GDip
Graduate Diploma in Theology
Grow in your love of God and prepare for ministry, while you stay in your local church
Take courses in Biblical, theological and pastoral studies
Study in an online or a local Learning Community
For those who already have a university degree in any subject and some basic theological knowledge
Complete in 2 years part-time*
This award is validated by the Open University
How does it work?
The GDip is delivered through local and online Learning Communities, meaning that you can study wherever you are, alongside others.
Meet in-person or online once a week
In-person Learning Communities meet for up to one day a week during two semesters each year, usually over two years*. Online groups meet over Zoom once a week over two years.
Students complete pre-reading before each week’s meeting, and watch one or two lecture video units per course, then discuss what they’ve read and watched. Each Learning Community chooses whether to watch the videos in their own time or during their meet day. Please view each Learning Community’s profile and contact the mentors directly for further details on meet days and times - view profiles here.
Study six 20-credit courses
The GDip is made up of six 20-credit courses which are usually delivered over two years, with three courses running simultaneously across both semesters in each academic year. Semesters are 12 weeks long each.
Students will also have the opportunity to join seminars given by their lecturers once a semester.
We advise budgeting up to 200 hours of study time per course, including pre-reading, lectures and assignments, which should be an average of around 20 hours per week to cover all three modules. In addition to this, you will need to budget time before your course begins to complete the self-led induction and pre-reading.
Apply your learning to your context
Each in-person and online Learning Community is directed by an approved Lead Mentor, an experienced church leader who will help you reflect on the application of your studies in your context.
*all GDip Learning Communities operate over 2 years, except at selected in-person locations. Please view individual Learning Community profiles for their schedule details.
Meet the lecturers
Daniel Hames, Lecturer in Systematic and Historical Theology, asks the question: What is the glory of God?
What will I learn?
The Graduate Diploma is equivalent to the final year of a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. The courses are designed to help you grow in your knowledge and love of God, and prepare you for fruitful ministry.
Students take six modules in total - three compulsory and three of their choice from the other module options. The Independent Writing Project counts as one of the six modules, and can be focused in any of the three strands of study. Each Learning Community follows a set rotation of modules; please see the GDip Module Rotation button in the ‘How Does It Work?’ section for rotation details.
Students may take one biblical language (optional), and need to take at least one Ministry Practice module. When choosing to take a language, students will need to opt out of a non-compulsory module of their choice. Biblical Languages modules are run outside of the regular Learning Community schedule.
Biblical Studies
Old Testament (Compulsory)
New Testament (Compulsory)
Languages options:
Hebrew
Greek
Theological Studies
Christian Theology (Compulsory)
Major Theologians in Church History
Ministry Practice
Preaching & Pastoral Theology
Church & Mission
Children’s, Youth & Family Ministry
Independent Writing Project
Who is it for?
The GDip is for those who already have a Bachelors degree in a subject other than theology, some basic theological knowledge and some ministry experience.
Many GDip students study alongside current ministry roles or work and family commitments, and graduates have gone on to serve as assistant pastors, church planters, women’s ministry workers, youth and children’s workers, evangelists, and chaplaincy workers.
Some students choose to pursue further studies on our MTh programme and have planted churches with support from Union Mission.
Regulations for Open University Awards at Union School of Theology
Student's Guide to Studying on a Programme Validated by the Open University
Ready to apply?
Applications for the academic year 2027-28 will open in January 2027.
Further information
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.
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