Who we are
Cliff College is an evangelical learning community which is rooted in God’s Word and Spirit, for the purpose of equipping God’s people for practical ministry and cutting-edge missional engagement.
Cliff College provides theological education and training with a particular focus on mission and evangelism. Historically, Cliff was a Methodist training college for those wishing to engage in mission and evangelism. Today our student body is both lay and ordained and from a range of denominational backgrounds. We offer full-time and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses with on campus and online learning options, as well as a programme of training and development courses and retreats.
Alongside our courses we have a busy Conference Centre, a gap year focused on mission and evangelism, thriving international work delivering training and support to Christians throughout the world and an exciting annual Festival of word and music.
The College is overseen by the Senior Leadership Team, made up of the Principal and four senior members of staff. This group provides leadership, oversight and vision, working in a collaborative way through regular meetings with curriculum leads, line managers and other key members of staff. The Senior Leadership Team reports to the Cliff College Committee, the College's managing trustees, who meet three times a year and offer strategic oversight and accountability. The Cliff College Committee report to the Methodist Council, who have ultimate responsibility for the College.
Cliff College is a registered charity, number 529386.
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Courses at Cliff College
Cliff aims to be a beacon of excellence for training in mission & evangelism, and a place of equipping for ministry for all people.
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Cliff Global Partnerships
Cliff is proud to work with partner institutions and churches around the world to facilitate access to quality theological education for everyone.
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Cliff Conference Centre
Cliff College also hosts the Cliff Conference Centre, which can accommodate groups of varying sizes for events of all kinds and offers bed & breakfast accommodation to individuals and families.
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Cliff College Festival
Cliff College is the home of the annual Cliff Festival, where Christians of all ages gather to learn, pray and worship together.
Our heritage
Cliff College has a long and rich heritage of providing Bible training to people from diverse backgrounds, for mission and evangelism. It started in 1883 in the home of its founder Thomas Champness in Bolton. He later moved into Castleton Hall at Rochdale where the work continued until he retired and the lease at Castleton Hall expired. The Wesleyan Methodist church took over the work and moved the College to its current location, Calver, in 1904 where more space was available for the work. Since the beginning, we have sought to provide biblical, evangelical training that is both relevant and forward-thinking, with an emphasis on scriptural holiness.
