Admissions information for non-sponsored students

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for students not sponsored by a partner Common Awards church. This might include: Independent students, Centre for Continuing Ministerial Development students, Centre for Black Theology students, those sponsored for ministry by churches that are not part of the Common Awards Partnership (e.g. Wesleyan Holiness students). Students sponsored for ministry in the Church of England (including Readers) and in the Methodist Church please click here for entry requirements.

The following entry requirements concern programmes validated by Durham University for students who are not being sponsored for study by one of the Common Awards partner churches:

CertHE in Theology, Ministry and Mission (for non-sponsored students)

Name	Certificate of Higher Education in Theology, Ministry and Mission (120 credits
Entrance requirements	At least 1 pass at Advanced Level OR 2 passes at Advanced Supplementary Level OR other formal qualifications deemed to be equivalent to the above by the admissions committee
Entrance requirements for those who do not have 1 A Level or equivalent	Some of our students do not have 1 A Level. Our entrance requirements then depend on the following: - Students will be asked to produce a piece of theological writing that demonstrates their capacity for working at Level 4 of undergraduate study. This may include satisfactory completion of a recognised Access course. - All such applicants are required to satisfactorily complete a face-to-face interview (either in person or online). They should also supply at least two satisfactory references.
Language requirements	At least GCSE English at grade C or equivalent. Students for whom English is their second language who do not have a GCSE or equivalent from an English speaking country grade C or above should have achieved a score of 6.0 in an IELTS examination or equivalent. Separate rules apply for any student applying for a Tier 4 Visa.
Further information	See our Admissions Policy for Common Awards students.

CertHE in Christian Ministry and Mission (180 credits) (for non-sponsored students)

Name	Certificate of Higher Education in Christian Ministry and Mission (180 credits)
Entrance requirements	2 passes at Advanced Level OR 1 pass at Advanced Level & 2 passes at Advanced Supplementary Level OR Other formal qualifications deemed to be equivalent to the above by the admissions committee
Entrance requirements for those who do not have 1 A Level of equivalent	Most of our students do not have A Levels. Our entrance requirements then depend on the following:   - Students will be asked to produce a piece of theological writing that demonstrates their capacity for working at Level 4 of undergraduate study. This may include satisfactory completion of a recognised Access course. - All such applicants are required to satisfactorily complete a face-to-face interview (either in person or online). They should also supply at least two satisfactory references.
Language requirements	At least GCSE English at grade C or equivalent. Students for whom English is their second language who do not have a GCSE or equivalent from an English speaking country grade c or above should have achieved a score of 6.0 in an IELTS examination or equivalent.
Further information	See our Admissions Policy for Common Awards students.

DipHE in Theology, Ministry and Mission (for non-sponsored students)

Name	Diploma of Higher Education in Theology, Ministry and Mission
Entrance requirements	Students enter the Diploma in Higher Education programme under one of the following categories:               2 passes at Advanced Level OR 1 pass at Advanced Level & 2 passes at Advanced Supplementary Level OR Other formal qualifications deemed to be equivalent to the above by the admissions committee         All applicants are required to satisfactorily complete a face-to-face interview either through the appropriate partner Church selection committee or through the Queen’s admissions process. Further supporting evidence may be gleaned through, for example, the submission of written work or the submission of at least two satisfactory references.          Entry to this programme for any student who does not meet these criteria may be obtained after successful completion of the Cert HE- this is admission by “progression”.
Entry by progression	Successful completion of the Certificate of Higher Education in Theology, Ministry and Mission.
Language requirements	At least GCSE English at grade C or equivalent. Students for whom English is their second language who do not have a GCSE or equivalent from an English speaking country grade C or above should have achieved a score of 6.5 in an IELTS examination or equivalent. Separate rules apply for any student applying for a Tier 4 Visa.
Further information	See our Admissions Policy for Common Awards students.

BA (Hons) in Theology, Ministry and Mission (for non-sponsored students)

Name	BA (Hons) in Theology, Ministry and Mission
Entrance requirements	Students enter BA (Hons) in Theology, Ministry and Mission programme under one of the following categories: 3 passes at Advanced Level OR 2 passes at Advanced Level & 2 passes at Advanced Supplementary Level OR Other formal qualifications deemed to be equivalent to the above by the admissions committee. Entry to this programme for any student who does not meet these criteria may be obtained after successful completion of the Dip HE- this is admission by “progression”.
Entry by progression	Successful completion of the Diploma of Higher Education in Theology, Ministry and Mission.
Language requirements	At least GCSE English at grade C or equivalent. Students for whom English is their second language who do not have a GCSE or equivalent from an English speaking country grade C or above should have achieved a score of 6.5 in an IELTS examination or equivalent. Separate rules apply for any student applying for a Tier 4 Visa.
Further information	See our Admissions Policy for Common Awards students.

Grad Dip in Theology, Ministry and Mission (for non-sponsored students)

Name	Graduate Diploma in Theology, Ministry and Mission
Entrance requirements	Students enter the Grad Dip in TMM programme under one of the following categories:  An upper second honours degree or above in Theology or any other subject  OR Equivalent academic qualification.  OR Completion of a Diploma of Higher Education or Foundation Degree in Theology for Ministry to distinction or merit level+.            All applicants are required to satisfactorily complete a face-to-face interview either through the appropriate Church selection committee or through the Queen’s admissions process. Further supporting evidence may be required for any applicant and will be required for those without a full degree. This will be gleaned through, for example, the submission of written work, evidence of other study, production of transcripts showing results, or the submission of at least two satisfactory references.
For all applicants	All applicants should complete an appropriate admissions form, and supply references if so requested. All information supplied is treated as confidential, and is shared with the relevant admissions staff as appropriate. If a student is not registered by the start date of their offered programme, the admissions file will be retained for 12 months, and destroyed after that period. Applications of registered students are held for the duration of their period of study. Students for whom English is their second language should have achieved a score of 6.5 in an IELTS examination, or equivalent.
	See our Admissions Policy for Common Awards students.

PG Dip and MA in Theology, Ministry and Mission (for non-sponsored students)

Name	Postgraduate Diploma and the MA in Theology, Ministry and Mission
Entrance requirements	Students enter the Postgraduate Diploma and / or MA in Theology Ministry and Mission programme under one of the following categories:         - A good degree (or other Level 6 qualification, such as a Graduate Diploma) in theology       - Graduates (classed as first class or 2:1 honours) in other disciplines with experience of Theology or Religious Studies to at least undergraduate Certificate Level (awarded with credit or distinction, or with an overall mark of at least 60%). All applicants are required to satisfactorily complete a face-to-face interview either through the appropriate Church selection committee or through the Queen’s admissions process. Further supporting evidence may be gleaned through, for example, the submission of written work or the submission of at least two satisfactory references.
Entry by progression	Successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma allows progression to complete an additional 60 credits to gain the MA at the discretion of the college. This should be requested prior to the award of the postgraduate diploma. Such candidates’ must request to complete the additional credits within the overall time limits of registration (max overall for an MA of three academic years studying part time from date of commencement of the Postgraduate Diploma).
Language requirements	At least GCSE English at grade B or equivalent. Students for whom English is their second language who do not have a GCSE or equivalent from an English speaking country grade B or above should have achieved a score of 7.0 in an IELTS examination or equivalent. Separate rules apply for any student applying for a Tier 4 Visa.
Further information	See our Admissions Policy for Common Awards students.

The following entry requirements concern PG programmes validated by Newman University for students who are not being sponsored for study by one of the Common Awards partner churches:

• Entry requirements for the full-time MA: a good relevant first degree (2:1 or above); or a relevant first degree (2.2 or above) and professional accreditation such as ordination or equivalent; or prior theological education to Diploma level together with relevant previous experience. Those who do not have a relevant degree may be asked to write a written piece to assess academic suitability. A “relevant degree” means a degree with sufficient Theology content to allow access to post graduate level study in this field.
• Entry requirements for a part-time PG Certificate: theological education to Diploma in Higher Education level (or equivalent) together with relevant previous experience. A previous degree in a different subject plus a Graduate Diploma in Theology would also meet PG Cert entry criteria.
• Entry requirements for part-time PG Diploma and part-time MA: successful completion of the PG Certificate.
• Applications may be made to transfer in up to 60 University awarded Post Graduate Level credits (excepting the dissertation ) obtained within the last 5 years in a relevant subject area.