Undergraduate Certificate in Immunology

Who is this course for?

No previous experience in the subject is necessary and the course is open to anyone with an interest in the subject area

What will I be studying?

The programme is arranged into three complementary units.

Unit 1- The Innate and Adaptive Immune System

4 Day Schools on Saturday 15th October 2022, Saturday 29th October 2022, Saturday 19th November 2022 and Saturday 3rd December 2022

This unit will provide an overview of the history of, and the key cells and molecules in, the innate and adaptive immune systems. The process of inflammation, pattern recognition, complement activation, B cell and T cell activation, antibody production, tolerance, hypersensitivity and autoimmunity will be introduced. You will discuss how changes in scientific knowledge have led to changes in the perception of the functional connections between the innate and adaptive immune systems.

Unit 2 – The Immune System in Health and Disease

2 Day Schools on Saturday 28th January 2023 and Saturday 18th February 2023

The second unit of this Certificate puts the immune system into a functional perspective and considers how it contributes to both the maintenance of health and the development of disease. Case studies will enable the exploration of issues such as allergic responses and anaphylaxis, sepsis, the mechanisms behind vaccination and protective immunity, immunopathology, and the contribution of the immune response to chronic conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s Disease.

Unit 3 – Cancer Immunology

3 Day Schools on Saturday 15th April 2023, Saturday 6th May 2023 and Saturday 20th May 2023

The final unit delves into one of the most recently developing areas of immunology to explore the relationship between cancer cells and the immune system. Consideration is given to whether or not cancer cells should activate the immune response and how they modulate the immune system. The development and use of immunomodulatory anticancer therapies and vaccinations will be discussed.

What can I go on to do?

The Institute offers two 60 credit complementary one year Certificate courses in the field of Infectious Diseases and Immunology which are taught and awarded at first year undergraduate level (FHEQ 4). In 2022-23 the Certificate in Infectious Diseases and the Certificate in Immunology are both being offered for teaching.

Students who have successfully completed the Undergraduate Certificate in Infectious Diseases worth 60 credits at FHEQ level 4 and the Undergraduate Certificate in Immunology worth 60 credits at FHEQ level 4 can apply to be awarded the Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education in Infection and Immunity worth 120 credits at FHEQ level 4.

Credit awarded by the Institute can be transferred into the degree programmes of some other higher education providers. 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 

There are no formal academic entry requirements for this course but as it is taught at university level applicants 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 English language requirements pages for further information. 

Technical requirements 

For the 2022-2023 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 £2,500.

You can pay in two ways:

• in full on enrolment by credit or debit card 
• in three equal instalments by credit/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 5 September 2022. 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 Tom Monie: tpm22@cam.ac.uk.