Course Format
In this half-speed version of Dynamics of Biblical Change, students have a fortnight in which to watch the lectures and complete the reading and assignments for that “week”, all at time that suits their own schedule. An online message-board offers interaction with other students. We estimate the minimum time commitment as 10-12 hours per fortnight.
Feedback on coursework is provided by BCUK graders, and students have the option of attending two online seminars and/or dropping in to any of the tutor cafés offered – these give students the opportunity to ask questions of a BCUK tutor.
Further Study
What can I study after DBC 6 Months?
The next course is Helping Relationships. You can take this either as part of the Certificate Programme over 10 weeks, or continue on the 6 Month Pathway.
Helping Relationships runs from January to March in the Certificate Programme, and from January to July in the 6 Month Pathway.
Once students have passed both Dynamics of Biblical Change and Helping Relationships, they can take any of our other courses.
What is the 6 Month Pathway?
The 6 Month Pathway offers students the option of taking the three courses in the Foundation Certificate in Conversational Ministry at half-speed:
Dynamics of Biblical Change 6 Months
Helping Relationships 6 Months
Church Pastoral Care 6 Months
They are all are offered from January to July each year.
What's the difference between the 6 Month Pathway and the regular Certificate Programme?
Dynamics of Biblical Change
The regular DBC course requires attendance at 5 two-hour seminars (either online or in person) – in these seminars students discuss the course material and practise its content with a small cohort of fellow students. The DBC 6 Months course has two optional seminars open to anyone on the DBC 6 Months course – plus a series of optional tutor cafés where you can drop in and meet a tutor, and ask any questions you might have. The 6 months course offers contact with tutors but does not offer the same level of guided learning, and this is reflected in the cheaper price of DBC 6 Months.
Helping Relationships and Church Pastoral Care
Helping Relationships and Church Pastoral Care are exactly the same offering, including five 2-hour seminars per course.
In the 6 Month pathway, the seminars are all online (with a daytime and an evening option). In the regular Certificate Programme, seminars are offered in both geographical and online venues (see Certificate Programme venues.)
Can I earn a Foundation Certificate on the 6 Month Pathway?
Yes. Students are eligible for a Foundation Certificate of Completion when they have passed the three courses in the Foundation Certificate, and satisfied the seminar attendance of 7 out of 10 seminars (for Helping Relationships and Church Pastoral Care), with no more than 2 seminars missed in either course.
You will need to make up the contact hours for DBC, which you can do through our Access Programme, or by transferring to the regular Certificate Programme and attending seminars for DBC.
Download information about the Access Programme ↗
Can I switch between the 6 Month Pathway and the regular Certificate Programme?
Yes, space in seminar venues permitting.
What are the costs of the 6 Month Pathway and the regular Certificate Programme?
DBC 6 Months costs £475.
All other courses in the 6 Month Pathway and the regular Certificate Programme cost £515.
The Access Programme costs £55.
