Dispersed Learning

Through our dispersed learning track, you can live a distance from the college and still benefit from studying at Trinity without moving home. Our dispersed learners can complete the Diploma in Theology, Ministry and Mission in two years or the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Theology, Ministry and Mission in three years, both accredited by Durham University.

Dispersed learning students attend college for six block weeks during the academic year. These include a welcome week with some teaching in September and four other teaching block weeks. The sixth block week in May is a retreat/formation week. Block weeks commence at lunchtime on Monday and end at lunchtime on Friday to give time for travel from a distance. There is some time dedicated to reflection during the block weeks, and we are also intentional about building community within our dispersed learning cohort and facilitating worship and engagement with the wider community.

During the weeks between block weeks, students log into a weekly virtual tutor group and seminar (pictured below), using our excellent ‘lifesize’ video conferencing facility or other virtual means to connect the cohort and tutors, offering additional support for learning in context and formation. Students who are local may choose to attend these sessions in person.

Close integration between your context and the college is a priority, building on Trinity’s expertise in contextual training. We regularly visit our dispersed learners in their context and closely liaise with their context supervisors. The college offers support and training to supervisors to facilitate your engagement in context, and supervisors are aware of your academic modules and assignments in order to help you integrate theory and practice in supervision sessions. Such integration will also be a strong theme of the seminars at college, as our tutors ensure that you relate your studies to your ministry. Students benefit from access to a faculty member dedicated to the oversight and development of this form of training.

The balance of context engagement and study is designed to facilitate a high quality rigorous academic programme integrated with contextual engagement. This is organised as

• Two-and-a-half days in personal study a week, plus half a day spent in seminars and with your tutor group, accessed either in college or virtually.
• Two days plus Sundays in context inclusive of supervision time with your church supervisor. Clear expectations are given to supervisors in relation to your engagement in context.
• You have one day a week for rest from the programme.

Are you a pioneer? Find out more about our pioneer cohort, which includes both residential and non-residential/dispersed students.

For further information about dispersed learning or questions regarding admissions contact admissions@trinitycollegebristol.ac.uk or 0117 968 0254.