St Stephen’s House offers the following academic qualifications validated by the Ministry Division for ordination training in the Church of England:
| Who is eligible for this course? | How long is the course? | How is the course taught? | How is the course assessed? | Who awards the degree? | Where can I find more information? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford, Final Honour School BA in Theology and Religion | It is designed for three-year candidates, with a good 2.1 or first class honours in their first degree but without a degree in Theology. | This is a three-year course. The first two years are spent working towards the BA degree. Candidates who are awarded the degree then spend a further year of study taught and assessed in college before ordination. | The first two years are taught by tutorials, classes and lectures both in college and in the wider university. The third year is taught in-house through classes and lectures. | The assessment for the first two years is by examination and a dissertation. The third year is assessed via written work. | The University of Oxford | Find out more information about the course on the University website. |
| Common Awards BA in Theology, Ministry and Mission | It is designed for three-year candidates, without a degree in Theology. | This is a three-year course. | Teaching and learning take place through a combination of lectures and small-group teaching in college with placements and other engagement with context outside the college. The course is modular in design, and assesses all aspects of the candidate’s preparation for ordination. | Students submit written work for most modules. | The course is validated by Durham University, with all teaching and assessment taking place at St Stephen’s House. | Find out more information about the course on the Durham University website. |
| Common Awards Diploma in Theology, Ministry and Mission | It is designed for two-year candidates without a degree in Theology. | This is a two-year course. | Teaching and learning take place through a combination of lectures and small-group teaching in college with placements and other engagement with context outside the college. The course is modular in design, and assesses all aspects of the candidate’s preparation for ordination. | Students submit written work for most modules. | The course is validated by Durham University, with all teaching and assessment taking place at St Stephen’s House. | Find out more information about the course on the Durham University website. |
| Common Awards MA in Theology, Ministry and Mission | It is designed for two-year candidates with a degree in Theology (normally 2.1 or equivalent). | This is a two-year course. | Teaching and learning take place through a combination of lectures and small-group teaching in college with placements and other engagement with context outside the college. The course is modular in design, and assesses all aspects of the candidate’s preparation for ordination. | Students submit written work for all modules. | The course is validated by Durham University, with all teaching and assessment taking place at St Stephen’s House. | Find out more information about the course on the Durham University website. |
| University of Oxford Postgraduate Diploma in Theology and Religion | This course is appropriate for those who have a good first degree in a subject other than Theology, and for whom an intensive academic programme is particularly suitable (for example those hoping to pursue theological research at postgraduate level). | When undertaken as a validated route for ordinands, this is a two-year course. The first year is spent working towards the PGDip qualification; this is followed by a further year of study taught and assessed in college before ordination. | Teaching and learning take place through a combination of lectures and tutorials in the University and the college. | This course is assessed by a mixture of written exam and extended essay. | The University of Oxford | Find out more information about the course on the University website. |
| University of Oxford Master of Theology in Applied Theology | Candidates regardless of age with a degree in Theology and a grading of 67 or more in their final classification for their undergraduate degree. | This is a two-year course. | This is taught by lecture, seminar and individual supervision. Ordinands also receive additional college teaching as part of their formation. | It is assessed by three essays and an experiential project in the first year, and a dissertation in the second. | The University of Oxford. | Find out more information about the course on the University website. |
Research Degrees for Ordinands
With the support of their diocese, suitably-qualified ordinands may be permitted to undertake an Oxford research degree in Theology and Religion as part of their initial ministerial formation. This requires approval from the Church of England’s Research Degrees Panel (see here under “Approved pathways”). Applications are made through the University of Oxford’s Graduate Admissions Process. Please be in touch with the college at an early stage should you wish to explore this option.
