Formation for priesthood normally takes 6 years, during which time, seminarians live in a community of formation focussed upon prayer and study. The College buildings and grounds provide an excellent environment for quiet and reflection, whilst being surrounded by city parishes and many other pastoral opportunities for those in formation.
The seminary is an "educational ecclesial community" in which there are four areas of formation: human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral. These are bound together into the one, organic journey of Christian and priestly living. For further information about the four areas of formation at Oscott, click on the relevant titles below.
Full details about the guidelines of formation and assessment are described in the document "Life at Oscott"
The intellectual curriculum comprises two years of formation in philosophy, followed by four years of theology. The first three years of the academic programme are validated by the University of Birmingham as a BA in Fundamental Catholic Theology. Those who complete the 6 year programme also obtain an S.T.B. through affiliation with the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.
A typical programme for a seminarian would be as follows: During the first three years he would receive the ministries of Lector and Acolyte, in preparation for an extended pastoral placement in his home diocese. After the placement has been completed, he returns to his studies and at the end of his fourth year, if it is discerned that he is suitable, he is accepted as a candidate for Holy Order. At the end of his fifth year he is ordained a deacon in the College chapel and, finally, ordained priest in his home diocese at the end of his sixth year.
