Undergraduate courses

Undergraduate courses

Undergraduate courses

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Pursuing undergraduate studies in theology, ministry and mission with CMS Pioneer Mission Training is a unique experience: because we see everything through the lens of mission.

Our training is designed to prepare you for roles in pioneering leadership, community projects and innovative ministry. 

The undergraduate programme is taught on Mondays with the following awards, accredited through Durham University as part of the Common 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

Undergraduate study is

  • Foundational: ground your missional practice in theological reflection
  • Focused: You can choose to focus your studies on a specific area:
  • Relevant: Invest in a programme designed for pioneers by pioneers
  • Transferable: If you decide to pursue further study, you can continue onto the Diploma or the full BA. This award can also serve as a prerequisite to the MA if you do not have any prior theological training.

Our teaching style is practical as well as theoretical. Most of our tutors are or have been practitioners themselves. And of course, you won’t just be reading books and writing essays. We believe “everyone has a piece of the wisdom” and you’ll experience lively discussion, video content and group work as we learn together.

We look at theology in everyday settings: ministry and mission inside and outside the church. We’ll think about how to be innovative and adaptive so we can engage and serve effectively in diverse communities. 

Is it for me?

Students who take this programme are often…

  • seeking to grow in confidence in their pioneer practice and ministry
  • wanting a theological language to explain their pioneering
  • needing tools and resources to sustain them
  • preparing for a specific job or vocation
  • pursuing personal growth
Christine Cattenach

“The diversity of other pioneers that you come across on modules, in the reading, and among the lecturers is really interesting and helpful.”

Christine, Certificate student

Application requirements:

No prior theological training required but normally you’ll need at least one A Level or equivalent (see the table below for the requirements for each course).

Our awards are designed to complement your pioneer mission practice. Therefore it is desirable, but not essential, for you to have a mission context, be that paid or voluntary. All assessments give you the opportunity to apply your learning directly to your context.

Programme structure

Certificate
  • Entry requirement: Normally a minimum of one A level or equivalent
  • Credits: 120
  • Duration: 
    • full-time: one academic year (a full-time course load is equivalent to 10 teaching days each term)
    • part-time: two or three academic years.
  • Location: Oxford and online / fully online
  • Assessment: Not just essays! We offer the option to complete assignments in all sorts of creative formats. In order to graduate from this programme you will need to successfully complete 120 credits with a minimum grade of 40%. If, for whatever reason, the academic assessment is not possible for you there is an option to complete the course as an audit student.
  • Cost: Please see our fee structure. An annual bursary of up to £500 is available to apply for.
Diploma
  • Entry requirement: Normally a minimum of two A levels or equivalent
  • Credits: 240
  • Duration: 
    • full-time: two academic years (a full-time course load is equivalent to 10 teaching days each term)
    • part-time: three or four academic years.
  • Location: Oxford and online / fully online
  • Assessment: Not just essays! We offer the option to complete assignments in all sorts of creative formats. In order to graduate from this programme you will need to successfully complete 240 credits with a minimum grade of 40%. If, for whatever reason, the academic assessment is not possible for you there is an option to complete the course as an audit student.
  • Cost: Please see our fee structure. An annual bursary of up to £500 is available to apply for.
BA
  • Entry requirement: Normally a minimum of three A levels or equivalent
  • Credits: 360
  • Duration: 
    • full-time: three academic years (a full-time course load is equivalent to 10 teaching days each term)
    • part-time: four, five or six academic years.
  • Location: Oxford and online / fully online
  • Assessment: Not just essays! We offer the option to complete assignments in all sorts of creative formats. In order to graduate from this programme you will need to successfully complete 360 credits with a minimum grade of 40%. If, for whatever reason, the academic assessment is not possible for you there is an option to complete the course as an audit student.
  • Cost: Please see our fee structure. An annual bursary of up to £500 is available to apply for.
Graduate Diploma
  • Entry requirement: Normally an upper second-class Honours degree or equivalent
  • Credits: 120
  • Duration: 
    • full-time: one academic year (a full-time course load is equivalent to 10 teaching days each term)
    • part-time: two or three academic years.
  • Location: Oxford and online / fully online
  • Assessment: Not just essays! We offer the option to complete assignments in all sorts of creative formats. In order to graduate from this programme you will need to successfully complete 120 credits with a minimum grade of 40%. If, for whatever reason, the academic assessment is not possible for you there is an option to complete the course as an audit student.
  • Cost: Please see our fee structure. An annual bursary of up to £500 is available to apply for.

Modules

Certificate (Level 4)
Pioneering youth work

An introduction to good practice in youth work, including key skills in relationships, communication, teaching, learning styles, administration and leadership, as well as the chance to develop these skills in your ministry setting. Exploring play, informal education and/or non-formal education among young people and children, questioning and articulating their value and impact in practice. Includes consideration of how children and young people learn and develop and approaches to working with challenging behaviour. Exploring our understanding of the context of youth work and the values, practices and legal frameworks it entails from a Christian perspective, as well as considering methodologies for working with young people.

Introduction to Black and African Theology

A comprehensive exploration of the rich theological traditions and perspectives emerging from Black and African contexts.

Pioneering Children’s and Families Work

Exploring play, informal education and/or non-formal education among young people and children, questioning and articulating their value and impact in practice. Includes consideration of how children and young people learn and develop and approaches to working with challenging behaviour. A foundation in ministry with children and families, including context, professional standards (including legal frameworks), principles and values involved, and the opportunity to reflect on practices and principles in this area of ministry. An introduction to good practice in relationships with children and families, and to explore the principles and processes involved in using and leading play in your children’s work practice.

Chaplaincy and Contemporary Christian Mission

Explore the distinctive ministry of chaplaincy in mission, including an opportunity to experience a chaplaincy context.

Foundations of Theology and Reflective Practice

An introduction to contextual theology, principles and methods of reflection, and their place in mission and practice (online)

Pastoral Care, Ethics and Ministry

An introduction to key issues in both pastoral care and ethics, giving you the tools and theological framework to approach pastoral situations, as well as the space to reflect on your own views and experiences

Mission and Evangelism

Put the Bible into conversation with culture and gain greater understanding about your own practice of mission. Look at historical trends and current approaches to engaging and witnessing to the world around us, alongside practical engagement in mission (online with weekend residential).

Introduction to Church History

An overview of church history and its social, cultural, and political context, helping you see how history might have shaped your practice and experience.

Introduction to the Bible

An overview of the purpose, context and content of the Old and New Testaments. Get familiar with approaches to biblical study and consider how to engage biblical texts in mission and ministry.

Spirituality and Discipleship

Explore different approaches to discipleship, considering various Christian spiritual practices and their impact on our individual spiritual lives. How might we engage practically with them in our lives and the life of our community? (week residential)

Diploma (Level 5)

Level 4 modules (as for the certificate) plus:

Leadership and Theology for Ministry and Mission

Explore theories and skills in leadership, considering them from a theological and mission focused perspective. Integrate biblical and pastoral approaches to leadership, and reflect on how these can inform your practice.

Mission Entrepreneurship (Make Good)

An introduction to social enterprise and its relevance in mission. A residential week to enable you, with the guidance of experienced practitioners, to take an idea from conception to the initial stages of a business plan

Missional Ecclesiology

An introduction to historical and theological perspectives of ecclesiology and the ways in which the missional church has consistently implemented new approaches, including the opportunity to see how this works out in pioneering settings

Missional Theology in Global Context

Consider theology and approaches to mission from a global perspective. Examine contemporary culture, seeing how important understanding context is for our own missional practice.

Bible in Context

Explore different approaches to interpreting the Bible and how to read in light of both its original and subsequent contexts. Look at how Old and New Testaments can be related to each other and apply this learning to your own engagement with the Bible (week residential).

Developing Ministry and Worship in Context

This module links with your own work or placement to deepen your knowledge and understanding of Christian worship, develop your practical skills, and equip you in leading worship, preaching and pastoral care in your context.

Placement

An opportunity to do a placement in a context or church setting that is different to your own context or prior experience. It’s your choice where you go and you get to spend a total of 35 hours on the placement over the course of a year, or one week, or month, in this country or overseas. A chance to do something different!

BA (Level 6)

Level 4 and 5 modules (as for the certificate and diploma) plus:

The Bible in Christian Faith

Explore key themes and critically examine major thinkers in the study of both Old and New Testaments and think about the impact of these for our faith.

Theological Perspectives: Community Development

This module offers space for dialogue and theological reflection on approaches to community development, as well as opportunities to study and visit specific initiatives.

Justice, Environment and Mission in a Global Context

Examine Christian engagement in issues of justice, development and the environment, addressing theology and missional practice, and reflect on the implications in your own context.

The Creative Arts and Christian Ministry and Mission

Explore the theological and philosophical discourses of art and Christianity and the potential of engagement with the arts to express, connect and create opportunity for mission and ministry.

Anthropology and Christian Mission

An introduction to culture, context and worldview. You will develop your own reflexive capacity in relation to your cultural background and behaviour.

Dissertation

A piece of work of 12,000 to 15,000 words which enables you to follow an area of interest in depth.

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