Investigating the Victorians
Course status:
In progress - closed to new applications
Location:
Online
Dates:
11/05/2026 - 24/07/2026
Study format:
Online - flexible
Fees:
£415.00
In the nineteenth century, Britain led the world in the dramatic process of industrialisation but the consequences for British society were far-reaching. How were ordinary people affected by these developments? This course aims to investigate the lives of the Victorian people both rich and poor, to gain an understanding of the key issues that transformed Britain during this period.
This course was written by Annette Mayer who specialises in nineteenth and twentieth century British history. Listen to her talking about the course:
When Victoria ascended the throne in 1837, Britain was already engaged in the complex and dramatic process of industrialisation. This process had unforetold consequences for the British people, challenging the lives of both rural people and those who migrated to the new expanding towns and cities. Death, disease and poverty were just some of the daily hardships encountered. Inventions and entrepreneurial initiatives brought wealth and prosperity to many, but to others just a life of misery and endurance. People’s public and private lives were also affected by distinct Victorian values which shaped attitudes towards religion, philanthropy, the role of women and leisure activities. It was a society of great contrasts, in many respects deeply religious, yet in other ways often seemingly immoral and uncaring.
This course will investigate the key features of Victorian society and will seek to establish the links between economic and social change in order to understand the significant developments which transformed Britain during this period. It will also evaluate and assess the underlying values and attitudes which shaped Victorian society.
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Programme details
The course is broken down into 10 units over 10 weeks, each requiring approximately 10 hours of study time. The following topics are covered:
1. The landscape of Victorian Britain
- The Great Exhibition
- A changing environment
- Population trends
- Structure of society
2. Victoria: monarch and empire
- The Image of a Queen
- A modern royal family
- Jubilees – celebrating the Empire
3. Victorian family life
- Childhood
- Marriage
- Legal rights of women
4. The workshop of the world
- Industrial revolution
- Innovations in transport
- Urban development
5. Public health
- Health epidemics
- Housing conditions
- Attitudes and solution
6. Poverty and the workhouse
- Problems of poverty
- The workhouse
- Victorian philanthropy
7. Crime and Punishment
- The ‘criminal’ classes
- Punishment
- Treating the insane
8. Religion and education
- The established church v nonconformism
- Sectarian education
- Education for the masses
9. Leisure
- Cultural interests
- Growth of the seaside resorts
- Popular entertainments
10. Retrospect
- Strengths and weaknesses of the Victorian age
- Final images of Victorian Britain
We strongly recommend that you try to find a little time each week to engage in the online conversations (at times that are convenient to you) as the forums are an integral, and very rewarding, part of the course and the online learning experience.
Level and demands
This course is open to all and no prior knowledge is required.
This course is offered at FHEQ level 4 (i.e. first year undergraduate level) and you will be expected to engage in independent study in preparation for your assignments. Our 10-week Short Online Courses come with an expected total commitment of 100 study hours.
English Language Requirements
We do not insist that applicants hold an English language certification, but warn that they may be at a disadvantage if their language skills are not of a comparable level to those qualifications listed on our website. If you are confident in your proficiency, please feel free to enrol. For more information regarding English language requirements please follow this link: https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/english-language-requirements
Course aims
Investigate and evaluate the lives of the British people during the Victorian era.
Course Objectives
This course will enable participants to:
- Describe and identify the key social and economic features of life in Victorian Britain.
- Question and analyse the ideals and values of Victorian society with respect to religion, gender, family, class and social responsibility.
- Develop a range of historical skills through the evaluation of primary sources and historiography.
IT requirements
This course is delivered online; to participate you must to be familiar with using a computer for purposes such as sending email and searching the Internet. You will also need regular access to the Internet and a computer meeting our recommended minimum computer specification.
Programme details
The course is broken down into 10 units over 10 weeks, each requiring approximately 10 hours of study time. The following topics are covered:
1. The landscape of Victorian Britain
- The Great Exhibition
- A changing environment
- Population trends
- Structure of society
2. Victoria: monarch and empire
- The Image of a Queen
- A modern royal family
- Jubilees – celebrating the Empire
3. Victorian family life
- Childhood
- Marriage
- Legal rights of women
4. The workshop of the world
- Industrial revolution
- Innovations in transport
- Urban development
5. Public health
- Health epidemics
- Housing conditions
- Attitudes and solution
6. Poverty and the workhouse
- Problems of poverty
- The workhouse
- Victorian philanthropy
7. Crime and Punishment
- The ‘criminal’ classes
- Punishment
- Treating the insane
8. Religion and education
- The established church v nonconformism
- Sectarian education
- Education for the masses
9. Leisure
- Cultural interests
- Growth of the seaside resorts
- Popular entertainments
10. Retrospect
- Strengths and weaknesses of the Victorian age
- Final images of Victorian Britain
We strongly recommend that you try to find a little time each week to engage in the online conversations (at times that are convenient to you) as the forums are an integral, and very rewarding, part of the course and the online learning experience.
Teaching methods
- Guided reading of texts and internet resources.
- Research topics with student feedback.
- Different discussion formats eg very structured or informal.
- Set questions on primary materials as part of ongoing assessment
- Questions to be answered in personal folders.
- Quizzes
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course students will be expected to have gained the following skills:
- The ability to write both critical and balanced analysis in order to evaluate the main social and economic features of life in Victorian Britain.
- The ability to discuss and interpret the underlying values of Victorian society and to appreciate how issues such as gender and religion affected attitudes.
- The ability to compare, evaluate and interpret primary sources in order to develop and support historical arguments and to communicate their own ideas successfully to debates about Victorian Britain.
Assessment methods
You will be set two pieces of work for the course. The first of 500 words is due halfway through your course. This does not count towards your final outcome but preparing for it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work of 1,500 words due at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.
Simon Wenham
Simon Wenham tutors weekly and online courses and his historical interests include Victorian Britain, Oxford, religion, leisure, businesses and gender.
Assessment methods
You will be set two pieces of work for the course. The first of 500 words is due halfway through your course. This does not count towards your final outcome but preparing for it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work of 1,500 words due at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.
Level and demands
This course is open to all and no prior knowledge is required.
This course is offered at FHEQ level 4 (i.e. first year undergraduate level) and you will be expected to engage in independent study in preparation for your assignments. Our 10-week Short Online Courses come with an expected total commitment of 100 study hours.
English Language Requirements
We do not insist that applicants hold an English language certification, but warn that they may be at a disadvantage if their language skills are not of a comparable level to those qualifications listed on our website. If you are confident in your proficiency, please feel free to enrol. For more information regarding English language requirements please follow this link: https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/english-language-requirements
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course Fee | £415.00 |
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.