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For Independent Students

Approximately three-quarters of the students at St John's are preparing for ordained ministry in the Church of England. It is consistent with the College's commitment to shared ministry that ordinands train alongside lay men and women who are preparing for other Christian work. Because ordinands are always "mature students", St John's does not admit school-leavers to its courses. The minimum age for admission is normally 21 years.

Certificate in Theology & Ministry

Validated by the University of Nottingham, this course is specifically designed as training for lay ministry, and it is not usually an ordination qualification. So most members of the course group are not ordinands, although some ordinands over the age of 50 do take the CThM as a one-year essay course and one or two members of the group may hope to proceed to a Selection Conference during or after the course.

Apart from one or two introductory elements, the content of the course is divided into the three streams of Biblical Studies, Christian Thought & Worship, and Practical Theology (4 modules for each stream). The last of these consists of theoretical studies and supervised practical experience in a chosen specialised field, according to which of the options is taken. The course is made as flexible as possible, so that it will meet the specific training needs of the students.

The CThM course may be taken on a part-time basis over two to four years. Distance Learning units taken from the Certificate of Christian Studies administered by Extension Studies may also be counted towards the CThM course. Because the CThM course closely resembles the first year of the Diploma in Theology & Ministry and the BA honours degree in Ministry, students who have completed it may be allowed to proceed to the second year of the Diploma in Theology & Ministry [DipThM] or BA in Ministry [BA(Min)] course.

BA in Ministry with Honours Degree

(validated by the University of Nottingham)

The other course which is taken by several non-ordinands is the three year BA in Ministry [BA(Min)] honours degree course. Although this is a vocational course, it is flexible enough to be used as a preparation for various forms of Christian ministry, not just ordination. The BA(Min) course is validated by the University of Nottingham but taught and examined entirely within the college.

Some students choose this course as a way of gaining a degree in Theology within a Christian community in preference to a secular university. Like any other degree, the BA(Min) qualifies its graduates for entry to various professions and opportunities for further training.

Local Education Authority grants and Student Loans are available in respect of this course to students who qualify for them, but students (or their supporters) have to supplement those grants and loans from their own resources.

Typical College week

To view a video of an independent student talking about his time at St John's College follow the link to VIDEOS AND PODCAST in the index above.

Admissions Office 0115 968 3203