Academic Information

 

Each course at the College is taught in self-contained course units or classes over one semester or during a short one-week intensive session (or two weeks at MA level). A modular approach allows students to select a variety of paths towards the completion of the course. Each undergraduate course unit in the curriculum has been given a credit rating of TEN units; each postgraduate unit has a credit rating of THIRTY units.

 

Although each course is distinct in its content and entry qualifications, all courses are integrated so that the appropriate award can be gained at any of the exit points.

 

Undergraduate Subjects of Study

Course units are offered in three subject areas: Biblical Studies, Christian Theology and Church History, and Practical and Social Theology.

 

Course Units

Within each subject area of study there are a number of specific course units.

 

  • Within the general area of BIBLICAL STUDIES, course units are offered in specific areas of Old and New Testament, Biblical languages and interpretation.

 

 

  • The area of  PRACTICAL AND SOCIAL THEOLOGY includes course units in a wide range of ministry subjects as well as course units in the Humanities and Social Sciences, including English Literature, Youth Work, History, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology and Comparative Religion. 

 

The Academic Year

Each academic year or session is divided into two semesters, Autumn and Spring. The Autumn Semester is of fourteen weeks duration including lectures, study and examination periods. The Spring Semester is of sixteen weeks duration including lectures, study and examination periods except for students on summer placements, where the Spring Semester will normally be extended to incorporate the placement. Honours degree students will normally complete twelve course units during each academic year while ordinary degree students will complete ten per academic year. MA students will complete four taught units and a dissertation during the course of the year (Note that at MA level the academic year is a full eleven months to allow for the writing of the dissertation).  The College also has two short ‘inter-sessions’: one is in January, and one in May. This allows full and part-time students to take a course unit within a one-week intensive period (for undergraduates) or two week period (for MA units).

 

The Academic Calendar and Prospectus are available in the 'download' area of the website.

 

When transferring to American or Canadian colleges, it should be noted that all undergraduate course units at Nazarene Theological College should be credited with three class hours.

 

Part-time Study

Each of the College's courses may be completed by part-time as well as full-time study. The modular shape of the course makes them more accessible to part-time students who can enrol in up to one-half of the number of course units a full-time student would complete in a year.

 

Assessment

The College uses a variety of assessment techniques including course work and examination, projects, placements and self-assessment and peer assessment. The undergraduate degree courses are assessed by a combination of continuous assessment and final examinations, while the diploma and certificate courses employ continuous assessment only. The MA is assessed by a combination of course work and dissertation.

 

Graduation

Graduation, which takes place in October, is the climax of the session for the whole college, and involves not just the graduates but all students. Scholarships and prizes are also awarded. All students are expected to be present.

 

The Occasional Student

The College welcomes students who simply want to take a course unit or two. These ‘occasional students’ don’t have to go through the formality of application and interviews, but can simply register at the start of the semester. A leaflet describing the course units currently on offer is available from the registrar.


Evening classes and day classes can be taken for credit (i.e. completing all the course work), without any commitment to a full college programme. These course units could later be transferred into a certificate, diploma, or full degree course.