UGCert Egyptology / Course details

Our three-year Certificate in Egyptology offers the chance for serious academic study of the subject. You will learn from Dr Joyce Tyldesley and Dr Nicky Nielsen .

The course draws upon the important Egyptological collections of The University of Manchester's museum and libraries to enable students to build their knowledge of ancient Egypt, develop their study skills and learn how to translate simple Hieroglyphics.

The course is delivered entirely online through stimulating and attractive learning materials. The course lets you study museum collections in a structured way, with tutor support. Additionally, you can talk with other students in online discussion groups and boards.

Manchester Museum

The UK's leading university museum has over four million objects. They span millennia, including one of the largest collections of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the UK. Go behind-the-scenes to handle, analyse and interpret rare artefacts, including exclusive material specific to egyptology.

Study entirely online

This course can be conducted entirely online, allowing you to study from anywhere in the world. Tutor support, forums and discussion groups allow for you to feel part of the Manchester community.

The course is delivered completely online using a virtual learning environment. 

This gives students their own online learning space. 

Topics will be released throughout the year, providing you with an easy-to-follow course. 

Illustrated core materials are made available to students at regular intervals throughout the course. 

You are expected take part in online discussion, and participation is supported by a tutor. 

In addition, you will take part in interactive online activities to support your learning. 

An online informal pre-course unit will enable you to familiarise yourself with online learning and develop appropriate skills for self-directed study. 

The study of hieroglyphs will form an integral part of the course. 

There are no face-to-face meetings and no need to travel to Manchester. 

However, it is important that you make regular postings to the course discussion boards, where you will be discussing your work with your fellow students. 

Course dates 

Teaching starts on 1 October, but you will be able to access the Community part of the course (an online resource shared by students from the Certificate, Diploma and Master programmes) once you have completed University registration in September. 

The Community area includes an introduction to the virtual learning environment, guides to study skills, and a discussion area. 

The Certificate in Egyptology course has fixed term dates. 

• Community opens: early September 
• Teaching starts: 1 October 
• Christmas break: 15 December to 15 January (inclusive) 
• Spring break: 15 March to 15 April (inclusive) 
• Teaching ends: 15 July 
• Community closes: 31 July 

Study hours 

Private study, directed reading and preparation of coursework means that you should be prepared for a total time commitment of around 400 hours per year. 

This equates to roughly ten hours per week during term-time, and includes time spent reading, contributing to discussion, essay writing, completing quizzes, internet-based research and private study. 

Everybody works at different speeds; therefore the two breaks allow students time to catch up if necessary, and to work on their essays. 

Students in different time zones 

This course is designed to be accessible 24 hours a day, and all lectures are pre-recorded, so you can study at the time that suits you best. 

Occasionally there may be a live event such as the annual awards ceremony, however, live events will always be recorded so that you can watch at a time that suits you.

Assignments are designed to stimulate interest in aspects of ancient Egypt and to help students to sharpen and develop their skills and knowledge.

You will be able to draw upon the excellent Egyptian collections at the Manchester Museum using digital images.

Also, you will have access to resources available at the John Rylands Library , one of the leading academic libraries in the country.

This includes access to a large collection of electronic journals.