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.

“There’s such a diversity in people at St Augustine’s….It’s not just ordinands, it’s independent students, it’s lay readers. Having the opportunity to have discussions with people from different walks of life is really good. 

“All the lecturers are really knowledgeable, and they all have different styles. It’s very interactive, and I’ve loved every lecturer I’ve had. There’s a lot of discussion and interaction – it’s been really spirit-led and awesome!”

Melissa Lavin
Independent student and trainee ordinand

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.

Ordinand David Jones talks about the different worship styles he experienced as part of his ordination training at St Augustine’s.

“There are people from different backgrounds and life experiences. Lots of people are studying alongside work or coming to theological training after doing other things for several years. You’re in the same boat together.”

Tim Aldred,
Ordinand and a former ordination training student

How will I study?

You’re making a huge commitment by starting ordination training. To support you, we’ve designed a range of full-time and part-time study options to help you fit 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 you. Choose from one of the following three options:

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

We understand that life can sometimes get in the way of study. If you can’t attend your regular class, you can arrange to attend at another 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 it can be extended to a three-year programme for candidates with suitable funding.

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

Option 1

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

Option 2

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

Option 3

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

We understand that life can sometimes get in the way of study. If you can’t attend your regular class, you can arrange to attend 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.

Learn how St Augustine’s flexible study options allow you to learn theology your way, fitting around your 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 study 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

Your amount of weekly study time depends on how you’ve chosen to undertake the course. Ordinands on 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 to 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 to study.

Students undertaking mixed-mode full-time study may have varying amounts of study time each week. Please get in touch to find out more.

You will join us on campus for classes, lectures, and seminars, but go home after your learning activities – 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 complete the following projects and placements:

  • First year – A mission placement 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 over approximately eight Sundays, generally in a church context significantly different from your ‘home’ parish.
Residential events

As an ordinand, you’ll attend seven residential events each academic year. Here are the seven events you’ll be part of in the 2026/27 academic year of your studies.

  • 25–27 September 2026 – Orida & St Benedict’s Centre
  • 16–18 October 2026 – Police Federation, Leatherhead
  • 20–22 November 2026 – Police Federation, Leatherhead
  • 5–7 February 2027 – Police Federation, Leatherhead
  • 5–7 March 2027 – Police Federation, Leatherhead
  • 14–16 May 2027 – Orida & St Benedict’s Centre
  • 11–13 June 2027 – Holiday Inn & St Benedict’s Centre

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.

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.

Please see below for the complete list of dates and locations for residential events throughout the 2026/27 academic year.

  • 25–27 September 2026 – Orida & St Benedict’s Centre
  • 16–18 October 2026 – Police Federation, Leatherhead
  • 20–22 November 2026 – Police Federation, Leatherhead
  • 5–7 February 2027 – Police Federation, Leatherhead
  • 5–7 March 2027 – Police Federation, Leatherhead
  • 14–16 May 2027 – Orida & St Benedict’s Centre
  • 11–13 June 2027 – Holiday Inn & St Benedict’s Centre

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

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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.