Join a lively learning group to engage with key debates in the history of philosophy as well as contemporary discussions in the philosophy of mind. We’ll reflect on the current socio-political trends, while examining the pivotal developments in modern social and political philosophy.
Course Dates
Course details
Tutors
Key Features
Course highlights
During this part-time online certificate course, you will:
- explore some of the most fundamental questions about knowledge and belief
- develop key study and writing skills.
What is knowledge? How does it differ from mere belief, or a lucky guess? This course will help you answer these questions and more as we explore theories of knowledge, human interactions and key notions such as equality, rights and justice. This is one of 2 complementary one-year certificate courses in philosophy.
As part of our learning community, you will:
- critically evaluate key texts to engage with central debates in the history of philosophy
- develop the interpretative skills to uncover and evaluate the views of the authors
- consider key questions and disputes about what knowledge is and how it can be acquired
- engage with contemporary discussions in the philosophy of mind
- begin to answer questions such as: How should human beings be treated? When, if ever, is it permissible to deliberately harm other people? What is it to act freely, and do we ever have true freedom?
- reflect on current socio-political trends while examining the pivotal developments in modern social and political philosophy.
After the course
If you enjoyed this course, you might be interested in the complementary Undergraduate Certificate in Philosophy: Metaphysics, Philosophy of Language and Ethics. Students who have successfully completed both courses can apply to be awarded the Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education in Philosophy, worth 120 credits at level 4. You may also be interested in applying to the Diploma in Creativity Theory, History and Philosophy.
Course breakdown
This course will run from 10 October 2025 to 10 June 2026.
Each term's teaching usually takes place on Sundays between 2pm and 5pm (GMT/BST). Exact teaching dates and times will be confirmed in the course guide upon enrolment.
Michaelmas term: Selected Writings from the History of Philosophy
- Course (unit 1) start date: Friday 10 October 2025
- Unit 1 end date: Wednesday 7 January 2026
Lent term: Epistemology and Philosophy of Mind
- Unit 2 start date: week beginning 5 January 2026
- Unit 2 end date: Wednesday 25 March 2026
Easter term: Social and Political Philosophy
- Unit 3 start date: week beginning 30 March 2026
- Unit 3 end date: Wednesday 10 June 2026
Entry requirements
There are no formal academic entry requirements for this course, which is open to all students with an interest in the subject area.
English language requirements
If you are applying to study an Undergraduate Certificate, Diploma or Advanced Diploma and your first language is not English, you will need to meet the requirements of one of the language proficiency tests below. Your test must be completed and the results submitted to our admissions team no later than Friday 5 September 2025.
IELTS (Academic), IELTS for UKVI Academic, IELTS One Skill Retake
Overall score of 7.0, with not less than 7.0 in Speaking, Listening and Writing, and 6.5 in Reading.
TOELF iBT or TOEFL Home Edition
https://www.ets.org/toefl.html
Overall score of 100, with no element below 25.
Cambridge English C2 Proficiency
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/proficiency/
Overall score of 200, with no element lower than 185.
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
Identity Check
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.
As part of our open and inclusive learning environment, you can enjoy the world-class resources and expertise of the University of Cambridge wherever you are on your academic journey.
Our video-based teaching platforms offer a flexible way to access lectures, while our Virtual Learning Environment makes it easy to study and learn online and interact with your tutor and fellow students.
Our teaching methods include lectures, seminars, regular discussion forums, and interactive and experiential learning activities. We will also give you reading and assignments to complete outside of classroom sessions.
You will be asked to submit 2 assignments for each unit to demonstrate your learning. There are more details about how this course is assessed in the course guide we will send you once you have enrolled.
Qualifications
This course is equivalent to half of the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree. It offers 60 CATS credits, which are recognised by higher education institutions and employers.
How many hours of study are required?
The award of academic credit is a means of quantifying and recognising learning and within the UK, one credit notionally represents 10 hours of learning. This course attracts 60 credits, so students should expect to need to study for approximately 600 hours in total to complete all units successfully. However, it is recognised that students study at different paces and use a variety of approaches, so this is a recommendation, rather than a hard-and-fast calculation.
SEEC Credit Level Descriptors for Higher Education (2021) here.
The fee for this course is £3,300. You can either pay:
- in full when you enrol,
or - Your account will be set up for you to pay in 3 equal instalments: the first when you enrol, the second by 1 January, and the third and final instalment by 1 April – (standard instalment plan). 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
We have many sources of financial support that you can explore.
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.
Disability Support
The University’s Accessibility & Disability Resource Centre Non-Matriculated Service (ADRC NMS) provides advice, guidance, and resources to University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) 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 [email protected] or view their website.
Wellbeing Support
It is important that all our learners feel safe in their learning environment and student wellbeing is our key priority. 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 PACE Student Support Team are here to support you throughout the duration of your studies with us 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 learning support, then please contact us.
