Graduate Diploma

This two year part-time course offers a comprehensive study of the major theological disciplines. The Graduate Diploma is an excellent qualification designed to equip students for servant leadership and mission and also acts as an entry qualification for an MA in Theology. The course is ideal for graduates of any subject who want to strengthen their foundations in Biblical knowledge and enrich their understanding of God's nature and his Kingdom.

Content

New Testament and Old Testament

with Dr Brad Jersak and Dr Matt Lynch

These modules provide an opportunity to encounter the rich themes of the history of the people of God throughout the Old and New Testaments, bringing scripture to life and challenging students to apply Biblical principles in their own context.

Mission

with Dr Bob Ekblad

This module addresses the theology and practice of mission, including the significance of mission within the Charasmatic tradition. Particular attention is paid to the nature of mission within today's postmodernist, pluralist context.

Leadership & Ministry

with Rev Chris Pemberton and Dr Chuck Coker

This module prepares students to be effective disciples in the workplace, the family and the church. There is a focus on leadership skills such as conflict management, communication, personal formation, pastoral studies and leading teams.

Doctrine

with Dr Lucy Peppiatt

This module explores the core beliefs of the Christian faith, looking at how they have been interpreted throughout history and studying their relevance to life and mission today.

Spirituality in the Christian Tradition

with Dr Peter Fitch

This module rediscovers some of the classics in Christian writings focussing on how God has worked in and through the Church through history, and most importantly, on the lessons for approaching modern-day challenges that we can learn from these classics.

Application

Entry Requirements

To join the course, a bachelor's degree in any subject is required.

Application Process

Complete the online application form.
We will contact your referees.
Upon the receipt of satisfactory references, and everything else being in order, we will make you an offer.
Upon being made an offer, you may secure your place by paying a £250 non-refundable deposit (which is deducted from your first fee payment). We suggest you do this promptly as the most popular Hubs have maximum intakes.

Teaching

Residential Teaching

Each year you will attend two residential teaching sessions which are in-depth periods where students come together for a few days to focus on the core course teaching. The cost of Residentials, including food and accommodation, is included in the course fees.

Hub Teaching

The unique flavour of studying with WTC is largely defined by the experience of studying locally in a worshipping and learning community known as a Hub. Hubs meet on Monday or Tuesday evenings, depending on the location, and are environments in which you can form meaningful relationships with your fellow students, have time and space to discuss the issues arising in the teaching and worship together.

A typical Hub evening looks like this:

5.45pm - arrive, chat with fellow students
6.00pm - worship and ministry time
6.30pm - watch a recorded lecture with other students - with time for discussion throughout the session
7.30pm - seminar with a faculty member to discuss the week’s teaching and ask questions
8.30pm - time to pray together with other students, discuss and think over the evening’s teaching

Online resources

A rich variety of resources are available on the WTC’s online learning website, MyWTC. This includes articles, lecture notes, recorded lectures and other resources.

Fees

Costs

For the 2013/14 academic year the course fees are are £2,600. WTC offer a bursary of £300 towards a student's fees, so the cost of the year can be as low as £2,300. For more information about the fees, please click here.

The fees include:

Residential teaching sessions
Teaching in local Hubs
Access to library in local Hubs and other university libraries across the UK
Access to study resources and the Hub and online
University registration

Other costs you may need to consider which are not included in the fees are as follows:

Your personal living expenses throughout the year
Travel to and from Residential sessions
Travel to and from the Hub location for 24 weeks of the year
Any books you may wish to purchase to supplement the books provided in the library

Supporting yourself

We recognise that the courses represent a significant expense for many people. As such, we recommend that those who have difficulty funding themselves explore a number of available options for raising finance:

Your church: it may be that your church are willing to make a contribution to help with some or all of your fees. It is always worth asking. It may also be worth approaching individuals or couples within your church.

Sponsorship: if you have links with local charities it may be worth approaching them regarding sponsorship. There are also some grant trusts who offer support for theology students. This website: www.turn2us.org.uk provides details of bodies who may be able to support you.

Grants and Awards for UK Students: some local education authorities in the UK offer financial assistance. See this website for details: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/FinancialHelpForAdultLearners/index.htm

Dates & FAQs

Two 4-day residential teaching blocks per year where all WTC students across the UK gather together:

28-31 August 2013
3-6 January 2014

Twenty teaching evenings, either on a Monday or a Tuesday (depending on your Hub location), between 6pm and 10pm throughout the year. The course is assessed by the submission of six essays each year.

Where can I study?

WTC courses are based in local churches who host the teaching and contribute content to the Leadership and Ministry part of the course. This course is available at the Hubs indicated on the map below:

I love the way the course fits around my working and personal life