Youth Ministry & Spirituality

The Higher Diploma in Youth Ministry and Spirituality is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time programme that equips learners to engage in practice as youth pastoral ministers in a professional manner.

Admissions requirements Entry requirements for the Higher Diploma in Youth Ministry and Spirituality (Code - MU722 ) have been set in order to select potential students who have the proven academic ability to undertake a Level 8 Higher Diploma course. The admissions policy aims to attract and recruit motivated applicants across the full range of possible access routes. Students 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 are required to have a recognised degree qualification where theology is at least a minor component. Applicants with other degrees may be considered if they have relevant experience in pastoral ministry to young people. They will be required to take courses in theology to qualify for admission to the programme. Evidence of such employment, its nature and level will be required. This will be considered in the interview process and the decision of the panel (see below) will be final. 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 will 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. * Acceptance of applicants to the programme is conditional on the availability of appropriate placement. * Pastoral placements are arranged by the Programme Coordinator in conjunction with the Pastoral Practice Module Coordinator. * All candidates who are accepted to this programme must undergo Garda Vetting. All offers will be conditional until successful completion of the Garda Vetting process.