POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA AND CERTIFICATE

The Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate is awarded by Belfast Bible College, as validated by the Internal Board of Examiners and the External Assessor for College Studies.

This internal pathway is designed for those who place a high value on flexibility of study and is open to candidates with a primary degree (2.2 and above) or equivalent.

Designing your study:
Students without a theology degree are required to undertake preparatory guided reading to gain some familiarisation with the disciplines.

Guided reading includes:
1) Graham, Elaine, Heather Walton and Frances Ward, Theological Reflections:
Methods, 2005, SCM
2) Hill, Jonathan, The History of Christian Thought, 2003, Oxford: Lion Publishing
3) Moynahan, Brian, The Faith, 2003, London: Random House (selected chapters)
4) Willows, D., and Swinton, J., (eds) Spiritual Dimensions of Pastoral Care:
Practical Theology in a Multi-disciplinary Context, 2000, London: Jessica Kingsley
5) Arnold, W., and Beyer, B., Encountering the Old Testament, 1999, Baker Books
6) Tuckett, C., Reading the New Testament, 1987, Fortpress Press
7) Bauckham, Richard., Bible and Mission: Christian Witness in a Post-modern
World, 2003, Paternoster Press
8) Sheldrake, Philip, Spirituality and Theology, 1998, DLT

You will choose at least two of these and submit a review of them by the first halfterm.
Reading choices should be discussed in advance with the Director of Postgraduate Studies.

The basic tools for the design of your study period are drawn from the following elements:
1 - Selected Vocational College modules (max 2) credits 1
2 - Selected undergraduate modules credits 1
3 - Selected postgraduate modules credits 1
4 - Field study credits 1
5 - Guided reading credits 1
6 - Short dissertation (10,000 words) credits 2

                         Study pathways can be designed within the following basic parameters…

Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert)

One semester of study
Students are required to successfully complete three credits; one credit must be from options three, four or five. This pathway is the only one available to those studying through the Centre for Theological Education (CTE).

One year of study
Students are required to successfully complete seven credits, two of which must include option 6, and at least one credit must be from options three, four or five. One of these credits is to be completed in the teaching break between the 1st and 2nd semesters.

Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip)

Two years of study
Students are required to successfully complete fourteen credits, two of which must include option 6, and at least four credits must be from options three, four or five.
One of these credits in each year is to be completed in the teaching break between the

1st and 2nd semesters.
The choice is made in consultation with the Director of Postgraduate Studies and the supervisor. Students at this level will be required to submit papers of appropriate quality and length as agreed with the tutor and/or supervisor. There are no examinations. Currently the full-time staff can offer teaching, supervision and guided reading in specialist areas with the following academic fields:

Biblical Studies
- Old Testament – James McKeown and David Shepherd
- New Testament – Karen Fulton and Bob Keay
- History of Christianity - Ian Dickson
- Practical Theology - Preaching and Pastoral Studies - Ian Dickson
- Missiology - Jacob Thomas
- Theological Education - Graham Cheesman
- Spiritual Theology - Ian Dickson

                  Contextualising your study
BBC places a high value on spiritual development. Part of the requirement for these awards is that you enter as fully as possible into the practical and spiritual life of the community. In particular, we would expect you to present a ‘spiritual reflection’ and to be regularly involved in Community worship and prayer, a fellowship group and duties on the campus.

Timing your study
Time may be an important consideration if you are on work leave, sabbatical, home from overseas, etc. Each academic year is divided into two semesters running from late September to mid-December and from early-February to mid-May. However, we can discuss individual requirements.

Costing your study
The tuition cost for one semester full-time study is normally £1472 and for one year full-time study is normally £3099.

Organising your study
Do contact us to discuss the possibilities. We look forward to welcoming you to our learning community.

Dr Ian Dickson
Director of Postgraduate Studies
idickson@belfastbiblecollege.com

Jill Harshaw
Director of Enrolment and Education Support
jharshaw@belfastbiblecollege.com

CTE
Dr Graham Cheesman
Director, Centre for Theological Education
gcheesman@belfastbiblecollege.com