Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies
The Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies (CCRS) is awarded by the Board of Religious Studies on behalf of the Bishop's Conference of England and Wales.
It is strongly recommended for anyone who wants to teach in a Catholic school as well as anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge and understanding of Catholic faith and theology. The CCRS is delivered as a two-year rolling programme and requires completion of a total of eight modules: six core and two specialist modules. Four modules are offered each academic year, and so it is possible to complete the course within two years or else take up to five years as allowed by the Board of Studies.
There are two options for taking CCRS with Liverpool Hope University: CCRS for full-time Hope registered students and CCRS Online for external candidates. In both cases, modules are currently hosted in the university’s virtual learning site and there is no requirement for campus attendance. Media-rich learning resources invite independent study and reflection together with interactive activities for collaborative exchange among tutors and students. It is possible to transfer onto the CCRS Online from another CCRS local centre, providing that the entire certificate (all eight units) is completed within a period of five years following registration with the Board of Studies. The CCRS Online external modules currently cost £100 per module and Liverpool Hope registered student modules cost £75 per module.
Both options require a £25 Board of Studies registration fee. Module registration and payment can be made via the University online store.
For further information, please see our CCRS booklet.
For all enquiries relating to the CCRS course at Liverpool Hope University please email: ccrsonline@hope.ac.uk.
FAQs
What is the CCRS and how can I do it?
The CCRS website is a good place to find out more about the CCRS course across England and Wales.
Can I do it within a year?
The Board of Religious Studies expectation is that it should take two years, and most course providers, including CCRS Online, structure their provision accordingly.
Do I have to start in September?
Some providers may require this; you need to ask them. The full CCRS consists of eight modules, six core and two specialist, which can be chosen from what’s offered by an individual provider. The CCRS Online course treats each module as separate so you can begin at any of the first three module start-up points in the year.
How much does it cost?
Each provider sets the charges for their own provision, so you need to ask them. Payment is often by module, so the cost can be spread out. CCRS Online charges are £100 per module for external students and £75 per module for Liverpool Hope University registered students, payable in advance for each module.
How do I sign up for CCRS Online?
You need to register your interest, simply by email to ccrsonline@hope.ac.uk. We then place your name on the waiting list for the next available module; as explained above they can be taken in almost any order.
Does being on the waiting list guarantee me a place?
No, because we have to cap our numbers and our policy is to give ‘first refusal’ to existing students. The earlier in the cycle of modules you register your interest the better chance you will have.
How do I actually book?
A few weeks before the start-date of a module we will open Hope Online Store for bookings, and advise you of this by email. The online store is a simple, secure and very straightforward method of booking, by card. We are not able to invoice a school, parish or individual for module payment.
My school or parish have agreed to sponsor me. Can you invoice them?
No, payment must be by card. We will advise how you can handle this on request.
What are the CCRS online modules to be taught next?
In 2024/25 three core modules will be taught, Church (autumn term 2024), Sacraments (January - March 2025), Christian Morality (March - May 2025), together with a specialist module, World Religions (June - July 2025).
What is the time commitment?
The Board of Religious Studies expectation is that each module requires ten hours attendance, plus further reading, plus the research and time needed to prepare and write the assignment. The equivalent is expected for CCRS Online course, with the attendance replaced by the reading of online material and contributions to online discussion forums and journals. Except for the intensive summer modules, all modules run for about eight to ten weeks, and the online activities are best handled on a weekly basis mapping onto the weekly release of the material. There is no set time when you must be online so you can manage your own study time accordingly.
Can I do it at my own pace?
There are no set times when you must log in. The modules do run to a timetable and have starting and closing dates as well as topic completion deadlines and the final end date by which you need to submit the module assessment. We always advise that those taking CCRS Online modules organise a weekly study schedule for themselves and try and stick to it. Regular engagement with the course enhances the learning experience of each individual participant and of the entire group.
Any further questions?
Please email ccrsonline@hope.ac.uk if you have further queries about the CCRS Online course. Please note that we cannot answer any questions relating to specific jobs, which you will need to pursue with your school/parish/employer. Likewise, detailed questions relating to any other CCRS provider need to be directed to the specific provider and you can find details at the national website (address stated above).