BA (Hons) Applied Theology (Youth and Community Work)
Delivered by Moorlands College, validated by the University of Gloucestershire.
The BA (Hons) Applied Theology (Youth and Community Work) is delivered by Moorlands College in partnership with South West Youth Ministries and is validated by the University of Gloucestershire.
The programme is validated by the National Youth Agency (NYA) which means that upon graduation you will also receive JNC accreditation as a professional youth worker.
The Applied Theology, Youth and Community Work degree has been designed to give you a firm foundation and will equip you to serve God in practical and relevant ways in dynamic youth work contexts.
Course Overview
Your studies on the BA (Hons) Applied Theology programme are orientated around four different strands. Full time students will study one module from each strand every year.
Strand 1: Biblical Studies
The Bible forms the basis of all of the College’s teaching and action. As a result, a large part of your academic study will involve robust engagement with Biblical texts. This strand equips you to handle Scripture appropriately, engaging with factors such as genre and cultural context, that inform interpretation. This strand will help you to explore the implications of the Biblical texts studied for contemporary Christian life and ministry.
Strand 2: Christian Foundations
This strand explores the foundations of the Christian faith through developing your knowledge and critical awareness of Christianity’s historical unfolding. You’ll explore the key themes and concepts within the biblical narrative, and the core beliefs and practices of Christian orthodoxy. This strand equips you to be effective in ministry in a variety of contexts by allowing you to engage with contemporary challenges and objections to Christianity and to address them effectively and appropriately.
Strand 3: Young People, Communities and Contexts
This strand enhances your ability to engage with the contemporary world of young people. It explores the contexts of youth and community work and considers social policy and frameworks for professional practice. You will use the experiences from your placement to engage with methods and principles of contextual theology and reflective practice within a value base of social justice and human rights. In Year 3, you’ll have the opportunity to choose between doing a longer piece of research-based work, or an immersive placement project with young people.
Strand 4: The Christian Youth Worker
This strand develops the skills, knowledge and attitudes that are central to formation in line with the National Occupational Standards for Youth and Community Work. You will use the insights gained from your placement experiences to grow in your personal development and in the management and leadership of others. In Year 3, your studies will have a particular focus on community development and transformation, examining key issues such as power, poverty, inequality and injustice.
How you will study
You will study in both onsite and hybrid modes of delivery, enabling you to integrate your learning with your placement context, and giving an opportunity to engage with a broader cohort of students through online learning.
Whilst in placement, you are expected to have a minimum of 12 hours per week for study, including Friday (daytimes) for online learning.
| Onsite Modules (Strands 1 & 2) | Hybrid Modules (Strands 3 & 4) |
| 48 hours face-to-face | 12 hours face-to-face 12 hours synchronous online 24 hours asynchronous online |
Face-to-Face Teaching and Learning Activities:
This delivery will be with Moorlands South West, supported by South West Youth Ministries (SWYM) based at Lee Abbey on the North Devon coast, where you will join with the wider SWYM community for six, 4-day residentials with rhythms of worship, inspiring teaching and wider activities.
Synchronous Online Teaching and Learning Activities:
You will join live Teams webinars to discuss the units’ topics and ideas with your peers and lecturers. These webinars will be held weekly on Fridays with students from across the whole of Moorlands College who are studying that module in a hybrid mode of delivery.
Asynchronous Online Teaching and Learning Activities:
Asynchronous teaching and learning activities further enable you to acquire core knowledge and insight on the topic using self-paced study. These activities are designed to facilitate exploration and investigation of key concepts, facilitate the identification of prior knowledge and insight, and help you to identify where there are areas for development in your knowledge, skills, or practice.
Ready to Apply?
Moorlands and SWYM share the same vision and passion – to equip a new generation to be effective disciples of Jesus who can make effective disciples for Jesus.
