Course Overview

This pathway can be studied full-time or part-time and will equip you for working in youth and community settings, recognising that it is important for Christians involved in youth ministry and community work in the UK and abroad to be:

• Theologically astute. Exploring our understanding who God is – God’s priorities, values and purposes – to guide us in the work we do
• Contextually aware. Understanding how the world is changing and how people’s thinking is shaped by the world they inhabit
• Competent in practice. Acquiring the particular skills required in working with people, including listening, group work and evaluation

This degree-level vocational and professional pathway will build on student’s prior experiences and equip Christian youth and community workers for a range of ministries. Carefully tailored to deliver a blend of specialist knowledge and skills training, along with opportunities for putting them into practice, students will reflect upon the relationship between theology and youth and community work practice.

• A focus on practice development, placement and employability.
• Useful for those who are wanting to serve in churches or Christian organisations, or who want to understand how the Christian faith relates to the field of youth and community work.
• Small group work, study skills support and individual tutorials.
• Teaching staff actively engaged in youth and community practice, research and development nationally and internationally.
• Positive commitment to equality and the development of good practice in diverse contexts.
• A range of electives from all disciplines to choose after the first year.
• Exit routes at Certificate and Diploma level are possible.

Methods of Assessment

We try to include a wide variety of assessment methods throughout our programmes. Types of formative (non-credit bearing) assessment include class presentations, essay outlines, online forums, and group presentations, with feedback on these through individual tutorials, on-site visits, group discussions, individual tutorials, or written and oral feedback on essays. Our Summative (credit-bearing) assessments include research essays, case studies, group projects, individual projects, personal reflections, book reviews, a limited number of module examinations, and a research dissertation.

Employment Outcomes

Past graduates have gone into a range of youth and community roles, including Youth Workers in both Christian and broader community contexts. Because of its available range of elective units which complement its breadth of theological coverage, it is also particularly useful as the foundation for a career in teaching Religious Education or related subjects. The wide range of transferable skills developed in this course ensure that graduates will find that a degree in theology is welcomed by many employers and that it is a good preparation for entry into a wide variety of professions.

Teaching and Learning Methods

NTC offers small class sizes, with classes ranging from 5 to 35 students. Most classes run in a weekly format (usually Monday to Wednesday), though students can take selected classes in short intensive sessions in January and May.

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars and class discussions, oral presentations, group work, individual tutorials, directed reading, placement learning, case studies, individual supervision, and student-led seminars.