Course overview

This course is delivered by the Cambridge Theological Federation in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University . The majority of people taking the course are mature students training for authorised ministries in various churches; many expect to be ordained.

There are three strands to the degree - Biblical Studies, Christian Life and Thought, and the Church and the World. You will take modules from each, and they must be fairly equally weighted up to the end of the Foundation degree. There is a strong emphasis on equipping you for ministry, and on reflective practice; we expect you to undertake a variety of placements in different churches and other secular contexts.

Teaching is ecumenical; you will study alongside people from other traditions, and be taught by theologians from a variety of backgrounds. There is a good deal of flexibility in the way the course is delivered; you may move from being full-time to part-time and vice versa, as circumstances change. Full-time studies are possible in Cambridge itself, where teaching is delivered during the day in term-time; part-time options are available in both Cambridge and the East Anglia region, centred on evening classes, residential weekends and summer schools. For more information about the Cambridge Theological Federation, go to www.theofed.cam.ac.uk.

Every year we admit several students who are not sponsored by the Church; some of them are school leavers. Unless entering with Accredited Certificated Prior Learning or Experiential Learning, you must apply for the Cert HE or FdA then move onto the BA after completion of the intermediate award.

Additional course information

Successful completion of the BA or FdA does not guarantee that an individual will be ordained or licensed. Although the degrees are approved as ministerial training pathways by the Church of England and the Methodist and United Reformed Churches, each church has its own selection processes for authorised ministry. A variety of teaching and learning approaches are integral to the programme; lectures and seminars play a significant part, as do discussion/reflective practice groups, workshops, intensive courses, placements and practical work. There are some opportunities for blended and distance learning.

Module guide

Assessment

A variety of assessment methods are used, ranging from essays through to presentations of different kinds, course work, assessed services, verbatims after placement work, placement reports, assessment of practical skills eg leading worship, preaching etc. The only courses where there is an examination are Greek and Hebrew.

Study abroad options

There are opportunities for study abroad, and placements ( for which you must find your own funding).

Special features

The majority of people on the Foundation Degree and BA pathways are mature students but we are willing to take school leavers provided they have been accepted by a partner institution in the Cambridge Theological Federation and meet our academic requirements of at least 3 Cs at A Level.

Libraries

Our campus libraries offer a wide range of publications and a variety of study facilities, including open-access computers, areas for quiet or group study and bookable rooms. We also have an extensive Digital Library providing on and off-site access to e-books, e-journals and databases.

We endeavour to make our libraries as accessible as possible for all our students. During Semester time, they open 24 hours a day from Monday to Thursday, until midnight on Friday and Saturday and for 12 hours on Sunday.


IT Resources

Our open access computer facilities provide free access to the internet, email, messaging services and the full Microsoft Office suite. A high speed wireless service is also available in all key areas on campus. If you are away from campus or a distant learner, our student desktop and its many applications can be accessed remotely using the internet. Your personal student email account provides free document storage, calendar facilities and social networking opportunities.

Throughout your studies you will have access to our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), providing course notes, reading materials and multi-media content to support your learning, while our e-vision system gives you instant access to your academic record and your timetable.

Links with industry and professional recognition

The degrees are recognised by the Church of England, Methodist and United Reformed Churches as approved ministerial training courses.

Work placements

There is a wide range of placement opportunities. We have good contacts with churches of many denominations both in the local region and UK, but also abroad, and we encourage students to go on at least one placement or attachment in a church which is very different from their own. You will also spend time in schools, prisons, hospitals, hospices, in rural work or industrial mission, airport chaplaincy etc. Some choose to work with CRUSE, and receive training in bereavement care.

Associated careers

The majority of our students go into authorised ministry - whether that is ordained ministry or some kind of licensed lay ministry e.g. Reader in the Church of England. Several become chaplains in hospital, prison, or educational contexts.

If you would like to enter a role in education or social work, further professional training is required.

Entry requirements listed are for September 2013 entry. Entry requirements for other intakes may differ.

• Foundation Degree or DipHE in Christian Theology, or its equivalent in APL /APEL
• IELTS 6.5

Required subject(s): FdA Christian Theology required Non-academic Conditions: CRB Checks required, Interviews, Vocation for the ministry.