Diploma of Higher Education in Biblical Studies and Christian Ministry
Diploma
The first year of this two-year full-time programme is the same as the Certificate programme. The second-year is a mixture of time spent in ministry apprenticeship with a local church or mission organisation and intensive, residential teaching weeks.
Students who have followed the Diploma programme have had a wide variety of placements. These are just a few examples: working with churches in Dundee and Exeter; a children’s ministry placement in Barcelona; working with the homeless in Glasgow; or helping with church planting in Naples.
Recent diploma research papers written by students have grappled with issues such as: reaching working class communities with the Good News; the principles and practice of curriculum development for children’s work in churches; and some of the challenges of reaching the homeless with the good news.
Apply now for September 2025
Placement
Serve while you learn
14 weeks of academic study
+
20 weeks of placement (in 2 blocks)
+
1 week of Team Evangelism
+
1 week in a cross-cultural
“Mission Awareness Trip”
Programme Structure
General Bible
- Hermeneutics B
Old Testament
- Genesis 1-11
- 1 & 2 Chronicles
- Isaiah
New Testament
- Gospel and Letters of John
- Hebrews
Systematics
- Theology of Ministry
- Theology of Mission
Biblical Theology
- Paul and the Law
Spiritual Development
- Mentoring
- Conference
- Graduation Week
- Spiritual Reflection
- Church Attendance
- Book Reviews
Discipleship and Church
- Church in Today’s World
- Pastoral Studies
Christian Mission
- History of Mission
- Mission Awareness Trip
Defending the Faith
- Apologetics B
Christian Ministry
- Homiletics B
- Team Evangelism B
- College Devotions
Ministry Placement
- Ministry Placement
- Guided Research
- 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
*
Saturdays are generally free; however, there may be an occasional seminar or relevant activity to attend.
On Sundays, Students are expected to attend the local churches they have been allocated to.
Tilsley College commits to providing:
- Teaching, accommodation and food during the residential weeks
- Access to resources available at the College, such as the library
- This includes online access to necessary study resources
- Pastoral and academic oversight, which involves: regular (at least monthly) telephone and email contact with the student
- Two trips during the year to visit the student in placement
- Regular feedback on progress
- Placement liaison: regular contact with the student’s supervisor and regular feedback on progress of the student to their supervisor
+ 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.
