The Certificate in Theatre and Performance Studies will introduce you to the concepts, contexts, theories and methods of drama, the dramaturgy and theatre and performance practice that provide an evidence-based, analytical and critical approach to understanding world theatre and dramatic literature. Through recorded lectures, carefully constructed reading lists and online class discussion, you will develop your knowledge of both theatre history and contemporary innovations in dramatic expression.
Course Dates
Course details
Tutors
Key Features
Course highlights
During this part-time online certificate course, you will:
- enhance your aptitude for and enjoyment of theatre studies
- develop your study and writing skills to an advanced level
- explore a wide variety of dramatic works and understand the real-world contexts for performance and production.
The Certificate in Theatre and Performance Studies will develop your knowledge of historical and contemporary practice on stage and screen through in-depth of study of themes, authors and movements.
As part of our learning community, you will:
- discuss the interplay between creative and critical modes of enquiry in the discipline; explore the tools and conventions used to create a play or radio drama, or to write for film or TV;
- gain an informed understanding of established and less well known dramatists and texts in relation to their period and to other writers;
- learn about different historical and current theatre practices and practitioners that reflect both western and non-western approaches to theatre-making;
- explore traditional and innovative technical aspects for making, designing and producing theatre;
- be provided with opportunities for progression to further study and careers in different areas of theatre and related industries.
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 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm, 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: From Dramatic Text to Performance
(Introduction and 6 live teaching/open sessions plus pre-recorded lectures. Live teaching sessions will be on Saturdays between 11.00am - 1.00pm and 2.00pm - 4.00pm GMT on 18 October, 1 November, 15 November and 29 November 2025. Open sessions will be on Wednesdays between 7.00pm and 8.00pm on 15 October (Introduction) 5 November and 3 December 2025)
- Introduction and Welcome: Wednesday 15 October 2025, 7pm - 8pm
- Unit 1 start date: 15 October 2025
- Unit 1 end date: Wednesday 7 January 2026
Lent term: Performance Theories and Practices
(6 live teaching/open sessions plus pre-recorded lectures. Live teaching sessions will be on Saturdays between 11.00am - 1.00pm and 2.00pm - 4.00pm GMT on 10 January, 24 January, 14 February and 28 February 2026. Open sessions will be on Wednesdays between 7.00pm and 8.00pm on 28 January and 4 March 2026)
- Unit 2 start date: Saturday 10 January 2026
- Unit 2 end date: Wednesday 25 March 2026
Easter term: Theatre Technologies and Modes of Production
(6 live teaching/open sessions plus pre-recorded lectures. Live teaching sessions will be on Saturdays between 11.00am - 1.00pm and 2.00pm - 4.00pm BST on 4 April, 18 April, 25 April and 2 May 2026. Open sessions will be on Wednesdays between 7.00pm and 8.00pm on 22 April and 6 May 2026) Please note BST (British Summer Time) starts Sunday 29 March 2026.
- Unit 3 start date: Saturday 4 April 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, expertise and facilities of Cambridge University 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, presentations by guest speakers and facilitators, workshops, and interactive and experiential learning activities. We will also give you reading and assignments to complete outside of classroom sessions to further develop your craft.
You will be asked to submit an assignment at the end of each unit to demonstrate your learning. There are more details about how this course is assessed in the course guide. You will receive the course guide 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.
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 - 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
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.
