Diploma

Why choose the Diploma course?

If you are heading for cross-cultural mission service and have two years available for training then the Diploma (Levels 4 & 5) is for you. This course aims to provide you with a holistic preparation for vocational ministry in Christian mission anywhere in the world. Whilst it is a self-contained programme, many students joining us for the Diploma course decide to stay on for a further year to complete the BA (Hons) degree.

What is the Diploma course?

The Diploma is an in-depth programme, designed to enable you to prepare for effective cross-cultural mission by developing your ability to evaluate, understand and apply skills in other cultural contexts. The first year of study is the foundational Level 4 OU and ANCC Certificate programme. This 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. In the second year you study three core modules and then choose from a range of specialist area modules which help prepare you for vocations including: Church Planting; Discipleship; the Arts; Theological Education; and Community Development.

The OU and ANCC Diploma study options are identical but there are a few important differences. Click here to find out more.

What are the entry criteria?

The OU Diploma is an open access programme, validated by the Open University. The ANCC Certificate is also open access but it does not have external accreditation and is not open to students who require either a Student visa or a student loan from the UK government.

The recommended minimum age of entry is 21 years. However, All Nations will consider applicants who are 19 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?

The award you will earn with the OU-validated qualification is the Dip (HE) in Biblical and Intercultural Studies. ANCC Certificate students will earn a Diploma in Biblical and Intercultural Studies which is our own All Nations Christian College award. The delivery method of both Diploma awards is the same.  However, having completed the ANCC Certificate, ANCC Diploma students have the flexibility of continuing their studies starting in September, January or April if they wish.

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 transferrable credits.  Completing an ANCC award will earn a separate certificate.

How is the course delivered?

The Diploma is a 2-year full-time course consisting of 3 terms per year, each lasting 10 weeks.

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. 

The delivery method of both Diploma awards is the same, except that ANCC Diploma students can start the first year in September or January and the second year of study in September, January or April. Courses which start in September end the following June/July; those starting at other times run for a calendar year.

What sort of a workload can I expect?

The workload for both Diploma awards is the same, however ANCC Diploma students may feel assignments are less pressurised, since they can opt to have them ‘not graded’ in the second year of study. Most classes will run from 9:30-1:00 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?

Students taking the ANCC Diploma must submit assignments and their work also includes such things as a log of required reading, listening skills, group discussions, surveys etc. Whilst the students interact with the same teaching, their assignments are marked as pass/fail in the first year of study and they can opt to do the same in the second year of study which feels less demanding. Students must pass all core modules of Level 4 and all the components of all core and 5 elective modules of Level 5 to earn the ANCC Diploma in Biblical and Intercultural Studies, which is an All Nations Christian College award

In the first year of the OU Diploma (Level 4) assignments are not graded. In the second year (Level 5), most assignments are summative or graded assignments which are designed to determine your progression, achievement and, ultimately, your final grade. A few are formative assessments which aid you in your learning rather than assessing your progress. Formative assessments include such things as a log of required reading, listening skills, group discussions, surveys etc. Summative assessments at this level are intended to assess analytical and evaluative skills. All assessments are compulsory and all vary widely in type, depending on the modules chosen. They can include essays of up to 2,500 words, reflective reports, theological reflections, journaling, workbooks, presentations, sermons, critiques (of films and books), arts-based performances, a practical placement and a research paper. New Testament Greek (optional) is the only module which is assessed through examination.

The feedback given to students can be either oral (mostly in arts modules) or written. It includes detailed 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 5 OU Diploma students must achieve a pass mark of 40% and above in all components of all modules in order to progress on to Level 6 or to exit with the Dip (HE) in Biblical and Intercultural Studies which is validated by the Open University.

What else will I be doing?

We recognise the importance of practical ministry, and in order to ensure that 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. 

All students on the Diploma course will also be required to complete a 3-week ministry internship. This will be a supervised placement in a cross-cultural context where the student can begin to wrestle with the challenges of cross-cultural ministry.

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

What support will I receive?

Every student is 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 for the individual needs of the student.

In order to help students improve their study skills, we runs 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 those 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?

The OU Diploma programme begins in late September each year and finishes the following June/July.

ANCC Diploma students can start their first year in September or January and their second year in September, January or April. Courses which start in September end the following June/July; those starting at other times run for a calendar year.  

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?

In their first year OU Diploma students will take the same modules as on the OU Certificate course to earn 120 credits (60 ECTS). In the second year they must take seven compulsory and a minimum of 5 other vocational specialist modules (outlined below) for a further 120 credits (60 ECTS) to bring the total to 240 credits (120 ECTS) over the two years.

ANCC Diploma students will study the same number of compulsory and vocational specialist modules as OU Diploma students to gain their award, but they will not earn any transferrable credits.

See the Key Information at the bottom of this page for more details. We aim to indicate on the web site the modules which will be offered the following academic year as soon as current students have indicated their preferences.

Application deadline?

To start in September - we are still accepting applications, please email ba@allnations.ac.uk

To start in January - we are still accepting applications, please email ba@allnations.ac.uk

Why not come and see us?