Getting ready to apply

Attend an open morning

We'd love to meet you in person and start to get to know you, and the best way to do that is to come to an Open Morning.  You'll be able to get a much better feel in person for our ethos, student experience and training and you'll have plenty of opportunity to ask your questions.  Visit our open morning page to see the in-person and Zoom options for 2023/24.

Discuss with your church leadership

On the application form, you’ll be asked whether your church leadership is supportive of you training for ministry. Please ensure that you discuss your application with your church leadership. You might also want to share with them the 'sending minister reference form' (see right-hand panel) so you're both aware of what they need to do and when.

Read ‘Why Oak Hill’ and relevant programme information

Visit 'Why Oak Hill' and decide which programme and mode of study you’re interested in. Check you meet the academic and English language entry requirements for your chosen programme.  

Are you applying for recognition of prior learning (RPL)?

• RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) is when you ask to have previous theological study taken into account, such that you don't have to take certain modules with us or you can join the programme without having to start at the beginning.
• You may submit an application for RPL either for exemption from one or more individual modules (normally only compulsory modules) or advanced standing (exemption from an entire year/level of study) to enter directly into a higher year/level of study, where there is clear evidence of compatibility of learning outcomes and comparability of content.
• The length of time between completing the prior study for which exemption or advanced standing is being sought and starting a programme at Oak Hill is normally no longer than five years. 
• The maximum amount of RPL that can be applied for is two-thirds of the total credits required for the qualification being applied for.
• Please see the 'Guidance notes for completing the application form' for details of what information you need to include with your application. 
• If you have any questions about providing information about your prior study, please contact us in the Admissions Office.
• For further details, please see the Student Transfer Policy.

Are you applying for postgraduate study?

• As part of your application, you are required to submit details of your previous theological education.  Please see the 'Guidance notes for completing the application form' for details of what information you need to include with your application. 
• If you do not have a transcript and/or module information, please contact your previous college/university to request it.  If you are unable to provide this information at the point of submitting your application, there will be a delay to the process. 
• If you have any questions about providing information about your prior study, please contact us in the Admissions Office.
• Former Oak Hill students who have completed the PGDip at Oak Hill, may apply to top up to the MA.  The length of time between completing the PGDip and starting on the MA top up is normally no longer than five years.  Please contact the Admissions Office for the relevant application form and guidance notes.

Read these documents

We have produced a number of helpful documents which we would encourage you to read before submitting an application:

• placements information page - to find out what part placements play in your training
• fees information - to find out about the costs involved in training 
• our financial assurances process for independents and ordinands - to help you know what's involved in this and how to prepare
• accommodation & study space information - to find out how the application process works and when you can expect to hear the outcome of any application
• the academic calendar - to find out about the structure and rhythm of the academic year
• the terms and conditions - to find out what you sign to agree if you accept an offer of a place 

References

Your sending minister reference needs to be submitted at the same time as your application. Please note we are unable to proceed with your application until we have received your sending minister reference.

In addition to your sending minister reference, you need to provide on your application form details of two further referees who have known you for at least two years. We will require references from:

• Your employer or tutor/teacher
• A personal friend

Please do not give more than one referee from the same church (unless you are working at the church). We cannot accept references from members of your family.

• Our closing date for undergraduate applications is ‍12noon Friday 31 May 2024.
• If you’re applying for a postgraduate programme or recognition of prior learning, please note the earlier closing date of Tuesday 7 May 2024 (12noon). 
• For former Oak Hill students applying to top up from the PGDip to the MA, the closing date for applying is Monday 25 March 2024 (12noon).
• If you’d like to be invited to a specific interview day, please submit your application and Sending Minister Reference at least two weeks ahead of that date, bearing in mind that any invitation will be subject to the availability of places for the day.

When can I apply as an Anglican ordinand?

• We normally require you to have the permission of your DDO to look at colleges before submitting an application.
• We don't require you to be already recommended for ordination training before you submit an application.
• If you are unsure as to when to apply in relation to your Stage 2 Discernment Panel, or your Stage 2 is due to take place after our closing date for applications, please do contact us in the Admissions Office to arrange a conversation to discuss the best way to proceed. 
• If you come for an interview prior to your Stage 2, we wouldn't then ask you to respond to any offer made until after you know the outcome of your Stage 2.

Sending minister reference

• Please download the sending minister reference form which you can find in the right hand panel on this page and give it to your sending minister to complete.
• Once completed, they are to email it directly to the Admissions Office.
• To complete the reference form, they will need to refer to the graduate profile and accompanying note, which can also be found in the panel.
• Please ensure they know when you want to submit your application, so they can ensure they submit their reference at the same time and avoid causing any delay to your application being processed.

Read the guidance notes - any queries?

• Before completing the application form, please read the guidance notes which you can find in the right hand panel of this page.
• They will give you an idea of all the information you need to have to hand. You’ll then need to refer to the notes as you complete each section of the form.
• If you’re in doubt about any aspect of the application form or have any technical difficulties completing it, please contact the Admissions Office. 
• When you’ve completed your form, return it by email to the Admissions Office (please see the guidance notes for the email address).

Application form

• Please download the application form from the link below. Complete electronically, save as 'Your name - Oak Hill Application Form' and email it to the Admissions Office.
• To complete the form, you will need to refer to the graduate profile and accompanying note, which can be found in the right hand panel.
• Please ensure your sending minister reference form is submitted at the same time as we will not proceed with any application until we have also received your sending minister's reference.