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Institute of Continuing Education (ICE)

The Postgraduate Certificate in Philosophy is a part-time course in philosophy aimed at those with a degree in a related subject. Taught over a series of two-day teaching weekends and supporting one-to-one supervisions, the course explores a range of philosophical topics, from Ancient Philosophy to Existentialism. The first unit examines the origins of our notions of truth and reality by exploring a variety of texts from the ancient world. In the second unit, students will consider how these ideas developed in early modernity as scientific enquiry takes hold. In the third unit, students will grapple with Existentialism. Throughout, students will engage in one-to-one supervisions and will be asked to choose one element of the taught content to relate to a contemporary problem in modern life, such as Artificial Intelligence or post-truth politics.

Students may use this course as a progression route to an MA or MPhil at University. Prior study in philosophy is helpful but is not essential.

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Teaching & Assessment

How will I be taught and assessed?

Teaching

Teaching and learning on the course is delivered through a combination of presentations by the tutor, a range of interactive and participative methods of teaching and learning, and through reading and assignments to be undertaken by students outside of the teaching sessions. Such interactive and participative methods of teaching and learning may include small and whole group exercises, projects, case studies, structured seminar discussion, videos, and oral presentations. The course will be supported by the Institute’s Virtual Learning Environment

Assessment

You will be required to submit summative assignments totalling 11,500 – 14,500 words across the course, further details of which will be given in the course guide when available.

In addition to attending both the face-to-face teaching during each day school and submitting assignments, you will need to set aside time for independent study. Credit is generally calculated in terms of hours of study and assumes that each credit is awarded for around 10 hours of successful learning; so, by this calculation, a 60-credit course will involve around 600 hours of successful study. Examples of how study may be broken down are: pre-class preparation, classroom time (lectures, seminars, discussion, presentations, debates, case-studies etc.); engagement with the VLE; peer-to-peer interaction, preparations for assignments, assignment writing and feedback, and so on.

What is the status of this qualification? 

The Postgraduate Certificate is equivalent to 60 credits at Level 7 within the Higher Education Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS).

Course dates

12 Oct 2024 to 31 Jul 2025

Course duration

1 Year

Apply by

31 May 2024

Course fee

Home: £4,750
Overseas: £8,240

Academic director

Academic Directors, Course Directors and Tutors are subject to change, when necessary.

Venue

Institute of Continuing Education
University of Cambridge
Cambridge
CB23 8AQ
United Kingdom

Qualifications / Credits

60 credits at Master of Studies

Teaching sessions

Meetings: 6

Course code

2425PCB750