Entry Requirements

The College will only consider applications from students who will be 18 by the time they enrol.
Aptitude for study appropriate to the level of the qualification applied for (see below for further details with respect to each programme).
International students would need to acquire a Visa for the entirety of the course before applying, as we are unable to offer sponsorship.
Students need to be proficient computer and internet users to study on our programmes.
Adequate ability to understand and communicate in written and oral English. The College’s application forms will ask students to disclose if they are not native speakers of the English language. Should they not be a native speaker, the following criteria would apply:
- For students applying for undergraduate courses: IELTS 6.5 (with no component under 6.0) or equivalent.
- For students applying for postgraduate courses: IELTS 7.0 (with no component under 6.5) or equivalent.
Equivalent to the IELTS tests could include other forms of formal assessment in English, including but not limited to having undertaken an accredited level 6 or above course in a humanities-based subject. Final decisions on equivalence, and on the necessity of individual students undertaking language tests will remain with St Mellitus College, in consultation with Common Awards.
Sympathy with and willingness to engage fully with the worshipping life of the Centre at which they are studying.
Willingness to engage appropriately with the rest of the student body and staff team at both their own centre of study and, where relevant, the wider SMC student body.
Evidence of maturity of character suitable for Christian ministry and theological study.
Evidence of involvement in and commitment to the mission of a local church, which would normally be part of a member denomination of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and/or the Evangelical Alliance.

Click on the below headings for additional entry requirements for specific programmes and to view the full Admissions Policy click here.

Additional Criteria

Undergraduates will normally have three A Levels (grade C/grade 4 or above) or equivalent for
direct entry to a BA, two for entry onto a Diploma and one for entry onto a Certificate (see below for
possible exceptions).
For the Certificate in Higher Education in Christian Ministry and Mission, candidates will normally have two A levels (grade C/grade 4 or above) or equivalent for direct entry as a result of the programme being 180 credits (CertHE 180) as opposed to 120 credits.
For the Graduate Diploma, because the programme takes place alongside students taking the final year of their BA in Theology, Ministry and Mission, the College is responsible for ensuring that successful applicants can demonstrate sufficient prior aptitude for theological study such that they will not be disadvantaged by entering study at St Mellitus College at this level. Applicants must normally have a 2:1 Honours Degree in a humanities-based subject or a Diploma (HE) in Theology with a substantial proportion of their graded credit at Merit/2:1 level. However, especially for mature students, prior professional experience will be taken into account as well as educational qualifications. This will be assessed in the candidate’s interview.
Have completed the Safeguarding training on ‘Basic Awareness’ and ‘Foundations’ and provide the certificates as part of the application process. These can be completed on the Church of England National Safeguarding Team's online learning portal here.

As part of the application process, applicants are normally expected to submit a degree-level academic paper of at least 2,000 words, written within the last five years, and to hold a 2.1 degree in theology for direct entry to postgraduate programmes. Where applicants do not meet one or both of these requirements they should contact the admissions team.
The applicant’s BA (Hons) should be in Theology or have contained substantial study of Theology up to level 6. Graduates (classed as first-class or 2:1 Honours) in other disciplines with experience of Theology or Religious Studies to at least FHEQ Level 4 (undergraduate Certificate level, awarded with merit or distinction, or with an overall mark of at least 60%) may also be admitted to the programme.
Applicants with a Graduate Diploma in Theology or an equivalent subject will be considered, and the College will look to satisfy itself at interview as to whether the candidate has adequate preparation and grounding for study at MA level.
However, especially for mature students, prior professional experience will be taken into account as well as educational qualifications. This will be assessed in the candidate’s interview.
Have completed the Safeguarding training on ‘Basic Awareness’ and ‘Foundations’ and provide the certificates as part of the application process. These can be completed on the Church of England National Safeguarding Team's online learning portal here.

Recommendation for training from a Church of England Stage 2 Panel or equivalent from a different church (with agreement from a Church of England Bishop). This process includes an assessment of the candidate’s educational aptitude for training.
Share the College’s commitment to ‘Generous Orthodoxy’ i.e. working and worshipping together with ordinands from across the breadth of the Church of England and beyond.
Have completed the Safeguarding training on ‘Basic Awareness’ and ‘Foundations’ and provide the certificates as part of the application process. These can be completed on the Church of England National Safeguarding Team's online learning portal here.
Have a valid DBS check and provided proof of it.
Current independent students who wish to transfer to an ordinand route will need to complete the ordinand application form.

An additional criterion for full-time context-based ordinands:
• Capacity to undertake a part-time placement in a ministry context.

Capacity to undertake a part-time placement in a ministry context as per the parameters detailed in the Youth / Children Ministry Placement Handbook.
Have completed the Safeguarding training on ‘Basic Awareness’ and ‘Foundations’ and provide the certificates as part of the application process. These can be completed on the Church of England National Safeguarding Team's online learning portal here.
Have a valid DBS check and provided proof of it.

Where the requirements for aptitude for study appropriate to the level of the qualification applied
for are not met, the College may at its discretion choose to offer places to students who can evidence:

equivalent academic potential, normally after the satisfactory completion of a longer interview involving a discussion of a theological text supplied by the College in advance of the interview
having passed the educational criteria associated with the discernment process

If there is any doubt about the candidate’s aptitude for study at the desired level, as noted above, the College may offer the candidate the chance to commence on a lower award.