Frequently Asked Questions: Academic Questions
- Is it possible to undertake a one-year course at Ridley?
- Does Ridley offer distance learning?
- Why does Ridley offer courses validated both by Cambridge University and Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)?
- Are courses validated by the two universities taught separately or together?
- What is the difference between the ARU BA Honours Degree and the Foundation Degree?
- What are the main differences between the Cambridge BA and the BTh?
- What are the admission requirements for the BA and BTh?
- Is there a two-year degree course for ordinands who have not previously studied theology?
- Will I have to take Greek or Hebrew as part of my course?
- Can I get a Master's degree in theology at Ridley?
- What about an MPhil or PhD?
- What's the difference between a seminary and a theological college?
Is it possible to undertake a one-year course at Ridley?
Yes! We welcome independent students who are wanting to equip themselves for lay pastoral ministry within the Anglican church. The Certificate in Theology for Ministry (CTM) is awarded by the Divinity Faculty of Cambridge University. Drawing on the BTh programme, it integrates the rigorous academic study of theology with a focus on pastoral ministry. Like the BTh, the CTM is assessed through a mixture of essays and exams. It is taught by a mixture of lectures and small group supervisions.
The CTM is highly flexible: papers can be selected from across the range of the 3-year BTh. It is a course well suited to independent students who wish to come to Ridley for one year.
Does Ridley offer distance learning?
Not at present, but we are exploring the possibility making certain modules open to distant learners.
Why does Ridley offer courses validated by both Cambridge University and Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)?
Both universities play a prominent role in the life of Cambridge. Cambridge is the older and more prestigious university, and Ridley has long-standing links with Cambridge University which go back to the college’s foundation. We have close connections both with the Divinity Faculty and the Cambridge University colleges that offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. But Anglia Ruskin University has developed rapidly and grown in stature in recent years. It offers courses with a flexible, modular structure which fits into the nationwide scheme that recognises accredited prior learning. To cater for the full spectrum of students who come to Ridley, we find that it is good to offer a range of courses that are validated by both universities.
Are courses validated by the two universities taught separately or together?
The answer is a bit of both! Many papers in the BTh are the rough equivalent to modules in the ARU BA (though the paper/module titles vary somewhat), so it makes sense to give lectures to BTh and BA students together. However, the two groups of students see lecturers on their own at certain times. BA students have some additional lectures/seminars in certain modules, and BTh students have supplementary supervisions in small groups (where the paper is assessed by exam) and individually (where the paper is assessed by essay).
What is the difference between the ARU BA Honours Degree and the Foundation Degree?
The Honours Degree is the award given to a student who completes three years’ worth of work, i.e. 360 credits. This may be attained by a student who has been at Ridley for a full three years, or by a student who is here for two years, during which time he or she amasses 240 credits, and then completes the final 120 credits after leaving. Since this will normally be combined with a busy curacy, the way this is typically done is by taking 2 or 3 modules comprising 30 or 45 credits a year.
The Foundation Degree is the award given to a student who completes two years’ worth of work, i.e. 240 credits. It is ‘foundational’ in the sense that it provides a broad, sound and sufficient basis for pursuing vocational ministry. All the core theological subjects are covered, and it includes a strong emphasis on modules with a practical outworking. The Foundation Degree is an upgrading of what was previously a Diploma award.
What are the main differences between the Cambridge BA and the BTh?
Full details of the Cambridge University courses on offer may be found at www.cam.ac.uk/cambuniv/guide/ugcourses/theology.html
Below is a summary of the principal differences:
| BA (Tripos) | BTh |
|---|---|
2 years |
3 years (2 year version also available) |
assessed primarily by exams |
assessed by exams and/or essays (at least half by exam) |
many short essays for supervision |
fewer, longer essays, some for supervision |
higher entrance requirements |
high entrance requirements |
University lecturers |
Cambridge Theological Federation lecturers |
lecture attendance expected |
lecture attendance required |
supervision alone or in pairs |
supervised less frequently & in groups of 4-6 |
more traditional academic focus |
more vocational focus |
more intensive during term-time |
lighter load during term, but more work during vacations |
becomes an MA |
stays a BTh |
The University of Cambridge BA (Tripos) in Theology
The Tripos degree (BA) is an academically-oriented and very demanding course. This is a three-year degree for undergraduates, but it is done in two years by Ordinands at Ridley who have already completed a first degree and attained at least a 2.1 standard. Ordinands should note that unlike the BTh, the Tripos does not constitute a complete course of ordination training, since the Tripos has a traditional academic focus. Our ordinands who take Tripos therefore do a third year which includes e.g. modules on worship, ethics, mission and pastoral care. They also undertake some Ridley ordination training during their two Tripos years of study.
For the Tripos, you normally study Greek in year 1, plus four other papers (subjects) each year. Each paper requires a number of supervisions with a supervisor for which you write essays. You meet with your supervisor either alone or together with another student. You are supervised only by scholars approved by the Faculty of Divinity of the University of Cambridge. Your supervisors for Tripos are normally established scholars, not graduate students; some Ridley staff offer supervision, but most supervisions are with others. The normal workload is at least one essay and supervision per week. The purpose of these essays is to prepare you for the final exams at the end of the year, but they do not count towards your assessment for the papers. A few some papers now are assessed by essays.
The University's academic year is divided into three terms (Michaelmas, Lent, Easter), each lasting eight weeks. You are not required to attend the accompanying University lectures, but they are often helpful in giving an overview and summarizing current opinions. The pace is intensive, but written work is not normally required outside of term time. In addition to the Tripos work, Ridley Hall and the Cambridge Theological Federation run short courses which you are required to take in the week before and after each term, so that you effectively have three ten-week terms each academic year.
After completion of the Tripos, our three-year ordinands go on to complete a third year of training taught completely by Ridley and Federation staff. The BA will become an MA, on payment of a small fee a few years after you graduate!
The Tripos BA is particularly good for ordinands who seek a strong traditional academic focus, and it forms a good foundation for those considering undertaking a research degree sometime in the future.
The University of Cambridge BTh
This course is taught almost entirely by the tutorial staff of the Cambridge Theological Federation. It is designed as a vocational degree, and we feel it offers just as good an education as the Tripos, but one more geared to church ministry. Each year you undertake on average the equivalent of five different full papers (some subjects count as half papers) amounting to fifteen altogether. At least three Half of the five papers each year must be assessed by three-hour final exams, but the other papers can be assessed by two essays (one essay for a half-paper) and some papers are assessed by a combination of exam and essay. Up to three A dissertation (a long essay) can be written as a substitute assessment for three of the one papers in the final year. Each paper is taught through class attendance at lectures and seminars, plus some supervisions in small groups of up to five people.
Although the BTh is designed as a three-year course, there is also an accelerated two-year version, omitting the qualifying year.
What are the admission requirements for the BA (Tripos) and BTh?
In order for anyone to get a Cambridge University degree, they must matriculate through one of the University Colleges. As a theological College, Ridley is closely associated with the University, but it is not a University College and cannot directly matriculate Tripos or BTh students. If you are accepted to study at Ridley, we will arrange for your matriculation at a University College.
BA (Tripos)
The admission requirement for ordinands undertaking the University of Cambridge Tripos course is at least an upper second class result (2:1) or better in a previous degree.
Your status with the University would be as an affiliated student. You would live at Ridley Hall and be a full participant in the life of our College, but you would also be an affiliated member of one of the University Colleges; we would organize the application process for you.
BTh
Candidates without a prior degree need at least 2 As at A Level for admission to the BTh. Those with a previous degree normally need at least a 2:1. The first year is a qualifying year; you are not attached as an affiliated student to a Cambridge University College until years two and three. In order to progress to the second year of the BTh, you would need to attain at least a lower second class (2:2) result in your first year of study.
For University regulations regarding the BTh, go to: www.cam.ac.uk/cambuniv/guide/ugcourses/theology.html#btm
Is there a two-year degree course for ordinands who have not previously studied theology?
It is possible for students to take a two-year BTh. They will need to have already taken a degree in another subject other than theology normally to a good 2:1 standard. Such a course will provide full ordination training. It is already possible (2006) for Students who have studied theology previously (the equivalent of the first year of the BTh) to can also complete the BTh in two years.
The ARU BA Foundation Degree is the course most often taken by ordinands who haven’t previously studied theology. It is a good qualification for going on to complete the three-year honours degree.
Will I have to take Greek or Hebrew as part of my course?
If you do a three-year training course, you will normally need to take Greek or Hebrew. Ridley requires ordinands training for the Church of England who do the two-year University BA (Tripos) to take a biblical language. Those who have already studied Greek normally do Hebrew instead. The BTh includes a year of Greek, but the ARU courses do not require it.
Can I get a Master's degree in theology at Ridley?
If you have done the equivalent of at least two years of formal full-time study in theology, you may be able to take our MA in Pastoral Theology, validated by ARU. This course can be done either in one year (full-time), or spread out over a longer period. Most Ridley ordinands who are theology graduates complete this award over their two years of study here, as while they also undertake whatever other subjects are necessary to prepare them for ordination. For more information, go to http://www.theofed.cam.ac.uk/mapt.html.
What about an MPhil or PhD?
Ordinands who are very able theology graduates sometimes undertake a Cambridge University MPhil or PhD during the time of their preparation for ordination. As this is a departure from the normal pattern of training, it requires permission from the Ministry Division, and involves the DDO and Ridley Hall making a special application on the student's behalf.
For details of the Cambridge MPhil and PhD, click on the following links:
- MPhil:
www.cam.ac.uk/cambuniv/guide/pgcourses/mphil/theol.html - PhD:
www.divinity.cam.ac.uk/prospective_phd.html
For general information (including important points for overseas students), go to: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/gsprospectus/faq/
For details about the Gates Cambridge Scholarships for extremely able students, go to: http://www.gates.scholarships.cam.ac.uk/
Independent students wanting to do an MPhil or PhD need to apply directly to Cambridge University through the Board of Graduate Studies.
Anglia Ruskin University also offers the possibility of an MPhil or PhD, either as a full- or part-time student.
What's the difference between a seminary and a theological college?
There is no essential difference. The term "seminary" is used more often in North America and "theological college" is used in the UK. Both typically prepare students for ordained ministry in a given tradition.
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