Block teaching weeks at Ridley Hall in Cambridge
Lay ministry training at Ridley Hall, Cambridge takes place over six separate teaching weeks through the year. In each teaching week you study one module, with the assignment due approximately 6 to 8 weeks afterwards.
Assignments are a mixture of essays, theological reflections, resources for ministry and portfolios. Teaching involves a mix of lectures, seminars, group work, and tutorials and is delivered by specialised and highly experienced tutors from Ridley Hall and the Cambridge Theological Federation.
The teaching weeks are timetabled in September, October, January, February, April and June. Download the timetable and module choices (pdf).
- A typical day at Ridley
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A typical day at Ridley
A typical day for an lay ministry student will start at 8:30am with worship. They then attend lectures from 9am until 1pm each morning.
Teaching is a mix of lectures, seminars and group work. Each session is 50 minutes long followed by a 10-minute break.
Lunch is held in the dining hall between 1 and 2pm (see meals and accommodation below).
After lunch, students may attend further lectures (Monday and Tuesday), have free time (Wednesday), join their Ministerial Practice Groups (Thursday) or a listen to visiting speaker (Friday). Evenings are generally free to study or socialise as you choose, with the exception of Thursday, where we join together for communion at 5:30pm.
For more information browse our Living at Ridley menu.
- Meals and accommodation
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Meals and accommodation
Students are provided with accommodation at Ridley together with a lunchtime and evening meal for the duration of the block teaching weeks.
During the longer teaching weeks in September, January, April and June, lay ministry students have their own room for the duration of the week. For the two shorter teaching weeks in October and February, students have access to their room for the two evenings they are in Ridley. Meals are provided from lunch on the day of arrival to lunch on the day of departure in all teaching weeks.
- Parking during block teaching weeks
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Parking during block teaching weeks
Parking is very limited on site (see our parking page for more information and our getting here page for public transport options). If you intend to come to Ridley by car, please contact Fiona Bell-Williamson so that she can advise whether parking can be made available for you at Ridley or locally.
- Being part of the Ridley Community
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Being part of the Ridley Community
Lay ministry students are full members of the Ridley community and abide by the community rule. We are an intentional worshipping community and expect all students to conduct themselves in accordance with their calling to be Christian ministers. We worship together every morning and gather for communion on Thursday evenings. See Community worship for more information.
- Library facilities
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Library facilities
As lay ministry students have full access to our own library and to the libraries of other members of the Cambridge Theological Federation. For more information visit our Library Facilities pages.
- Student Support
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Student Support
Students are supported throughout their time at Ridley by a number of people. The support you receive is overseen by the Principal and Ridley Hall Leadership Team.
Additional support is offered by:
- Pastoral Tutor (pastoral and learning needs)
- Lead tutor for each specialism (eg youth ministry)
- Lecturers (module-specific support including assignments)
- Lay Ministry Chaplain (spiritual direction and worship)
- Ministerial Practice Tutors (applying learning to ministerial practice in context)
- Academic Team (work with the Cambridge Theological Federation to give support related to admissions, fees, visas, extensions and progression)
- Federation Secretariat (as above, liaising with Durham University and QAA)
- Supervisor in the ministerial practice agency (day-to-day oversight)
- Mentor/pastoral support in the ministerial practice agency (personal and spiritual issues)
For more information see our Student Support page.
- Venue location and accessibility
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Venue location and accessibility
For information on the practicalities of getting to our Cambridge site, and accessibility issues browse our Information for Visitors menu, which includes:
