Study Options at NTC
Our courses’ modular shapes make them accessible to both full time and part time students whether they study in person or online. Students at NTC can utilise a combination of intensive units, evening classes, and full term courses either in person or online to suit their schedule.
Modes of Study: Online or On Campus
Students may choose to take NTC’s BA or MA courses in either on campus mode or online mode. Online mode classes are live, synchronous video conference sessions, meaning students attend live class sessions during its scheduled time, usually afternoon/evening UK time. Some are limited to online students whilst others, called dual delivery classes, have both on campus and online students in one class. On campus mode classes are traditional, in person classes hosted on our Manchester campus.
➡️Online Mode for Undergraduates (BA)
- For students taking the BA degree, some classes will be offered online as video conference only.
- Other classes will be dual delivery where online students join with those in a physically classroom at our Manchester campus. Note: Placements units are only available to students based in the UK or Ireland.
- On campus students may take up to one third of their degree online but must take at least one class in person per term.
➡️Online Mode for Postgraduates (MA)
- For students taking the MA degree, MA units will be taught in a dual delivery format where class is conducted online and on campus simultaneously, meaning all in-person and online students attend class at the same time.
- Online students will also have the opportunity to come to Manchester for an optional in-person Summer intensive residency period in June.
- On campus students may take up to one third of their degree online. Students in the UK on student visas must maintain UKVI attendance requirements.
➡️On Campus Mode
NTC’s academic year has two semesters: Autumn and Spring for a more traditional schedule with Winter and Summer intensives
- Autumn Semester – thirteen weeks, including lectures, study and examination periods.
- Spring Semester – fourteen weeks, including lectures, study and examination periods.
NTC offers Winter Intensives in January and Summer Intensives in May or June. Both full time and part time students can take a class within the one-week intensive period for undergraduates or one to two week period for postgraduates (MA).
Non-Degree Seeking Modes: Credit or Audit
NTC welcomes students wanting to take a class or two without committing to a programme. We call these classes short courses. You can find the current short courses offerings at this link. Any course units earned can later be transferred into a certificate, diploma, or full degree course. Casual students can simply register at the start of the semester or click the link above to register for the latest classes. Please email Heidi Wright, our registrar, for our current timetable.
➡️Audit: For the joy of learning
Auditing a class means there is no coursework or assignments but full participation in the class.
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- 2022-23 Undergraduate audit fee: £90
- 2022-23 Postgraduate audit fee: £270
➡️Credit: For more advanced learning
Classes can also be taken for NTC credit dependent on completing successfully the coursework. Up to 6 level 4 credit units can be transferred into an NTC undergraduate programme.
Rhythm of Study at NTC
➡️Semesters of the Academic Year
Each academic year has two semesters: Autumn and Spring.
- Autumn Semester – thirteen weeks, including lectures, study and examination periods.
- Spring Semester – fourteen weeks, including lectures, study and examination periods.
For students on summer placements, the Spring semester will normally be extended to incorporate their placement.
➡️Course units per year
- Undergraduate students normally complete twelve course units per academic year.
- MA students complete four taught units and a dissertation during the academic year. Note that at MA level, the academic year is a full eleven months to allow for a dissertation to be written.
➡️Transferring Courses
The modular shape of the courses at NTC enables students to transfer from one course to an appropriate place on another if their work merits transfer. At undergraduate level, students can transfer between the BA (Hons) in Theology and the BA (Hons) in Theology (Practical Theology) up to end of the first year of their studies. Transfer in and out of the BA (Hons) in Theology (Youth and Community) is difficult due to the placement requirements, and can only be considered on a case-by-case basis. A transfer to a different course of study would follow a formal process of exit interview and satisfactory placement interview (if applicable). At Postgraduate level, students can transfer to a different MA pathway, subject to the ability to complete any required elements of the new pathway. Students who wish to transfer to another institution would normally meet with the Dean or Registrar as part of an exit interview, who will advise them on any academic or financial implications of transfer, and will support them in the transfer process.
➡️Accreditation of Prior Learning – AP(E)L
NTC operates within the transfer of credit policies of the University of Manchester. If you’ve completed some studies elsewhere, a maximum of 120 credits can be considered for AP(E)L in a three-year Bachelor’s degree, or a maximum of 60 credits for AP(E)L for an MA. A maximum time limit of 5 years should apply between the original award and any consideration of AP(E)L.