Pioneer courses

With so many courses available, how do you decide which one is right for you?

Here are some easy ways to narrow down your options.

“Each module and book assigned to us is personally transforming different aspects of my leadership skills.”

Godwin, MA

Undergraduate or Postgraduate?

Typically, this will depend on your previous academic study. If you haven’t already got a degree, then you’ll probably choose undergraduate courses. But this is not a given. We place great value on your life experience and will discern with you what is the best course for you during your application process.

Whatever level you study at, you’ll still experience the unique CMS approach and learning community. And your award will be accredited through Durham University as part of the Common Awards.

Our Undergraduate Programme is taught on Mondays with the following awards:

• Certificate – Level 4, the first year of a degree
• Diploma – Levels 4 and 5, the first and second year of a degree
• BA – Levels 4, 5 and 6, a complete degree
• BA (Hons) – Levels 4, 5, and 6, a complete degree with a dissertation
• Graduate Diploma – Level 6 with a dissertation

The teaching format for these awards consists of lectures, group work, fieldwork, independent study, and context visits.

Our Postgraduate Programme is taught on Tuesdays with the following awards:

• Certificate – the first year of a master’s
• Diploma – the first and second years of a master’s
• MA – the first and second years of a master’s, with a dissertation
• DTh – professional doctorate in theology

The teaching format is very similar to the Undergraduate programme but places greater emphasis on your own reading, research and writing.

How long have you got to give to your studies?

Our awards take from one year to three years to complete, although you can do them slower if you need to. Generally the courses take the following lengths of time:

• Undergraduate Certificate – one year
• Undergraduate Diploma – two years
• BA – three years
• BA (Hons) – three years
• Postgraduate Certificate – one year
• Postgraduate Diploma – two years
• Master’s – three years
• DTh – three years

The time commitment for undergraduate study is generally 10 classroom Mondays a term (in-person and/or online).

For postgraduate study, the time commitment is five Tuesdays a term (in-person and/or online). There is less time in the classroom, leaving you more time for the required reading, research and writing.

A special focus?

All our courses are approached through the lens of pioneer mission. You can choose an particular focus for your undergraduate study through the following routes:

• African Christianity
• Children’s and Families Work
• Youthwork
• Chaplaincy

On the postgraduate programme you can choose these routes at all levels:

• African Christianity
• Asian Christianity

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