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Courses in Folklore Studies

Here’s a selection of courses and classes on folklore studies at various different levels, ranging from learning for fun to Masters and PhD.

Line-up of hobby horses at Sidmouth Folk Festival 2019, via Wikimedia Commons:

A History of Folklore: an online course from The Folklore Society

Ever wondered where ‘folklore’ comes from? Who were the founders of our subject and how does their influence still shape what folklorists do today? Where are folklore studies going now?

Then come and join in a new 10-week A History of Folklore course run by The Folklore Society in partnership with Oxford Continuing Education, with course tutors Prof. David Hopkin and Dr Paul Cowdell:

  • add depth to your folklore research/practice
  • learn from experts
  • join the thriving community of folklore enthusiasts

Weekly online lectures start Thursday 23 January 2025, 14:00-15:00 GMT, and continue until Thursday 27 March.

Cost: £285 plus optional £30 to gain academic credits (CATS).

Further details and booking here: https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/courses/a-history-of-folklore

Other courses in folklore studies are available–scroll down for more

PhD in Folklore, Contemporary Legend, Film & Media, at Sheffield Hallam University

PhD opportunities in folklore, contemporary legend, film & media at the Centre for Culture Media and Society (CCMS), Sheffield Hallam University. More details

MA in Folklore Studies at University of Hertfordshire

Exciting news for anyone in England wanting to turn their interest in folklore into an academic qualification: the University of Hertfordshire offer a Folklore Studies MA, which runs both part-time and full-time. For further details on the programme of study and how to apply: https://www.herts.ac.uk/courses/ma-folklore-studies

Post-graduate studies in Folklore and Ethnomusicology, at The Elphinstone Institute, University of Aberdeen

Taught M.Litt, Research M.Litt and PhD programmes in folklore and ethnomusicology: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/elphinstone/programmes-study/index.php

University of Edinburgh, School of Celtic and Scottish Studies

MA in Scottish Ethnology: full time, 4 year programme: https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/degrees/index.php?

‘Learn for Pleasure,’ Online Short Courses taught by Mark Norman

Mark Norman offers two regular online short courses–‘Introduction to British Folklore’ and ‘Intermediate British Folklore’ on the ‘Learn for Pleasure’ platform. For more information, course dates and registration, visit https://learnforpleasure.com/tutors/mark-norman/