Certificate of Higher Education in Theology, Ministry and Mission

This course offers you an accessible and spiritually rewarding way to begin your university-level studies with confidence. 

You can study at our central London or Kent campus or entirely online.

  • Next enrolment: Applications now open for September 2025

  • Duration: 1 or 2 years

  • Location: Choose one or a combination of study locations:

    You can also study the Certificate completely online!

  • Entry requirements: Usually 1 A-level, but we consider your experience and commitment to the course

  • Qualification level: Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) in Theology, Ministry and Mission

  • Award/study level: Level 4

  • Cost: From £3,100 per year (depending on study length)

This course may suit you if...

  • you want to study theology and deepen your faith but haven’t studied at the university level before
  • you’re part of a diocesan programme and want to explore your motivation and aptitude for theological study as part of your discernment process
  • you need a flexible study option that allows you to fit theological learning around your life while attending classes at a non-residential college.

If you’re interested in studying the Certificate but can’t travel to our central London or Kent campuses, you can also study the course completely online.

Independent student Anthony chats about exploring his vocation through studying at St Augustine’s.

About the course

The Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) in Theology, Ministry and Mission allows you to explore the exciting and spiritually engaging world of theological study.

You can study at our picturesque West Malling campus in rural Kent, our central London campus, or 100% online.

Validated by Durham University, this course will help you establish your skills in theological reflection. You’ll learn with fellow students, exchanging ideas to enrich your learning experience.

Over one or two years, you’ll develop your own faith-based perspective on all aspects of daily life.

The Certificate lays the foundation for the Diploma or BA (Hons), allowing you to continue your studies after earning your certificate and converting it into a full degree if you choose.

Find out more about theological study at one of our regular Taster Events.

What are the modules?

The modules you take will depend on the length of your study programme.

Year 1

  • Autumn Term – Introduction to Biblical Studies
  • Winter Term – Introduction to Church History
  • Spring Term – Introduction to Spirituality and Discipleship
  • Throughout the year – Reflective Practice and two study days (17 Jan & 14 March 2026).

Year 2

  • Autumn Term – Foundations in Christian Worship
  • Winter Term – Introduction to Christian Doctrine
  • Spring Term – Using the Bible Today
  • Throughout the year – Two study days (January and March).

Read more about the modules you will be studying.

If you’re a full-time student studying over a single year, you will take two or more modules per academic term.

Speak to our admissions team for more details about which modules you will undertake and when.

Theology students enjoy a discussion at a St Augustine’s College of Theology induction day

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.

Frequently asked questions

The next available Certificate of Higher Education in Theology, Ministry and Mission programme begins in September 2025.

You can now sign up for the 2025 Certificate by submitting your application here.

If you have any questions about the course or the application process, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly admissions team, either via email on admissions@staugustinescollege.ac.uk or by calling 01732 252 656.

In order to best fit your studies around your life, you can choose between a one-year or two-year version of the Certificate.

  • Studying over two years (known as part-time study) is the most popular pathway to studying the Certificate. Classes and assessments are spread out over two years and you’ll typically study one module per 3-month academic term.
  • You are also welcome to study over a single year (known as full-time study). This option requires a higher rate of weekly classroom and personal study time, as you will be taking two or more modules per academic term.

Read the FAQ’s below for more information on how this choice may impact your study and classroom options.

Depending on the length of your study programme (one or two years), you may be able to choose how and where you attend classes and organise your studies.

Part-time students

If you are studying the certificate over two years, you can choose to structure your learning in one of the following three ways:

  • attending in-person classes at either our Kent or London campuses
  • studying exclusively online via remote Zoom classes
  • a combination of in-person and online classes.

While there are a number of in-person learning events as part of the Certificate, part-time students who wish to study completely online can enrol in the online-only version of this course and wouldn’t ever need to attend in-person events.

Full-time students

If you are studying the certificate over one year, you will need to attend in-person classes at both our West Malling and Southwark campuses.

While you may be able to substitute some in-person learning with an online class, you will not be able to study the Certificate completely online. The online version of the Certificate is only available as a two-year course.

Both full-time and part-time Certificate students will be invited to attend classes at either (or, in the case of full-time students, both) of our campus locations. Students also have the option to attend classes online.

Southwark campus

Weekly classes take place at Trinity House; our Southwark campus in the heart of central London. This location is just a few minutes walk from London Bridge tube station, off Borough Higher Street.

Classes take place on Monday evenings, from 6:30pm to 9:00pm.

West Malling campus

You can attend fortnightly teaching days in the grounds of Malling Abbey, at our West Malling campus in rural Kent; a picturesque location just 50 minutes from central London by train.

Teaching days take place on alternating Fridays, from 10:00pm to 4:30pm.

Online classes

All Certificate students have the opportunity to attend classes online, which take place on Monday evenings at 6:30pm to 9:00pm.

Part-time students (who are studying the Certificate over two years) have the option of blending their study locations. You can choose to attend classes in-person and online. Should you wish to, you can study the Certificate exclusively online and attend all your classes remotely.

If you are a full-time students (studying over one year), you can still study online but you will still need to attend in-person classes also.

 

If you are not studying exclusively online, you will have some flexibility in where you attend your classes.

While we recommend attending all in-person classes at the same campus, we can arrange for you to attend alternative, corresponding classes at a different location if you encounter unforseen circumstances (e.g. a family emergency or unavoidable work obligation),

The amount of study time typically required depends on how you’ve chosen to undertake the course.

Part-time students

Part-time students studying over two years are expected to undertake at least 10 hours of private study per week, and possibly more in the first year.

You will typically complete three modules (one per 3-month term) each academic year, plus the Reflective Practice module throughout your first year.

You will be required to complete two assignments per module, meaning you may need to complete six to eight assignments each academic year.

Full-time students

Full-time students studying over a single academic year should expect to need at least 25 hours of private study per week.

You will typically complete seven modules in your single year of study and be required to complete two assignments per module (an average of 14 assignments over the academic year).

This course is designed for those without prior or recent experience of academic or university-level study. You don’t need to have studied theology before or be deeply involved in the Church to sign up for the course.

If you wish to enrol for independent study but have studied theology previously, it may be possible to enter our undergraduate programme at Diploma or BA level.

While we do recommend applicants have one A level at grade E or higher (or equivalent qualifications), we treat each application on an individual basis.

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.

Speak to our admissions team via admissions@staugustinescollege.ac.uk or call 01732 252 656 for guidance.

> Find out more about our entry requirements

Your course fees will depend on how you choose to engage in study.

Part-time
(2 years)		 Full-time
(1 year)
£6,200
(£3,100 per year)		 £5,700

As part of our commitment to making theological studies accessible to all, we have established the Tattersall Bursary Fund. This fund provides bursaries in support of students whose personal circumstances may mean that finance is a barrier to their studying.

Applying for a bursary to help towards the cost of fees, books or travel is simple and non-intrusive. Find out more about bursaries and how to apply for the bursary.

The Online Certification of Higher Education (CertHE) degree programme also forms part of the Diploma or BA (Hons) in Theology, Ministry and Mission.

Once you achieve your CertHE qualification, many students choose to continue their studies to earn their Diploma or BA. You’d essentially pick up where you left off, choosing a programme of theological study that suits you.

However, if you wish to study at Diploma or BA level, you may be required to attend at least some in-person learning events. While online learning is available to an extent, this may not be suitable for students who cannot commute to either London or West Malling (Kent) in the UK.

Speak to our admissions team if you’d like to know more about future study options.

“Some of my academic studies have been very challenging. Biblical studies blew apart my understanding of the Bible, but the course and the tutors gave me space to reform my view. All the students support and accept one another and the tutors help to nurture your growth. It feels as though everyone around you is rooting for you.”

Mark
St Augustine’s student

Next steps

Take the next step on your journey into studying theology.

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