Study Options
At London School of Theology, we believe theological study should be accessible to all. It is our aim to provide a variety of delivery methods for all our students – from studying on campus, in blended mode or online and distance learning. Find the best study option to suit you.
Studying on Campus
All of our undergraduate programmes and most of our postgraduate programmes are available to study onsite at our campus in Northwood.
On campus programmes are delivered in three terms over two semesters, from October until June. Lectures are timetabled Monday to Friday, from 9am until 6pm though each programme has its own timetable – ask the Enquiries team for more information on the days involved.
All our programmes require students to be actively involved with their learning, engaging with both lecturers and fellow students. Students studying on-campus are able to be part of an active onsite community, interacting with other students and lecturers on a daily basis.
Students are encouraged to engage with one another both in and out of the classroom. Often the best discussions and the ‘eureka’ moments arise as students process their learning together through conversation in social settings.
Find out more about campus teaching at LST:
Lectures at LST feature a lively mix of expert teaching from faculty who are active in research, group discussion, audio-visual material, quizzes, and integration with our virtual learning environment.
Undertaken in smaller groups than lectures, seminars are led by faculty and require preparatory work to enable deeper engagement and informed discussions. The smaller groups allow for greater engagement than can be achieved in the larger class setting.
Our practical modules involve expert-led workshops, with students being given the opportunity to learn and practice their skills.
Placements provide students with an opportunity to integrate what they are learning to work in the ‘real world.’ By identifying, developing and sharing your gifts and skills, you grow in Christian character, explore your leadership potential and are shaped for future life and ministry.
A more concentrated form of study, students and lecturers go away together for a weekend of classes (Theology & Counselling).
With London on our doorstep, lecturers make use of resources such as the British Museum to reinforce lectures.
- Essays. Written arguments allow students to develop critical analysis skills through engagement around a set question or topic.
- Class Presentations. Engaging in research in order to teach others can be a great way to consolidate learning.
- Exams. These permit a range of materials to be assessed, particularly in modules with a strong survey or content focus.
- Creative Assessments. Ranging from dramatic performances to creative writing, creative assessments can give students a chance to show a depth of understanding through non-traditional means.
- Practical Assessments. Students are examined on practical skills with tasks and interpersonal interaction.
- Recitals. Students perform in front of an audience and their performance is examined.
Studying Online
If you wish to study at LST but cannot easily come to our campus, we offer the option of studying online.
The BA Theology programme and all the MA programmes can be studied fully online, with no requirement to travel to London.
BA online modules are delivered over three semesters, from October to August, in five-week blocks, with a group of students studying together with module tutors. MA online modules are usually delivered over three terms.
Our online modules have the same learning outcomes and assessments as the equivalent on-campus modules but have their own specifically created course materials which are not based on lectures. Online courses are delivered via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and are mainly presented in a written format, including readings from books and articles, but also including videos and audio clips.
Students study together in cohorts and interact with each other and the tutor in discussion forums. Online study works well for those who are self-motivated and eager to learn, but live far away, or have work, family or ministry commitments that prevent campus-based education. Those unable to obtain UK residency may also wish to pursue this study option. Online modules can also be taken individually as part of the blended study mode.
Find out more about online study:
Each module includes specially written online units, which contain both an overall narrative and embedded resources including e-books, journal articles, websites and visual media, which will help generate a rich environment for exploration and learning. These materials can be accessed through the VLE.
Each module has a tutor who is an experienced expert in their field. The tutor’s job is not to ‘lecture’ in the normal sense, but to walk you through the materials and help you to understand and dig deeper. Tutors will be regularly available through the online forums to answer questions and discuss content with you.
Online students study modules alongside others, which means that there is a studying community in which students can engage with the same materials together. Participating in discussion forums is a key part of the online programme, enabling debate and processing concepts together.
Like our onsite students, online students are encouraged to participate in ministry in a local context. BA students take placement modules as part of their studies.
Online Study FAQs
Modules are delivered in 5-week study blocks, with students studying 2 units per week. You will study together with a cohort and a tutor. In each unit, after engaging with the study materials, such as ebooks and articles, you will discuss the topic in online discussion forums.
No, you can choose what day and time in the week works best for you to study. There are no fixed times to attend, though occasionally tutors may offer an optional online video meetup.
There are no timetabled, regular lectures as part of these modules, though the materials include video and audio material. Mostly you should be prepared to do lots of reading.
You will get to know your tutor and other students through the online discussion groups, though these are normally text-based. You will also be able to engage with other students through the Tutor Groups and community meetings such as Chapel and prayer meetings.
You have flexibility in organising your study time, but we normally recommend setting aside fixed days of the week for study so that you have a clear rhythm. Don’t assume you can fit study into odd evenings and weekends as it’s easy for it to get squeezed out.
If you are studying part-time you will need two clear days a week for study. Combining study with full-time work is not recommended. If you want to study full-time you will need to be able to commit 4-5 days a week to your studies (i.e. don’t try to combine with a job or ministry).
Starting in October, the online modules are timetabled over three semesters. The first runs from October until Christmas, the second from January to Easter, then the third from May to July. Your assignments will be handed in a few weeks after teaching ends (in January, April and August).
If you are studying part-time you will take one module at a time, if you are full-time you will study two modules at a time (each module takes 2 days per week). Some weeks are set aside as Reading Weeks for you to work on your assignments.
No, there is no requirement to attend the campus. We have online students studying with us from all over the world.
We have more than 40,000 ebooks in the library as well as journal articles and other materials. All the readings in your modules will be provided for you through the Virtual Learning Environment.
Each module includes an assignment, which is usually a 2000-word essay. This will be submitted online after teaching has finished.
Mixed Mode Study
For those who want the flexibility of mixing study at home and onsite, we offer a mixed study mode.
Undergraduate Programmes:
Theology and Theology & Liberal Arts Modules are available both on campus and online. Students on these programmes can choose one of three modes to suit their circumstances:
- Fully online
- Fully on campus
- A combination of online and on campus modules – mixed mode study.
The Theology & Counselling and Theology & Worship Studies programmes offer two study options: fully on-campus, and mixed mode.
The interactive and practical style of these two programmes means Counselling and Worship Studies modules can only be studied in-person on campus, however the Theology modules can still be studied online.
Postgraduate Taught programmes:
The MA Theological Studies and MA Practical Theology and Ministry programmes can also be studied in a flexible mixed mode with the option of live seminars alongside the online materials, either on campus or via video conferencing depending on student demand.
The ability to combine online and onsite study gives mixed mode students the best of both worlds. Please speak to the Programme Leader for more details about study options on your chosen programme.
Why choose mixed mode study?
Mixed mode students are supported to create their own personal study plan, which enables them to choose which of their modules will be studied on campus and which online (timetable permitting). Note that modules must be taken in either mode – you cannot switch between modes halfway through a module or during the academic year as the modules are taught and timetabled differently. However, you can switch between study modes at the start of each academic year.
Mixed mode study requires focus and commitment but is greatly rewarding as students become part of both the online and onsite communities.
Introduction to the VLE
The VLE is our Virtual Learning Environment, an online web-based platform designed to support your study at LST.
When you register, you will receive your own personalised login details and have access to the modules that you are enrolled in, access to our general help pages, key documents and handbooks.
The VLE is the place to go to find information about your programme, and engage with teaching materials created for your modules. If you are studying on-campus you will find information about your assignments, handouts, presentations, past exam papers and much more.
If you are studying online, all your teaching materials will be provided on the VLE. Whatever mode you are studying in, the VLE is where you will come to submit your assignments and get your feedback. When you first register you will be enrolled on an Induction course which will help you get started on the VLE. You’ll be finding your way around in no time!
Life Long Learning
As an alternative to studying for a degree programme, there is an option to study our life-long learning courses.
Life-Long Learning students are able to take our online Theology modules, available on our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) website, either alongside degree students or in small independent cohorts.