Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Research Theory and Practice

Who is the course for ?

The course is aimed at anyone with existing Undergraduate experience (a degree or FHEQ level 5 qualification) and who wishes to take their studies further. Applicants may wish to work on a specialised project or may be looking to develop the skills necessary for Postgraduate study.

Structure of the programme

The Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Research Theory and Practice is the first part of a two-year Advanced Diploma programme. You can study it as a standalone course, or apply to progress to the second part of the programme: the Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in the Arts/Sciences.

Depending on previous academic qualifications, some applicants may be eligible to complete year 2 (the Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Arts/Sciences) without having completed year 1.

Students who successfully complete both years of the programme will be awarded the Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Research Theory and Practice in the Arts/Sciences worth 120 credits at FHEQ level 6.

What will I be studying ?

The Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Research Theory and Practice will give you broad research skills training which encompasses your chosen research specialism and prepares you for future, Master’s level study.

It will be delivered via three face-to-face teaching blocks (one per termly unit), via individual and group supervisions and via ICE’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The curriculum will cover both generic research skills as well as subject-specific research skills.

The latter will be taught via three streams (‘Arts and Social Sciences’, ‘The Human Past’ and ‘Natural Sciences’) so that you will receive training relevant to your chosen subject specialism.

Subject specialisms to be supported in 2019-20:

• Archaeology
• Education Studies
• English Literature
• Film
• History of Art and Architecture
• History
• Natural Sciences (predominantly life sciences)
• Philosophy, Religion and Ethics
• Politics and International Studies
• Social Sciences (predominantly Sociology and Politics)

If your chosen research specialism is not listed above please do still get in touch with the Course Director to discuss whether your research interest can be supported.

Dates of study

The dates of the termly unit teaching blocks are:

• Unit 1: Thinking like a researcher (Michaelmas term 2019): Sunday 20 October – Tuesday 22 October 2019
• Unit 2: Research design (Lent term 2020): Sunday 19 January – Tuesday 21 January 2020
• Unit 3: Collaborative research (Easter term 2020): Sunday 10 May – Tuesday 12 May 2020

It is expected that all face-to-face teaching will take place within the three teaching blocks listed above, meaning you only have to attend once per termly unit in person. Other course learning and supervisions (if required) are expected to take place remotely and via the Institute’s Virtual Learning Environment.

Whilst every effort is made to avoid changes to the termly teaching block dates listed above, these dates still may be subject to change.

Full details of each unit; including learning objectives, outcomes and assessment, will be given in the 2019-20 Course Guide for the Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Research Theory and Practice which will be available later in the year.

What can I go on to do ?

Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in the Arts/Sciences (60 credits at FHEQ level 6)

This course is the second part of the two-year Advanced Diploma programme. It is expected that applicants for this course will have successfully completed the Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Research Theory and Practice, however it maybe possible to take the Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in the Arts/Sciences as a stand alone course depending on previous academic qualifications. A separate course fee will apply for the Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in the Arts/Sciences.

During the course you will work directly with a subject-specialist supervisor on an independent research project of 10,000-12,000 words. You will be required to attend 2 day schools and individual supervisions.

Please note that credit awarded by the Institute can in some cases 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.

Accomodation

Although this is a non-residential course, students requiring residential accommodation may be able to book B&B at Madingley Hall, as availability permits, at a discounted student rate. Once you have completed booking your place on the course you will be sent further information about how to book pre-allocated accommodation. Please do not book accommodation via the Madingley Hall website as there might not be room availability via this route.  The student B&B rate is £60/night.

Additional information

Closing date: All completed applications must be received by midday (12 noon) on 2 July 2019. All applications will be considered together after the application closing date. If you are offered a place on the course we will ask you to complete your booking within a limited time period and to pay the fees (£3,900 - or if paying fees by instalments, the first instalment of fees) to secure your place.

This course will require a minimum number of students in order to run. Applicants for this course will be notified by 6 September 2019 if the course is not going to be running at which point students will be offered a refund of the fees they have paid so far (please see our Cancellation policy).

Entry requirements

This Advanced Diploma level (FHEQ level 6) course is designed for students who either have satisfactorily completed a Diploma level qualification (FHEQ level 5) or who have an equivalent qualification.

Applicants with evidence of the following will be considered:

Completion of an FHEQ5 level qualification, e.g. an Institute of Continuing Education Diploma level course

Academic study relevant to your proposed subject specialism, i.e. for students seeking to specialise in an Arts subject the above qualification should be in an Arts-related subject, e.g. English, History, Philosophy

If you have none of the above but feel that this Advanced Diploma course is right for you please contact the Course Director: Dr Alexander Carter (Alexander.Carter@tutor.ice.cam.ac.uk) in advance of making an application. Acceptance onto this course will be entirely at the discretion of the Institute.

One of the criteria for a successful application for this course is the availability of a suitable supervisor. Please be aware that the course is taught at university level (FHEQ 6) and you should be able to read, write and speak English fluently.

English language requirement: If English is not your first language, you need to be able to prove you meet the University of Cambridge English language requirements on application. Please refer to our international students' pages for further information.

International Students: If you are not a UK resident please visit our international students' page to read about visas for part-time students. Please make sure you have investigated your visa requirements in advance of booking as we cannot offer a refund if you find you are unable to take up the place due to visa constraints after you have booked your place on the course.

If you are interested in applying for this course, please contact artscience@ice.cam.ac.uk with a current CV and Research Interest Statement. We will then be in touch with further information. 

Additional information required on the application form

In the “Education” box please list all your qualifications and education background starting with the highest level qualification gained (title/level/date). You will be asked to give more detail about qualifications and experience relating to your chosen field of interest in your Curriculum Vitae.

In the “Personal Statement” box please include in here a statement of around 500 words in length explaining why you wish to enrol on the course and how it fits into your long term career plans.

Documents to submit with your application

Research interest statement

In order to help us assess your application please can you upload with your application a research interest statement. This should be no longer than a side of A4 (roughly 500 words) and include:

1. A specific research question you are interested in e.g. "my particular interest is in henge monuments in Wiltshire". If you don't have a specific question at this stage please specify a general area of interest e.g. the Neolithic in Britain.
2. A list of recent reading you have done about your research question topic. Please include the author and title of the books you have read.

Your Curriculum Vitae

Please include in your CV the following:

1. the full list of your qualifications and/or prior study within your chosen field of interest. This list should include the name of the course provider, the course dates, the module/unit titles studied, the qualification awarded and the mark/grade achieved.
2. relevant information about your career and experience to date. This could include: membership of relevant academic societies, any non-credit courses you might have taken relevant to your chosen field of interest, any relevant practical work, any relevant work experience or volunteering relevant to your chosen field of interest.

Some applicants may also be asked to provide additional information or a writing sample in order to help assess applications. If you are asked to submit a piece of writing but have nothing prepared the Course Director will be able to set you a question to answer in a short essay.

You may also be asked for a personal interview (usually remotely rather than in person) so the Course Director can discuss your application with you.

Acceptance onto the course will be entirely at the discretion of the Institute.

Closing date

All completed applications must be received by midday (12 noon) on 2 July 2019. All applications will be considered together after the application closing date. If you are offered a place on the course we will ask you to complete your booking within a limited time period and to pay the fees (£3900) or if paying fees by instalments, the first instalment of fees to secure your place.

You are strongly recommended to discuss your research plans with the Course Director: Dr Alexander. Applications close to the deadline without prior discussion might lead to you being asked to apply for the following intake instead.

This course will require a minimum number of students in order to run. Applicants for this course will be notified by 6 September 2019 if the course is not going to be running at which point students will be offered a refund of the fees they have paid so far (please see our Refund and Cancellation policy).

The fee for the Undergraduate Advanced Diploma in Research Theory and Practice is £3,900. This covers tuition as well as a 2 course lunch and refreshments on each of the teaching block days. You can pay in one of two ways:

1. in full on enrolment (by cheque payable to the University of Cambridge or by credit or debit card)

2.    in four equal instalments (credit/debit card only): the first on enrolment, and the second, third and final instalment being taken 1 month, 3 months and 5 months after the course start date. 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 fees and refund policy

For information on bursaries for this course, please see https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/info/bursaries

For information on a loan from Student Finance England for course fees and maintenance costs, please see http://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/info/student-loans

This course will require a minimum number of students in order to run. Applicants for this course will be notified by 6 September 2019 if the course is not going to be running at which point students will be offered a refund of the fees they have paid so far (please see our Cancellation policy).