Alexandra Moriarty

After working in multiple careers and focusing on her family, Alexandra decided to follow her passion for archaeology and enrol in the Certificate in Archaeology after moving to the Cotswolds. She is now working towards becoming a fully qualified archaeologist as a trainee at Cotswold Archaeology. 

'My name is Alexandra Moriarty, originally from Slovakia, and I moved to the UK in 2003. I've worked in a few different careers before starting a family, having two children, moving to the Cotswolds, and deciding to follow my passion for archaeology. I joined the Oxford Lifelong Learning course in October 2022, thrilled to expand my academic knowledge. My journey at Oxford – for now – culminated in the Undergraduate Certificate in Archaeology.  

'The Certificate caught my attention due to the quality of the course and the prestige of studying at the best university in the world. The course topics and the scope of archaeology covered was great, and working with materials from the Oxford Gardens Libraries and Museums (GLAM) resources has been truly enjoyable and immersive. 

'We experienced the breadth of expert tutors and lecturers, each an expert in their field, who were delivering the lectures and seminars on their specialist topics.  Because we had such a wide range of voices, sometimes it felt a bit harder to track progress consistently, but the opportunity to speak to and connect with the lecturers and dedicated experts on any given topic was especially valuable. I remember emailing Professor Harris, thanking him for his Harris Matrix – and he emailed back! 

'Participating in a student excavation at Besselsleigh and a few test pits has given me the confidence to apply for volunteering digs outside Oxford. This has, in turn, enriched my archaeology experience and, together with my studies, has given me a tremendous boost to apply and interview in the commercial archaeology sector. In May 2025, I started as a trainee archaeologist at Cotswold Archaeology. 

'I'm working towards becoming a fully qualified, experienced archaeologist and then continuing to progress my career into fieldwork and more senior management roles. I'm also keen to continue expanding my knowledge of archaeology and ceramics throughout history.  

'To anyone considering studying this course, I would say: be tenacious, ask questions, work hard, lean into your support network and your class/course mates. Follow your passion – and maybe discover a new passion in the process. Believe in yourself and let your enjoyment shine.'

Learn more:

• Certificate in Archaeology
• Cotswold Archaeology