skip to content

Institute of Continuing Education (ICE)

Alert:

This course has been cancelled. Please register your interest by using the ‘Ask a Question’ function and we will notify you when this course, or a similar course, is next run.

The Undergraduate Certificate in Politics provides a critical introduction to the concepts, methodologies and theories of Politics as a discipline. You will explore key political concepts and issues, such as the meaning of power, the origin of the modern state and the operation of democracy through political parties, from a variety of perspectives. In addition, you will examine patterns of state formation, the role of nationalism in shaping non-European states and the contribution of Politics as a discipline to our understanding of domestic policymaking.

Our undergraduate courses are now being delivered entirely online, enabling students to study flexibly with the University of Cambridge from anywhere in the world.

We offer a range of tuition fee bursaries to promote access to and participation in continuing education.  

 

Container

Teaching & Assessment

How will I be taught and assessed?

Teaching

The content, activities and interaction for each of the three units will be taught remotely using video-based teaching platforms and an online course Virtual Learning Environment. You will have access to resources, discussion forums, and course tasks within ICE's Virtual Learning Environment. Teaching methods will include lectures, presentations by guest speakers and facilitators, interactive and experiential learning activities, reading and assignments to be completed by participants outside classroom sessions and online discussion forums.

All students are expected to take an active part in the course and submit work showing evidence of learning. Your learning will be enhanced by:

  • engaging with scheduled teaching sessions; 
  • participating in class activities and discussion;
  • undertaking reading and assignments set by the tutor;
  • accessing resources and submitting assignments through the VLE.

Course Timeline

  • Course (Unit 1) Start Date: Friday 6 October 2023
  • Unit 1 end date: Wednesday 3 January 2024
  • Unit 2 start date: Week commencing 1 January 2024
  • Unit 2 end date: Wednesday 20 March 2024
  • Unit 3 start date: Week commencing 1 April 2024
  • Unit 3 end date: Friday 14 June 2024

Teaching dates

Unit 1

  • Introduction: Friday 6 October 2023 19:00-20:00 GMT
  • Block One: Saturday 7 October 2023 13:00-15:00 and 16:00-18:00 GMT
  • Block Two: Saturday 21 October 2023 13:00-15:00 and 16:00-18:00 GMT
  • Open Session: Wednesday 25 October 2023 19:00-20:00 GMT
  • Block Three:  Saturday 4 November 2023 13:00-15:00 and 16:00-18:00 GMT
  • Block Four: Saturday 18 November 2023 13:00-15:00 and 16:00-18:00 GMT

Unit 2 

  • Block One: Saturday 6 January 2024 13:00-15:00 and 16:00-18:00 GMT
  • Block Two: Saturday 20 January 2024 13:00-15:00 and 16:00-18:00 GMT
  • Open Session: Wednesday 24 January 19:00-20:00 GMT
  • Block Three: Saturday 3 February 2024 13:00-15:00 and 16:00-18:00 GMT
  • Block Four: Saturday 17 February 2024 13:00-15:00 and 16:00-18:00 GMT
  • Open Session: Wednesday 21 February 2024 19:00-20:00 GMT

Unit 3

  • Block One:  Saturday 6 April 2024 13:00-15:00 and 16:00-18:00 GMT
  • Block Two: Saturday 20 April 2024 13:00-15:00 and 16:00-18:00 GMT
  • Open Session:  Wednesday 24 April 2024 19:00-20:00 GMT
  • Block Three: Saturday 4 May 2024 13:00-15:00 and 16:00-18:00 GMT
  • Block Four: Saturday 18 May 2024 13:00-15:00 and 16:00-18:00 GMT
  • Open Session: Wednesday 22 May 2024 19:00-20:00 GMT

Assessment

During the course you will assessed by a series of assignments, totalling 4000 words per unit. Further details will be provided in the course guide.

In addition to attending the scheduled teaching sessions 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 course is taught and awarded at first-year undergraduate level (FHEQ 4) and offers 60 credits within the Higher Education Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS). This is equivalent to half of the first year of full-time undergraduate study.

Documents

Unless otherwise stated, teaching and assessment for ICE courses are in English. If your first language is not English, please refer to our Information for Applicants pages for further guidance.

Course dates

06 Oct 2023 to 14 Jun 2024

Course duration

1 Year

Apply by

04 Sep 2023

Course fee

£2,750

Course director

Academic director

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

Venue

Virtual Classroom
(via Zoom or equivalent)

Qualifications / Credits

60 credits at Level 4

Course code

2324CCR877