Short Courses
Short courses offer many ways to study. They are an inexpensive and flexible way to build towards the vocation you want or a good way to expand your personal learning and professional development.
All courses featured below are available to audit or to take for credit as short courses, and you can register for them by clicking the button below. If we are not currently offering a course you are interested in, we also offer non-validated short courses through NTC Online and Manchester Bible School. Current audit and short course fees can be found on our fees page.
Register for a Autumn 2023 Short Course
Autumn 2023 Course Schedule
Courses marked ** indicate online study is available.
Undergraduate Classes
Academic Studies
- Study Skills (AS4010)
- Description coming soon.
- Tuesdays, 1:45pm – 3:25pm
- Description coming soon.
Biblical Studies
- Introduction to Biblical Studies (BS4110)
- This unit introduces students to the world of biblical studies, looks at the origins of texts and their authority, and develops basic skills in biblical interpretation. It considers a range of approaches to biblical studies, from ancient to contemporary.
- Mondays, 11:20am – 1:00pm
- This unit introduces students to the world of biblical studies, looks at the origins of texts and their authority, and develops basic skills in biblical interpretation. It considers a range of approaches to biblical studies, from ancient to contemporary.
- **Biblical Hebrew I (OT5301)
- This class is designed for students with no previous knowledge of Hebrew. The unit provides opportunity to learn the basic elements of Hebrew grammar and begin reading and translation portions of the Hebrew Bible.
- Mondays, 3:40pm – 5:20pm
- This class is designed for students with no previous knowledge of Hebrew. The unit provides opportunity to learn the basic elements of Hebrew grammar and begin reading and translation portions of the Hebrew Bible.
- Paul and His Epistles (NT5202)
- This course considers the life and teaching of Paul in the light of modern historical study. It draws on the relevant ancient material and surveys the contents of some of the Pauline epistles.
- Tuesdays, 1:45pm – 3:25pm
- This course considers the life and teaching of Paul in the light of modern historical study. It draws on the relevant ancient material and surveys the contents of some of the Pauline epistles.
- Psalms and Wisdom (OT5203)
- An exploration of the ways in which the Hebrew Wisdom tradition attempts to address the problems of everyday life and of divine justice. It also looks at Hebrew poetry, especially in the book of Psalms.
- Tuesdays, 3:40pm – 5:20pm
- An exploration of the ways in which the Hebrew Wisdom tradition attempts to address the problems of everyday life and of divine justice. It also looks at Hebrew poetry, especially in the book of Psalms.
- Studies in Prophetic Literature (OT6320)
- A study of selected prophetic literature as a means to understanding the role and message of the OT prophets in their own day and the possible relevance to the long-term future.
- Wednesdays, 9:15am – 1:00pm
- A study of selected prophetic literature as a means to understanding the role and message of the OT prophets in their own day and the possible relevance to the long-term future.
- Story of God (BS4130)
- This course unit is designed to introduce the grand narrative of scripture with its focus on the mission of God from creation to the new heaven and earth.
- Tuesdays, 9:15am – 10:55pm
- This course unit is designed to introduce the grand narrative of scripture with its focus on the mission of God from creation to the new heaven and earth.
Christian Theology
- Knowing God in Christ (CT4000)
- Description forthcoming.
- Mondays, 1:45am – 3:25am
- Description forthcoming.
- Knowing God: Christian Hope (CT6000)
- Description forthcoming.
- Wednesdays, 1:45pm – 3:25pm
- Description forthcoming.
- Knowing God as Spirit (CT5000)
- Christians hold that the Holy Spirit enlivens and extends human faith and empowers them for the service of God. This course will examine Christian teaching about the Holy Spirit, with particular attention being paid to the life of faith and the life of the church.
- Tuesdays, 9:15am – 10:55am
- Christians hold that the Holy Spirit enlivens and extends human faith and empowers them for the service of God. This course will examine Christian teaching about the Holy Spirit, with particular attention being paid to the life of faith and the life of the church.
Church History
- Church History (CH4120)
- This unit provides an introduction to the history of the Christian Church from its earliest beginnings in Jerusalem to the turn of the twenty-first century.
- Wednesday, 9:15am – 10:55pm
- This unit provides an introduction to the history of the Christian Church from its earliest beginnings in Jerusalem to the turn of the twenty-first century.
- The Reformation and the Modern Church (CH6302)
- This unit examines important historical and theological developments in the Church from 1600 to the present with particular focus on Western Europe and the rise of global Christianity.
- Mondays, 11:20pm – 3:25pm (with lunch break)
- This unit examines important historical and theological developments in the Church from 1600 to the present with particular focus on Western Europe and the rise of global Christianity.
Practical Theology
- **Spiritual Formation (PT4130)
- This unit introduces students to a variety of Christian spiritual traditions and approaches to prayer. The unit offers the opportunity for personal spiritual engagement with God through prayer exercises as well as academic learning.
- On campus: Wednesdays, 9:15am – 10:55am
- Online: Thursdays, 7:30pm – 9:15pm
- This unit introduces students to a variety of Christian spiritual traditions and approaches to prayer. The unit offers the opportunity for personal spiritual engagement with God through prayer exercises as well as academic learning.
- Professional and Reflective Practice (PT5295)
- This unit accompanies the practice-based learning class and provides a foundation for the experience of placement. It enables students to develop personal and pastoral requisites for ministry and to equip students to develop reflective practice using the model of the pastoral cycle.
- Wednesdays, 9:15am – 10:55am
- This unit accompanies the practice-based learning class and provides a foundation for the experience of placement. It enables students to develop personal and pastoral requisites for ministry and to equip students to develop reflective practice using the model of the pastoral cycle.
- **Understanding People (PT4180) | Online only
- This unit will draw on perspectives of theology and the social sciences to enable students to understand and critically reflect on models of human development and community development within the context of youth and community work and Christian ministry.
- Online: Tuesdays, 7:30pm – 9:15pm
- This unit will draw on perspectives of theology and the social sciences to enable students to understand and critically reflect on models of human development and community development within the context of youth and community work and Christian ministry.
Social Theology
- **Contemporary Issues: Community Development (ST4190)
- This module is to enable students to explore aspects of a key social issue from an interdisciplinary perspective within an open Christian context and with application to contemporary social issues and the church.
- Wednesdays, 1:45 – 3:25pm
- This module is to enable students to explore aspects of a key social issue from an interdisciplinary perspective within an open Christian context and with application to contemporary social issues and the church.
- Cross-Cultural Ministry in Biblical Perspective (ST5303)
- A critical examination of the nature of culture, cultural bias and social environment in the context of Christian ministry.
- Mondays, 3:40pm – 5:20pm
- A critical examination of the nature of culture, cultural bias and social environment in the context of Christian ministry.
- Social Justice (ST6305)
- This unit explores concepts of Christian social justice from theological, biblical and practical perspectives. It supports students as they deepen their understanding of the complex world we live in, including its many injustices, and encourages engagement for transformation and justice as part of Christian witness.
- Tuesdays, 9:15am – 10:55am
- This unit explores concepts of Christian social justice from theological, biblical and practical perspectives. It supports students as they deepen their understanding of the complex world we live in, including its many injustices, and encourages engagement for transformation and justice as part of Christian witness.
- Islam and Contemporary Britain (ST6330)
- This unit introduces students to Islam and the Muslim community in the UK and beyond, with a view to building relationships across cultures and religions.
- Mondays, 9:15am – 10:55am
- This unit introduces students to Islam and the Muslim community in the UK and beyond, with a view to building relationships across cultures and religions.
Postgraduate Classes
All postgraduate classes are hybrid, meaning online study is available unless otherwise stated.
Academic Studies
- Research Methods and Literature Review (AS7596)
- Designed to support students in MA research, the research methods element of this unit helps students to develop skills needed for postgraduate study, to identify research areas, and to engage with methodological and ethical issues from a range of perspectives. The literature review element encourages detailed study of relevant literature under an appropriate supervisor that will serve as the foundation for the postgraduate dissertation research.
- Wednesdays, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
- Designed to support students in MA research, the research methods element of this unit helps students to develop skills needed for postgraduate study, to identify research areas, and to engage with methodological and ethical issues from a range of perspectives. The literature review element encourages detailed study of relevant literature under an appropriate supervisor that will serve as the foundation for the postgraduate dissertation research.
- Theological Engagement and Research Methods (AS7700)
- Description coming soon.
- Wednesdays, 2:00pm – 5:00pm
- Description coming soon.
Biblical Studies
- Holiness in Biblical Perspective (BS7600)
- This course unit is designed to enable students to develop a critical and coherent biblical theology of Christian holiness based upon representative samples of sound exegesis.
- Mondays, 1:30pm – 4:30pm
- This course unit is designed to enable students to develop a critical and coherent biblical theology of Christian holiness based upon representative samples of sound exegesis.
Christian Theology
- Theology and Culture (CT7630)
- This course explores a range of contemporary Western cultural issues through theological engagement, dialogue, discussion and reflection.
- Mondays, 1:30pm – 4:30pm
- This course explores a range of contemporary Western cultural issues through theological engagement, dialogue, discussion and reflection.
Practical Theology
- Models of Theological Reflection (PT7620)
- This is the core unit for the Practical and Pastoral Theology pathway. It examines the fundamental approach of practical theology, including action research and a variety of models for theological reflection. The models are explored in detail and located within practical and theoretical ministry experience.
- Tuesdays, 2:00pm – 5:00pm
- This is the core unit for the Practical and Pastoral Theology pathway. It examines the fundamental approach of practical theology, including action research and a variety of models for theological reflection. The models are explored in detail and located within practical and theoretical ministry experience.
- 21st Century Church Planting (PT7710)
- Description coming soon.
- Tuesdays, 2:00pm – 5:00pm
- Description coming soon.
Social Theology
- Contemporary Missiology and Culture: Mapping the Landscape (ST7665)
- The unit examines the current landscape of contemporary global mission by considering missional patterns and paradigm shifts that are shaping and informing missional theology and practice.
- Tuesdays, 2:00pm – 5:00pm
- The unit examines the current landscape of contemporary global mission by considering missional patterns and paradigm shifts that are shaping and informing missional theology and practice.
- Community Development Unit 1: Theological Foundations for Understanding and Practising Community (ST7701)
- Description coming soon.
- On campus: Full day intensives on 29th – 30th September and 6th – 7th November
- Online: Weekly evening seminars
- Description coming soon.
- Community Development Unit 2: The Kingdom of God, Power and Social Change (ST7702)
- Description coming soon.
- On campus: Full day intensives on 9th – 10th November and 15th – 16th December
- Online: Weekly evening seminars
- Description coming soon.
Non-Validated Classes
NTC Online
NTC Online is an exciting new initiative, of non-validated short courses, designed for persons who have an interest in learning more about the Bible, theology, church history, or ministry, but do not have the time, nor the need, to pursue a degree-level qualification.
Manchester Bible School
Manchester Bible School courses are suitable for Christians with a basic grounding in the faith, but who want to increase their knowledge of God’s Word to help them in their Christian lives and service. Some courses aim to introduce topics, while others will build on previous courses to deepen engagement with the topic.
Manchester Bible School Homepage