March 16, 2026

MARCH 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 27 – 29 March 2026:

The Renaissance in Europe – seven cities of art and culture

The Renaissance was a European phenomenon characterised by changes in art, literature, architecture and scientific thought. This cultural shift began in Italy but over two centuries manifested in cities across Europe. In this course we examine seven unique centres linked by trade and travel, considering how European connections and local traditions shaped this time of change. We analyse the cities of Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Genoa, Lisbon, London, Madrid and Paris, highlighting key artists and architects in each location to see how these seven cities provide different glimpses of the Renaissance as a whole.

Tutor – Dr Sarah Pearson, University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education Teaching Associate in History of Art; Architectural Historian and Writer

Astrobiology and the origin of life

How did life begin? Did life begin just once in the Universe, or has it arisen elsewhere? If aliens do exist, what might they be like? The origins of life and the biology of extra-terrestrial life (astrobiology) are two of sciences’ most enduring mysteries. In this course we will explore how the latest research in both origin of life studies and astrobiology is getting us ever closer to helping humanity answer these fundamental questions and understand our true place in the cosmos.

Tutor – Dr Andrew Martin Catherall-Ostle, College Lecturer (Assistant Professor), Homerton College

Visit the PACE website to view more courses and book for a course.

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Our Student Stories

Newly arrived in the United Kingdom from Canada as a military family, it was a dream-come-true for me to discover a Cambridge University PACE Writer's Retreat at the stately Madingley Hall. With a debut novel published last year, I yearned to meet fellow writers during my time abroad and forge community. This past weekend surpassed my expectations. Friendships, laughter, mentor-led work-sopping, long walks, breaking bread together, and lasting memories are the legacy of the weekend

Cameron Alam

I love studying especially updating my knowledge in world affairs. I opted for the AI Course as I am very inquisitive about what AI can bring to the world as I have seen a drastic change in everyday life with the intervention of AI. Applications like Chat GPT, you put certain information and you can get all the knowledge from the globe. To be honest, I love being old school, this was the reason I became more curious to understand how AI works, the history, the theories it is based on, the concepts, the future we are looking at and so many factors. I would love to take more courses at University of Cambridge and keep updating my knowledge regarding various subjects.

Siddharth Gupta

Attending the courses at PACE gave me the chance to step out of the mundane and into possibility. The possibility to be me, away from the daily routines and pressures of life; to meet diverse groups of people with one shared aspiration: to keep learning. Being at PACE gave me access to teachers of exceptional quality and the chance to let my mind learn again: bliss! To be refreshed by the minds of fellow learners in the context of the beautiful Madingley was so very precious to me. Thank you to all, particularly the organisers who ran the perfectly oiled machine, our generous teachers and the kitchens who prepared such great suppers on Fridays and Saturdays.

Emma Duveen

I work on the use of history in interaction with the metaphorical ‘other’ and more specifically the reception of historical cultures. Civic integration courses are my main area of research. The weekend course I followed closely fits in my professional aim to understand the role of history in identity processes and feeling of belonging. Understanding the past of Middle East is important here to get an understanding of the collective memory/historical culture that newcomers in Europe born in that region carry with them.

Anthe Baele

I attended this course to explore the study of English literature in the setting of Cambridge University. I had previously taken degrees in history and law but regretted not studying English literature at university despite enjoying it at the A level stage. It was also an opportunity to step way from my normal routines and meet new people. The combination of excellent tuition, accommodation and interaction with other students during the Fairy Tales course at Madingley Hall has encouraged me to enrol for further such courses in future.

Stephen Lear

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