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BA (Hons) Theology and Mission


This programme offers a solid foundation in Christian theology and biblical studies alongside practical instruction and experience in mission and ministry. Cliff College is an approved partner of The University of Manchester, delivering programmes developed by Cliff College, approved by and leading to an award of the University of Manchester.

The programme offers a sound foundation in Christian theology and biblical studies alongside practical instruction and experience in mission and ministry. It can be studied either on-campus or online, either part-time or full-time. There are also two pathways available to students wishing to specialise in working with children, youth and family ministry, or in working with older people.

Units include:

  • Christian Theology in Outline
  • Introduction to the Bible
  • Discipleship and Spirituality
  • Introduction to World Christianity
  • Biblical Theology of Mission
  • Preaching in Context
  • Christian Worship
  • Leading and Pioneering in the Emerging Church
  • Pastoral Practice

Mission and Evangelism Placement

The Mission and Evangelism Placement is an integral part of the programme in every year of study, offering an opportunity to identify and reflect on good practice in a variety of missional contexts and learn from practical experience. A range of placement settings are available and the College Placement Team will work with students individually to identify and develop an appropriate placement, either as a block placement or as a week-by-week placement, to be undertaken in the second semester of each year (every other year for part-time students).

Find out more about this course at one of our upcoming events:

Pathways

Anna

Studying at Cliff College has been an amazing way for me to dig deeper into my faith. It’s enabled me to learn more about the Christian faith which will be useful as I go into ministry and encounter people who have questions, whilst also letting me form my own opinions. The small class sizes allow for meaningful theological discussion.

Anna

Studying Theology has opened my mind to many questions and enhanced my understanding of faith and truth. It’s a privilege to be studying in such a beautiful and peaceful part of the world.

Studying Theology at Cliff College is a fantastic way of learning from God both academically and devotionally. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to grow alongside fellow Christians in their understanding of God.

Grad Ash Will Ben undergrads

Applications for full-time study are normally made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). The UCAS code for Cliff College is: C72.

Applications for part-time study are made directly to the College via our online application form. 

If you are applying after 30 June for a September start, please contact us before making an application.

For further information or to discuss your application with someone, please contact us at enquiries@cliffcollege.ac.uk or get in touch by phone on 01246 584229. Our admissions policy and appeals procedure can be found at the bottom of this page.

Entry requirements and open access

Our standard entry requirements are two passes (E grade) at A Level, or equivalent qualifications that amount to 32 UCAS tariff points.

We recognise that standard procedures for assessing applications may not always provide an accurate understanding of an applicant’s suitability and as an open-access programme we welcome applications from those who do not hold the qualifications required for standard entry to the programme. These will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Each year we welcome students with a broad range of prior achievements, and we are proud of our study skills and support programmes which help enable our students to be academically successful whatever their previous qualifications.

If you have studied with another UK Higher Education provider, you might be able to transfer credits you have already gained into a Cliff College programme - see Transfer Arrangements for more information.

English language requirements

Candidates whose first language is not English will need to demonstrate their proficiency in English in a recognised English language test. We currently accept:

  • IELTS 6.0 overall, with no one element scored below 5.5; or
  • PTE Academic UKVI 59 overall, with no one element scored below 59; or
  • LanguageCert SELT B2 test 33 overall, with no one element scored below 33.

This must have been achieved no longer than two years before the date of enrolment on the course.

For full details around English language requirements for visa purposes, please see English language requirements here.

Tuition fees

For 2023-24, the fees are £8,500 for full-time students and £4,250 for part-time students.

For international students, the fees are £9,500 for full-time students and £4,750 for part-time students.

Read more about our tuition fees and finance here.

student lecture Maddie undergrad

This programme is offered in dual delivery mode, giving students the flexibility to study either onsite or online. In this innovative programme, on-campus and distance students attend scheduled classes together and at the same time using video conferencing tools. Students wishing to study all or partly online will need to have access to a desktop or personal computer or tablet with a microphone and a camera, and a stable internet connection.

In addition to this lecture-based learning during scheduled teaching weeks (eight weeks per year for full-time students, four per year for part-time students), teaching and learning will take place in a variety of ways, including:

  • small-group seminars throughout the academic year, which will include student presentations based on directed reading;
  • online learning resources, including videos, activities and discussion forums;
  • reflective learning through practical placement; and
  • independent study, including assessment preparation, guided by personal tutorials.

Whether living on campus or studying from a distance, students will have opportunities to participate in the community life of the College, joining in prayer and worship times as well as social activities.

On-campus students will need to be physically present at Cliff College for all scheduled teaching. It is expected that most full-time students choosing this route will live at the College, or nearby. Part-time on-campus students may live further afield within the UK, but will be required to be present onsite for scheduled teaching weeks.

Students within the UK who choose the online option may choose to attend one or more of the scheduled teaching weeks in person at the College, with the agreement of their personal tutor.

Many students work part-time alongside their studies. The University of Manchester recommends that full-time students do not work more than 15 hours per week during term-time, which students can use as a guide when making a decision about taking on a job while they study.

Careers

Graduates in Religions and Theology go into a wide range of employment sectors, which include the civil service, education, sales and advertising, human resources, management consultancy, publishing and journalism**. Many of our graduates choose to work in the public sector, for example in churches or charities. Others go on to pursue further studies or explore a wide variety of other graduate professions.

This programme is designed to provide students with the skills to navigate a diverse world. Cliff College seeks to equip students with the theological and practical competence to participate effectively in Christian mission in a wide variety of contexts.

  • The Children, Youth and Family Ministry pathway is designed particularly for students who will go on to volunteer and work with children, youth and families in a range of mission and ministry roles.
  • The Ministry Among Older People pathway at Certificate level is designed particularly for students who will go on to volunteer and work in ministry contexts with older people.

** QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Theology and Religious Studies, published March 2022