Training for Ordained Ministry

Discover the kind of leader you can become through rigorous, spiritually compelling and transformative ministerial training.

Key info

This course may suit you if...

  • you’re an ordinand looking for a theological learning community in which to train for ordained ministry
  • you’re interested in a non-residential, campus-based programme of energised learning alongside a diverse spectrum of students
  • you have received a recommendation to train for ordination for the Church of England or other denomination
  • you are currently going through the discernment process with those in your diocese.

Not sure if this is the right page for you? If you’re looking to study theology at St Augustine’s but you’re not training for ordination, why not take a look at studying theology as a student?

Raymond Baudon, the Assistant Diocesan Director of Ordinands for the Diocese of Southwark, explores the various training options available for those selected for ordination training.

About the ordination training pathway

Experience your own theological and ministerial formation through ordination training.

As an ordinand embarking on your journey to ordination, you are invited to dive into a rich and diverse programme of theological learning.

Become part of the Church of England’s vital vision for ministry and leadership in the Body of Christ.

  • Develop your skills and learn how to lead through faith, compassion and collaboration.
  • Prepare yourself for flexible deployment and build confidence to lead in diverse social, economic and ecclesiastical contexts.
  • Gain the wisdom to guide people in an increasingly busy and complex world.

“St Augustine’s has always been a place where ideas and action meet. As someone training for self-supporting ministry whilst working full-time, the ability to integrate study with my professional and personal life is essential.

I expected to find a diverse student body but I’ve been delighted to find even more variety than I imagined. Amidst the differences, there is a common commitment among staff and students alike to grapple with thorny issues and grow in the knowledge and love of God.”

Duncan Gray
Part-time ordained ministry student

About your programme of study

As part of your ordination training at St Augustine’s, you’ll study for a qualification in Theology, Mission and Ministry.

There are a range of qualifications available, all validated by Durham University as part of the Church of England’s Common Awards.

As an ordinand, you can choose to study for one of the following:

Each of these qualifications will allow you to engage in theological study and ministerial training at a level that is appropriate to your own academic experience. Your choice of qualification may also depend on how you’d prefer to study (part-time or otherwise).

Every one of our training programmes allows you, as students, to:

  • understand the intersection of Biblical witness and the traditions of faith in contemporary life
  • engage in contextual reflection to better understand God’s call in our work
  • foster a personal formation that deepens your trust in God’s love, strengthening you to minister that love to others.

By the time your training is complete, you will have gained the knowledge, experience and wisdom you need to minister across a range of missions.

Full-time ordinand Katrina explains what’s defined her St Augustine’s experience as an ordinand.

““We’re all from very different backgrounds and traditions here, which is great as when you’re going to be a priest you need that broad experience of people and church traditions. St Augustine’s gives you the opportunity to follow your own path – it’s your formation, and there’s no one size fits all.”

Ether,
Ordinand at St Augustine’s College of Theology

How will I be studying?

We understand the commitment you will be making by engaging in ordination training. As such, we have designed a range of full-time and part-time study options to allow you to fit your study and placements around your life.

Studying part-time

As a part-time student you’ll attend either evening classes or daytime classes, depending on which best suits your schedule. You can choose from one of the following three options:

  • Weekly evening classes at our Southwark campus, Trinity House (Mondays, 6:30pm – 9pm)
  • Fortnightly teaching days at our West Malling campus, Malling Abbey (Fridays, 10:30am – 4pm)
  • Depending on your level of study, there may be an option to attend classes online on Wednesday evenings.

We understand that life can sometimes get in the way of study. If you’re unable to attend your normal class, you can arrange to attend the class at an alternative teaching centre.

This pathway is a full-time programme of study and training, equivalent to a full-time job. It is normally a two-year programme but can be a three-year programme for candidates with appropriate funding.

As a full-time student, you’ll attend either evening classes, daytime classes, or a mixture of both, depending on what best suits you. Choose from one of the three following study modes:

Option 1

  • Two evening classes (6:30pm – 9pm) per week at our Southwark campus (Trinity House) on Mondays. Depending on your level of study, there may be an option to attend classes online on Wednesday evenings.
  • One weekly seminar (3pm – 4:45pm) at either:
    • our Southwark campus on Mondays
    • or at our West Malling campus on Wednesdays (Autumn and Winter terms only).
  • One weekly languages class, either:
    • New Testament Greek, Mondays at Southwark campus (5pm – 6pm); or Wednesdays at West Malling (2-3pm)
    • or Biblical Hebrew, Mondays at Southwark campus (2- 3pm)

Option 2

  • One weekly evening class (6:30pm – 9pm) at our Southwark campus on Monday. Depending on your level of study, there may be an option to attend classes online on Wednesday evenings.
  • One fortnightly teaching day (10:30am – 4pm) at our West Malling campus every other Friday
  • One weekly seminar (3pm – 4:45pm) at either:
    • our Southwark campus on Mondays
    • or at our West Malling campus on Wednesdays (Autumn and Winter terms only).
  • One weekly languages class, either:
    • New Testament Greek, Mondays at Southwark campus (5pm – 6pm)
    • New Testament Greek, Wednesdays at West Malling campus (2pm – 3pm)
    • or Biblical Hebrew, Wednesdays at West Malling campus (1pm – 2pm)
    • Intermediate Greek, Wednesdays at West Malling (3pm – 4pm)

Option 3

  • One weekly teaching day (10:30am – 4pm) on Fridays at our West Malling campus
  • One weekly seminar (3pm – 4:45pm) at either:
    • our Southwark campus on Mondays
    • or at our West Malling campus on Wednesdays (Autumn and Winter terms only).
  • One weekly languages class

We understand that life can sometimes get in the way of study. If you’re unable to attend your normal class, you can arrange to attend the class at an alternative teaching centre.

This pathway is a full-time programme that allows for a more significant level of church involvement through an ongoing placement equivalent to roughly three days per week.

This programme is normally a two-year programme, but can be taken over three years if you have access to a higher level of funding.

  • You will usually take two shared modules per term.
  • Unlike the standard full-time route, you will have fewer classes to attend.
  • You will, instead, take a twice termly ‘Mixed mode seminar’.

We understand that life can sometimes get in the way of study. If you’re unable to attend your normal class, you can arrange to attend the class at an alternative teaching centre.

Part-time ordinand Ollie chats about finding a community of students who, like him, are balancing part-time study with work and family life.

Discover what it’s like to study at St Augustine’s

Come along to one of our open-day style taster events. Meet the staff, chat with fellow students, sit in on classes, and join us in worshipping together.

Who will I be studying alongside?

As a college, we are very lucky to have such a diverse student community. You will learn and train alongside students from all backgrounds and Church of England traditions.

Many of our ordinands have answered a call to become an ordained priest later in life, and will be training for ordination alongside work and family commitments. While some of our ordinands may have studied at university level before, others are discovering academic learning for the first time.

You will attend lectures and seminars with both fellow ordinands and students of theology pursuing learning for a variety of reasons, from enriching their understanding of their Christian faith to studying to better serve Christ in their daily lives.

Ray, an ordinand studying at the college, talks about his experience of learning from and sharing knowledge with his fellow students.

Frequently asked questions

The amount of study time you will engage in on a weekly basis depends on how you’ve chosen to undertake the course. Ordinands engaged in a two-year programme can expect to engage in the following level of study per week:

Part-time
  • Your studies will involve 2 and a half hours of classroom time per week (on average).
  • You will typically take one module each term; each module involves two written assignments.
  • You can expect to dedicate at least ten hours a week outside the classroom for study.
Full-time
  • Your studies will involve around eight hours of classroom time per week.
  • You will typically take two modules each term; each module involves two written assignments.
  • You can expect to dedicate at least twenty hours a week outside the classroom for study.

Students who are undertaking mixed mode full-time study may have different amounts of study time over any particular week. Please get in touch to find out more.

While you will join us on campus for classes, lectures, and seminars, St Augustine’s is a non-residential college. Class-based learning takes place at:

As part of your studies, you will attend our annual Theological Symposium, held in Canterbury.

Placements and mission projects

As a student training for ordained ministry, you will also undertake the following projects and placements throughout your time here:

  • First year – A mission placement, undertaken as a small-group project with four or five other ordinands.
  • Second year – A pastoral placement in a hospital, prison or similar setting, for a minimum of 30 hours over the year.
  • Final year – A parish placement taking place over approximately eight Sundays, generally in a church context significantly different from your ‘home’ parish.
Residential events

As an ordinand, you’ll attend six residential events each academic year. Here are the six events you’ll be part of in 2024 and 2025, the first academic year of your studies:

  • 20th to 22nd September 2024 (West Malling campus and Orida Hotel, Maidstone)
  • 18th to 19th October 2024 (Leatherhead, Surrey)
  • 30th November to 1st December 2024 (Aylesford, Kent)
  • 11th to 12th January 2025 (Leatherhead, Surrey)
  • 7th to 9th February 2025 (Leatherhead, Surrey)
  • 13th to 15th June 2025 (West Malling campus and Orida Hotel, Maidstone)

During these events, you will engage in modules specific to your ordination pathway, developing your theoretical knowledge and your skills in Christian pastoral ministry and worship.

Residential events are held at various locations, including at our West Malling campus, and at Ashburnham Place in East Sussex.

Residential week

You will also attend Residential Week in 2025, 8th to 12th April (4 nights). You will stay at King’s School in Canterbury, and daily worship will take place in Canterbury Cathedral.

Location: Central London Southwark campus

Time: 6:30pm – 9:00pm

Dates:

  • Monday 16th, 23rd & 30th September 2024
  • Monday 7th, 14th & 21st October 2024
  • Monday 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th November 2024

You will also attend an online induction session on Saturday 14th September 2024 (10:00am to 12:00pm).

The Ordained Ministry training pathway is suitable for those who have either:

  • received a bishop’s recommendation to train for ordination for the Church of England
  • received a recommendation through the equivalent process of another denomination.

As part of your discernment process, your Diocesan Director of Ordinands may recommend that you undertake our Introduction to Biblical Studies taster module before being accepted for training to become an ordained minister.

If this is the case, you will need to pay the course fee yourself. However, if you are then accepted as an ordinand, your future fees will be paid by your sponsoring church.

In order to be accepted on this pathway, you will need to have been approved for Licensed Lay Ministry training through the diocese of Chichester or Southwark.

Applicants whose first language is not English will be asked to provide evidence of English Language ability, as follows:

  • i. Successful completion of a comprehension and writing assessment, conducted by St Augustine’s College of Theology; and
  • ii. successful completion of external language test, as required by Durham University, e.g., IELTS score of 6.5 (see Common Awards programme specifications).

Further details on core entry requirements can be found in our admissions policy.

If you are accepted onto the Ordained Ministry training pathway, your tuition fees will be paid directly to St Augustine’s College of Theology by your sponsoring church. This will cover all of your training, teaching sessions and attendance at residential events.

As an ordinand, the modules that you will take will depend upon the level of academic qualification you are studying for.

Qualification Modules typically studied
Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) Levels 4 and 5
BA (Hons) Levels 6 and 7
Graduate Diploma (GDip) Level 6
MA Level 7

Take a look at our modules page to explore the range of modules available across different levels.

Residential events for the 2024/25 academic year
Please see below for the complete list of dates and locations for residential events throughout the 2024/25 academic year.

Residential weekends

  • 20th to 22nd September 2024 (West Malling campus and Orida Hotel, Maidstone)
  • 19th to 20th October 2024 (Leatherhead, Surrey)
  • 23rd November to 24th November 2024 (West Malling campus and Holiday Inn Hotel, Maidstone – Sevenoaks)
  • 11th to 12th January 2025 (Leatherhead, Surrey)
  • 7th to 9th February 2025 (Leatherhead, Surrey)
  • 8th to 12th April 2025 (King’s School, Canterbury)
  • 13th to 15th June 2025 (West Malling campus and Orida Hotel, Maidstone)

Exact details, including timings and accommodation information, will be arranged and shared with you closer to the time.

Residential week

If you are training for ministry, you will also attend Residential Week in 2025, between the 8th and 12th April (4 nights).

You will stay at King’s School in Canterbury, and daily worship will take place in Canterbury Cathedral.

Next steps

Take the next step on your journey into ordination training.

Need help or have a question? Contact our admissions team for further assistance.