Join our dynamic learning community for a critical introduction to the key concepts, methodologies and theories of politics, including an exploration of power, political regimes, and liberal democracy in practice. We will also examine patterns of state formation and the contribution of politics as a discipline to our understanding of domestic policymaking.
Course Dates
Course details
Tutors
Key Features
Course highlights
During this part-time online certificate course, you will:
- study a rapidly shifting and ever-relevant discipline
- become a reflective global citizen
- develop key study and writing skills
Along with your fellow students and expert tutors, you will consider key concepts and enduring issues such as power and authority, the origin of the modern state and the operation of democracy. You will also look at the role of nationalism in shaping non-European states and the way that politics is practised in contemporary nation states.
As part of our learning community, you will:
- consider the notion and forms of political ideology, and the contingency of liberal democracy as the dominant mode of political organisation in the West
- explore the limits of liberalism and liberty in ideological debates
- examine theories of democracy and the relationship between modern democracy and capitalism
- delve deeper into the concept of politics and its relationship with war, power and morality
- look at the development of different political regimes and what causes them to collapse
- scrutinise the arguments for a crisis of the liberal state, including immigration and the welfare state
Course breakdown
This course will run from Friday 10th October 2025 to Wednesday 10th June 2026.
Each term's teachings usually take place on Saturdays 1PM-3PM and 4PM-6PM. Exact teaching dates and times will be confirmed in the course guide upon enrolment.
Michaelmas term: Power, Politics and the Modern State
- Course (unit 1) start date: Friday 10th October 2025
- Unit 1 end date: Wednesday 7th January 2026
Lent term: States and Regimes
- Unit 2 start date: Week commencing 5th January 2026
- Unit 2 end date: Wednesday 25th March 2026
Easter term: Liberal Democracy in Practice
- Unit 3 start date: Week commencing 30th March 2026
- Unit 3 end date: Wednesday 10th June 2026
After the course
Students who have completed the Certificate in Politics may wish to progress to additional Level 4 courses such as:
- Undergraduate Certificate in Cognitive Psychology
- Undergraduate Certificate in History
- Undergraduate Certificate in Sociology
- Undergraduate Certificate in International Relations
Additionally, students might be able to progress to our Advanced Diploma in Research Theory and Practice, or Advanced Diploma in Research in the Arts/Sciences, at the discretion of the Academic Director.
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:
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.
