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Institute of Continuing Education (ICE)

The interpretation of history mattered to Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Not only did the legitimacy of the Elizabethan regime under which they lived depend on a very particular reading of history, but retelling stories about the political past was a recognized way of talking obliquely about the political present. We will look closely at two of Shakespeare's plays, Richard II and Henry V, asking what interpretation they make of history, and what they have to say about the ways in which history is shaped by interpretation, not only in retrospect but at the very time when it is being made.

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Fees & financial support

Fees

The course fee includes access to the course on our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), personal feedback on your work from an expert tutor, a Certification of Participation (if you complete work and take part in discussions), and access to the class resources for two years after your course finishes.

VAT does not apply to course fees and there is no service charge (gratuities to domestic staff are left to your discretion).

Concessions

For more information on available concessions, please visit the Concessions information page on our website.

Alison Fordham Bursary

The Institute is proud to offer the Alison Fordham bursary, which is awarded to students who wish to study on one of our short online courses via our virtual learning platform, reducing the fee paid by 50%. The bursary is limited to a single award for each set of online courses.

Application criteria: 

  • Applicants should set out their personal learning motivations since priority will be given to those who are returning to learning after an extended break, or have not previously engaged with fully online learning, or are seeking to use the online short course as a bridge towards undergraduate award-bearing study.    
  • Applicants who can demonstrate financial need.  
  • Apply here https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/bursary-application

Course dates

06 Apr 2026 to 24 May 2026

Course duration

7 Weeks

Apply by

06 Apr 2026

Course fee

£415

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

Venue

Qualifications / Credits

Non-accredited

Course code

2526NOE095