The curriculum encompasses vocal and instrumental skills, ensemble work, practical worship ministry, history, fieldwork and case studies, together with essential theological learning. In the second and third year, students select from a range of options to further their learning in theology, worship and/or creative music skills.

Musical training is a core part of the programme, and we cater for people from a range of musical backgrounds. Within a group setting students will have the opportunity to strengthen and consolidate both vocal and instrumental skills, specifically for use in the context of musical worship.

Faculty members include leading thinkers and practitioners in worship, theology and related fields. Their combined experience includes facilitating worship at major national and international Christian conferences, working with the BBC for Songs of Praise, the Daily Service and Sunday Worship Broadcasts, producing worship resources and reports, long-term local church ministry and making interactive artworks as an outworking of the Christian faith. This experience is combined with a rigorous approach to the integration of theological and biblical insights.

This programme, offered at Certificate, Diploma and Degree levels, is aimed at those with a keen interest in music and worship ministry who would like to develop their knowledge and practical skills as musicians and reflective worship practitioners.

Applicants to this programme are expected to demonstrate a keen interest in, and preferably some experience of, music and worship ministry. Applicants will be asked to complete an information profile giving specific details of their music and worship experience prior to interview.

The theology modules on this programme can be studied either on-campus or online, though the music and worship modules are only available on-campus. You can change study mode each academic year, though not halfway through the year as the modules are taught and timetabled differently in each mode.

What you will study at Level 4 

At level 4 (the first year of full-time study) you will study core modules in theology, music and worship, including a practical church placement. The modules you will study are:

Vocal Studies 1, Instrumental Skills 1, Worship Ministry in Practice, Theology of Worship, History of Christian Worship, History of Music in the Church, Ensemble Performance, Introduction to the New Testament, Introduction to the Old Testament, Introduction to Christian Doctrine, Spiritual Theology 1

What you will study at Level 5 and 6 

In the following years you will be able to select a number of options, as well as continuing with core modules in theology, music and worship. In the final year, you will complete a substantial project in theology and worship studies. Some examples of the modules you might study are:

Vocal Studies 2/3, Instrumental Skills 2/3, Corporate Worship Studies, Applied Worship Leadership, Congregational Worship Studies: Theory and Method, Music, Philosophy and God, Christianity and the Arts, Theology and Worship Studies Project, Youth and Worship, Multimedia and Multisensory Worship, Songwriting, Ethnomusicology, Ensemble Skills, Rehearsal Skills, Sequencing and Arranging.

Person and Work of Christ, Jesus and the Gospels, Genesis, Prophets and God, Spiritual Theology 2, Relational Theology, Sin, Grace and Eschatology, Scripture, Exegesis and Hermeneutics, Pastoral Care, Old Testament Hebrew, New Testament Greek, Preaching, Person and Work of the Spirit, Key New Testament Texts, Pastoral Leadership, Global Theologies, The Modern Church.

Musical training is a core part of the programme, and we cater for people from a range of musical backgrounds. It is expected that the majority of students will attend weekly group classes, designed for those wishing to grow in musical proficiency in the context of worship.

Through the weekly group classes, students will strengthen their vocal skills and their ability to lead worship using their voice. Students will grow in vocal confidence, technical skill, improvisation, presentation, and worship leadership, all applied across a range of music styles and worshipping traditions. Students will also take instrumental skills, with the option to focus on either keyboard or guitar throughout the three years.

Those who already have more established performance practice (with a minimum standard of grade 5 or above), can instead apply for weekly one-to-one tuition on their chosen instrument/voice. This will be in place of the group vocal and instrumental classes. Students wanting to pursue this option will be required to dedicate significant time to honing their performance practice, and will be expected to perform in a public recital for their end-of-year assessments. This option is only offered on a case-bycase basis.

For full-time students it is expected that you will be able to commit around 40 hours per week to your studies. For on-campus study, this normally equates to around 12 hours of lectures and 30 hours of personal study time with onsite lectures taking place 9am– 6pm on Mondays to Fridays. Students studying online modules will need to commit the same amount of time, though students can work more flexibly to complete their weekly study hours.

All applicants will be required to complete an audition, demonstrating a minimum level of musical aptitude and aural awareness (for example, being able to securely sing and/or play in tune and in time). Applicants wishing to pursue the option of one-to-one tuition on their instrument/voice will need to demonstrate a standard of grade 5 or above in order to be considered.

In addition, students must demonstrate the ability to successfully undertake an undergraduate programme of this nature. This will normally mean two A levels plus three different GCSE passes at grade C or above (one GCSE must be in English), or equivalent alternatives for students under 21.

Mature students (aged 21 and over) without these qualifications will be considered individually. If you do not meet the above entry requirements, please contact the Engagement Team, who will help you identify a suitable programme of study.

Students on this programme will grow as reflective worship practitioners and scholars, and will be equipped for a wide range of career pathways, including:

• Worship Leadership

• Pastoral Ministry

• Ordination

• Teaching

• Performance

• Postgraduate study