Future Generations Training is designed for those who are interested in exploring a wide range of issues in Christian children’s or youth work, alongside deep theological study. This focussed study route is designed for those who expect to continue working with children and / or young people in some capacity on completion of the programme. In each year of study you will undertake core theology modules that are shared with all undergraduate students alongside specific children’s or youth ministry modules exploring practical issues as well as topics such as theology of human development and faith formation. You will be taught by specialist lecturers and experts in the field.

Because of the nature and assessment requirements of the specific children and youth ministry focussed modules it is expected that alongside your academic study you will be engaged regularly in a local context working with children or young people. This could be either as a volunteer or employed position but this context will operate as a placement for the duration of your studies.

We are excited to continue our partnership with the Church of England's 30K Project. Future Generations has funding to offer bursaries for some of our children's and youth ministry students in Church of England parishes, to support students studying for a two-year Diploma in Theology, Ministry and Mission. The focus would be on either children's or youth ministry, and, upon the offer of a place, a bursary can be applied to cover a portion of the course fees (please note that we cannot guarantee that every applicant will be able to receive a bursary). 

It is an amazing opportunity to combine deep theology, practical skills and a supportive community with a rhythm that allows you to study while working in a local context. 

This route has a focus on ministry with under 11s, through modules including play and children’s work skills, and human development in childhood & adolescence. Alongside these subject-specific modules (which make up a third of the credits in year one) you will benefit from being in a Formation Group with a specialist Tutor. The remaining modules making up two thirds of the credits each year will be studied alongside other students and those training for ordination to giving a rich learning community and context.

Alongside this focussed study, you will need to be in a local training placement working with under 11s. This must be either a volunteer children's leadership role of at least 6 hours per week, or paid or financially supported work within a local context of no less than 12 hours and no more than 28 hours per week. This allows for interaction between learning and practice, providing a context for reflective practice that feeds into some of the assessments.

This route has a specific focus on ministry with 11 – 20yr olds. This happens through modules exploring foundational youth work skills and practice, and human development in childhood & adolescence. Alongside these subject-specific modules (which make up a third of the credits in year one) you will benefit from being in a Formation Group with a specialist Tutor. The remaining modules making up two thirds of the credits each year will be studied alongside other students and those training for ordination giving a rich learning community and context.

Alongside this focussed study, you will need to be in a local training placement working with 11–20 year olds. This must be either a volunteer youth leadership role of at least 6 hours per week, or paid or financially supported work within a local context of no less than 12 hours and no more than 28 hours per week. This allows for interaction between learning and practice, also providing a context for reflective practice that feeds into some of the assessments.

Because of the specific focus of the youth or children’s ministry route it is necessary that students on this route are regularly involved in a context working with young people or children. St Mellitus College works collaboratively with students and local contexts to identify suitable opportunities to enhance student learning, develop practitioner skills and offer a wide range of opportunities for students to reflect on the interplay of their academic studies and regular ministry and mission among young people or children.

There is space for flexibility and variety in how this works and what it looks like, with conversations beginning at application stage to ensure the right opportunities are in place. A few examples might be:

• Employed as a local church youth or children’ worker.
• Employed as a Christian working with young people or children in a school, charitable or other context.
• On placement at and supported by a local church or similar context as a student youth or children’s worker.
• A volunteer youth or children’s leader who is involved weekly in face-to-face work in a church, school, charitable or similar context.

Many students will study while continuing their work with children or young people in the context in which they are already based. Some however may require support in finding a context in which to be based while training. In these situations, St Mellitus College will seek to match students with suitable, vetted and checked placements from our database of providers.

The practicalities of staying in a current context or needing support to find a placement context will look a little differently though with a number of shared parameters as follows:

• Students will be able to attend all term-time Monday teaching days and required Teaching Weeks, whilst also ensuring the equivalent of at least one day per week for private study and a clear day off.
• That they are involved in weekly work with children or young people, aiming for these hours:
  • Volunteer youth leaders: Approximately 6 hours (i.e. two sessions) per week.
  • Employed or financially supported in a local context: At least 12 hours per week but no more than 28 hours.
• A supervisor will be identified in the local context. This will likely be a line manager for those who are employed, for volunteers this might be a senior youth or children’s leader, church leader or someone else with oversight of the work being carried out.

For more information and a Placement Handbook please contact our Lead Tutor, Dr Mark Scanlan on Mark.scanlan@stmellitus.ac.uk.

Through our partnership with the 30K Project St Mellitus College is excited to offer ‘Future Generations’ bursaries enabling students to apply for funding to assist with course fees. 

We are still waiting for the exact level of funding to be confirmed but anticipate being able to offer a good number of part-bursaries for students undertaking either the children’s or youth ministry focused two-year diploma programme.

To be eligible for a Future Generations bursary students will need to meet our usual admissions criteria for a diploma and have a training placement in a Church of England context (i.e. Parish Church, Fresh Expression, CofE school etc). For more information on requirements for a training placement please click on the ‘Placement Guidance’ information below.

Any Future Generation Bursary offered will only be valid to cover an agreed portion of course fees. Students will remain responsible for covering any additional costs during their course of study, including travel expenses and accommodation arrangements during teaching weeks (as required). Many placements assist in these areas.

We will have a limited number of bursaries available which are allocated to eligible students following an application process after an offer of a place to study has been made.

To be considered for a Future Generations Bursary you must apply to study at St Mellitus in the normal way via the ‘Apply’ button shown at the top of this page. When completing the application form please select the option to indicate you are interested in Children’s or Youth Ministry and a ‘Future Generations’ bursary. On being offered a place you will receive a form to complete to apply for the bursary funding.

For more information, please email Lead Tutor, Mark Scanlan, at mark.scanlan@stmellitus.ac.uk .

To explore the Children or Youth Ministry Focus within the Undergraduate Theology, Ministry and Mission programme, or to find out more about the ‘Future Generations’ funding please book onto an independent undergraduate open day at our London Monday centre or contact Lead Tutor, Dr Mark Scanlan (Mark.scanlan@stmellitus.ac.uk).