England

Please tell us where you live so that we can provide you with the most relevant information as you use this website.
If you are at a BFPO address please choose the country or region in which you would ordinarily be resident.
Accessibility statement
An image to illustrate the Postgraduate Certificate in Humanities
If you have a passion for the arts and are looking for an intellectual challenge, this certificate course provides you with an excellent opportunity to upgrade your qualifications. You will choose between deepening your understanding of philosophy or developing your skills in fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction and scriptwriting through practical writing and reading activities. This will be achieved whilst gaining advanced research and analytical skills that will give you a competitive edge in today’s job market and prepare you for further academic study.
To gain this qualification, you need 60 credits. You'll choose one 60-credit module from a choice of option modules.

ModulesCreditsNext start
You'll choose one from:
MA Creative Writing part 1 (A802)
This module is an exciting opportunity to develop your skills in fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction and scriptwriting through practical writing, reading and research activities.
Next start date: 03 Oct 2026
See full description
6003 Oct 2026
MA Philosophy part 1 (A853)
This module introduces you to graduate-level philosophy through studying the beauty of nature; a classic text – Plato's Meno; the nature of consciousness; and issues around global justice.
Next start date: 03 Oct 2026
See full description
6003 Oct 2026
Subject to regulations, if you’ve passed the discontinued module A843, A863 or A873, you may count one or more instead.
If you plan to study humanities beyond this certificate, we recommend that you read the relevant qualification descriptions from the MA in Creative Writing (F71) or MA in Philosophy (F30) before choosing your module.

By studying the Postgraduate Certificate in Humanities, you’ll:
You’ll study through structured online materials, guided activities and tutor-marked assignments.
You’ll be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Humanities upon successful completion. You’ll be entitled to use the letters PG Cert Hum (Open) after your name.
Your postgraduate certificate may be awarded with a distinction or a merit. The qualification regulations explain the criteria you’ll need to meet to earn one of these classifications.

You can progress from this Postgraduate Certificate in Humanities to our MA in Creative Writing (F71) or MA in Philosophy (F30).
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You’ll study the Postgraduate Certificate in Humanities part-time, completing 60 credits over a one-year period. Typically, this translates to 16–20 hours of study per week.

The recommended hours include time to work through that week’s online study planner, complete recommended reading, and attend tutorials.

There is no time limit within which you must complete the Postgraduate Certificate in Humanities.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.
You must hold an honours degree to study for this qualification. Although your degree need not be in humanities, you must have the basic skills expected of a graduate in that area. Whilst either of the modules will bring you up to date with the latest ideas and approaches in humanities, they do not offer remedial undergraduate training if your qualifications and/or experience are inadequate.
Before you begin the certificate, you must be able to:
You’ll pay for your qualification one module at a time, rather than the full cost upfront. The fee for each module is listed in its description.

£2,850*
Your module materials, tuition, assessment and exams are all included in our module fees.
There are some additional costs that aren’t included.
Further information is available in the module descriptions.
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
Learn more about spreading the costs with monthly instalments and our other funding options below.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
We’ll show you how you can pay by bank transfer or combine payment methods.
You may be eligible for:
Studying the Postgraduate Certificate in Humanities will provide you with an opportunity to build on skills acquired at undergraduate level. It will further develop your capability to read and analyse large amounts of written material and improve your ability to convert knowledge acquired during your studies into lucid written responses. These transferable skills are in demand in many areas of the public and private sector, such as advertising, marketing and public relations; educational, charity and development; or government and public administration.
Completing the certificate will give you a worthwhile qualification in its own right, and you can also count the credits towards one of our MAs, provided you take account of the unique study rule.
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you'll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice, including: online forums, a website, interview simulation and vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
Select the module you will study first, read the full description, and follow the instructions to register.
Ask a question
Our prospectuses help you choose your course, understand what it's like to be an OU student and register for study.
Request a prospectus
Select the module you will study first, read the full description, and follow the instructions to register.
content