- Published on April 24, 2026
May Weekend Courses
Taught in the beautiful setting of Madingley Hall, our Weekend Courses offer you the opportunity to discover new subjects, learn from some of our finest academics, expand your professional and social networks and become part of a supportive learning community.
You can book to stay in the comfortable rooms at Madingley Hall, with views over the woods, gardens and courtyard. Each en-suite room has wi-fi, TV, phone, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Breakfast is also included.
If you choose to stay nearby, no problem. You’ll still be able to enjoy the grounds during the day and enjoy the award-winning cuisine in our elegant dining hall.
The following courses will run from 15 – 17 May 2026:
From the beginning to the end: reflecting on time and destiny in Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen
Wagner’s four operas of the Ring of the Nibelung stand at the heart of Western musical tradition, exercising a hold on the public imagination because of the infinite variety and multiplicity of its content, both musical and textual. Wagner famously distilled the essences of the whole Nordic‑Germanic Medieval tradition in shaping his texts through their complex genesis. The outcome was a unique synthesis that encompasses life’s key questions: on the meaning of time, on destiny, freedom, love, power, purpose, creation and life itself. What is the most important element in our experience? Why does love seem to be preeminent?
Tutor – Dr Robert Letellier. Author; Panel Tutor, University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education
King John and Magna Carta
From childhood, we learn of scheming ‘Prince’ John in the tales of Robin Hood: the quintessential, untrustworthy baddy. Time for some facts! The youngest son of Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine and King Henry II, John rose to be the head of his dynasty and ruler of not just England, but also of Normandy, Anjou, and Aquitaine. Yet at the end of his life, he had lost his continental lands, his kingdom was in ruins as his barons rallied behind the document we call Magna Carta and tried to overthrow him. Understanding his fall is a key part of this course.
Tutor – Professor Stephen Church. Professor in Medieval Studies, University of Lincoln; Professor Emeritus, University of East Anglia
Five great Film Directors
From 1920 to 1970, five film directors dominated the cinematic landscape: John Ford, Frank Capra, Howard Hawks, Charlie Chaplin and Alfred Hitchcock. With one exception they were all immigrants, outsiders who from that perspective held up a mirror that showed Americans their own society. What made them so distinctive? What elements of film-making did they have in common? How well did they succeed in adapting to the shifting sands of social and political change as they struggled to remain at the top of their ultra-competitive profession?
Tutor – Dr Colin Shindler. Lecturer, American and British film and cultural history, Department of History, University of Cambridge
Leaps of creativity and problem-solving in business
This course assists participants to unlock their creative potential and tackle complex business challenges with innovative thinking. Through engaging interactive exercises and real-world applications, it fosters problem-solving abilities and teaches structured techniques for idea generation, evaluation, and implementation. Participants will explore the conditions that drive creativity, the importance of diverse perspectives, and the resilience needed to transform inspiration into impact. The course cultivates the mindset and skills to generate breakthrough ideas and convert them into actionable, sustainable business solutions that deliver real value in dynamic environments.
Tutor – Andrew Hatcher. Managing Director, The Applied Knowledge Network; Founder of 8Cambridge, Mentor at the Cambridge Judge and London Business Schools