Undergraduate Programmes

The Certificate is available through one year’s full-time or two years’ part-time study in Durham, and constitutes, in effect, the first year of the BA in Theology, Ministry and Mission.

On successful completion of the Certificate, it is possible to transfer to the Diploma or Degree courses.

Candidates for the Certificate take modules up to the value of 120 credits at Level 1 (Common Awards Level 4) from the Theology, Ministry and Mission course.

The course is appropriate for anyone who is keen to explore Theology and Ministry through a course of systematic study leading to a University-validated qualification. Students of the Certificate are members of St John’s College and have access to a wide range of College and University facilities.

The Diploma is available through two years’ full-time or four years’ part-time study in Durham, and constitutes, in effect, the first two years of the BA in Theology, Ministry and Mission.

After successful completion of the Diploma, it is possible to take courses equivalent to the third-year degree course to convert the Diploma to the BA Degree.

Candidates for the Diploma study modules from Levels 1 and 2 (Common Awards Level 4 and 5) of the Theology, Ministry and Mission course, up to the value of 120 credits per Level.

The course is appropriate for anyone who is keen to explore Theology and Ministry through a course of systematic study leading to a University-validated qualification. Students of the Diploma are members of St John’s College and have access to a wide range of College and University facilities.

The Degree is available either through two or three years’ full-time study in Durham. Study over two years depends on previous qualifications (further particulars given below) and a concession being granted by the University for direct entry into the second year.

The Degree is normally undertaken over a period of three years full time study in Durham. The degree is taught on a modular basis and includes double modules which are taught over two terms. Full time study requires 120 credits each year, with each double module providing 20 credits.

The course is suitable for anyone who is keen to explore Theology, Ministry and Mission through a course of systematic study leading to a University-validated qualification. Students of the Degree are members of St John’s College and have access to a wide range of College and University facilities.

Cranmer Hall will consider applications for Accredited Prior Learning for Direct Entry into the second year of the Degree (Common Awards Level 5). Such applications are normally made by candidates with a 2:1 degree from a British University, or equivalent, or who have completed theology or religious studies modules with a value of 120 credit units at another Higher Education institution.

The period between when the learning for which Accredited Prior Learning is being applied for took place, and the time at which an Accredited Prior Learning application is being made, should normally be no more than five years.

3 Year Pathway :  Durham University BA ( Hons) in Theology (2 years) followed by 1 year MA in Theology and Ministry

This pathway offers ordinands the opportunity to study for a BA (hons) in Theology at the 5 star Department  of Theology and Religion of Durham University with its world leaders in biblical studies, ethics, systematics and church history. The degree pathway involves direct entry to the second year of the degree programme and admission to the programme subject to an interview in the Department of Theology and Religion and an application for Accredited Prior Learning. Ordinands particularly suited to this pathway will hold a first degree preferably in arts and humanities, and have achieved at least a 2:1. They may also be discerning a call to some form of theological education.

In the third year of training, ordinands on this pathway study the outstanding MA in Theology and Ministry taught at Cranmer Hall. This offers an opportunity for them to work in the field of practical theology with its focus on ministerial response and the integration of theology and ministry.

Whilst studying the BA in Theology and MATM, ordinands take formation modules throughout the three years from the BA in Theology and Ministry Programme taught in Cranmer Hall. They participate fully in placements, and mission study blocks and are fully integrated into community life at Cranmer.

This is an excellent pathway for ordinands who wish to study theology as an academic discipline in one of the world’s most prestigious departments. The opportunity to complete the highly regarded MA in Theology and Ministry in the third year, enables ordinands to engage with the challenges of ministry with academic rigour and complete a significant research project in their 15000 word dissertation.

Kat Gregory-Witham, an ordinand on this pathway wrote:

“I really appreciated the opportunity to study for the BA in Theology and Religion in the department alongside formational training in Cranmer Hall. The range of modules was excellent and in all modules there was helpful in-depth engagement with primary sources. It was interesting to study alongside Durham University undergraduates as they raised challenging questions that were less likely to come up in the confessional environment of Cranmer Hall. I found that although the teaching was less practical in focus it was still extremely relevant for present and future ministry.” – Kat Gregory-Witham

Peter Gunstone, another ordinand on this pathway wrote:

“I encourage anyone who would like the opportunity to spend time studying the sources of theology deeply with recognised experts in their field, many of whom are Christians, to consider applying for the Department Degree training pathway. Highlights for me included learning and developing skills in biblical languages, reading and exegeting the bible and biblical scholarship, and studying the historical development of theology. As an Anglican ordinand, there were ample opportunities for me to make connections between academic theology, discipleship and ministry in lectures, seminars and tutorials. Whilst Anselm’s famous phrase about theology is ‘faith seeking understanding’, Walter Moberly and his colleagues have taught me to continue to ask questions about what this might look like in everyday discipleship, and to hold this all in the context of worship. The department degree is hard work, but hugely rewarding as a formational pathway for ministry” – Peter Gunstone

For further details of the BA in Theology see: https://www.dur.ac.uk/theology.religion/undergrad/ and MATM see: MA in Theology and Ministry