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April 2008
Frequently asked questions
Q: What does WEMTC stand for?
The West of England Ministerial Training Course
Q: I was never very successful at school and have done no study since,
could
I join WEMTC?
Yes. WEMTC has no formal entrance requirements. Classes are taught to University level standard, however what matters is not qualifications but motivation. We often find that students without a formal education background do very well because they are interested in the subjects. Study skills courses to help you will be available on request.
Q: Where are you based?
Our offices are in the University of Gloucestershire in Cheltenham and this is one of our teaching centres. We also teach in the Bishop Mascall Centre in Ludlow. Ordinands and reader students also have weekend residentials at various residential venues in the earea.
Q: How much does it cost?
If you are sponsored for ordained ministry or for reader ministry then your diocese pays all the costs, including travel allowances and a book grant (these vary for reader students depending on their diocese).
Independent students pay a fee per module (currently £95 per term) and do not attend the residentials.
Q: How long does training take?
Training for a recognised Anglican Ministry (e.g. ordination, reader ministry) usually takes three years at the discretion of the sponsoring Church. Independent students may come for just one module (5 or 10 weeks) or for the Certificate, which takes just under three years.
Q: I have done previous theological training, will it be recognised?
Most likely yes, depending on your training. Reader training, Local Preacher training and theological degrees may all be taken into account using Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) if it is clear that our modules have been covered to an equivalent standard. However in some cases a refresher course may be advisable as the discipline of theology has moved substantially in the last ten years. In all cases WEMTC makes a decision after discussion and consultation with you and the University of Gloucestershire. We can also offer Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning [APEL] in a number of cases, where there is no formal previous accreditation.
Q: When does the Course start?
Most start with the Academic Year in September. It is strongly recommended that independent students begin with Doing Theology in September, especially if they have done no previous theological study.
Q: Are there exams?
No. WEMTC modules are assessed via written assignments, presentations, and individual/group projects. There are 2 assignments a term. Only New Testament Greek (which is optional) has tests that make up 80% of the mark.
Q: Is this just an Academic Course?
No. The amount of academic work depends on the track being followed. The Certificate Course for independent students is primarily an academic course, involving classes, reading and assignments. However there is considerable practical slant to both the teaching and the assignments. For ministerial students (Readers and ordinands) the remainder of the training is practically based and the final award is a Diploma or Certificate in which ministerial skills and personal formation play an equal part alongside knowledge.
Q: How does a Ministry Course compare to a Theological College?
Residential colleges and regional courses are both recognised for training for ministry.
In 3 years of part-
Q: Does WEMTC have a particular 'churchmanship'?
Many Theological Colleges fit broadly within a particular tradition of the Church
(evangelical, liberal, Anglo-