“Perhaps women who are fully in charge of a new venture, for which there are no established ground rules, can bring the gift of …‘elasticity of spirit’ into the world of Christian institutions.”
Dr Helen Forshaw SHCJ
The way we work with awarding universities
We are very fortunate to work with both universities in Cambridge – the historic and world-renowned University of Cambridge, and the modern Anglia Ruskin University, with its commitment to professional awards and to the region of East Anglia. These universities assure the national standards of our awards.
Moreover, anyone who studies with us has the benefits of multiple educational citizenship:
- Close community in the Margaret Beaufort Institute
- Wider fellowship within the Cambridge Theological Federation (CTF)
- Participation in a large institution of higher education, with access to student services and learning resources.
All Federation students have access to the Divinity Faculty library, whether or not they are taking a Cambridge University award.
University of Cambridge
We are an Allied Institute of the University of Cambridge, as are all Federation members, and have strong long-established links with the Divinity Faculty of Cambridge University. Our staff are Affiliated Lecturers of Cambridge University.
Awards
Two awards offered by the Federation have been designed by the University with the Federation specifically for Federation students:
- Certificate in Theology for Ministry
- Bachelor of Theology for Ministry.
They are mainly taught by CTF staff, although some options can be taken from the BA Tripos in Theology and are taught by lecturers from the Divinity Faculty of Cambridge University.
Other awards offered by the Divinity Faculty are available for Institute students if they meet the admissions criteria. These are:
- BA in Theology and Religious Studies (the Tripos)
- MPhil and Diploma in Religious Studies
Institute students who are taking a Cambridge University undergraduate or postgraduate award are also members of a Cambridge college, and are thus full members of Cambridge University. The particular college is determined by the Institute in discussion with the CTF and the Colleges.
Anglia Ruskin University
There has been a Partnership Agreement between the CTF and Anglia Ruskin University since 1994. Staff of the CTF are Associate Lecturers of Anglia Ruskin University, and because the University does not teach theology itself, the CTF functions in effect as the theology department within the University.
Awards
Under the Agreement, the CTF is able to design courses for validation by Anglia Ruskin. Currently we offer two Anglia Ruskin-validated awards:
- Foundation Degree/BA Honours in Christian Theology
- MA in Pastoral Theology (which has an optional Healthcare Chaplaincy route).
The CTF also offers the University’s two doctoral programmes – the Professional Doctorate in Practical Theology and the Doctor of Philosophy.
Our relationship with Anglia Ruskin University and in particular with the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is a happy and vibrant one which provides many opportunities for staff and students of the CTF. Institute students taking any Anglia Ruskin award are also full members of that University, and entitled to use many of its services.
