BA (Hons) Flex
The BA (Hons) Flex in Theology prepares you for a lifetime of serving the church. It provides a robust biblical and theological education, giving hands-on experience of what it means for theological rigour to fuel the mission of the church. With options for both blended and campus study, students are immersed in the best evangelical scholarship, and formed personally and spiritually to grow Christ’s church.
Want to study theology but can’t commit to 3 years right now? Students can now apply for the one-year Cert HE award (Level 4) or the two-year Dip HE award (Level 5), full-time or part-time.
Our BA (Hons) Flex Theology programme offers the richest possible leadership formation experience.
If you have any questions about this course or the application process, please get in touch.
Overview
Validated by The Open University, our BA (Hons) Flex Theology programme offers a rich leadership formation experience. Studying alongside fellow students and with pastorally experienced faculty, you will have a unique opportunity to develop not only your biblical, theological and historical knowledge, but also the wisdom and practical skills you will need for effective ministry.
The programme reflects UST’s Evangelical and Reformed distinctives, with an emphasis on biblical studies, church history, systematic theology, and pastoral and preaching theology. Learning biblical languages is optional, but our Greek and Hebrew teaching is highly respected, and we encourage students to take up the challenge. Students on the BA (Hons) Flex also benefit from weekly pastoral seminars and workshops. Together with core and elective modules these provide students with a strong and comprehensive theology of preaching, pastoring and mission that is vital for understanding and responding to the challenges of ministry in today’s world. Find out more about our faculty here.
Graduates of the BA (Hons) Flex programme have gone on to many roles, including serving as pastors, missionaries, evangelists, women’s workers and youth workers. Many have also progressed onto further studies, and a number of students have gone on to plant churches which have been supported by Union Mission.
“I have enjoyed Jesus more deeply and freshly in these last five years of studying at Union than I can ever remember previously. Some of the most influential moments of my time at Union were my first- and second-year lectures in Church History under Michael Reeves, Daniel Hames and Lee Gatiss. They set a foundation for my thinking, theology and practice from that point on, opening up avenues of thought which I had never considered previously, and gave me a stunning insight into new ways (or old ways!) to present and portray the loveliness of Christ. Thanks to these lectures, I have gained a greater respect and understanding of brothers and sisters in Christ who lived many hundreds of years before me. These believers of the past have refreshed my soul in Christ on many occasions.” - Ben, part-time BA student and church planter, Carmarthen
Flexible BA study on-campus and online
We make studying on the BA (Hons) Flex as accessible as possible so that you can receive theological education wherever you need it.
You can blend campus-based and community-focused online learning, choosing when you want to study online or on campus and giving you the flexibility to fit your studies around existing ministry or work commitments, as well as life and family responsibilities.
Our purpose-built Zoom classrooms mean that those studying via this approach can interact in live lectures, seminars and workshops in the same way as those on campus. This approach means students are not isolated, studying by themselves, but learn alongside one another in community - wherever they might happen to be. You will have access to the same resources and support as well as regular interaction with faculty. You will also benefit from the weekly pastoral and personal workshops that our community of students enjoy.
We strongly encourage students to visit campus for some of the designated ‘Community Weeks’ throughout the year, to take classes in person and benefit from fellowship with other students and staff and face-to-face pastoral support, strengthening links with peers and faculty which you will build when studying at a distance. You can choose to schedule your time on-site in one block or spread out across the academic year, to ensure you get the most out of your time on campus, and to fit around your commitments.
Programme Details and Contents
The BA (Hons) Flex programme aims to give students a comprehensive grounding in biblical, historical and theological studies that will equip them with the skills for a lifetime of ministry.
Using a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, class discussions and reflective practice, our faculty guide students through their studies, exposing them to a range of theological scholarship and beliefs while equipping them with concrete skills for ministry.
“The BA (Hons) Flex is such a great opportunity for students to be able to study in a more blended approach, using Zoom to study by distance learning but also ensuring you’re not missing out on face-to-face study on campus for some modules, combining both methods of study to suit your circumstances.
I am so grateful that I have been able to travel to campus, interacting with students, staff and faculty, with the wonderful ability to use the well-stocked library and the knowledge the librarian has.” - Samantha, BA (Hons) Flex student, Llandudno
Students will take six modules at each level, as a combination of compulsory and optional modules.
As you progress through the programme, you will deepen your theological understanding and gifts and have opportunities to put them into practice. As the world continually changes, we don’t expect to give students all the answers to all the challenges they may face in ministry. However, we do expect our students to graduate with the ability to consider the issues involved and the tools and wisdom to know how to respond.
Students opting to study Biblical Languages can progress from beginner to a very good level of proficiency over the course of their studies.
Part-time students will need to be able to commit to joining classes ‘live’ as they are happening on campus, over 2 designated days per week, with the occasional additional day for block-taught classes. The Enquiries Officer can provide more details about module rotation.
Individual Modules
We also encourage applications for individual modules – our Biblical Languages classes are a popular choice, but all of our modules are available individually for you to try something new or explore a particular area of theology in more depth. Some modules in Levels 5 & 6 build on the previous year’s units – our Enquiries Officer will be happy to help you find the right fit for you.
Cert HE & Dip HE
Want to study theology but can’t commit to 3 years? Take a look at our one-year Cert HE award (Level 4) or the two-year Dip HE award (Level 5), both available full-time or part-time, on campus or by flexible delivery.
Students take six modules at each level, as a combination of compulsory and optional modules.
Certificate of Higher Education in Theology
The Cert HE in Theology is an ideal programme of study for you if you want to get a basic grounding in Christian Theology for use in Christian ministry.
The Cert HE programme is primarily designed for those who do not have a degree or its equivalent, and / or for those who want to start their studies having little background in Christian Theology. It is classed as a Level 4 qualification under the Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications.
The programme can be studied in 1 year full-time or 2 years part time.
The core modules cover biblical studies, church history, systematic theology, and preaching. Students choose any two of the optional modules, which include Biblical languages, mission and independent essays. The Independent Essays module gives you the opportunity to study a subject of your choice, with supervisor input. Please refer to Level 4 of the chart above for module options on the Cert HE.
Should you wish to move on to the Diploma of Higher Education in Theology or BA (Hons) Flex Theology after completion of this course, this can easily be managed.
Diploma of Higher Education in Theology
The Dip HE in Theology is an ideal programme of study if you do not have the time to study a full BA, but want to invest 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time to be equipped for Christian ministry in various contexts.
This Level 5 exit qualification begins with the Cert HE in the first year and builds on knowledge, understanding and skills gained at that level (see above). The three compulsory modules at the DipHE level cover biblical studies, systematic theology and pastoral ministry. The 3 optional modules give you the opportunity to choose from a range of subjects, from biblical languages to history and mission to ministry.
Please refer to Level 5 of the chart above for module options on the Dip HE.
Please note:
- to be eligible to study on Greek 2 and Hebrew 2 you will have needed to have successfully completed the Hebrew 1 and Greek 1 modules at Level 4.
- you must have completed the Level 4 Cert HE modules before enrolling for the Level 5 modules.
Should you wish to move on to the BA (Hons) Flex Theology course after completion of this programme of study, this can easily be managed.
Admission Requirements
The entry point for study is September of each year.
Please do get your applications in as soon as possible, as it takes time to process applications.
Do you already have a degree in another subject? Our GDip programme could be for you.
Prospective students should have the equivalent of two ‘A’ levels. Other qualifications and experience which demonstrate an applicant’s suitability may also be acceptable – please get in touch to discuss this with us.
The application deadline for September 2024 is 9th August 2024.
Essential Information
Full-time completion in 3 years, part-time completion in up to 6 years
Can be studied on campus or through a blend of live online study and campus visits
Students studying online should be able to join in ‘live’ with the classes as they are happening on campus
Modules may be studied individually rather than as part of a full degree programme (the Enquiries Officer or Programme Leader will be happy to advise)
The BA (Hons) Flex corresponds to Levels 4-6 in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
The entry point for study is early September of each year
Students exiting the programme early will achieve a Certificate of Higher Education in Theology on successfully attaining 120 credits (60 ECTS) at Level 4, or a Diploma of Higher Education in Theology on successfully attaining 120 credits (60 ECTS) at Level 5
Regulations for Open University Awards at Union School of Theology
This award is validated by The Open University.
UST reserves the right to make alterations to the contents or methods of delivery of programmes or assessment but only if such action is absolutely necessary for one or more of the following reasons: compliance with the validating university or regulatory bodies; in response to external examiner or stakeholder feedback; as part of periodic or annual review measures; in response to technological developments. When this occurs, UST will inform students as soon as feasible, and request feedback from and engage in dialogue with students to ensure that the changes are not disruptive to the student experience.
A student may not always be able to study a particular module when student demand is limited, and will be asked to take an alternative.