About the Course
Jesus knew that if you want to change a community you inspire young people to do things differently, and then empower them to go.
Today’s church needs young people to represent the Kingdom of God in the lives of others. It also needs young people who are inspired to do things differently, and who are also empowered to go as in Jesus’ day.
That’s one of the reasons young people need youth workers.
Regents Theological College believes it is the combined role of the youth worker and minister to help young people reflect theologically on their culture and experience, and form ‘Jesus-like’ identities. It is this transformed identity, through encounter with Jesus, enabled by His Spirit, that inspires all of us to do things differently.
Regents BA (Hons) Applied Theology and Youth Ministry is a partnership with LIMITLESS, the youth & children’s movement of the Elim Pentecostal Churches in the UK and Ireland. Through engagement with practical theology, professional practice, cultural studies, and adolescent development, we believe our course forms ‘Jesus-like’ youth workers and ministers who will inspire young people to do things differently, and as Jesus did, empower them to go.
Along with Track Leader Ollie Ward, Tim Alford (The National Director of LIMITLESS), and a diverse team of visiting lecturers and youth leaders, the course combines teaching, mentoring, and experiential learning from both a practical and academic point-of-view.
The best way to ‘learn’ youth ministry is by working with young people, and so during each year of the course students undertake a professional practice placement in a context of their choice.
The Youth Ministry Track at Regents Theological College aims to enhance both the biblical and theological knowledge of students, with their professional skills in ministry and mission, so they can practically minister in a youth context through being grounded in a developing life with God.
Youth Specific modules include:
Ethical Frameworks in Youth Ministry: The three S’s of Youth ministry (Salvation, Spiritual Experience and Sexuality), pose the greatest challenge to best professional practice. The module looks at how to engage with them safely by balancing the practical and the spiritual.
Culture and Context: Culture and Context maps the cultural shift in the UK around faith and belief and searches for insights within contemporary youth culture as to how faith might make sense in young people’s lives.
Teaching and Preaching: This module analyses educational theory, practical group work, storytelling and preaching, for the purpose of changing young people’s lives by leading them into transformation.
Adolescent Faith Development: This module analyses the theological importance of the adolescent journey and the crisis moments of suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, and mental well-being to understand how we can walk alongside young people as they form faith.
360-Degree Leadership: “Whoever wants to become great among you must become your servant” (Matthew 20:26). This module analyses leadership theory and thinking in light of the demands of the Christian leader as they seek to stay open to God and influence those around them.
Models of Youth Ministry: This module analyses the big questions of youth ministry. Why do we practice youth ministry and how does it fit within the wider ministry of the Church? We develop a personal youth ministry philosophy and explore innovation within the contemporary UK context.
Youth Ministry Track Modules
Level 4 (yr 1)
Compulsory Modules
Biblical Interpretation
Introduction to Christian Doctrine
Introduction to Practical Theology
Culture & Context
Ethical Frameworks in Youth Ministry
Optional Modules
(choose 1)
Evangelism and Apologetics
Biblical Language (Hebrew or Greek)
Level 5 (yr 2)
Compulsory Modules
The Torah: Genesis – Deuteronomy in Christian Perspective
Gospels and Acts
Pentecostal Theology
Adolescent Faith Development
Teaching and Preaching
Optional Modules
(choose 1)
Biblical Language
(Hebrew or Greek)
Pastoral Care: Theory & Skills
Level 6 (yr 3)
Compulsory Modules
Models of Youth Ministry
360 Degree Leadership
Practical Theology Project
(2 modules)
Optional Modules
(choose 2)
Christian Ethics
Church and Mission
Hebrews through Revelation
The Old Testament Prophetic Literature: Theologies and Applications
* Biblical languages are offered weekly on Mondays, with hybrid options available for context students
** The availability of some optional modules is subject to timetabling
Mode of Learning
The course can be completed over three or six years, in three different ways:
Campus based learning (full-time)
Our classic community based approach to studying on a full-time basis, whilst living on campus in the College’s spectacularly situated halls-of-residence in the Malvern Hills. Students study 6 modules each year, as they work towards their degree, with focused lecture weeks supported by tutorials, seminars and self-learning, within the College’s comprehensive spiritual environment. Students have the opportunity to undertake placements and/or serve in local churches as their studies progress.
Context Based Learning (full-time)
Students are usually based in an agreed local church context, often working as a Minister in Training (MiT), paid youth worker, intern or volunteer for up to 15 hours a week. They are also full-time students of Regents Theological College, studying from their home setting for the remainder of the week. Students study 6 modules a year in five week blocks. They visit the College campus in Malvern for 4 consecutive days at the start of the five week block for the face-to-face module lectures. They then return to their home setting to do more research and reading around that module, supported by tutorials and online seminars, before submitting the assessment for that module. Context based student’s gain valuable experiential learning in being able to directly apply the practical aspects of their studies with involvement in their church or workplace as they progress, as well as bringing practice based questions and reflections into the lecture room.
Context based learning (part-time)
Identical to full-time context based learning, except students visit the Regents campus 2 or 3 times a year to study the core modules at half pace, with each level taking two years to complete, and 6 years in all. Students typically need to commit 12-15 hours of study per week, and the course can be taken alongside full or part-time ministry, their on-going career, and/or work commitments.
Employability and Professional Practice
As part of Regent’s Youth Ministry degree there is a placement module at each level of study through which students work with churches and Christian organisations, as well as schools and other community youth services, to apply the knowledge and skills learnt in the classroom. This gives students professional youth work experience and enables them to gain crucial professional and transferable skills by engaging with young people in various contexts. Students also attend LIMITLESS Leaders and have the opportunity to serve on team at LIMITLESS Festival and other LIMITLESS events.
The undergraduate degree prepares students for faith based youth ministry within churches and parachurch organisations. Thanks to our partnership with LIMITLESS after finishing their Regents degree many students continue to work for LIMITLESS within Elim Churches as Youth Ministers and Youth Workers. Other students also go on to work with other Christian denominations as Youth Ministers and workers. The degree is also applicable to the following careers:
- Youth worker
- Community Worker
- Teaching Assistant and with further training (see PGCE)
- Primary and SecondarySchool Teachers
- Higher Education Lecturer
Track Leaders
Ollie Ward, BA (Hons), MA
Youth Track Course Leader and Performing Arts Track tutor
Rev. Tim Alford
Specialist Youth Track Lecturer
Validation and Entry Requirements
Regents Theological College is an approved academic partner of University of Chester. The BA in Applied Theology Youth track is validated by University of Chester and students who successfully complete the programme will be eligible for a University of Chester award.
If you are under 21 years of age, the entry requirements are GCSE English at C grade or above (or equivalent), and two A levels. If you are over 21, the requirement is GCSE English at C grade or above (or equivalent), and with the discretion of Regents Theological College.
** Since it is a requirement of our BA Applied Theology undergraduate course for students to undertake a placement, Regents requires an enhanced DBS check to be undertaken for which a fee is payable. Your guarantee of a place at Regents Theological College remains provisional pending receipt of a satisfactory DBS. These conditions remain in place irrespective of whether you have enrolled or commenced studies. Regents may withdraw the offer of a place, or terminate studies, if information comes to light that may have a bearing on your suitability to work with Children or Vulnerable Adults or you fail to meet the necessary suitability requirements for admission. While most matters will not automatically preclude an applicant from commencing study, Regents reserves the right to withdraw the offer of a place to anyone who fails to provide a satisfactory DBS check. Regents is only able to accept previous DBS checks where the check has been done through the Elim Pentecostal Churches as an employee check, and where the applicant has subscribed to the update service.
Awards
Three year Bachelors of Arts with Honours in Applied Theology, with an optional exit Certificate of Higher Education after one year, or Diploma of Higher Education after two years.
Course Fees
As an approved academic partner of the University of Chester, Regents Theological College undergraduate courses are open to full student finance loans for residents in England, Northern Ireland (with some restrictions), Scotland and Wales. They are also open to maintenance loans, although those are dependent upon personal and/or family financial circumstances.
For course fees, please visit our college fees page here.
For specific finance codes for the course, please visit our college finance code page here.
How to Apply
To apply online, please click here or visit the Apply Now page on the College admissions page, or contact Academic Administration via email or on 01684 588979 or 01684 588965.
You can also ask to have an application form sent to you.
