Undergraduate Diploma in Creativity Theory, History and Philosophy

Who is this course for?

The course is ideal for students with an interest in the history of ideas, philosophy, psychology, religion and/or sociology. Prior study at Certificate level (FHEQ Level 4) in any of these subjects is recommended. Whilst the course has an academic focus, the aim of the course is to utilise the learning for personal and professional enrichment. Increasingly, creative talent is increasingly in demand amongst employers. This course will help those seeking to identify or implement creative thinking in the workplace.

What will I be studying?

Unit 1. In the Beginning: Creation, Myth-making, and Acts of God

This unit will introduce students to key themes, concepts, and terms of creativity theory. The origins and meaning of early notions of creativity as ‘creation’ (something arriving from nothing, ex-nihilo, as an act of ‘God’) will be explored by engaging with cross-cultural ancient, classical, and religious histories, philosophies, and literary texts, paintings and artefacts.

Unit 2. Creativity in the Age of the Enlightenment: Evolutions, Adaptations and Individual Acts

This unit explores changes in cultural ideas of ‘creativity’ in the 18th and 19th centuries, e.g. as a process of transformation of substances that already exist, through individual acts of genius and the ‘force’ of ‘inspiration’ (Pope, 2005). Creativity now comes from ‘inside’ the human imagination, idealised as a process only available to a few ‘chosen’ geniuses.

Unit 3. Creativity in the Twentieth Century: Complexities, Chaosmos and Constant Becomings

This unit assesses the more ‘modern’ idea that creativity is conceptualised as plural, dynamic, democratic (not the preserve of geniuses), participative, and constantly emerging (Pope, 2005). The unit will reflect these ideas by engaging with the scientific and cultural advances of the twentieth century, as well as examining this period’s great capacities for self-destruction (de-creation).

What can I go on to do?

Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Research Theory and Practice

Students who have successfully completed an Undergraduate Diploma in Creativity Theory, History and Philosophy might be interested in progressing their Diploma studies by applying to join the Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Research Theory and Practice (60 credits at FHEQ level 6). Students on this course will have the opportunity to work closely and collaboratively with qualified researchers in their field and will be introduced to a research community where they will begin to forge an identity as a researcher in their own right.

Credit awarded by the Institute can also be transferred into the degree programmes of other higher education providers. However, the amount of credit which can be transferred into degree programmes varies from institution to institution and is always at the discretion of the receiving institution.

Entry requirements

Applicants for this course will normally have studied and passed a FHEQ level 4 qualification (or international equivalent) in this or a closely related field.

There is provision to accept non-standard applicants who do not satisfy the standard academic criterion. Such applicants must produce evidence of relevant and equivalent experience and their suitability for the course.

Your application should include full details of any educational and professional experience that supports your application to study the course. This might, for example, be evidence of level 4 study, details of other courses taken in a similar discipline, courses studied for continuing personal and professional development, or details of personal and professional experience relevant to the course. This information will be used to decide whether to accept you onto the course.

Please be aware that the course is taught at second year university level and you should be able to read, write and speak English fluently.

Technical requirements 

For the 2023-2024 Academic Year this course is being taught remotely. This means there will be no face-to-face teaching and you will not need to be present in person in Cambridge, although there is an expectation that you will attend synchronous teaching sessions. The course content will be delivered, and the learning outcomes met, through the use of video-based teaching platforms and a dedicated course Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). 

You will therefore need to have access to: 

• the internet via a computer, laptop, tablet or other smart device.  
• speakers or headphones in order to hear any pre-recorded material 
• a webcam and microphone for any interactive sessions which may be available 

Once you are logged into the VLE you can familiarise yourself with the learning environment. There is also guidance about how to access course materials and activities. 

The tuition fee for the course is £2,750.

 You can pay in two ways:

• in full on enrolment by credit or debit card 
• in three equal instalments by credit or debit card: the first on enrolment, the second on 1 January and the third and final instalment on 1 April. The exact dates will be confirmed in the student’s individual booking details.

Please note, your place on the course is not secured until payment is received by the Institute of Continuing Education accompanied by any necessary documentation, i.e. proof of English language proficiency.

ICE Cancellations and Refunds policy 

Information on sources of funding, bursaries and Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) 

This course will require a minimum number of students in order to run. Applicants for this course will be notified one week after the application deadline if the course is not going to be running at which point students will be offered to transfer their application to another course or receive a refund of the fees they have paid so far (please see our ICE Cancellations and Refunds policy). 

Applying

Please apply via the link at the top of this page. Your application will be assessed and you will be notified of the outcome by email. If you are offered a place, you will receive instructions as to how to register and pay. Please note that places are limited and on a first-come first-served basis.

Closing date for applications

Applications for this course can be received until midday (12 noon) on Monday 4th September 2023. If you are offered a place on the course, we will ask you to complete your booking within a limited time and to pay the fees or if paying fees by instalments, the first instalment of fees to secure your place.

If you would like an informal discussion on academic matters before making your application, please contact the Academic Director, Dr Alexander Carter: ac991@cam.ac.uk