If you can't find your question in this list then make sure to get in touch with us.

• Do I gain an official qualification if I complete the Leadership Academy programme?
• Is there government funding available to me such as student loans to help with my finances?
• How much money will I need for general living costs?
• What if I live outside of the European Economic Area, can I still come to Leadership Academy?
• How easy is it to find work in Bradford?
• Will I need a car?
• Do I need a laptop or desktop computer?
• I am married and we have children, can I still do the course?
• Is there any good local childcare / schools for my children?
• I think I am too old to do the Leadership Academy?
• I am thinking of applying, can I come and visit the Academy?
• How intense is the course?
• What provisions are made for those with a physical disability or a learning difficulty?
• What is the weather like in England?
• What pastoral support will be available to me?
• Who will my main lecturers be?
• Do I still have to pay to attend the Abundant Life Church conferences?
• How long do I have to wait to get a response from you once I have submitted my application?
• Are there any extra costs along the way other than the ones advertised?

• Q. Do I gain an official qualification if I complete the Leadership Academy programme?
A. Not currently. When students complete the course there is a graduation ceremony held on the Saturday evening of the last week of the course (usually the last Saturday in June). This is a celebration of the student's who have completed the course and each student receives a certificate. However, this certificate is from Abundant Life Church and does not hold any educational value in the secular world.
• Q. Is there government funding available to me such as student loans to help with my finances?
A. Because we are not validated or affiliated with a university there is no such financial support available to students. As part of the application process we want to ensure that students have a plan in place to pay their tuition fees and have finances to cover their living costs whilst they study with us. Within the weekly Academy timetable there is enough space to work for up to about 20 hours a week – probably 2 or 3 afternoons a week and Saturday – if this becomes necessary for students. Whilst we would encourage students to save up enough money so that they don't have to work, the reality is 80% of our students will work at some point during the academic year.
• Q. How much money will I need for general living costs?
A. Excluding tuition fee payments, we would recommend that students have around £500 per month for living expenses. Based on an average shared house this money would be spent on the following per month: £250 rent, £35 gas electricity and water bills, £20 TV and internet bills, £30 mobile phone, £40 transport. £120 food, £40 socialising. These costs may vary depending the type of accommodation the student chooses to live in and the standard they wish to live at.
• Q. What if I live outside of the European Economic Area, can I still come to Leadership Academy?
A. Currently UK visa law does not allow students from outside of the European Economic area (this is all the countries within the EU and in addition: Iceland, Liechtenstien, Norway and Switzerland). If you are a resident from outside of the EEA you need to obtain a tier 4 visa to enter the UK to study. Unfortunately the Leadership Academy is not affiliated with a university and therefore we are unable to issue tier 4 visas.
• Q. How easy is it to find work in Bradford?
A. Bradford is a large city with a population of 500,000. The city centre is about 20 minutes walk from the church campus and has many shops and other places that students might find employment. In the current UK economic climate finding work anywhere is a challenge, but jobs are there if you are willing to look hard and put together a strong CV. We will support students in there job search where possible.
• Q. Will I need a car?
A. Having a car as a student is a useful luxury, but not essential. Most students housing is a 10 minute walk away from the church campus and the city centre is only an additional 20 minutes walk from here. Bradford has a good public transport system and there are buses that regularly run in and out of the city centre. Leeds is only a 20 minute train journey away from either of Bradford's two stations. From here it is possible to access most other major cities in the UK within a few hours by train.
• Q. Do I need a laptop or desktop computer?
A. Students will find it very beneficial to have their own computer whilst they study with us. Lecture notes are often provided in an electronic format and assignments must be submitted electronically. If students do not own their own computer the Leadership Academy has a small library with several internet ready PCs which are open to use at anytime the campus is open.
• Q. I am married and we have children, can I still do the course?
A. We often enroll couples with children on the course. Sometimes the couple may both be doing the course, other times only one of them will be doing the course. If you are a couple and you are thinking of re-locating to Bradford to come and study with us, please get in touch with us and we can put you in touch with other couple who have made the same move previously and might be able to help you with the specific challenges that this brings.
• Q. Is there any good local childcare / schools for my children?
A. Yes. We have an Ofsted registered daycare facility on site for 0 – 4 year olds. If you are moving in from outside the UK the English school system is generally organized in two stages. Schools for children from 4 – 11 years are called primary schools and then schools for 11 – 16 years are called secondary schools. There are many different schools in Bradford and you would need to talk to the local governing body to get access for your child. They are simply called education Bradford and their website is www.educationbradford.com. If you require advice about a specific school please get in touch with us.
• Q. I think I am too old to do the Leadership Academy?
A. The average age of most first year classes is around 30. We always have a group of 18 – 22 year olds who come and study with us just before or just after university. The rest of the class are then a spread of different ages right up to those in their 50s and 60s.
• Q. I am thinking of applying, can I come and visit the Academy?
A. Yes, we organise individual open days based on your travel arrangements and availability. Visits can happen anytime when regular classes are on – this would need to be Monday – Friday during term time. Please contact us if you have a specific date in mind. You will have an opportunity to sit in on a class or two and spend some time with someone from the Academy team. You are welcome to bring your parents or pastors with you on this type of visit. You are also welcome to visit the church on any Sunday you wish to, we can arrange for you to speak to someone from the Academy team when you visit if you contact us ahead of time.
• Q. How intense is the course?
A. You get as much out of the course as you are willing to put in. There is a minimum standard of attendance required to pass the course, and in addition the assignments must be completed and students must complete their service skills too. However students who tend to get the most out of their time with us are those who throw themselves whole-heartedly not just into the course, but into the church and take every opportunity to get involved in the ministry activity that is happening across the congregation.
• Q. What is the weather like in England?
A. Bradford features a changeable, temperate climate and due to its northerly position tends to feature more noticeable extremes of weather, with warm summers contrasting with cold winter weather, heavy frosts and potential snow.
When you move to Bradford we recommend you bring plenty of warm and waterproof clothes and footwear.
• Q. What provisions are made for those with a physical disability or a learning difficulty?
A. We make provisions for this on an individual basis. We can provide extra support where necessary and also tailor particular aspects of the course to an individual's physical capability. If you feel like either of these apply to you, please make us aware as part of the interview process and we can discuss this further with you.
• Q. What pastoral support will be available to me?
A. Each week students will be involved in two seminar groups. These are small groups of about 10 students. Your seminar group leaders will be with you all year and see you pretty much every week on the timetable. In addition to this Academy team members are around in the office every day if you require some support. Also, students will be closely working with a church staff member in their serving. These interaction opportunities will provide students with pastoral care through the relationships they develop.
• Q. Who will my main lecturers be?
A. There is a core team over 20 lecturers who you will see on a daily basis. Most of these will be church staff members, particularly Stephen Matthew, Dave Niblock, Matt Hooper, Clare Hooper, Tim Staples, Steve Gambill and Mark Stevens. Paul Scanlon and Charlotte Gambill will also teach some sessions. In addition to this we host several guest tutors through the course of each Academy year. Most of these are pastors who will speak on a Sunday in church and then stay through for Academy on the Monday.
• Q. Do I still have to pay to attend the Abundant Life Church conferences?
A. No, as a student on the course you will be involved with serving at the conferences to help make them happen. You will be involved in a particular area where you will have responsibility and a chance to apply the skills you are learning in the classroom. Where possible students will get a chance to sit in sessions, but the primary focus is on serving and being involved in make these great events happen.
• Q. How long do I have to wait to get a response from you once I have submitted my application?
A. Once we have received your application form we will either send off for your pastoral reference (if your application is online) or wait for it come in the post (if your application is postal). Once we have received the reference we will contact you immediately and arrange an interview date. Depending on your availability for an interview the whole process from start to finish typically ranges from 2 – 4 weeks.
• Q. Are there any extra costs along the way other than the ones advertised?
A. In addition to the £1500 tuition fee the only additional cost is a £40 robe hire charge which full-time students must pay to hire academic robes for their graduation. This can be paid on registration day or at any time during term 1 and 2.