Course content and structure
The Certificate of Higher Education (Level 4) in Mission and Ministry introduces students to foundational concepts in theology, mission and ministry; specific issues arising in mission and ministry to their chosen group (youth, children, families or older people); and ideals and skills that are essential for mission and ministry.
To complete the year students must gain 120 credits by successfully completing a number of units, which are worth 10 or 20 credits each. The units focus on key aspects of the Christian ministry to youth, children and families.
Core units:
| Study Skills | 10 credits |
| Leadership, Team and Self | 10 credits |
| Introduction to Theology and Youth/Children/Families/Older People | 20 credits |
| Introduction to Mission to and with Youth/Children/Families/Older People | 20 credits |
| Issues facing Young People/Children/Families/Older People | 20 credits |
| Spirituality and Faith | 20 credits |
| Applied Practice | 20 credits |
More information on these units and the subjects covered can be found here.
Cliff College reserve the right to offer alternative options to those listed here, according to availability.
Teaching and assessment
Most units entail around 26 hours of contact between the tutor and the student group. There is a flexibility of approach, dependent on the unit and the number of students, which will typically be a mixture of lectures, plenary discussions and group or individual supervised work. Tutors are available for individual consultation outside class time.
Units are assessed in different ways; through the writing of essays, preparation of resource material, project work and reflection. Methods of research and analysis are taught and encouraged, and mission assessment requires reflective work that makes connections between practice and theory. For every ten credits, written work of around 2,000 words is required, though many units contain practical outcome assessments which then reduce the number of words required. Marking is done anonymously. Attendance is required at all the relevant lectures or classes.
Completion and progression
On successful completion of the first year, students may progress to the second year (Level 5) of the BA Mission and Ministry degree at Cliff College. They can also exit with a Certificate of Higher Education in Mission and Ministry, awarded by the University of Manchester.
