Undergraduate Courses

BA (Hons) in Applied Theology

The three-year degree programme takes you through three levels of study. The three degree programmes share a lot of material, especially at the start. This makes for dynamic interaction between students with different perspectives, and also makes it possible for you to move from one stream to another, if you find that your sense of vocation is developing and changing. Level I – basic studies in biblical, doctrinal and other areas, with a strong emphasis on the theory and practice of a broad range of types of Christian service. You undertake a year-long placement and various practical assignments. You build up a portfolio that reflects your practical and personal development. Level II – where you begin to specialise more.

In addition to continued biblical and doctrinal studies, you choose modules that reflect your interests and abilities, especially in relation to different areas of work (cross-cultural, evangelism, pastoral, youth & community, community & family, children & schools). You get to think seriously about the interface between your faith and the world you live in. A 5-week block placement complements your year-long regular and occasional practical assignments, and you are expected to reflect on practice and engage in much more critical analysis. Level III – specialised studies in your chosen professional area are complemented by further year-long and block placements, and by an 8,000-word dissertation on a topic you agree with your tutor. It is aimed at helping you integrate all you have done, prior to moving out into competent Christian service.

BA in Applied Theology

The pass degree is a flexible, modified version of the honours degree programme. It has in mind (a) those for whom the gaining of honours is less significant than the allocation of more time to personal and spiritual development or practical work, and (b) those who feel or find that the completion of all of the requirements for an honours degree is beyond their reach. Please note that for students commencing their studies in 2010 or later, only an honours degree in youth and community work will confer JNC recognition.

BA (Hons) in Applied Theology

(Community and Family Studies)

Drawing on biblical perspectives, the course will examine all age communities, how families relate, parenting, issues around divorce and co-habitation, the professional skills required to function effectively as a family worker and, in fact, just about everything to do with working alongside families in the context of their community. Carefully chosen, professionally supervised placements will give hands on experience of community and family work.

BA (Hons) in Applied Theology

(Youth and Community Work,)

With JNC Professional Qualification endorsed by the National Youth Agency.

We offer a 'hands-on' approach to understanding young people and the communities they come from. Critical issues such as adolescent development, the youth culture debate and the value of team-work are covered. You are encouraged to reflect critically on the effectiveness of youth work from both Church and Local Authority based models. Our Youth and Community Course carries National Youth Agency endorsement. Students can now graduate with a Degree in Applied Theology (Youth and Community) opening all sorts of new opportunities to work with local authorities, secular agencies as well as with Churches and Christian organisations'.

New developments surrounding JNC Validation

Youthwork has always been a fast moving world with the profession having to respond to both changes in the world of young people and also the social policy context within the UK. A significant policy move over the last few years has been the reduction in generic youth work (local authority youth workers meeting young people in a youth centre or on the street), and the growth of multi-disciplinary services - i.e. youth workers working as part of a team that engages with young people - perhaps working with a social worker, educational psychologist or probabtion officer. As a result of this change, the government has raised the status of JNC 'professional youth work qualification' from diploma to honours degree level. This has significantly impacted the courses at Moorlands where for many years students could get their JNC as part of the applied theology degree. Students can still get their JNC whilst studying theology but we have had to increase the emphasis on youth work within the context of theology. This has meant that students need to decide to do the youth work option at the start of their course and cannot 'opt in' at a later stage. It also means that placements have to be carefully chosen right from the start to reflect the requirement to do many hours of face-to-face youth work.

None of this has impacted Moorlands foundational commitment to theology and the Christian context of youth work, but it does just mean that students need to make a decision about their direction earlier than possible in the past.