What’s it like to study theology?
People come to Queen’s for a variety of reasons, but a unifying feature is that they come to study theology. All of our qualifications and awards are linked to the study of theology; conversely, we do not offer any awards in other disciplines – though, of course, we want to consider how theology engages with with all aspects of life, and filters into areas such as literature, music or poetry.
Under the broad “umbrella” of theology come a variety of theological sub-disciplines, and these feature within the curricula at Queen’s. Students typically encounter topic areas such as mission studies or liturgy, biblical studies or doctrine; equally, they find themselves grappling with the way in which context shapes theological enquiry – for example, in terms of concepts such as gender or ethnicity.
What’s it like to study theology at Queen’s?
At Queen’s, students learn, pray and grow together in a lively, inclusive, international and ecumenical community, supported by one of the largest, widest-ranging staff teams of any UK theological college. This means that studying theology at Queen’s:
- is challenging and engaging, because theology is never abstract or simply about ideas;
- is rigorous and demanding, because daring to speak of God requires our best thinking and our most honest awareness of our limitations;
- is stimulating and transformative as we open ourselves to the wisdom that comes from each other and those who have gone before us in the faith.
Learning takes place in a variety of levels – undergraduate, postgraduate and research – and in a way that brings together students from a variety of theological backgrounds and contexts. Module cohorts are diverse, and commonly include ministerial candidates, trainee Readers in the Church of England and independent lay students. Discussion between different views and traditions is encouraged, as is making connections between academic studies, ministerial formation and practice.
Academic modules are delivered in multiple ways – via lectures, seminars and small groups, through visits and placements, in classrooms and online. Classes vary in size, but tutors will ensure that opportunity for participation and interaction is maximised. Writing assignments and receiving feedback are also part of the learning process; the opportunity to learn with and from others, and to subject one’s own assumptions and beliefs to critical scrutiny, is a precious gift and core to theological study at Queen’s.
Queen's as TEI
Studying is supported and strengthened by our academic accreditation and University partnerships. The Queen’s Foundation is an independent, ecumenical Theological Education Institution (TEI) and is recognised as a higher learning institution (listed body) by the UK government. Students at Queen’s study for Higher Education awards, which are validated by several partner universities. “Validation” means that upon successful completion of assessment, students will exit with an award made by the validating university.
Types of student
The student body of the Queen’s Foundation is diverse in terms of age (although predominantly mature students), gender, nationality and ethnicity, denomination and theological tradition. The majority of students are studying for Christian vocational or ministerial purposes, or as part of their Christian discipleship.
Learning
Academic modules are delivered via lectures, seminars and small groups, through visits and placements, in classrooms and online. Assessment is done in a variety of ways (but not through written examinations). Writing assignments and receiving feedback are also a key part of the learning process not just a hurdle to jump at the end of a module. Being able to gather evidence, develop reasoned arguments, engage openly and critically with other voices in a debate, communicate, explain and defend your own views, and so on are all skills that are central to those preparing for various forms of ministry and those who wish to deepen their discipleship. If you are new to study or have particular learning needs Queen’s will support you, through a study skills programme and other learning support resources tailored to individual needs, but above all by the quality and care of dedicated tutors.
Employment post-Queen’s
Students leave Queen’s to work and serve in a variety of destinations and contexts, but their future path is very much shaped by the student’s sponsoring church (if they have one) and the needs/requirements of that church.
Employment for independent students
For independent, or non-sponsored, students, employment opportunities post-Queen’s are dependent solely on outcomes from the programme of study they pursue. Independent Students come to Queen’s from a variety of Churches such as: New Testament Church of God; Vineyard; Salvation Army; Baptist; Assemblies of God; Elim Pentecostal; 7th Day Adventist Churches, the Church of England, the Methodist Church in Britain.
Many of our ‘independent’ students in fact receive full or partial sponsorship from their Church; however these arrangements are not through formal contract and tend to be arranged on a case by case basis by the student in question.
Many independent students are studying at Queen’s in order to enhance their own lay or ordained role within their church, paid or unpaid. Others are regular church goers from a variety of backgrounds and experiences seeking to explore further their own faith and calling.
Undergraduate, post graduate and doctoral level study is open to students based on their previous experience and ability to meet entry requirements. Academic Qualifications obtained at the Queen’s Foundation are validated by either: Durham University, Newman University or Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and are equivalent to an academic qualification gained directly at these universities. Qualifications could be used to lead to further study, research or academic work in the field of Theology. Most students however study for their own personal and spiritual development and continue in paid employment whilst studying.
All Queen’s students are also taught transferable skills which would enrich and enhance all future employability, including, but not limited to: public speaking, community building and engagement, managing institutional finances and property, leadership in the workplace (e.g. chairing meetings), Safeguarding, and learning styles. At various points in the curriculum there is a strong emphasis on global understanding and cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity, and also on self-awareness through a variety of means and employing a range of tools (Myers-Briggs, Enneagram, etc.), which are intended to equip and enable students for a lifetime of varied contexts and settings.
Employment for sponsored students
For sponsored students, the situation may be different. Undergraduate, post graduate and doctoral academic programmes are approved for sponsored students, and are selected by the Church for their candidate based on previous training and a wide range of other factors. In all cases, “successful completion of course” for a sponsored student includes both meeting academic and formational learning outcomes set by the sponsoring church and reported on throughout study. Completion of the academic programme alone will not ensure ordination or licencing. Many sponsored programmes lead to roles within the sponsoring churches which are not recompensed by a stipend (i.e. unpaid), and most of our students maintain a separate career throughout study and beyond that is not directly affected by their programme of study at the Queen’s Foundation.
Anglican Ministerial Students
Our Anglican ministerial students, after successful completion of their programme that has been approved by the Church of England for Initial Ministerial Education (IME) Phase 1, are ordained and move into Phase 2 of IME training during their Curacy in the Church of England. See the Church of England Website. Our students go on to a mix of stipendiary and non-stipendiary posts across the UK and abroad.
Methodist Ministerial Students
Our Methodist Ministerial Students, after successful completion of their programme, that has been recommended and approved by the Methodist Church in Britain, move onto the next phase of training in Circuit as Methodist Probationer Presbyters or Deacons. See below for how the Queen’s Foundation is involved in the delivery of this probationary training.
Readers in the Church of England
Trainee Readers from the Diocese of Worcester and Lichfield, upon successful completion of their programme taught jointly with the Queen’s Foundation and diocesan staff, become licenced as Readers in the Church of England. Other Readers in the Church of England study as independent students to enhance their understanding of their role.
Probationers in the Methodist Church in Britain
Most probationers complete the second part of their ministerial education with the Queen’s Foundation. Upon successful completion students are received into Full Connexion with the British Methodist Church and ordained as Presbyteral or Diaconal Ministers.
As a result of sponsorship arrangements, the learning and formation planned via the curriculum, and all activity at the Foundation is focused on preparing students to undertake and enhance their prospective or current roles. The Church of England and Methodist Church in Britain have their own systems for reviewing and reporting in the Foundation’s ability to prepare students for their roles. For the Church of England, the Quality in Formation process leads to a judgement by the House of Bishops that Queen’s is recognised as an approved Theological Education Institute, and by Ministry Division that are programmes and pathway are approved. For the Methodist Church processes of review will lead to a decision of their governing body, the Conference, to approve Queen’s as a Centre within their Learning Network. See http://www.queens.ac.uk/about/reports
