Ministerial training and equivalent or lower qualifications
Theological training for the ministry was excluded from the withdrawal of public funds for the study of equivalent or lower qualifications (ELQs) for a year from April 2008. The Government has agreed to extend this postponement by a further year.
The postponement followed a joint report from HEFCE and the Archbishops' Council Ministry Division in March 2008, showing the adverse effect of the policy on training for the ministry. The additional time has been granted to allow institutions the opportunity to develop alternative training models.
Ministerial training and employer support
Providers of ministerial training with the support of sector representatives are using the postponement of the withdrawal of ELQ funding to develop training through foundation degrees and employer co-funded higher awards. Institutions can develop proposals in either of these areas by liaising with HEFCE as described below.
Foundation degrees
Institutions that wish to bring forward reconfigured programmes as foundation degrees should complete the funding template 'Additional Student Numbers (ASNs) for 2010-11 only: Foundation Degree programmes in Theological Training for the ministry' (see below).
The completed template should be issued to:
Dr David Way
Theological Education Secretary
Ministry Division
Archbishops' Council
Ministry Division
Church House
Great Smith Street
LONDON
SW1P 3AZ
e-mail, david.way@c-of-e.org.uk
Proposals should arrive by Friday 11 December 2009.
A letter to higher education institutions (HEIs) sets out the background to this process.
Additional Student Numbers (ASNs) for 2010-11 only :Foundation Degree programmes in Theological Training for the ministry
[ Adobe PDF 9K | MS Word 59K ]
Letter setting out the background to the process
[ Adobe PDF 10K | MS Word 58K ]
Employer co funded awards
HEIs looking to bring forward employer co-funded higher awards should:
- contact their Higher Education Policy Adviser
- complete the co-funding template
- complete the summary business case template (see below).
Summary business case template
[ Adobe PDF 10K | MS Word 70K ]
It is important to note that the rate of employer contribution is 50 per cent and that written confirmation of the employer contribution should be secured before submitting the proposal.
Communications and discussion
As part of the postponed withdrawal of ELQ funds, we have commissioned a report by consultants that maps theological education in England. This and the original report from HEFCE and the Archbishop’s Council Ministry Division are available below.
Report from HEFCE and the Archbishops' Council Ministry Division
[ Adobe PDF 10K | MS Word 70K ]
- Foundation Degree Forward held a consultation event in February 2009 which provided an opportunity for theological colleges and HEIs to hear more about the ELQ initiative, and the alternative opportunities that foundation degrees present.
- Training for Ministry: a mapping exercise
Foundation Degree Forward has since set up a ministry training mailing list. This is a JISCmail discussion group that allows course providers and HEIs to exchange information.
Further information
For more information about ministerial training and the impact of ELQs, please contact Fiona MacMillan, tel 0117 931 7039, e-mail f.macmillan@hefce.ac.uk
Last updated 16 November 2009