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Centre for Catholic Studies

CCS Distance Learning Bursary Fund for 2025-26

This information can be downloaded as a pdf: CCS Distance Learning Bursary Fund Notes 2025-26 Oct 2024

Only candidates applying to Durham University for the:

MA (V8K807) / PG Diploma (V8K812) / PG Certificate (V8K814) /

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Module (V8K118)

in Catholic Theology by Distance Learning

are eligible to apply [1]

Please note: All bursaries are towards tuition fees for the Distance Learning programmes in Catholic Theology only and will be awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need, coupled with excellent academic performance.

An application form may be obtained from the CCS Manager theresa.phillips@durham.ac.uk, or downloaded at CCS Distance Learning Bursary Fund Application Form 2025-26 and must be returned to the CCS Manager by the deadline given below.

Before submitting an application, applicants must complete a standard DU application for postgraduate admission on-line (citing ‘CCS Scholarship’ in the Field of Study area and in the Finance/funding section). Applicants must have been formally offered a place on their chosen programme in Catholic Theology by Distance Learning before their application to the CCS Bursary Fund can be considered. The advised deadline for completing the online programme application with all supporting documents is given below. (For details on how to apply see Application Process - Durham University)

CCS DISTANCE LEARNING BURSARY FUND  

(one-year, renewable)

The CCS at Durham University invites applications from full-time and part-time candidates for fixed-term bursaries for the MA / PG Diploma / PG Certificate / CPD module in Catholic Theology by Distance Learning.

The limited bursary funds available will be awarded on a competitive basis as partial support towards tuition fees. The total amount need not be awarded in a given year and may be split between candidates.

All bursaries will be awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need, coupled with excellent academic performance and potential

Successful applicants need to be willing to contribute to the Centre for Catholic Studies as requested, specifically to help encourage awareness of the Distance Learning programme, and to help nurture donor support for the CCS Bursary Fund. This might involve making a modest video, or writing up a short article about their studies.

In all cases, applicants are required to state their financial position and to update the CCS Manager of any changes to their financial situation after submitting their application and during the period of any award.

Before applying to the CCS Bursary Fund applicants must complete a standard DU application for the MA in Catholic Theology by Distance Learning with all supporting documents by Sunday 15 June 2025.

Closing date for applications to the CCS Bursary Fund for 2025/26 is Sunday 6 July 2025.

THE NOTES

Please read the notes below carefully before submitting your application to the CCS Bursary Fund.

  1. To be eligible for consideration, the applicant will be registered for either the MA in Catholic Theology by Distance Learning (V8K807), or the PG Diploma in Catholic Theology by Distance Learning (V8K812), or the PG Certificate in Catholic Theology by Distance Learning (V8K814), or the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) module in Catholic Theology by Distance Learning (V8K118).
  2. It is important that applicants complete their online programme application by the deadlines given above as applicants to the CCS Bursary Fund must have been formally offered a place on a Catholic Theology by Distance Learning programme (V8K807, V8K812 or V8K814) before their application to the CCS Bursary Fund can be considered.
  3. All tuition fee-only bursaries will be awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need, coupled with excellent academic performance. The applicant’s household income should be below £42,875 as determined by Student Finance England.
  4. Receipt of any bursary from the CCS Bursary Fund implies that recipients will be willing to contribute to the Centre for Catholic Studies as requested, specifically to help encourage awareness of the Distance Learning programme, and to help nurture donor support for the CCS Bursary Fund. This might involve making a modest video, or writing up a short article about their studies.
  5. Following application and during the period of any award, receipt of any other scholarship, bursary, or financial assistance towards the cost of tuition fees and/or associated living costs must be declared to the CCS Manager and may lead to a reduction in (and in extreme circumstances total cancellation of) the level of the bursary award. Failure to declare any such additional assistance will automatically carry the penalty of total cancellation of any CCS bursary award. 
  6. Due to the limited funding available, support cannot be given towards maintenance costs, just partial assistance towards tuition fees.
  7. Awards are made for one full academic year and do not imply commitment to renewal for future years of study.
  8. That said, priority will be given, where possible, to students who have already been in receipt of a bursary from the CCS Bursary Fund during the previous academic year and who have at least one further year of study to pursue. Further awards are subject both to sufficient funds being available and to a satisfactory progress report being received from the Course Director prior to the meeting of the CCS Scholarships Committee.

Please direct any queries to: Mrs Theresa Phillips, CCS Manager, Department of Theology and Religion - +44 (0) 191 334 3952 or theresa.phillips@durham.ac.uk

durham.ac.uk/theology.religion      centreforcatholicstudies.co.uk

[1] Further eligibility criteria are contained in the following notes.