Admission Criteria
Admission to the Programmes is open to all aged 18 years old, and is constructed to be of particular relevance to the New Testament Assembly and approved associate Churches.
AP(E)L may be applied as appropriate in accordance with the University’s Academic Regulations and policies.
The Programme is open to members of the New Testament Assembly and approved associate churches, 18 years or older in age, normally following the completion of the ITCC admission process, which includes evidence of the candidate being able to defray their expenses for the Programmes or their being sponsored by his/her local church.
In exceptional circumstances, students may be exempted from certain elements of Level 4 on the basis of previous academic theological qualifications of equivalent or higher level, or experience demonstrably equivalent to those elements of Level 4 study.
For members of the New Testament Assembly admissions are dealt with internally through the ITCC selection process which is guided by specific laid down criteria. All successful applications are subsequently seen by the Programme Leader and dealt with in accordance with the University’s general admissions policies and procedures.
Students whose first language is not English will be asked to provide evidence of English language ability when applying to the institution. For undergraduate Programmes students are required to have achieved a minimum of IELTS 6.0 (including 6.0 in writing) or a TOEFL score of 500 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) or an equivalent qualification.
Students will normally have 180 A-Level points. Mature students will be admitted following the University’s standard criteria for mature students.
Successful candidates are sent a letter from Student Recruitment and Marketing in late August/early September which will give those details on the enrolment procedure and dates. Students will be formally registered with the University on completion of the enrolment process and the confirmation of identity.
Prior Preparation
Prospective students who are new to academic studies or who may need extra guidance in studying at this level should refer to the following books for help as they will prepare you for your course.
Northedge A (1992) The Good Study Guide, Milton Keyes: Open University/Routledge & Kegan Paul
Drew S and Bingham R (1997) The Students Skills Guide London: Gower
Marshall L & Rowland F (1998) A guide to learning Independently Frenchs Forrest NSW: Pearson Education Australia
Powell S (1999) Returning to Study: A Guide for Professionals Milton Keyes: Open University Press
Students for the Pastoral Care & Christian Counselling Programme are further advised to read the following books-
Day G, Forgive and Release, Kent: Sovereign
Seamands D, Healing for Damaged Emotions, Weaton: Victor Books
Prior to Joining
Prospective Students:
• should complete NTA Application Form
• will be invited to attend a selection interview
• will be requested to provide references from your church leader/s and pertinent others
Attendance
Students should commit themselves to attending at least 80% of classroom sessions to ensure successful completion. This is where real learning takes place in encounters, learning about oneself, and learning from each other which are essential aspects of the Programme. Students must also be committed to approximately 150 hours student managed learning time i.e. reading, researching and completing assignments for each module.
Acquired Prior Learning (APL) & Acquired Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)
If you are currently in ministry or pursued theological studies in the past, study exemption may be possible towards the Certificate or the Diploma Programmes.
Students with the approval of the Director of Studies may apply to the University for APL and or APEL exemption for some modules. Application must be substantiated by accompanying documents.
Modes of Delivery
A flexible approach will be adopted to meet the needs of individual students. These include lectures, seminars, presentations, role play, demonstrations, class discussions, assignments, work placement (where indicated), guided reading, casework, videos, case studies, and tutorials. Programmes are participant centred and deliberately designed to enable students to reflect on the contents and to draw more out of it either during group discussions or in their own study time.
Flexible Modes of Study
Whilst it is hoped that students will complete all modules set for a specific course, given the modular system, students may choose to only do specific modules to meet their individual needs. This flexibility enables students to join at the start of any of the modules offered on each Programme. Students wishing to undertake the Diploma modules must be able to establish previous studies at Certificate level at Higher Education and having achieved 120 credits at level4
Support for Students
The Institute of Theology and Christian Counselling provides the following support:
• Student Handbook
• Module handbooks and module notes are available for every module studied. Module tutors are available by ‘phone or e-mail for support or advice relating to modules. Contact details are given in the module handbooks and notes and on the website. Tutors will provide help and guidance especially in the preparation of the assignments
• Substantial teaching is done weekly during term times by module tutors
• Each student is assigned to a personal tutor, who normally remains with them throughout the Programme. The personal tutor is available for consultation and pastoral care. Peer group support is also encouraged
• The Director of Studies is available by ‘phone or e-mail and will attend as well as deiver some of the teaching sessions. Contact details are published in module notes, in the Programme handbook, the prospectus, and on the ITCC website
• ITCC has a well equipped library containing all of the main course textbooks which can be borrowed by students
• Module guidelines, containing assignment titles and general bibliography are provided for students at the beginning of the academic year or at the start of each module
• Each tutor will provide a Lecture Pack at the beginning of each module for each student. This will contain an overview of the module and some general lecture notes. Copies of key articles will be distributed as part of this pack or throughout the teaching of the module
• Additional support will also be provided by the work placement supervisor
• ITCC provide books for sale on site
Course Fees
Tutors give their service as part of their ministry to the Body of Christ. Fees are therefore heavily subsidised and good value for money. There is a £75.00 registration fee for each programme. This is payable on the submission of an Application Form and is not refundable.
The full cost of each level 4 programme is £1500.00 i.e. £250.00 per module. The full cost of each level 5 programme is £1800.00 i.e. £300.00 per module. Fees are payable at the start of each programme however arrangement can be made to make payment on the first session of each module. Students may choose to pay by standing order (details available from the Course Administrator).
Please ask your Church for financial support should you require it.
Award Ceremony
Successful students will graduate with the appropriate Award conferred by the University of Winchester at a local Award Ceremony held in the Autumn of each year or at the University Campus. Gowns for the in-house award ceremony will be hired from Ede & Ravencroft at the current rate and must be paid for in advance of the Ceremony.
Students who have completed the course but who have not met the University requirements will be awarded the New Testament Assembly Certificate of Attendance. In order to receive an award all fees must be fully paid.
Students Responsibilities
Student responsibilities are:
• Regular attendance
• Commitment to participate and share with each other
• To read extensively
• To do assignments by the required dates
• To observe confidentiality
• To pray for understanding and for each other
• To ask for clarification from tutors as necessary
• To assist with the provision of a safe learning environment where free expression is encouraged
Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance is vital to the work of ITCC and rigorous systems ensure high standards are maintained. The following processes and practices are in place:
• Programme Committee Meetings (PCMs) are held 3 times yearly. These are chaired by the Programme Leader. The Programme Leader is a member of the academic staff at the University of Winchester. He or she will provide academic and professional support throughout our relationship with the University. Representatives from the student body will attend the PCMs;
• An annual Action Plan and Evaluation (AP&E) is prepared each year;
• Module evaluations pre-prepared forms completed by students at the end of each module will be fed into the PCMs;
• Feedback is received from participating Church leaders during and at the end of each module. These comments are also fed into the PCMs;
• Module handbooks set out clearly the intended learning outcomes and teaching, learning and assessment methods of the module, as well as assessment deadlines and when students should expect their work back.Module handbooks also make clear the weighting of each assessment;
• The programme handbook sets out clearly the concessions policies of the University.
In addition, within the processes of the NTA, the ITCC is accountable to the Trustee Board of the NTA. Recognition of the Pastoral Care & Christian Counselling is being pursued with the Association of Christian Counselling (ACC).
The Association of Christian Counselling is a national professional membership body of 2000 members who counsel or who are involved in pastoral care. ACC:
• Has developed standards within Christian Counselling;
• has a rigorous accreditation process for members;
• validates independent courses with Christian content;
• works with secular awarding bodies who validate ACC courses;
• works within an ethical framework;
• has a complaints procedure;
• delivers Continuous Professional Development for counsellors;
• holds regular training events and conferences;
• is a member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP).
The Pastoral Care & Christian Counselling Programme has changed significantly to accommodate the criteria set by ACC.
The Memorandum of Agreement and the Programme Specification sets out in more detail QAA arrangements between the ITCC and the University.
Our Promise
You will be informed to transform your world.
