The Archbishop’s Certificate is the principal training course in the Archdiocese of Southwark whose aim is to equip and support catechists and lay leaders in evangelisation and formation.
Applications for 2024-2026 are now closed - 2025-2027 will open soon
What is the Archbishop’s Certificate?
The Archbishop’s Certificate (ArchCert) is an online course and is available for all those, both in and outside the Diocese, who proclaim their faith to others: as evangelisers, catechists or adult formators.
It is a course for all wishing to know their Catholic faith more deeply no matter their stage in life.
You will take a systematic journey through the Church’s teaching to understand your own faith in a more profound way and be able to share your faith with confidence and joy.
See below for further course details.
Find out more
Download the information booklet for the ArchCert (PDF)
What is the course structure and how will I be supported?
This is a systematic course with study over 24 months. You will be expected to attend three in-person Saturday sessions and eight online study sessions throughout the course. In addition, each unit has a corresponding workbook for independent study at home. All the units are accessed from a secured online platform. The books required are the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Activities engage you with the material in a variety of ways as you progress. As you independently work through each of the 12 unit workbooks you will be required to submit four short written tasks (between 300-500 words) which help you to sum up the key points and enable you to become more confident in expressing your faith. In addition you will also submit four short practical workshop tasks.
You will be assigned a tutor, who will comment on your submitted tasks. You will have regular email support, including contact with your tutor & the Agency staff.
What is the cost and who should pay?
The Archbishop’s Certificate is a 2-year course. The cost per year is £365. The full cost of the course is £730, plus a £50 registration fee. To process your application a non-refundable registration fee of £50 is required.
The cost of the course includes lecture costs, tutor marking fees, administration and student support.
We recommend that, for those who volunteer in parishes, the parish pays half and the individual pays half. This is at the discretion of your parish priest.
How do I apply?
In order to apply you must complete both steps below. Please click on each image to take you to the relevant page.
Before you begin the Application Form please note that you will be asked how you plan to pay for the course. Please discuss this with your parish priest first.
You will also be asked to provide a 300-word statement on why you would like to participate in the Archbishop’s Certificate. We ask this of you so that we can know where you are on your faith journey, which helps us accompany you more intentionally during the course.
Step 1
Fill in the Application Form
Step 2
Pay the Registration Fee Online
Email archcert@rcaos.org.uk if you have any further questions or would like to speak to the Course Administrator before applying.
Further Course Details
What past students have to say
“The course has given me a deeper knowledge and understanding about the Catholic faith, inspiring and enabling me to explain to others with quiet confidence what I firmly believe to be the truth. The support and help I have received has been exemplary.”
“My studies have deepened my relationship with Jesus Christ and provided the confidence to speak openly about my faith in any situation.”
What current students say
“The pedagogy was excellent. Quite inspiring and 'easy' to follow.”
“Thank you. A really lovely experience and amazing speakers. I will use many of the snippets of wisdom from today in the future.”
“The study day was so good. It has already made me a better person motivated to be and to do the work of Jesus through the Church.”
Student and tutor conversations
“I am loving the course because as you rightly point out, it is helping me to deepen my understanding of the Catechism which in turn is bearing fruit by deepening my faith. The Holy Spirit works in wonderful ways.”
“It is good to hear from you and to hear that you continue to enjoy the wonder of ever deeper spiritual growth.”
Current Students
Moodle
All course content and tasks are available, via our Moodle platform, for current students. Please contact archcert@rcaos.org.uk if you need help accessing Moodle.
Course Dates
