We want to equip you as a 21st Century Disciple; one who has the skills to serve God more effectively, the knowledge to understand the Bible deeply and the ability to communicate the Gospel of Jesus to individuals and communities both locally and across the world.
In our rapidly changing world, we are continually presented with opportunities to interact with a diverse range of people. Each day we have to engage with political opinion, social debate, ethical conundrums and cultural diversity. These can be local or global, physical or virtual, simple or complex and we have the choice as to how we respond and bring the reality of God into the world.
In the 21st Century, we increasingly have to interact with those that do not hold the same worldview and principles as we do. The challenge is how we understand views different from our own and then present the truth of Scripture in a way that is understood and meaningful to those hearing it. How can we move beyond debates to be a living demonstration of the Gospel so that it transforms the people around us?
The opportunities for serving Jesus in this century are continually developing and changing. We want to equip you with the ability to encounter new situations with knowledge, maturity and Christian character. We want to help you develop as a critical thinker who can communicate clearly, a practitioner with the ability to engage meaningfully and a disciple committed to following Jesus.
To apply for our BA Theology Degree, click on the Apply Now button. We want to know all about you and the application form is part of a discernment process. It does not commit you to anything, but starts to explore if this course is right for you.
To provide you with an understanding of the Biblical and theological foundations of Christian life and ministry.
To enable you to apply this understanding in the context of your own spiritual formation and in facilitating the spiritual formation of others.
To have an ability to engage with the various local and global cultures in which you will live and serve.
To equip you with key skills for ministry and ongoing personal development.
Your lecturers/teachers have both an academic and a practical interest in the areas that they teach. Most of the modules are taught by full time staff who also study and write in their area of speciality.
Some modules are taught by external lecturers who are selected for their expertise in the particular subject.
There is an Advisor of Studies who is available to discuss any issues that you have with the course.
You will also get a Fellowship Group leader who will meet with you a number of times in the year to discuss how things are going.
The course has been praised for the wide variety of assessment options, the assignments for each module will be chosen to help you to interact more deeply with key elements of the subject, including written essays, journals, class quizzes and presentations.
Each assignment will be introduced in detail by the class teacher, and you will receive detailed feedback on each to help you improve your skills in this area.
There are also two half-modules on study skills and communications, to introduce the necessary skills and enable you to practice them in a safe environment.
This course is delivered in partnership with the University of Cumbria. The teaching is designed and delivered by the Bible College lecturers while the course is validated by the University of Cumbria to ensure it is of an appropriate standard.
You will graduate with a BA (Hons) from the University of Cumbria. www.cumbria.ac.uk
In each year the core module Personal Development and Discipleship ensures that the student’s development is key to the course.
Beyond this each module will challenge the student’s spiritual understanding in different ways. Moreover the wider BBC experience, being part of a multicultural, interdenominational evangelical community, leads to further growing in relationship both with others and with God.
As with all development it isn’t always easy, but it does lead to a deeper relationship.
Graduates from this course enter into a broad range of careers; full time Christian ministry in the UK or overseas, leading or working in churches, Youth Work.
The skills learnt are also highly desirable by many workplace employers.
Further Study; upon completion of the degree, students can apply to our MA Theology - Bible and Ministry in the contemporary world, or for a range of Postgraduate courses including PGCE elsewhere.
As a student on the BA in Theology, you will receive on average 9 hours of timetabled contact per week over the course of your three years. This will involve a combination of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, and skills classes. The contact time for a module will normally all take place over one morning or afternoon each week to give students flexibility in their use of time.
However learning is about more than contact time. Typically in the first two years, classroom teaching and learning will form nearly 20% of the time you will spend on your studies. In the other 80% you will be expected to be doing your own independent work to build upon what you have learned in class, prepare for the next class and complete your assignments.
We will provide you with detailed reading lists, and other materials to guide you.
Another important part of the first two years is the opportunity to apply your learning in your chosen placement of approximately 3 hours per week.
In the first year you will receive about 9 hours of timetabled contact each week. The aim of the first year modules is to provide a foundation of knowledge and skills in the study of theology, with the three emphases of Bible, Personal Development and Mission & Ministry. The exact style of learning will vary from module to module, depending upon how we can best help you to learn in this particular area. There will be interactive lectures introducing the main issues in the area. There will be also be small group work and discussions which will help you to articulate your own views and interact with the views of others in this interdenominational and multicultural environment.
In the second year you will receive about 8 hours of timetabled contact time each week. This year builds upon the first year with set modules on Bible, History and Doctrine, together with further Personal Development and weekly placement. You will also choose two out of selection of optional modules on Bible, Mission and Ministry.
In the third year the element of choice increases to allow you to study and develop your own areas of interest within theology. As well as modules in personal development, and integrating study, practice and devotion, you will choose four modules from a wider selection of modules on a variety of topics including, but not limited to, Bible, Mission and Ministry. You will also have the opportunity to put your learning into practice in a four week block placement with an organisation of your choosing, whether in Northern Ireland or elsewhere in the world. The amount of contact and the style of teaching will vary more in this year, depending upon the modules that you choose.