POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

Postgraduate Studies at Birmingham Christian College

 

The MA in Applied Theology (and the parallel Postgraduate Diploma or Certificate in Theology) is a taught programme with three study pathways.

Programme Introduction

With a remarkable diversity of expertise within the college faculty and the valuable partnership we have with Birmingham Newman University, postgraduate studies at Birmingham Christian College (BCC) are praxis-oriented and academically stimulating. BCC is an approved partner of Birmingham Newman University, delivering programmes approved by and leading to an award of the Birmingham Newman University degrees.

BCC’s partnership with Birmingham Newman University brings an additional stature to the awards we offer, as postgraduate students are encouraged to make use of the breadth of joint expertise BCC faculty and this reputable university offers. The Christian ethos of Birmingham Newman University is an added attraction for Christian ministers and leaders who seek postgraduate study from Christian educators, and thinkers from around the world.

The Masters Programme

The MA in Applied Theology (and the parallel Postgraduate Diploma or Certificate in Theology) is a taught programme with three study pathways. These equip students for missions, pastoral ministry, and strategic leadership, and act as an exceptional platform for further research in any of the pathways and may provide for continuing professional development.

Structure of the Programme

Students on any BCC postgraduate taught programme take classes for each module consisting of around 300 dedicated study hours – a blend of lectures, seminars, preparatory reading, study, researching and writing of course work.

The full MA programme comprises of six taught course modules and a short research dissertation. The Postgraduate Diploma programme consists of six taught course modules without a dissertation. The Postgraduate Certificate programme consists of three taught course modules.

Delivery Method

Blended (i.e online and face-to-face intensive sessions)

Prospectus

Information about the prospectus can be found here

Mode of the Programme

Students may study Full-Time for 1 year, or Part-Time for 2-4 years.

Module Format

Modules at BCC are generally delivered as blended and follow one of two schedule structures, either as weekly classes throughout term time or over block period, usually week-long, known as ‘residential’ study sessions.

The schedule for the classes is published several weeks before the term commences, so students would know and do the core reading on the module ahead of time. There are two intakes yearly in January and September.

The residential sessions are held over six days of full-time in-class study usually from Monday to Saturday. The class schedule will be published several months before class begins, to allow students to complete both the core and the weekly readings before classes begin. Residential sessions are usually scheduled in October and February.

For the residential sessions, students would travel to the beautiful leafy Selly Oak campus in Birmingham to be residents on campus over the period of these sessions, and BCC offers accommodation students may rent.

To ensure students have a good learning experience, we limit class numbers, so it is always recommended to pick your modules early, however, note that all optional modules on the programme are subject to student numbers or intake. Whilst BCC will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes arise due to student numbers, student choices and staff availability. Students should be aware that not all optional modules will be offered every semester, due to staffing, timetabling, and/or insufficient student numbers. Where an optional module does not run or there are insufficient numbers for the module to run, BCC will endeavour to inform students promptly.

What a graduate should know and be able to do on completion of the programme:

Following successful completion of any of the pathways of the programme, graduates should be able to analytically address a range of current questions in their chosen fields. They should be able to apply an advanced, systematic, and critical understanding of issues, and interpret a range of sources using a variety of tools, and methodological approaches. Students will know and understand how specific laws and acts that govern Christian ministry activities can be leveraged for growth and effectiveness. Graduates should be able to apply strategic leadership principles in leading intergenerational and multicultural churches and Christian organisations.

English Language Requirements:

All students must provide evidence of appropriate competency in written and spoken English. For students whose first language is not English, and who have not studied in English up to at least Level 3, the normal requirement will be IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 575 or equivalent. 

International Admissions:

Those applicants with overseas qualifications in place of the standard academic entrance requirements will be assessed using UK NARIC and UCAS Guides to International Qualifications. Such qualifications would need to be of a standard equivalent to a second-class honours degree or above in order to ensure parity. Overseas students might also be admitted on the basis of professional experience.

Course Fees

Find out our course fees here.

Financial Support

Our MA course has been approved for Postgraduate Masters Loans. To find out if you’re eligible please read the Master’s Loan guidance on the GOV.UK website here https://www.gov.uk/masters-loan.

Students with disabilities and/or learning difficulties may be eligible for funding to cover study-related costs they have because of a mental health problem, long-term illness or any other physical or learning disability. You can find out more information here.

We encourage you to make your application as early as possible to ensure funding is in place for the start of the academic year when your first semester’s fees will be payable.

International Students

Those applicants with overseas qualifications in place of the standard academic entrance requirements will be assessed using UK ENIC and UCAS Guides to International Qualifications. Such qualifications would need to be of a standard equivalent to a second-class honours degree or above for Masters programme in order to ensure parity. Candidates will be expected to obtain a statement of compatibility themselves. Overseas students might also be admitted on the basis of professional experience.

APL/Interviews arrangement

Accredited RPL/RPeL and in some cases where the RPL/ RPeL is certificated will be considered for students wishing to transfer into the scheme with previously obtained part or intermediate qualifications from other UK HE institutions or their equivalent. This will follow the rules and processes for RPL/RPeL set out by Birmingham Newman University, which allows for 90 credits of RPL for Master’s degrees. RPL is also available for the BA for up to 50% of the credits at Level 4 (first year) and/or Level 5 (second year) i.e. 60cr for those doing CertHE and 120cr for those doing DipHE and then up to 240cr for BA.

English Language requirements (Methods of assessments)

All students must provide evidence of appropriate competency in written and spoken English. For students whose first language is not English, and who have not studied in English up to at least Level 3, the normal requirement will be IELTS 6.5 for MA and 6.0 for BA, TOEFL 575 or equivalent. It is our duty as Higher Education Providers to ensure that international students whose English is not their first language demonstrate their level B2 English language competence by providing a recent secure English language test (SELT) from one of the UKVI approved test providers. You must have achieved at least CEFR level B2 in all four components (unless a test provider exempts you from sitting a component because of a disability).

SELTs can only be sat at approved test centres. A list of all the approved test centres is available on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prove-your-english-language-abilities-with-a-secure-english-language-test-selt 

Tuition fees

The tuition fee for international students for 2024-2025 academic year is £13,000

Optional accommodation fees for a single room double bed en-suite is £7,200 academic year.

International students Discount/Bursary/Scholarship package

We are pleased to offer the International Students Scholarship 2024 to new international students starting their undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the Birmingham Christian College in September 2024. 

Key information:

  • The scholarship is worth £2,000 per year for all undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
  • The scholarship is offered in each following academic year subject to sustained academic success, please see below for more details.
  • No additional scholarship application is required. If you meet the eligibility and award criteria below the scholarship will be applied as a tuition fee discount.
  • You must have chosen the Birmingham Christian College as your firm or insurance choice and have accepted an offer before 5.00pm (UK time) on Wednesday 31st July 2024 to receive this award.

Eligibility and award criteria:

  • You must commence your studies of undergraduate or postgraduate degree at Birmingham Christian College in September 2024. All degree courses are included except for part-time courses.
  • You must choose the Birmingham Christian College as your firm or insurance choice before 5.00pm (UK time) on 31st July for Sept start or 30th November for January start.
  • The scholarship will be awarded automatically – no scholarship application is required in the first or any subsequent years.
  • Subject to meeting the eligibility and award criteria the scholarship will be guaranteed in the first year of study. 
  • The scholarship is applicable to each subsequent academic year of study, subject to achieving 60% (in each module) or above and achieving a minimum of 120 credits for undergraduate in the previous academic year. The scholarship is not applicable to any compulsory or optional years in industry, work placements or year abroad.
  • You must enter a degree programme at the Birmingham Christian College in year 1. If you are entering in year 2, you would be eligible for this scholarship, providing you are not receiving a scholarship/award as part of a collaborative programme with your home institution.  
  • The scholarship can be awarded in-conjunction with any available scholarships from the Faculty you will be studying in, subject to not becoming a sponsored student*.
  • The scholarship cannot be awarded in-conjunction with any funding (full or partial) from an external sponsor**, excluding a loan, which has to be paid back in full.
  • The scholarship will take the form of a tuition fee reduction only.
  • You must be self-funded and classified as overseas for tuition fee purposes.
  • You must not be a sponsored student*.
  • The scholarships are for full-time students only. Students studying online or via distance learning are not eligible for a scholarship.
  • This scholarship cannot be deferred to a future year of entry. If you decide to defer entry to another year, you forfeit this award.

* A sponsored student is defined as being an individual in receipt of a total sum of funds from either the College or an external organisation that matches or exceeds the original tuition fee required by the College.

** Government or governmental organisation – international, national or regional; research council; charity; private enterprise; or any similar organisation.

Deposit prior to issue of CAS

To ensure that we are complying with our immigration laws, we must only assign a CAS to a student whom we reasonably believe will:

  1. Meet the requirements of the student route for which the CAS was assigned; and
  2. Ensure the student has been assessed to have all the necessary requirement for the visa application.
  3. Comply with the conditions of their permission to stay in the UK

To be able to safeguard the student’s financial ability for the programme, in addition to point b) above, 50% of the tuition fee must be paid and where a student requires accommodation, a deposit amount equivalent to a months’ rent plus 50% of the accommodation fee for the academic year must be paid before a CAS may be issued.

Post CAS fees payment plan

We offer a payment plan for the remaining 50% of the tuition fees. Half of the remaining fees (25%) will be expected prior to enrolment and the remaining paid in 3 instalments within 4 months of the start of the programme. We offer payment plans for 2nd and 3rd year BA students where 50% of the academic year’s fee must be paid at the beginning of the semester and the remaining amount paid by 3 instalments within 4 months.

The remaining accommodation fees can be paid on monthly basis at the first day of every month.

How to Apply

Find out how to begin the application process and access the online application form here.

Our Contact

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Entry Requirements:

 

Evidence of candidates’ academic ability to work in the area of theological and ecclesiological praxis at an appropriate level and their potential to complete the programme may be provided in one of the following ways:

A second-class (or above) degree in Biblical Studies, Religious Studies, Theology or a cognate subject. A second class (or above) degree in another subject area, together with certificated learning (e.g. a Graduate Diploma) in Biblical Studies, Religious Studies, Theology or a cognate subject.

At least two years’ professional experience in a senior position in a Church or Mission context. In such cases, where candidates do not have formal academic qualifications, an access module or written assignment may be used to help assess suitability for the programme. A transparent policy will be followed to ensure equity and parity with regard to student admissions.

Accredited RPL/RPeL and in some cases where the RPL/RPeL is certificated will be considered for students wishing to transfer into the scheme with previously obtained part or intermediate qualifications from other UK HE institutions or their equivalent. This will follow the rules and processes for RPL/RPeL set out by Birmingham Newman University, which allows for 90 credits of RPL for Master’s degrees.

A High Achieving Multicultural Community For Learning

We are located in a serene and peaceful part of Selly Oak, Birmingham. The tranquil atmosphere of the college makes studies more enjoyable. Students enjoy walks in our beautiful green space and landscape during their time here.