Tracing the origins of the British using genetics, linguistics and chroniclers

Course programme

Friday

Please plan to arrive between 16:30 and 18:30. You can meet other course members in the bar which opens at 18:15. Tea and coffee making facilities are available in the study bedrooms.

19:00 Dinner
20:30 Course Introduction. Lecture: DNA and world prehistory
22:00 Terrace bar open for informal discussion

Saturday

07:30 Breakfast
09:00 Introduction to DNA
10:30 Coffee
11:00 mtDNA profiling
12:30 Free
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Free
16:00 Tea
16:30 Y chromosomal profiling
18:30 Dinner
20:00 Ancient DNA and European Origins
21:30 Terrace bar open for informal discussion

Sunday

07:30 Breakfast
09:00 Phylogenetic Language Analysis
10:30 Coffee
11:00 British Origins
12:30 Free
12:45 Lunch

The course will disperse after lunch.

Dietary Requirements
If you have any specific dietary requirements or allergies please inform our Admissions Team on ice.admissions@ice.cam.ac.uk or +44 (0)1223 746262 if you have not already advised us of your requirements.

Additional Requirements
Further information about student support

No academic qualification is required of applicants, and most courses are suitable for students who are new to the subject.

All teaching is in English (unless a foreign-language course). If your first language is not English, you need to satisfy yourself that you have the required near-native command of the language to get the maximum benefit from studying with ICE.

A booklist, course syllabus and detailed timetable are circulated as far as possible in advance of a course. You will receive these documents by email if you have provided us with your email address; please check your spam folder if you have not received these documents. You can also download material from the course web page.

This course takes place at Madingley Hall, home to the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education.

As a student at Madingley Hall, you will enjoy award-winning cuisine in our elegant Dining Hall and first-rate facilities in an atmospheric and inspiring setting. You can choose to stay at the Hall in comfortable en-suite accommodation for the duration of your course, or attend as a non-resident.

Residential fees cover tuition, accommodation and full board, including morning coffee and afternoon tea during teaching hours, and travel on excursions. The non-residential fee includes all meals on the course except breakfast.

About Madingley Hall

Built in the 16th century, Madingley Hall is a Grade 1 listed building, and is set in eight acres of landscaped gardens designed in the 18th century by ‘Capability’ Brown. It is just four miles from the centre of Cambridge, and only 60 minutes from London, with excellent links to London airports.

Directions to Madingley Hall

For those arriving by train, we have an arrangement with a local taxi company to collect students from Cambridge railway station for a small fee of £4.

Accommodation

Accommodation for residential students is provided in single, twin or double study bedrooms in the Hall, with attractive views over the woods, gardens and courtyard.

Each room has internet access, digital television and a direct-dial telephone, as well as tea- and coffee-making facilities and a safe for your valuables. Rooms are centrally heated and all have en-suite facilities.

A special lift gives access to two rooms adapted for wheelchair users, and all areas on the ground floor can be reached once inside the building. If you would like us to make any special provision for your stay, please contact us beforehand and we will be happy to discuss your requirements.

We are usually able to offer accommodation before and after your course should you wish to extend your stay. Please indicate if you would like to stay an extra night when booking your place.

Meals

You will enjoy fresh, locally-sourced food from our award-winning kitchen, served in the elegant, oak-panelled Dining Hall. We are very happy to accommodate special dietary requirements – please let us know when booking your place.