Program Overview

Program Overview

The Faith-Based Leadership MPA is designed for professionals in senior positions in faith settings or those looking to progress to senior positions. This course brings together professionals from a variety of faiths and is ideal for anyone working for a faith-based organisation or dealing with faith-based issues.

Course Details

• The course runs over 30 months part-time.
• It is delivered through a combination of online learning and in-person residentials, with weekly live interactive online seminars.
• The course focuses on continuing professional development, allowing students to apply their learning in their leadership context from day one.
• Students will learn from other leaders from a variety of different faiths, enabling them to find solutions to common problems together.

Course Structure

• The course comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation.
• The taught modules include:
  • Faith Leadership and Community Engagement (20 credits)
  • Theological Reflection on Professional Practice (20 credits)
  • Faith Community Governance, Management and Administration (20 credits)
  • Organisational Culture in Faith-Based Organisations (20 credits)
  • Organisational and Personal Development (20 credits)
  • Understanding and Leading People (20 credits)
• The dissertation can be either a traditional dissertation or a placement-based dissertation, subject to approval by the Programme Director.

Entry Requirements

• A 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant subject, plus three years’ experience in a leadership role.
• International students will need to demonstrate a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
• English language requirements:
  • IELTS: 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band
  • TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
  • Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
  • LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

Fees and Scholarships

• The annual tuition fee for the course is £7,000 (part-time).
• The University offers a range of scholarships and funding opportunities to help students afford their studies.
• International students may be eligible for a postgraduate Masters loan to help with the cost of their studies.

Career Opportunities

• The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits.
• The Careers Network offers a range of events and support services, including networking opportunities, career coaching, and one-to-one guidance.
• The University has a strong track record of graduate employability, with many students going on to work in senior leadership positions in faith-based organisations.

Student Experience

• The University offers a range of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, Birmingham.
• Students can get involved in a variety of activities outside of their studies, including sports, cultural events, and volunteer work.
• The University has a strong sense of community, with a range of student societies and clubs available to join.

Student Stories

• The University has a range of student profiles and stories available, showcasing the experiences of current and former students on the Faith-Based Leadership MPA course.
• These stories highlight the benefits of the course, including the opportunity to learn from other leaders from a variety of different faiths and to apply learning in a practical context.