Undergraduate courses: Diploma in English Literature: Literature and Criticism

The Diploma in English Literature will develop your knowledge of literary analysis and history through in-depth study of periods, texts and authors. While studying works ranging from Medieval prayers to contemporary film adaptations of classic novels you will be encouraged to read widely in criticism and literary theory to enhance your own interpretations.

As part of the learning community you will:

• explore approaches to understanding poetry, drama and fiction, using both close reading and contextualisation as methods of interpretation
• consider how the relation between literary form, context and meaning shapes our understanding and evaluation of texts from different periods
• pursue an introduction to some key texts of Medieval literature (1066-1500). Topics will include the limits of chivalry, the allure of magic and the supernatural, the relationship between nature and civilisation, and both secular and theological expressions of love
• explore debates around influence and form in a course which examines the relationship between narrative, film and other art forms, including music and visual art
• take a deep dive into the humour, scandal and politics of eighteenth century literature. This unit will introduce students to a broad range of eighteenth-century writing, from satirical poems and pamphlets dating from the 1720s, to Jane Austen's novels from the first years of the 1800s.

Course Breakdown

This course will run from 15 October 2025 to 10 June 2026.

After an introduction and welcome session, each term’s teaching will take place in 4 live teaching sessions on Saturdays from 1pm to 3pm and 4pm to 6pm, and 2 open sessions on Wednesday evenings, between 7pm and 8pm, plus pre-recorded lectures (all times GMT/BST). Please refer to the individual dates for each term in the 2025-26 Course Guide. 

Michaelmas term: Adaptation and Literature: Origins, Connections and Transformations

(Introduction and 6 live teaching/open sessions plus pre-recorded lectures. Live teaching sessions will be on Saturdays between 13.00-15.00 and 16.00-18.00 pm GMT on 18 October, 01 November, 15 November and 29 November 2025. Open sessions will be on Wednesdays between 7.00pm and 8.00pm on 15 October (Introduction), 05 November and 03 December 2025)

• Course (unit 1) start date: 15 October 2025
• Unit 1 end date: Wednesday 7 January 2026

Lent term: Introduction to Medieval Literature: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

(6 live teaching/open sessions plus pre-recorded lectures. Live teaching sessions will be on Saturdays between 13.00-15.00 and 16.00-18.00 pm GMT on 10 January, 24 January, 07 February and 21 February 2026. Open sessions will be on Wednesdays between 7.00pm and 8.00pm on 28 January and 25 February 2026)

• Unit 2 start date: Saturday 10 January 2026
• Unit 2 end date: Wednesday 25 March 2026

Easter term: Eighteenth Century Literature: Money, Society and Literary Forms

(6 live teaching/open sessions plus pre-recorded lectures. Live teaching sessions will be on Saturdays between 13.00-15.00 and 16.00-18.00 pm BST on 11 April, 25 April, 09 May and 16 May 2026. Open sessions will be on Wednesdays between 7.00pm and 8.00pm on 29 April and 20 May 2026).  

• Unit 3 start date: Saturday 11 April 2026
• Unit 3 end date: Wednesday 10 June 2026

After the course

You may wish to take our other Diploma in English Literature: Literature Past and Present. Students who have successfully completed both Diploma courses can apply to be awarded the Diploma of Higher Education in English Literature, worth 120 credits at level 5.

Entry Requirements

To be accepted onto a Diploma course, you will normally have passed a Certificate (level 4) qualification, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject.  

We are able to make exceptions, especially if you have evidence of relevant professional experience that demonstrates your suitability for the course. 

Please tell us about any previous study or relevant educational and professional experience when you apply.

Your application will be reviewed by the Course Director or Academic Director, who will decide whether to make you an offer of a place. 

If you are still unsure which academic level to study, would like an informal discussion on academic matters before making your application, or would like to know more about the admissions process, please complete this enquiry form with your questions.

English Language requirements

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 for Undergraduate Certificates, Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas pages for further information.

Given the nature of creative writing, it is important that your use of English is sufficiently fluent to be able to understand nuances of meaning and have a familiarity with the structure and grammar of English.

IT requirements

The course content will be delivered, and the learning outcomes met, through 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

ID Requirements

As part of your application you are required to provide a copy of your ID. At the beginning of the course, you will be required to attend a live zoom session, so that we can verify your identity. Please note we will not be able to issue the award if an identity check has not been completed.

The fee for this course is £3,300. You can either pay:

• in full when you enrol,
  or
• in 3 equal instalments: the first when you enrol, the second by 1 January, and the third and final instalment by 1 April. The exact dates will be confirmed in your booking details.

Important: your place on the course is not secured until we receive your first payment along with any required documents, such as proof of English language proficiency.

If you are offered a place, you will receive instructions as to how to register and pay. 

Help with fees

The University has many sources of financial help that you can explore. Please visit our pages on bursaries and sources of funding and Disabled Student’s Allowances (DSAs) for more information. 

Refunds

This course will require a minimum number of students to run. In the rare event that the course is cancelled by us, due to minimum numbers not being met, or for any other reason, you will receive a full refund of any fees paid.

If you would like to cancel your place on the course, please refer to our Cancellations and Refunds policy, which we encourage you to read in full before applying.

Disability Support

The University’s Accessibility & Disability Resource Centre Non-Matriculated Service (ADRC NMS) provides advice, guidance, and resources to ICE award-bearing undergraduate and postgraduate students who have a diagnosed disability or medical condition, including mental health conditions. The support provided can include:

• appointments with a Senior disability adviser or Neurodiversity disability adviser ​
• reviewing/assessing medical or diagnostic evidence​
• production of a Student Support Document (SSD)
• signposting to sources of disability-related funds (Disabled Students’ Allowances [DSA], as well as other internal funds for home and international students)​
• coordination of human support, such as specialist mentoring or specialist study skills​
• neurodiversity screening service (Autism, Specific Learning Difficulties, ADHD)​
• signposting to disability library services 
• signposting to assistive technology and software support

If you would like to access support then please indicate this on your course application form and then complete the ADRC NMS online Student Information Form so they can work with you to fully support your studies. Please upload medical evidence (written in English) when prompted to within the Student Information Form. The following links to guidance on medical evidence or diagnostic evidence will help to answer any questions you may have. 

If you have any questions concerning disability support then please contact the ADRC NMS team via adrc.nms@admin.cam.ac.uk or view their website via https://www.disability.admin.cam.ac.uk/non-matriculated-students.

Wellbeing Support

It is important that all our learners feel safe in their learning environment and student wellbeing is a key priority at ICE. We have a dedicated Student Support team who can offer a variety of support mechanisms to those who are experiencing challenges maintaining positive mental wellbeing. The ICE Student Support Team are here to support you throughout the duration of your studies at ICE and can:​

• meet with you via teams/zoom (camera can be off) to discuss any concerns surrounding your wellbeing, mental health, academic pressures, or welfare​
• advise you on options and signpost you to appropriate sources of guidance which range from self-guided resources to wellbeing conversations
• direct you to specialist support and help concerning welfare, wellbeing, safeguarding and prevent​
• in specific circumstances (where there is a clear need unmet elsewhere) provide access to counselling ​
• provide access to study skills resources

If you have any questions concerning welfare support, then please contact the ICE Student Support team via studentsupport@ice.cam.ac.uk