CAS in Ecumenical Studies: Global Dialogue & Leadership

ECUMENICAL INSTITUTE PART OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES ATTACHED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GENEVA APPLICATION GUIDELINES ACADEMIC YEAR  CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED STUDIES (CAS) IN ECUMENICAL STUDIES GENERAL INFORMATION TO APPLICANTS

The Ecumenical Institute at Château de Bossey is the international centre for encounter, dialogue and formation of the World Council of Churches. Founded in 1946, the Institute brings together people from diverse churches, cultures and backgrounds for ecumenical learning, academic study and personal exchange. It focuses on education and formation of young emerging ecumenical leaders. The Institute is attached to the University of Geneva.

Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Ecumenical Studies / le Certificat de formation continue en études œcuméniques is a course for one academic semester from mid‑September to end January and results in 25 ECTS credits (ECTS‑European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, established 1988 by the European Commission). CAS‑ES course belongs to the continuing education offer of the University of Geneva.

Study plan of CAS‑ES course can be found here.

The following guidelines ensure that your application is received in the best possible manner.

The Ecumenical Institute uses multiple criteria when selecting students for admission including:

• grade average during applicant’s upper secondary and post‑secondary studies;
• accreditation by the University of Geneva of the applicant’s upper secondary and post‑secondary studies;
• affinity between the applicant’s ecumenical motivation/plans and the ecumenical teaching and research carried out at the Ecumenical Institute;
• clear intention of the applicant’s church to make the best possible use of his/her ecumenical studies and experience in the future;
• aim to create annually a balanced student body, especially in terms of geographic context, church tradition and gender;
• priority for applicants under 35 years of age.

The CAS‑ES course fee is CHF 14 150.00. This amount includes:

• Swiss student residence fees 300.00;
• UNIGE semester fees 65.00;
• Tuition 740.00;
• Health and accident insurance 845.00;
• Student allowance 500.00;
• Study visits 500.00;
• Full board & lodging in shared accommodation 11 200.00.

The course fee does not include

• return travel expenses to and from the Ecumenical Institute, located in Bogis‑Bossey, Switzerland;
• any personal travel related expenses: passport, visas(s), vaccination(s), any pandemic related tests/medical certificates/other required processes in order to travel, travel insurance, etc.
• board and lodging expenses en route/at the Ecumenical Institute before and after the official course dates.

Limited funds are available to cover part of the course fee for applicants who demonstrate financial need. All scholarship awards are decided at the same time as course admissions. Partial scholarship award to assist with course costs at the Ecumenical Institute are awarded according to the following criteria:

• Scholarship award is considered to an applicant who demonstrates financial need.
• Priority is given to candidates seeking for a scholarship from the Ecumenical Institute for the first time.
• Priority is given to academically promising candidates in the age group of 22‑30 years.
• Scholarship award is always partial, each applicant needs to make a minimum pledge (i.e. a promise to give money) of CHF 100.00 as a financial contribution towards the study course fees.

The tuition language at the Ecumenical Institute is English. You are asked to self‑assess in the online application form your English language skills using as reference the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) language proficiency descriptors:

• Basic user (A1‑beginner/A2‑elementary)
• Independent user (B1‑intermediate/B2‑upper intermediate)
• Proficient user (C1‑advanced/C2‑proficiency)

Your personal statement gives further indication to assess your English language skills. In case you wish to be considered as a potential candidate to English as a Tool for Ecumenical Formation:
Intensive English Summer Course (three months from mid‑June), please, indicate this by selecting the corresponding option.

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