You may remember we wrote to your school earlier in the summer about part-time study opportunities at the University of Cambridge.

We’ve had a lot of enquiries from teachers since then about our research-based Advanced Diploma courses, so I’d like to take this opportunity to explain a little more about what’s on offer and the bursary funding available to teachers.

Please feel free to circulate this email to anyone within your school who you think might be interested in developing their subject knowledge through research.

About the Cambridge Advanced Diploma

Your own individual project with individual supervision from a world expert, the Undergraduate Advanced Diploma is a unique opportunity to tailor your own programme of study, explore a passion in depth and gain a University of Cambridge qualification.

The Advanced Diploma is a research-based course, so that means you can choose the research topic and, with an expert in the field to supervise you, you are on the way to gaining a qualification that is equivalent to the third year of an undergraduate degree. The course will give you an excellent grounding in research methods if you’re looking to continue your research at a higher level.

This is a part-time programme so you can combine study with a busy teaching life. What’s more, the teaching format makes study accessible whether you live close to Cambridge or on the other side of the country.

You’ll just need to commit to travelling to Cambridge seven times over two years: first for the induction day when you’ll meet tutors and supervisors and other Advanced Diploma students, and then for six individual supervisions. In between visits, you’ll have access to our virtual learning environment so that you can chat with fellow students and your supervisor and access electronic resources.

Subjects you can study

You can study an Advanced Diploma in the following subjects:

• Archaeology
• Ecological Monitoring and Conservation
• English Literature
• Historic Environment
• History of Art
• International Development (subject to University approval)
• Local History
• Philosophy
• Study of Religion

Teacher bursaries available

The course fee for an Advanced Diploma is £2,200, payable in six interest-free instalments. Teacher bursaries are available to help fund the cost of study:

• State-funded teachers are eligible for a bursary of £200, courtesy of Cambridge University Press
• Non-state-funded teachers who are new to ICE are also eligible for a bursary of £200, courtesy of the James Stuart Fund.

Early application is recommended as funds are limited.

How to apply

We typically accept two enrolments of students for Advanced Diplomas – the first intake in November and the second in February.

The application period for the November 2013 intake is now open and the deadline for applications is 9 September 2013.

The application period for the February 2014 intake will open in October 2013, with a deadline for applications of 1 December 2013.

Find out more about Advanced Diplomas and apply online >>

Find out more

Please don’t hesitate to contact me at enquiries@ice.cam.ac.uk if you have any questions or if you would prefer not to receive emails from us in future.

Best regards

Paul Ireland
Communications and Marketing Manager
Institute of Continuing Education, University of Cambridge
Madingley Hall, Madingley, Cambridge, CB23 8AQ

Tel: +44 (0)1223 746262
Email: enquiries@ice.cam.ac.uk