Certificate of Higher Education in Biblical Studies and Christian Ministry
Certificate
The one-year residential certificate programme is offered as either a stand-alone year or as part of the Diploma and Baccalaureate programmes. The Certificate programme provides a solid foundation for the Christian life and for ministry in a local church or in a cross-cultural mission context.
Alongside classroom learning, Tilsley’s programmes have an emphasis on vocational training for Christian ministry.
“Weekly placements” in a local church ensure students remain connected with regular Christian service. In addition, Certificate students spend one week on “Team Evangelism”, working with a local church in the UK in their various outreach activities.
They also spend a week in a cross-cultural environment working with a resident GLO church-planting team which we call “Mission Awareness Trip”. Recent visits have been to places like Romania, Albania, France and Italy.
In the later part of the academic year students have a six-week “Ministry Placement” in a location of their own preference – either in the UK or abroad, arranged in discussion with the College, in accordance with each individual’s interests and budget.
Apply now for September 2025
+ Programme
Don't forget your passport!
regular weekly placements
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1 week of Team Evangelism
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6-week-long Ministry Placement
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1 week on a cross-cultural Mission Awareness Trip
Programme Structure
General Bible
- Introduction to the Bible
- Hermeneutics A
Old Testament
- Patriarchs and Judges
- Kings and Exile
- Wisdom and Poetry
- Prophecy and Return
New Testament
- Life of Jesus
- Early Church
- Romans
- 1 Corinthians
Systematics
- God, Creation, Humanity and Fall
- Christology and Soteriology
- Pneumatology
- Eschatology
Church History & Practice
- Church History
- Christian Ethics
Spiritual Development
- Christian Life
- Mentoring
- Spiritual Formation
- Graduation Week
- Church Placement
Discipleship and Church
- Church Planting
- Pastoral Care and Leadership
- An Introduction to Christian Counselling
Evangelism
- Evangelism and Discipleship
- Reaching our Communities
Christian Mission
- Introduction to Intercultural Studies
- Mission Awareness Trip
Defending the Faith
- Apologetics A
- Cults & New Religious Movements
- World Religions
Christian Ministry
- Intergenerational Church
- Homiletics A
- Team Evangelism A
- College Devotions
Ministry Placement
- Weekly Placements
- Ministry Placement
- Extended Essay
- Integrated Learning Week
+ Schedule
Daily routine at Tilsley College
07.30-08.30 | Breakfast
08.55-09.15 | Devotions (led by staff or students)
09.20-11.05 | Lecture 1
11.05-11.20 | Coffee Break
11.25-13.10 | Lecture 2
13.15-14.15 | Lunch (with staff)
14.15-17.45 | Free time* for personal study, duties, sport etc.
17.45-18.45 | Evening meal
19.00-21.00 | Practical placement or church activities
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Saturdays are generally free, however, there may be an occasional seminar or relevant activity to attend.
On Sundays, you are expected to attend the local church to which you have been allocated.
Most of the lectures take place in the morning between 9am and 1.15pm.
Afternoons, evenings and weekends are mostly undirected but students are expected to commit to personal study, to be involved in weekly placements (once or twice a week) and to take part in their church placement activities: house groups, services, social events, etc.
+ FAQ
Tilsley College is a non-denominational college.
The College has a limited amount of bursary funding which current students can apply for to cover part of their fees. Awards are at the Principal’s discretion.
Prospective applicants are very welcome to visit the college. You will be able to sit in on lectures, share the coffee break and lunch with staff and students, see round the college building and talk one-to-one with a member of staff should you wish. Please contact us to arrange your visit.
The academic year runs approximately from the middle of September until the middle of June, with two weeks off at Christmas and two at Easter. Please contact us for the exact dates.
We have limited spaces, so please apply as early as possible.
Yes, unless there are special circumstances. We also have some accommodation for people with a disability – again contact us for more details.
