Take a year out to study Bible, theology or ministry
At Trinity you can gain a Certificate, Master's degree or Graduate Diploma in Theology in just one year of full-time study (though you can also do them part time and take longer).
They are all accredited by the University of Bristol, although the curriculum is unique to Trinity with Bristol Baptist College.
One-year courses on offer
- Certificate of Higher Education in Theology A foundation course. British students under 30 studying full time can apply under our Special Student Scholarship Scheme.
- Certificate in Theology This can also be done as an evening course over two to three years, and it can serve as the first stage in a BA (Hons) degree.
- MA in Christian Theology (taught course) for those who have a good degree (first or upper second class) in theology or a related subject.
- Master of Philosophy (MPhil): a research degree for those who have a first class or upper second class BA (Hons) degree in theology or a related subject.
- Graduate Diploma in Theology for those with a BA (Hons) (or equivalent) upper-second or first-class degree in an appropriate subject. This is an academically demanding, intensive course that requires preparatory reading but it gives the opportunity for those doing full-time studies to choose any of the study units on offer, subject to the timetable.
Practical work
You may also be able to take on one practical placement, if this fits in with the timetable for your chosen units of study. This will need to be discussed when you come for interview.
Joining in community life
When you study at Trinity, you will also have the benefit of being part of the life of our community. For full-time students this includes certain requirements (joining in our worship together, taking on one of the practical college jobs and being part of a Pastoral Group, which also gives the opportunity to lead the daily worship). Full-time students, whatever denomination they belong to, also have a choice between context-based or college-based training in one of four different contexts. One of these, St Matthew's and Woodlands, is a partnership between an independent and an Anglican church and so could be appropriate for those who are not Anglican.
For everyone there are many optional extras, such as taking part in sport and college social life.
Some recent students
Some of our recent students who took a year out to study (from the top):
Jussi came from a career in education in Finland to study the Graduate Diploma in Theology and has returned to be involved in local church outreach
Jiawei completed an MA in a year and has returned to her teaching in a theological college in China.
Ceirion completed the Certificate in Theology and went on to do the BA (Hons) and ordination training for the Church in Wales.
Caleb, an ordained minister from the Anglican Church of Tanzania, has returned after completing his year's MA to teach in his diocesan theological college.
Brendan took a year out between legal studies and starting work for a law firm to complete the Graduate Diploma in Theology.
Kel is from the United Methodist Church in the USA. Having completed his MA in a year, he is considering doing a doctorate.
