Join us on this flexible course to explore our understanding of creativity. With plenty of peer collaboration, we’ll ask what it was that made particular cultures, societies and individuals creative and explore how we can ‘recapture at will’ our most creative moments.
Why choose this course with us?
- Access Cambridge teaching in a flexible format: part-time and online
- Gain a credited, Cambridge award: boost your learning and career opportunities
- Join our peer-learning and Cambridge alumni communities: connection and support, for life
Course Dates
Course details
Tutors
Course details
Tutors
Course information
Course highlights
During this part-time online diploma course, you will:
- identify and implement creative thinking in the workplace
- develop academic skills in research, analysis, evaluation and problem-solving
- prepare for further study at postgraduate level
From key concepts of creativity theory to reflecting on our own creative endeavours, this course balances an academic focus with the goal of personal and professional enrichment.
As part of our learning community, you will:
- learn about key themes, concepts, and terms of creativity theory
- explore the origins and meaning of early notions of creativity as ‘creation’ (something arriving from nothing, ex-nihilo, as an act of ‘God’) by engaging with cross-cultural ancient, classical, and religious histories, philosophies, and literary texts, paintings and artefacts
- consider changes in cultural ideas of ‘creativity’ in the 18th and 19th centuries
- explore the more ‘modern’ understanding of creativity as plural, dynamic, democratic, participative, and constantly emerging
- engage with the scientific and cultural advances of the twentieth century, as well as examining this period’s great capacities for self-destruction (de-creation).
Course breakdown
This course will run from 9 October 2026 to 9 June 2027.
Each term's teaching primarily takes place during 2 weekends, from 1-5pm each day. Exact teaching dates and times will be confirmed in the course guide upon enrolment.
Michaelmas term: In the Beginning: Creation, myth-making, and acts of God
- Course (unit 1) start date: 9 October 2026
- Unit 1 end date: 6 January 2027
Lent term: Creativity in the Age of the Enlightenment: Evolutions, adaptations and individual acts
- Unit 2 starts: week commencing 4 January 2027
- Unit 2 end date: 24 March 2027
Easter term: Creativity in the Twentieth Century: Complexities, chaosmos and constant becomings
- Unit 3 starts: week commencing 29 March 2027
- Unit 3 end date: 9 June 2027
After the course
If you enjoyed this course, you might be interested in developing research skills and conducting your own research on this or a related subject on our Advanced Diploma programmes.
Those who complete the diploma, and who already hold an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, might consider applying for a postgraduate course in History, History of Art, Literature and Creative Writing or Philosophy.
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 PACE Admissions along with 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 use the 'Ask a question' button.
English language requirements
Our courses are taught in English and require a good level of fluency. If English is not your first language, you’ll need to meet the requirements of one of the language proficiency tests below. You’ll need to complete your test and submit the results to our admissions team by 22 September 2026.
IELTS (Academic), IELTS for UKVI Academic, IELTS One Skill Retake
Overall score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in any component.
TOELF iBT or TOEFL Home Edition
https://www.ets.org/toefl.html
Overall score of 92, with no element below 20.
Cambridge English C2 Proficiency
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/proficiency/
Overall score of 176, with no element lower than 169.
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, presentations by guest speakers and facilitators, 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 a portfolio of assignments at the end of the course 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 second 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.
Fees
The total fee for this course is shown above in 'Course details'.
To help you manage your finances more comfortably, you can pay the fee in instalments. For more information on payment options, and how to secure your place, see how to pay.
Funding
We're dedicated to reducing and removing financial barriers to learning. Visit financial support before applying to find out what options may be available to help you in your studies. You can explore external funding and stay up to date on our concessions and bursaries.
We're committed to supporting you in your learning journey, and we offer a variety of support opportunities to meet individual needs. Visit student support to find out more about how we can help.
