Is the Certificate in Human Civilization a history qualification?

It draws on history but is broader and more comparative — civilisational traditions read across long time spans, with heritage practice running alongside. The Certificate in Human Civilization is suited to learners wanting a structured introduction to the comparative view rather than a single-period history qualification.

Do I need any background in archaeology or ancient history?

No. The Certificate in Human Civilization is approachable from a standing start. Each civilisational tradition is introduced from first principles with a structured reading list and tutor support.

Does the Certificate in Human Civilization include site visits?

On-campus students take part in structured visits to the British Museum, the V&A and Sir John Soane's Museum. Online and distance students use virtual tours and high-quality digitised collections. The Certificate in Human Civilization is fully comparable across all three modes.

Will the Certificate in Human Civilization help me get into heritage work?

On its own it is a foundation credential. Combined with volunteering, it strengthens applications for entry-level heritage roles. Credits count toward our Diploma and Advanced Diploma in History or Human Civilization Studies for students wanting to push further.

How long does the Certificate in Human Civilization take?

Three months full-time or six months part-time. Distance-learning students typically finish within nine months. Admissions can confirm the next intake and a study plan to fit your schedule.

Certificate in Human Civilization | LSJHML London | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Certificate in Human Civilization at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a short, structured UK introduction to the comparative study of human civilisations — ancient and contemporary, eastern and western, dominant and marginal. Over three to six months you will work through five major civilisational traditions, learn the UNESCO World Heritage framework at a working level, and complete three short structured pieces of writing.

This Certificate is built for curious learners who want a serious grounding in the long view — heritage staff, history teachers, museum volunteers, well-read travellers, students considering a Diploma or BA. It takes the subject seriously without assuming any prior background.

Key Features

UK-recognised entry-level credential in comparative civilisations and heritage practice.
Five civilisational traditions covered in sequence — ancient Mediterranean, South Asian, East Asian, sub-Saharan, Mesoamerican.
UNESCO World Heritage framework at a working level — the Operational Guidelines, inscription process, risk management.
British Museum and Senate House proximity built into the on-campus route — structured visits and library access.
Three flexible study modes — on-campus in central London, fully online with cohort seminars, or distance learning.
Three short written assessments — comparative essays of 1,500 words each.

What You Will Learn

The Certificate in Human Civilization is structured around the comparative study of civilisations and the working language of heritage practice. You finish able to read a civilisational period across primary and secondary sources, evaluate a heritage site against international standards, and write a short comparative piece grounded in evidence.

Ancient Mediterranean — Greek, Roman, Phoenician and Egyptian civilisations and their exchanges.
South Asian civilisations — Indus, Vedic, Mauryan and Mughal traditions.
East Asian civilisations — Han, Tang, Edo and modern East Asian inheritance.
Sub-Saharan African civilisations — Mali, Great Zimbabwe, Aksum and West African polities.
Mesoamerican civilisations — Maya, Aztec, Inca and pre-Columbian Andean cultures.
Heritage practice — significance, interpretation, audience.
UNESCO World Heritage framework — Operational Guidelines, inscription, risk.
Reading the past — primary and secondary sources, comparative method at a working level.

Who This Course Is For

Heritage and museum volunteers wanting a structured introduction to comparative civilisations.
History teachers seeking a refreshing global supplement to a UK national-curriculum focus.
Well-read travellers wanting a serious credential alongside personal interest.
Students considering a Diploma or BA in history, archaeology or heritage studies who want to test the field first.

Career Pathways

The Certificate in Human Civilization is a foundation credential rather than a passport to a specific role. Graduates typically use it to support volunteer-to-paid progression in heritage, strengthen applications for editorial-research roles, or progress to a Diploma or BA. Typical first or next progressions include:

Heritage Volunteer to Paid Officer (local heritage trust, museum)
Museum Assistant (regional museum, specialist collection)
Archaeological Researcher (junior support role)
Editorial Researcher (history publishing, broadcast documentary)
Public History Programmer (junior role, festival, museum)
Heritage Interpretation Volunteer (English Heritage, National Trust)

Credit from this Certificate counts toward LSJHML's Diploma and Advanced Diploma in History or Human Civilization Studies for students continuing.

Entry Requirements

Minimum age 16.
Secondary school qualification (GCSE/O-Level or international equivalent).
IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) for non-native English speakers.
No prior subject experience required.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.