Certificate

Why choose the Certificate course?

The Certificate is aimed at those who have little or no experience in cross-cultural mission but who are hoping to serve effectively wherever they live and work. It is designed to teach foundational mission knowledge, methodology and practical skills whilst at the same time helping to develop the interpersonal, spiritual and academic skills of the student throughout the year. This course will therefore enable you to prepare for an effective cross-cultural mission experience.

What is the Certificate course?

What are the entry criteria?

The Certificate is an open-access programme, validated by the Open University. The recommended minimum age of entry is 21 years. However, All Nations will consider applicants who are 19 or 20 years old provided they meet the admissions criteria. Normally you should have a minimum of two ‘A’ level equivalents or relevant vocational experience. For those for whom English is not a first language (according to UKVI criteria), proof of English skills will also be required. This must be an academic IELTS for UKVI test with a score of 5.5 at a UKVI-approved SELTS Centre (with a minimum of 5.5 for listening/reading and 5.0 for writing/speaking). The College will also accept other tests (LanguageCert, International ESOL, Pearsons PTE Academic, Trinity College’s ISE Tests). For students who do not require a visa, we will also consider Cambridge Advanced Exam and TOEFL (IBT computer-based) English test. For full details of other language eligibiligy criteria, the minimum test score requirements for those who have to take a language test and all other entry criteria, please see the College Admissions Policy.

Please note: Overseas students requiring a Student visa must ensure they pass the UKVI approved tests at a UKVI approved centre with the minimum scores required by the College, unless one of the exemptions applies.

What qualification will I get?

OU-validated Certificate students will earn the Cert. (HE) Biblical and Intercultural Studies (A Certificate of Higher Education). ANCC Certificate students will earn a Certificate in Biblical and Intercultural Studies, which is our own All Nations Christian College award. The delivery method of both Certificate awards is the same.

Can I transfer between OU and ANCC programmes?

Students can transfer from an OU programme to an ANCC programme but not vice versa. Those who complete an OU award successfully will receive an OU Certificate and the appropriate number of transferable credits. Completing an ANCC award will earn a separate certificate.

How is the course delivered?

The Certificate is a 1-year full-time course consisting of three terms, each lasting 10 weeks.

The course starts in late September and ends the following June/July.

Our teaching styles are varied and innovative. We teach through interactive classes, small group seminars, case studies, debates and arts workshops. Students also spend time in personal research and study and reflect on their learning through a range of assessments.

Most of the programme is delivered at the College site, which is in a beautiful rural setting here at Easneye House in Ware, Hertfordshire. The course can also be acessed remotely from anywhere in the world with adequate internet connection using video technology. Remote learners will learn alongside campus-based students. 

What sort of a workload can I expect?

The workload for both Certificate awards is the same. Most classes will run from 09:30 to 13:00 with a coffee break in-between, with just a few classes timetabled for the afternoon. Lectures generally take up 15 hours per week, with students expected to spend at least 25 hours per week in private study.

How is the course assessed?

Formative assessments are designed to provide you with guided learning experiences that enable you to engage with the learning. The emphasis is on assessing for learning. Progress is monitored throughout the course, with some assignments taking place towards the end of a module. There is a broad range of assignment methods, including workbooks, short-answer questions, reflective reports, questionnaires, short essays, reading logs, class presentations, journaling and a practical placement. All assignments are compulsory and non-graded, apart from the research paper in the final term. 

The feedback given to students can be either informal or formal and both oral and written, and includes suggestions on how to improve and enhance your work. Formal feedback on end-of-term assignments is normally returned by the end of week 3 of the following term. 

Level 4 (Certificate) students must pass all components of all modules in order to progress on to the next level of study or to exit with the relevant Certificate award.

What else will I be doing?

We recognise the importance of practical ministry and, in order to ensure that all undergraduate students get an opportunity to put into practice classroom theory, students will be involved in a ministry placement for 2 to 3 hours each week. Students can choose from a range of projects including anti-trafficking, art, street evangelism and international student work. Most of these placements are associated with a church where the student will be encouraged to worship on Sunday to get to know the congregation and understand the wider range of their ministries. 

Kitchen or maintenance chores are also part of All Nations life; their aim is to foster a servant heart but they also help to keep student fees as low as possible.

What support will I receive?

All students are assigned a personal tutor to help mentor and support them through their studies. We recognise that students come from a variety of backgrounds in terms of education, qualifications and experience, and therefore personal tutoring is beneficial to the individual needs of the student.

In order to help students improve their study skills, we run a Study Skills Foundation Course that is timetabled throughout the year. This covers topics such as reading effectively, use and management of sources, citation and how to avoid plagiarism, and developing critical thinking. This course is open to all students. The sessions are particularly valuable for international students and people entering or returning to higher education. Additional study skills sessions to help develop the analytical, critical and evaluative skills needed to write assignments are also provided for all students.

When can I start the course?

Both the OU Certificate programme and the ANCC Certificate programme begin in late September each year and finish the following July.

Students should note that it is not usually possible to stay at All Nations during the holiday periods (e.g. Christmas, Easter and Summer breaks). All Nations will help overseas students to find alternative accommodation during these holiday periods but students will need to budget for this extra cost. Sometimes there are opportunities to stay on-site and work for board.

What will I be studying?

OU Certificate students will take 9 compulsory modules per year which amount to 120 credits (60 ECTS).

ANCC Certificate students will study the same number of compulsory modules as OU Certificate students to gain their award but they will not earn any transferable credits.

Please see Key Information below for full details. By the end of October each year we aim to indicate on the web site the modules which will be offered the following academic year.

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