Christian Theology

FdA

Intermediate award(s): CertHE
Full-Time

This course is available in Clearing, call us on 0845 271 3333 for more information

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. Students 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 people for ministry, and on reflective practice: we expect students to undertake a variety of placements in different churches and other secular contexts.

Teaching is ecumenical; students 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; students 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 (CTF), visit 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, students 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

Year one core modules
  • Reading the Bible (30 credits)

    This module introduces students to a range of texts from the Old and New Testaments, the contexts from which they have developed and some of the varied ways in which they have been interpreted and used. It gives insight into the scholarly study of the Bible, not primarily by over-viewing the whole, but chiefly through focusing on a varied selection of set texts.

  • The Christian God (15 credits)

    This module enables students to explore the Christian doctrine of God and the ways in which that God is made known in the world. The emphasis is on the foundations of the Christian doctrine of God as generally held by churches of different traditions. Some consideration will be given to distinctive differences on this topic between Christian traditions.

  • Introduction to Church History (15 credits)

    This module familiarises students with the practices, methods, and modes of Church history through the examination of specified historical period or periods. This module seeks to equip you with a firm grasp of the historical experience of the Church as a foundation for further study in Church history, doctrine, liturgy, and pastoral practice.

  • Introduction to Life and Service (30 credits)

    This is the first in a family of core modules taken at each level. It allows a student or group of students to undertake appropriate learning in the area of the Christian tradition to which they belong. This learning is designed to enhance attitudes needed to function within that tradition, knowledge of that tradition, and skills of self - understanding.

Year two core modules
  • Biblical Exegesis (30 credits)

    This module enables students to engage in close study of selected texts from both Testaments, using the tools of modern scholarship while paying attention to the texts' history of interpretation, and its relevance to contemporary ecclesial communities.

  • Special Topics in Christian Theology (15 credits)

    This module aims to introduce students, who already have an established level of theological study, to the nature and purpose of one specified approach to Christian doctrine. One or more of the following topics or range of themes will be offered each year, ecclesial and sacramental theology, Biblical theology, Feminist theology, systematic theology, liberation theology as well as a range of key theological themes.

  • Development of Life and Service (30 credits)

    This builds on the knowledge learnt from Life and Service module from Level 1.

  • Placement (30 credits)

    This module equips you for fitness to practice in pastoral ministry under supervision within one or two specified workplace contexts. Students taking the extended module may offer one or two placement options. The module involves a minimum of 100 placement hours and creative engagement in regular reflective practice in which theological and non theological disciplines will be used to analyse and improve practice. NB: students may choose between Life and Service and Placement, or they may do both.

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 e.g. 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 each student must provide their own funding.

Special features

The majority of students 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 three grade C passes at A Level. Many graduates go on to take the BA having completed the FdA.

Facilities

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. Students 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.

For careers 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.

160 UCAS points

How to apply

You should apply online. However, before being eligible to apply to Anglia Ruskin University you are required to go through an interview and selection process with the Cambridge Theological Federation. For more information please contact the Cambridge Theological Federation.

Location

  • Cambridge Theological Federation

Duration

2 years

Available starts

September

Student finance

Faculty

Arts, Law & Social Sciences

Contact us

UK and EU applicants:International applicants:
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