Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Theology (Practical Theology)

The BA (Hons) in Theology (Practical Theology) is a programme designed for those pursuing a vocational calling to various forms of ministry. Each year of study, students will be on placement, which endeavours to integrate theological reflection alongside praxis and foster calling, gifting, and spiritual formation. It includes the opportunity to focus on specialist units in Pastoral Ministry, in Youth and Community Work, in Church Growth, and in Community Development. Our Admissions and Placement Team will work with you to help identify specialist routes within the programme. 

Length of Study

3 Years full-time / 6 Years part-time

University of Manchester

Accreditation and Diversity

Full-time and flexible part-time routes are available. Full-time study is for three years and up to six years part-time.

Close to forty different nationalities are represented in the College’s diverse student body. NTC welcomes students from outside the UK, either for full courses or for Study Abroad periods, and the presence of a variety of cultures enriches the life of the whole community.

The College has been approved by UK Visa and Immigration as a sponsoring body for visa purposes, and has been reviewed and approved by the Quality Assurance Agency under the ‘educational oversight’ provision. Before the UK immigration authorities will issue a Student Visa for full-time study, they must be satisfied that students have been officially admitted and have the resources to finance their education. See more details at the UK Visas website.

Nazarene Theological College is an approved partner of The University of Manchester, delivering programmes developed by Nazarene Theological College, approved by and leading to an award of the University of Manchester

Teaching and Learning Methods

Experience the advantages of small class sizes, with groups ranging from 5 to 35 students. Our courses follow a weekly format and feature additional intensive sessions in January and May. Teaching methodologies encompass lectures, seminars, class discussions, oral presentations, group collaboration, one-on-one tutorials, guided reading, case studies, individual mentoring, and student-led seminars.

Assessment Methods

We employ a diverse range of assessment methods across our programmes. Formative assessments, which do not carry credit, include individual tutorials, on-site visits, group discussions, and written or oral feedback on essays. Our summative assessments, which contribute to your credits, consist of research essays, case studies, group and individual projects, personal reflections, book reviews, a limited number of module examinations, and a research dissertation.

Employment Prospects

From this programme graduates enter roles in a variety of settings:

  • Pastoral ministry
  • Hospital
  • Prison and army chaplaincy
  • Statutory sector support roles
  • Charity work and Leadership.

With this degree others have gone on to further professional qualifications in social work, teaching, further education, nursing, and other areas of service in the world.

Students will receive a minimum of 360 credits while on this course.

 

The programme is centred around supervised placement-based practice which spans three years of the course. A range of placement settings are available (including a consideration of workplace-based placements) from youth and community projects to churches, chaplaincy to night-shelters, missions and compassionate ministries.

The placements are credit-bearing and count towards the final degree.  Students will do no less than 10 hours a week in their placement, including 2 hours per week to prepare placement-related reports, administration, and meetings with the Placement Manager and NTC Placement Team. The placement is spread across the second semester of year one; both semesters of year two; and the first semester of year three.

Students will need to complete a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, and the fee is typically covered by the placement site.

Year 1: Required Units (110 Credits)

  • AS4010 Study Skills (non-credit-bearing)
  • BS4110 Introduction to Biblical Studies
  • NT4000 Jesus and the Gospels
  • CHT4120 Introduction to the Christian Tradition
  • CT4000 Knowing God in Christ
  • ST4180 Contexts of Mission
  • PT4130 Personal and Spiritual Development
  • PT4290 Practice-based Learning 1
  • ST4160 Understanding People & Human Development
  • PT4150 Foundations for Youth Ministry OR PT4160 Digital Living OR PT4103 Theories & Strategies of Evangelism

Year 1: Optional Units (10 Credits)

Any 10-credit units at Level 4. The optional units listed in the handbook for each year are subject to change and some may run on a bi-annual rotation

Select from:

Year 2: Required Units (110 Credits)

  • CT5000 Knowing God in the Spirit
  • CT5001 Knowing God as Triune
  • NT5202 Paul and His Epistles
  • NT5003 Missional Readings of Luke/Acts OR NT5005 Missional Readings of John
  • OT5201 Old Testament Law (students complete 2 of the 3 OT units)
  • OT5202 Prophets (students complete 2 of the 3 OT units)
  • OT5203 Psalms and Wisdom (students complete 2 of the 3 OT units)
  • ST5250 Religions in Contemporary Britain
  • PT5280 Empowering  People OR ST5370 Informal Education OR PT5310 Christian Leadership
  • PT5295 Professional and Reflective Practice
  • PT5290 Practice-based Learning 2 (20 credit placement)

Year 2: Optional Units (10 Credits)

Select from the following units worth 10 credits. The optional units for each year are subject to change and some may run on a bi-annual rotation.  

 

Select from:

  • CH5201 Early Church 
  • CHT5305 Wesley and the Wesleyan Tradition
  • NT5301 New Testament Greek
  • NT5302 Greek Texts
  • OT5301 Biblical Hebrew
  • OT5302 Hebrew Texts
  • PT5203 Preaching
  • PT5220 Starting and Growing Healthy Churches
  • PT5330 Marriage and the Family
  • ST5303 Cross Cultural Ministry

(Each unit 10 credits)

Year 3: Required Units (110 Credits)

  • AS6300 Research Methods and Dissertation (30 credits)
  • CH5201 Early Church or CH6306 Medieval Church and Reformation or CHT5305 Wesley and the Wesleyan Tradition
  • CT6000 Knowing God: Christian Hope
  • CT6310 Christian Holiness
  • ST6305 Social Justice
  • PT6310 Pastoral Care: Theology and Practice
  • PT6290 Practice-based Learning 3
  • ST6320 Strategy and management

Year 3: Optional Units (40 Credits)

Select from the following units worth 10 credits with some exceptions. The optional units for each year are subject to change and some may run on a bi-annual rotation.  

Select from:

  • BS6301 Hermeneutics
  • BS6130 Studies in Biblical Backgrounds
  • BS6330 Apocalyptic Texts and Communities
  • CH6303 Modern Church and Global Christianity
  • CT6301 Theological Ethics
  • CT6311/2 Contemporary Theology 1 & 2
  • CT6331 Historical Theology
  • NT6304 Studies in Romans
  • NT6305 Studies in the Corinthian Correspondence
  • NT6306 Studies in the Gospel of John
  • NT6309 Studies in the General Epistles
  • OT6305 Studies in Hebrew Poetry
  • OT6310 Studies in Torah
  • OT6320 Studies in Isaiah
  • PT6305 New Forms of Church
  • PT6340 Studies in Contemporary Spirituality
  • PT6370 Worship and Sacraments
  • ST6330 Islam in Contemporary Britain

2 A-Levels (or equivalent) or non-traditional entry. Applicants whose first language is not English need to demonstrate their English proficiency. Undergraduate students need a minimum IELTS score of 6.0, or its equivalent, overall. Applicants are responsible for arranging to take the appropriate test and for submitting the documentary evidence.

The course involves students undertaking a placement during their second year of study or equivalent for part-time students. Many of the placements include specified contact with children or vulnerable adults; this is known as Regulated Activity. Students will need to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure of criminal records through the DBS. The Placement Manager will contact you with further instructions on how to apply for a DBS before you can begin your placement.

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