Student Affairs published new regulations and guidance to be used in assessing the fee status of students commencing courses in August 2021 and later. We will be using this guidance to carry out fee status assessments for students commencing courses in 2026-27 and later, including students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland.  

If you are an EU national and do not live in the UK then you are likely to be charged Overseas fees. Students with settled and pre-settled status in the UK and some other categories of students who work in the UK can qualify for Home fee status as long as they meet the residence criteria. 

Students from outside the UK/Republic of Ireland 

If you are from outside the UK/Republic of Ireland, you will be classed either as an ‘Overseas’ or 'Islands' student. 

Information on financial support can be found on our website here. 

Financial Declaration 

All undergraduate offer-holders are required to complete a Financial Declaration Form (FDF) to demonstrate how they will meet the financial conditions of admission. If you are offered a place on this course, you will be asked to complete this form.  It demonstrates that you can, or are likely to be able to, afford the course and must be accepted before you can be considered to have met the conditions of your offer. 

Overseas students

This course is not suitable for overseas students who do not already live in the UK before the course begins. For information, refer to www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration.

Pathways

We offer many courses in Archaeology, across various study formats and at different levels of study.If you are planning on embarking on a new career as a result of your studies, or hope to progress in your current field, you can access help and advice through the University Careers Service.

 

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Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support