Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs: an introduction for beginners at the British Museum
Time: 17:30 - 20:00
Location: The British Museum
This course has now started
- Course Code: RBMC32
- Dates: 12/04/24 - 03/05/24
- Time: 17:30 - 20:00
- Taught: Fri, Evening
- Duration: 4 sessions (over 4 weeks)
- Location: The British Museum
- Tutor: Hugo Cook
Course Code: RBMC32
Duration: 4 sessions (over 4 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Learn the basics of Egyptian hieroglyphs, including how the script works, its history and influence on global language, and how to read recurring key phrases when visiting sites or museums like the British Museum.
Hugo Cook studied Egyptology for his BA at Oxford and his MPhil at Cambridge. He has taught and tutored extensively, and he loves discussing all things ancient.
Friends of the British Museum pay a discounted rate. Please choose the "senior fee" during the checkout to get 20% discount on the course fee.
What will we cover?
Students will learn to read simple and widely occurring texts in hieroglyphs, while gaining an insight into ancient Egyptian culture and the marvellous ideologies recorded in these symbols. The course will explore how the script works (a bird sign does not, in fact, just mean a bird) and some basic grammar. Students will discover how this invention had such a major and often unrecognised impact on human history and language.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Read simple texts in most museums, galleries, or Egyptian archaeological sites you visit.
- Demonstrate new insight into the fascinating culture and global impact of ancient Egypt.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable if you are a complete beginner. As this course is taught in English, you should be able to
follow verbal and written instructions in English and also take part in class and group activities.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will combine some lecturing with activities and viewing of objects from the British Museum collections. Students are expected to participate in the activities and to do some homework every week.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Resources and handouts will be provided by the tutor. It is not essential, but it may help your learning to purchase a copy of How to Read Egyptian Hieroglyphs by Mark Collier and Bill Manley (any edition).
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
A continuation course. The tutor will be able to advise.
Hugo Cook studied Egyptology at Oxford and Cambridge universities. He can read six ancient languages and has worked as an Egyptologist in galleries, TV documentaries, educational institutions, and publications. Recently he has been working on a major new museum in Egypt and is writing a new book on Egyptology for Macmillan Publishers. He develops online Egyptological content for over 90,000 followers. Nothing gives him more joy than discussing antiquity with interested students.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
