6 minute read
Learning Communities and Campus life at Union School of Theology
There are three learning pathways available at the School of Theology. Residential study on campus; intensive residential teaching weeks; and through our local Learning Communities. All will equip you for a ministry fuelled by a love for Jesus.
Learning Communities
Advertisement
What is a Learning Community?
A robust theological education is vital to a healthy and sustainable ministry. Persuaded that formal theological education had for many become too expensive and inaccessible, we established a new learning pathway. We offer full-time residential study at BA level, and intensive residential teaching weeks at MTh level on our campus in Wales.
But, now we also have a growing number of Learning Communities in the UK, Europe and North America, opening up access to gospelhearted, academically rigorous theological education like never before.
What course do you offer in a Learning Community?
We typically offer a Graduate Diploma in Theology, which takes two years (part time) to complete. It’s designed for those who already have a degree in any subject and is a broad introduction to theological study, including biblical languages.
The MTh accessed through selected Learning Communities is also available as a part-time option over two years, with an extra year available to complete the dissertation.
In Learning Communities, students work through the modules in a less intensive way, typically coming together on a weekly basis throughout the teaching weeks of the semesters. All the teaching and assessment is delivered by UST lecturers, with a local Lead Mentor facilitating the work of the Learning Community.
Who is a Learning Community for?
Anyone! Our emphasis is on training leaders, but we believe that theology is for everyone, for life. The GDip is a gospel-hearted course for pastors, preachers, women’s workers, music ministers, children’s workers, evangelists, church planters, and anyone else who recognises the value of an excellent theological education. Across our Learning Communities we have men and women in church ministry and secular employment – current and future leaders – who simply wish to be better prepared for ministry.
How does a Learning Community work?
A Learning Community is typically hosted by a local church, and led by a Mentor – usually an experienced church leader. UST handles student admissions. Each Learning Community has between three and twelve students from local churches. A Learning Community running the GDip gathers for a day a week, for 22 weeks a year, to watch videoed lectures and discuss them with their Mentor. An extensive range of learning resources are available through the Union ‘Cloud’, including e-books and e-journals. Private study and essays are done in the students’ own time, and all teaching, marking, and assessment is done by UST faculty using the Union Cloud. Students are mentored in ministry, gain pastoral understanding, and experience spiritual formation in the context of their existing relationships and church family.
Where are the Learning Communities?
With an international base in Oxford, a campus in South Wales and Communities spread regionally and internationally, Union is making theological education and training accessible for all.
We have locations from Cambridge to Calgary and Liverpool to Athens.
Communities in the United Kingdom:
Porthcawl (GDip), Bristol (GDip), Welsh Borders (GDip), Liverpool (GDip), West Cumbria (GDip), Edinburgh (MTh), Newcastle (GDip), Cambridge (GDip), London (GDip and MTh), Brighton (MTh) and Worthing (GDip).
Communities in the Americas and Europe:
Calgary (GDip and MTh), Newfoundland (GDip), Prince Edward Island (GDip), Tulsa (GDip and MTh), Stillwater (GDip), South Holland (GDip), Rome (GDip and MTh), Helsinki (GDip), Skopje (GDip) and Athens (MTh).
Studying on Campus
Our campus provides a unique residential learning experience and a home for the Union family. Students can study on the BA, MTh or PhD.
Our campus is centred on a nineteenth-century manor house set in beautiful grounds near the heritage coastline of South Wales. With an excellent library, conference hall and chapel, accommodation and cutting-edge teaching facilities, it is the home of our full-time teaching programmes, offering all the benefits of traditional residential training.
Residential education
Studying for the BA, MTh or PhD on our campus offers all the classic advantages of an excellent seminary education, now with the added benefits of being part of Union. It is a great privilege to be able to take two or three years out to lay a solid foundation for effective gospel ministry, and life on campus is enriched through daily worship and fellowship with faculty, students and the wider Union family. Time spent here is an opportunity to grow in Christ and establish friendships that will bear fruit for life.
A study bedroom on campus
More than a college campus
As well as residential education, our campus provides us with a conference centre for all the Union family, and a place for retreat for short-term intensive study breaks. Students from our Learning Communities - and pastors on sabbatical - have the chance to come and benefit from this vibrant and refreshing community. More than a college campus, we see it as a seedbed of the gospel, embodying our values.
Library
Our library serves both the campus community and our Learning Communities. It is also a resource for those in ministry, or Christians simply wishing to extend their theological understanding. The library houses a large and growing range of books, journals, e-books, e-journals, and e-resources, which can be accessed seamlessly on or off campus through any digital device, keeping students at the forefront of academic theology.
Zoom Room
UST has a fully-equipped ‘Zoom Room’ allowing language and other teaching to be delivered live to students in off-campus locations through cutting-edge ‘Zoom’ technology.
Fees and Funding
Union wants to help you with every aspect of your studies, including any financial matters. We welcome your questions and are happy to give support and guidance wherever you need it.
We can also help you with preparing applications to grantmaking trusts or fundraising letters to supporters. Please just ask.
Phoebe Scholarships
At Union School of Theology we recognise that many women desire to serve the church and are keen to study theology, but are often hindered by the financial cost. We have two designated Phoebe scholarships for women studying on the BA and MTh courses, which will fully cover tuition fees, or where students are able to gain Student Loan funding for fees, the scholarship can cover accommodation on campus.
Luke 5 Scholarship
Union School of Theology is committed to offering assistance to students from under-represented groups, including those affected by disability, illness, or social exclusion. We are delighted to make available a designated ‘Luke 5’ scholarship to a student who has faced a significant barrier to learning before applying for theological studies. It is available for a student intending to study on our BA (Hons) programme, or our MTh programme, starting in September 2020. The scholarships will fully cover UST fees, or where students are able to gain Student Loan funding for fees, the scholarship can cover accommodation on campus.
Ongoing support
Union provides ongoing support to students, including a suite of free online theological resources and a growing range of books. We run regional conferences, hosted by Learning Communities, which focus on equipping churches in anything from preaching to urban mission.
At UST we care about shaping the hearts and lives of our students. Our Pastoral Dean oversees and models pastoral care with a passion for training and mentoring students, and a desire that churches are led by pastors who are theologically rich, ministering with the heart of the Chief Shepherd.
Union Mission also offers our graduates who are planting churches potential access to a significant funding pot.
