Youth Ministry & Spirituality

The Diploma in Youth Ministry and Spirituality is designed to be a pathway for learners who do not hold a degree in theology or youth ministry but who have sufficient and appropriate experience of working in youth ministry.

Entry requirements for the Diploma in Youth Ministry and Spirituality have been set in order to select potential learners who have the proven academic ability to undertake a Level 7 Diploma course. The admissions policy aims to attract and recruit motivated applicants across the full range of possible access routes. Applicants may have a background in any academic discipline. The overriding principle upon which admission decisions are based is that applicants should be likely to benefit from and succeed on the course. Minimum entry requirements for the course Formal Education Applicants should normally hold Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) from a recognised education institution with a minimum of a pass in five subjects. Applicants without a formal HE qualification, or where the formal qualification is not at the equivalent academic standard, may be considered if the following conditions apply: * Applicants with experience in youth ministry or other relevant experience of pastoral ministry but who do not hold a primary degree may be considered for entry. They will be required to provide evidence of such employment. This will be considered at interview and the decision of the panel (see below) will be final. * Applicants may be required to take courses in theology to qualify for admission. English language requirement Applicants must have: * had their secondary education taught and assessed in English; or * an IELTS score of 6 with a minimum of 5.5 in the writing component or another English Language Test recognised by St Patrick’s Pontifical University. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to satisfy the English language requirement. Interview Applicants who have met the minimum entry requirements may be formally interviewed. The purpose of the interview is to determine the suitability of the candidate to undertake and complete the course. The panel will also consider any equivalent or non-standard admission qualifications. In so doing, the panel may require additional evidence from the candidate to support the candidate’s request for consideration for equivalency, such as the nature and level of the work experience. Note: even if an applicant meets our minimum admission requirements, the University cannot guarantee a place on the course. Recognition of Prior Learning Applicants with prior certificated or experiential learning at the same level of the qualification for which they wish to apply are advised to contact the admissions team. Please Note: Application forms must be completed in full, and all documentation must be provided BEFORE an application can be considered. Applicants will not be called for interview if an application is incomplete. Successful interviews are an essential part of the selection process.