Undergraduate Diploma in English Literature: Literature Past and Present

You will examine questions of literary influence and form, giving consideration to topics as wide-ranging as modern and contemporary poetry, literary modernism, nature writing and the postmodern novel.

As part of our learning community, you will:

• trace the development of 20th century poetry from the end of the Victorian period, through the experiments of Modernism and arriving at the contemporary moment, with reference to a wide range of poets from Thomas Hardy and T. S. Eliot to Benjamin Zephaniah and Kae Tempest
• take a long view of the representation of place and space in literature from the 17th to the 21st century, with a particular emphasis on the literature of London and nature writing from the romantics to contemporary ecopoetry
• consider how literature has responded to the impact of imperialism, 2 world wars, increasing globalisation and the climate crisis.

Course breakdown

This course will run from Wednesday 09 October 2024 to 13 June 2025.

Michaelmas term: Contemporary Poetry: Roots to now

After an introduction and welcome session on 09 October, each term’s teaching will take place in 4 live teaching sessions on Saturdays from 1pm to 3pm and 4pm to 6pm on 12 and 26 October and 16 and 30 November 2024 and 2 open sessions on Wednesday evenings, between 7pm and 8pm on 30 October and 04 December 2024 plus pre-recorded lectures (all times GMT). 

• Introduction and Welcome: Wednesday 9 October 2024, 7pm to 8pm
• Course (unit 1) start date: Saturday 12 October 2024
• Unit 1 end date:  Wednesday 8 January 2025

Lent term: Literature and Place

This term’s teaching will take place in 4 live teaching sessions on Saturdays from 1pm to 3pm and 4pm to 6pm on 04 and 18 January and 1 and 15 February 2025 and 2 open sessions on Wednesday evenings, between 7pm and 8pm on 22 January and 19 February 2025 plus pre-recorded lectures (all times GMT). 

• Unit 2 start date: Saturday 4 January 2025
• Unit 2 end date: Wednesday 26 March 2025

Easter term: The Modern Novel: Experiments in narrative

This term’s teaching will take place in 4 live teaching sessions on Saturdays from 1pm to 3pm and 4pm to 6pm on 29 March (GMT) and 12 April, 26 April and 10 May 2025 (BST) and 2 open sessions on Wednesday evenings, between 7pm and 8pm on 16 April and 14 May 2025 (BST) plus pre-recorded lectures 

• Unit 3 start date: Saturday 29 March 2025
• Unit 3 end date: Friday 13 June 2025

After the course

You may wish to take our other Undergraduate Diploma in English Literature: Literature and Criticism.  Students who have successfully completed both Diploma courses can apply to be awarded the Undergraduate Certificate 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.

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 £3,000. 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.

Churton Collins Memorial Bursary Scheme

The Churton Collins Memorial bursary is intended to enable prospective English Literature students, who do not currently hold a recognised higher education level qualification (FHEQ level 4 or higher), to enrol on ICE’s part-time award-bearing undergraduate English Literature certificate or diploma. Two bursaries are available, each providing a subsidy of £1000 tuition fee reduction.

The terms and conditions for the bursary can be found here and there is no financial barrier criteria for this bursary.

How to apply for a bursary

Step one: Apply for a place on the course. Applicants can only apply for a bursary after making an application for the course through the online application portal.

Step two: Complete the online bursary application form. You will be required to provide a personal statement (up to 200 words), outlining your motivations for applying for the bursary and how it will enable you to study at ICE if successful.

The deadline for applications for this bursary has been extended until 11 June 2024.

The University has many sources of financial help that you can explore. For information on any other bursaries for this course, please see  https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/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.

We welcome learners of all backgrounds and abilities at the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE), and for this reason we have robust learning support in place for any student who needs it.

The Accessibility & Disability Resource Centre (ADRC) provides advice, guidance, and resources to disabled students on ICE award-bearing undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

If you have a disability or medical condition including a mental health condition, then please indicate this on your application form so we can work with you on supporting your studies. If you would like to access support from the ADRC please complete their online Student Information Form as soon as possible. If you are able to, please upload your evidence (written in English) within the Student Information Form where prompted. 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

You can also disclose a disability at any time during your course by contacting either the ADRC NMS team, or ICE’s Student Support team via da@ice.cam.ac.uk

Student wellbeing is a key priority at ICE, and we have a dedicated Student Support team who can provide wellbeing support and guidance. Please contact the team via studentwelfare@ice.cam.ac.uk