Study theology with depth, purpose and direction
OTC's undergraduate programme prepares women and men for Christian mission, ministry and further academic study. The curriculum brings biblical, historical, theological and applied subjects together in a confessional Christian learning community.
OTC teaches the complete three-year programme. Its curriculum is designed and benchmarked against FHEQ expectations for undergraduate study across Levels 4, 5 and 6, including the Level 6 qualification descriptor for bachelor's degrees with honours. After Year 2, you can choose between two routes: remain at OTC for Year 3 and receive an OTC diploma, or progress to a partner university in the United States and complete that university's degree requirements.
For transparency, OTC awards its own diploma to students who complete all three years at OTC. Students who take the progression route complete the partner university's requirements and receive the degree from that university.
Choose how you complete your studies
Year 1 at OTC
Build a foundation in Scripture, theology, church history, mission and reflective practice.
Year 2 at OTC
Develop deeper biblical, doctrinal and missional understanding while preparing for progression.
Complete Year 3 at OTC
Continue with OTC for the final year of the three-year theology programme. After successful completion, OTC issues its own diploma.
Outcome: OTC DiplomaProgress to a US partner university
After successfully completing Years 1 and 2, transfer through the approved progression route and complete the partner university's remaining degree requirements.
Outcome: Degree awarded by the partner universityGuaranteed progression
Students who successfully complete Years 1 and 2 at OTC, remain in good standing and meet the published progression conditions are guaranteed a route to an approved partner university. The precise destination, credit recognition, remaining study period, mode of study, fees, immigration requirements and final award are governed by the agreement and regulations in force for the student's cohort.
What you will study at OTC
The curriculum combines shared core study with pathway and optional learning across all three years. Students progressing to a partner university after Year 2 follow the partner's approved completion curriculum instead of OTC Year 3.
Build the theological framework
- Theology, Exegesis and Study Skills
- Introduction to the Bible
- Christianity: The Story of Belief
- Mission, Church and Community
- Theological Reflection: Learning from Paul as a Reflective Missional Leader
Deepen biblical and missional understanding
- Doctrine and the Contemporary Context
- Exploring the Old Testament
- Exploring the New Testament
- Evangelism, Apologetics and the Story of the Christian Church
- Justice
Complete the OTC diploma
- Dissertation or Short Dissertation
- Bible, Theology and Spirituality
- Ethics and the Story of the Christian Church
- World Religions and Ideologies
- Approved pathway or optional study
Indicative pathway and optional study
Philosophy and Christian worldviews, theology and the arts, church history, and biblical interpretation.
Foundational and developing skills for missional ministry, Christian leadership, discipleship, and church practice.
Faith and politics, the environment, workplace chaplaincy, place-making, and contemporary social questions.
Module availability, sequencing and partner recognition remain subject to formal approval for each intake.
Formation for mission and ministry
The programme develops critical, analytical, interpretative and communication skills alongside Christian character and practical service. Depending on the approved pathway, students may combine academic study with supervised ministry experience, vocational reflection and church-based formation.
Biblical scholarship
Read Scripture carefully, engage theological traditions and learn to make well-grounded arguments.
Spiritual formation
Connect academic learning with Christian character, reflective practice and faithful service.
Ministry practice
Apply learning in mission and ministry contexts, with pathway requirements confirmed before enrolment.
Master's-level programmes
Our postgraduate portfolio is designed for graduates, ministers and Christian leaders who want to pursue advanced theological study, strengthen professional practice or undertake focused research. Programmes combine guided teaching, independent study and academic supervision and are designed and benchmarked against the FHEQ Level 7 master's degree descriptor.
OTC certificate or partner-university degree
These are OTC programmes and are not currently Ofqual regulated. Successful completion of the OTC route leads to an OTC-issued certificate. Where a programme has been formally validated by a partner university and a student enrols on that approved route, successful completion leads to a degree awarded by the partner university in accordance with its requirements.
Christian Thought and Practice
Integrate theological study with Christian life and practice through focused work in theology, Scripture, spirituality and research.
- Five taught units
- Theological research preparation
- 15,000-word dissertation
Ministry
Reflect critically on established or pioneering ministry practice through peer dialogue, theological engagement and applied projects.
- Designed for experienced practitioners
- Six taught units
- Practice-based reflection project
Advanced Christian Studies
Build an advanced programme across the breadth of theological studies, including practically oriented options and independent research.
- Theological enquiry and interpretation
- Flexible specialist study
- 15,000-word dissertation
Biblical and Theological Studies
Pursue in-depth study of biblical interpretation and major themes in classical and contemporary Christian theology.
- Biblical hermeneutics
- Theological research
- 15,000-word dissertation
Flexible patterns of study
Planned delivery includes full-time and part-time routes, with in-person, online or blended study depending on the programme. Confirmed modes and durations are published for each intake.
Entry and assessment
Entry requirements vary by programme and normally include an appropriate undergraduate qualification, evidence of English proficiency where required, and an interview. Some professional routes also require ministry experience.
Qualification route
Applicants receive written confirmation of whether they are enrolling on an OTC certificate route or an approved partner-university degree route, together with the applicable requirements.
Programme titles, structures, delivery modes and assessment requirements may vary by intake. Any partner-university degree route remains subject to formal validation and the partner university's regulations.
Key questions
What qualifications can I receive?
Undergraduate students who complete all three years at OTC receive an OTC diploma. Postgraduate students on an OTC route receive an OTC certificate. Where a student enrols on an approved progression or validated degree route and completes the relevant university's requirements, the partner university awards the degree.
Must I progress after Year 2?
No. Progression is an option, not a requirement. You may remain at OTC, complete Year 3 and receive the OTC diploma. Students seeking a university-awarded degree can use the progression route after Year 2.
Is progression automatic?
The route is guaranteed for students who successfully complete Years 1 and 2 and meet the published academic, conduct, administrative and partner-entry conditions for their cohort.
Which university will I progress to?
Your offer and progression information identifies the approved partner route available to your intake, including the partner, final award, delivery mode, fees and any location or immigration requirements.
Are all modules shown guaranteed to run?
No. The core curriculum describes the intended programme. Optional modules and pathway elements depend on approval, staffing, student numbers and the requirements of the relevant progression agreement.
What does “validated” mean?
Validation means that a partner university has formally approved a programme and its academic and assessment arrangements. Students enrolled on that approved route receive the resulting degree from the partner university after meeting its requirements.
Find your programme at OTC
Review the admissions requirements and request the current progression or validation information before accepting an offer.