BIBLICAL STUDIES
Begin your journey of studying heart-transforming theology
Theology for all of life
Our Certificate and Diploma in Biblical Studies allow you to study theology with experienced pastor-theologians at your own pace, and be equipped to serve Christ wherever you are.
CertBS
CERTIFICATE in BIBLICAL STUDIES
Level: UK Level 4
Reading: Short set reading before each lecture
Assessment: Multiple-choice quizzes only
Duration: 6–12 months
Best for those:
Newer to theological study
Wanting structured learning without essays
Seeking an efficient way to study theology
DipBS
DIPLOMA in BIBLICAL STUDIES
Level: UK Level 5
Reading: Required reading list
Assessment: Multiple-choice quizzes + 3 written assignments
Duration: 18–24 months
Best for those:
Exploring full time ministry training
Wanting credits towards MDiv/BDiv/MAR
Seeking a deeper level of study than the Certificate
Beautiful truth, taught beautifully
Our Certificate and Diploma in Biblical Studies are taught by our faculty: experienced pastor-theologians passionate about helping deepen your understanding of and love for Christ.
Introduction to Apologetics
Taught by Peter Sanlon
Introduction to Reformed Theology
Taught by Donald John MacLean
Modern Church History
Taught by Ian Hamilton
A learning experience tailored to you
Our Diploma in Biblical Studies courses deliver high quality content in an accessible format, so that you can learn at your own pace.
Learn wherever you are, whenever you want
Delivered 100% online, our Diploma in Biblical Studies is designed to work around you and your commitments, allowing you to learn and apply your training at your own pace.
Receive the support you need
Your personal academic tutor is on hand to help you get the most out of your studies and offer support whenever you need it.
Access world-class theological teaching at your fingertips
Our online learning platform lets you access your learning material on any device, bringing theological teaching of the highest quality within your reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
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This programme is for anyone who wants to know and love Jesus more.
What makes the programme special is how rigorous it is. You'll be taking a deep dive into church history, systematic theology, biblical studies, apologetics and practical theology, taught at a depth that's normally only encountered within an MDiv degree.
In fact, nearly all credits achieved within the Diploma can be carried over to a Westminster UK Master's degree.
Our experienced teachers have worked hard to make this an accessible course. You'll find that ideas are explained with a beautiful clarity, and driven home with passion. A personal academic tutor will give you the support you need—even if English is not your native language.
Maybe you're a church office-bearer, a Sunday school or an RE teacher; perhaps a home-schooling parent; or maybe you are exploring a call to the ministry and want to begin study before quitting the job you now have—this course is designed for you.
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The Diploma in Biblical Studies is a Level 5 qualification, equivalent in difficulty to the second year of a Bachelor degree, or a Higher National Diploma.
As such, graduating Diploma students accepted onto our ministry track (BDiv or MDiv) will be awarded credit for courses studied via the Diploma, where assignment grades are secure.
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We estimate that with an hour or two a day, five days a week, the Diploma will take around 18-24 months to complete. The beauty is that you work at your own pace, watching lectures when it suits you, honouring your commitment to family, work, church and everything else God has called you to right now.
Take courses one at a time or run two or three in parallel. Limit yourself to required reading or pursue an area of interest using our carefully curated ‘recommended reading’. Blitz a course in a month or spread it over six. The Diploma gives you full control over how you approach your studies.
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A monthly subscription costs £75, and it covers:
The Westminster Learning Portal, where you'll access your lectures, assignments and all supporting materials
A personal academic tutor to guide and support you, mark assignments and provide feedback
Borrowing rights at Westminster UK’s library in Newcastle
A signed Diploma scroll containing the Westminster UK seal, along with a transcript of courses studied
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Our courses are taught by pastor-theologians: men with a love for the Lord, expertise in their subject, and years of pastoral experience. They share a conviction that theology should be affectionate and practical, warming our hearts with love for Christ, and helping us live lives that are transformed by that love.
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Yes. Each course is assessed in two ways:
Self-marking quizzes follow each lecture, aimed at checking your understanding
Written assignments, such as a book review or an essay, are submitted to your tutor for marking and feedback
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Students accepted onto a Westminster UK degree programme may apply for exemption for those Diploma courses in which they’ve achieved a C-grade or higher. A Diploma graduate accepted onto our MDiv will have completed 14% of the programme; for a Master of Arts in Religion, the figure is 37%.
Note that Master of Arts places at Westminster UK are limited.
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Yes. If you need to suspend your subscription at any point your account won’t be deleted for a while. To carry on where you left off just resubscribe within twelve months.
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Yes. We’re keen to incentivise group working and are delighted to offer a 20% discount:
to a group of four or more where one member of the group takes leadership responsibility.
to a husband and wife both working on the Diploma
Get in touch to receive your discount code.
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The DipBS is accredited by Westminster Seminary UK. Upon graduating, students receive a signed Diploma or Certificate scroll containing the WSUK seal, along with a transcript of the courses covered.
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Our faculty have worked hard to weave into each course the best that’s been thought and said on the subject.
We’ve uploaded short readings on the learning hub for you, along with books that are out of copyright.
In a typical course there will be a couple of books on the required reading list that haven’t been uploaded; these typically cost around £10 each.
When it comes to the essays you will generally have a choice of title. This is where you will need to go beyond required reading to research material specific to your chosen topic. The recommended reading list is a starting point here. Some titles we’ve been able to source online, and are available via hyperlink.
Of course, the more you read the more you learn; you might like to join Perlego’s online library, where a yearly plan costs £8 per month. Perlego has over a million volumes, but it doesn’t have everything. Do consider buying second-hand; Amazon and eBay sell excellent theological books at good prices. If you live within travelling distance of a theological seminary or library, just ask if you can make use of it; they will normally be happy to oblige!
Start studying with us
Sign up for our Diploma in Biblical Studies below:
Equivalent monthly price of these courses when taught in person:
£150
per month
OUR DIPLOMA IN BIBLICAL STUDIES PRICE:
£75
per month
✓ Choose 7 in-depth courses from a growing list of options
✓ Learn from experienced pastor-theologians
✓ Access learning material anywhere on any device
✓ Get monthly support from a personal academic tutor
✓ Carry over course credits to our MDiv degree
✓ Cancel at any time
By signing up to our Diploma in Biblical Studies, you agree to receive communications from us. You can opt out at any time.
Do you have further questions?
If you have further questions about our Diploma in Biblical Studies, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us—simply fill out the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.