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, 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, students must apply for the Cert HE or FdA then move onto the BA after completion of the intermediate award.

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.

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.

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.

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 three Cs at A Level.

Study abroad

Opportunities for study abroad, and placements ( for which student must find own funding).

Associated careers

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

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.

Entry Requirements:

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

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

Entry requirements

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