Spiritual Direction

The initial focus is on personal experience; participants are invited to hone their self-awareness and listening, as preparation for listening to others with discernment. Students work in triads throughout the course.

Course days include learning input, space for personal reflection and working in smaller groups. Participants are asked to prepare for and reflect after these sessions.

There are some assignments which may include reading, writing a reflection, or sharing something you have prepared. Learning is supported by access to resources via the online learning platform, SarumLearn, including library support with our growing range of ebooks, journals as well as a postal service.

As the course progresses, participants continue to develop their practice, paying particular attention to their skills, good practice, and a growing sense of what their own vocation may be in this area.

Towards the end of the course, participants submit some written evidence of learning – reflections rather than lengthy academic essays. Tutors expect course members to engage with the learning at a depth which is appropriate to their own capacity and experience. Our expectation is that whatever your background, Sarum can offer the context and resources to discern and prepare for the next chapter.

Mixed mode sessions 

The Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction in the mixed mode format offers both a retreat-like experience in Sarum College and sessions online. It includes teaching, small group work and spiritual direction practice. Learning is supported by access to resources via the online learning platform, SarumLearn, including library support with our growing range of eBooks, journals as well as a postal service.

The course will alternate between residential modules at Sarum College and online modules.

If you’re interested in joining the ‘Curlew’ spiritual direction course, please see ‘how to apply’.

Closing date for applications: 8 June 2026. Closing date for Sarum College Bursary applications: 1 July 2026.

We also have a fully online course beginning in October 2026, students attend sessions online with some evening reflective work to be done away from the screen. It includes teaching, small group work and spiritual direction practice. Learning is supported by access to resources via the online learning platform, SarumLearn, including library support with our growing range of eBooks, journals as well as a postal service.

If you’re interested in joining the ‘Dove’ spiritual direction course, please see ‘how to apply’.

Closing date for applications: 8 June 2026. Closing date for Sarum College Bursary applications: 1 July 2026.

A fully residential, retreat-like experience at Sarum College.

Each module includes one night’s accommodation in an en suite single bedded room, lunch and supper on the first evening, breakfast and lunch on the second day and refreshments throughout. Learning is in-person and is also supported by access to resources via the online learning platform, SarumLearn, including library support with our growing range of eBooks, journals as well as a postal service.

Eider Duck cohort dates (opening at 10am on the first day, and closing at 4pm on the second day)

If you are interested in joining the ‘Eider Duck’ cohort, please click ‘how to apply’

Closing date for applications: 14 June 2027. Closing date for Sarum College Bursary applications: 12 July 2027.

The aim of the Spiritual Direction programme is to work in the formation of people to begin the task of competent, well-informed, thoughtful and reflective spiritual direction.

The course is designed to model and reflect the nature and values of spiritual direction at every level throughout your time at Sarum.

This programme will enable you to:

• Reflect on your ongoing personal experience and your relationship with the Divine and how this continues to shape your journey in faith;
• Read and reflect on some of the key literature, theologians, writers and people who have contributed to spiritual direction as we see it today;
• Articulate how various traditions, theories, models, and practices have shaped the practice of spiritual direction;
• Employ a range of skills essential to the practice of Holy Listening and Accompaniment;
• Critically reflect, in supervision and on your own, on your practice of spiritual direction;
• Discern your vocation with support from course tutors.

Some of the themes we will explore during the course include:

• • Spiritual direction and its origins;
  • Naming and imagining God;
  • Rhythms and riches of spiritual traditions and practices;
  • Human, psychological and Spiritual Development models;
  • Sacred space;
  • Accompaniment in times of loss, trauma, transition, searching;
  • Imagination, dreams, meditation and creativity in spiritual direction;
  • Discernment;
  • Vocation;
  • Holy Listening skills;
  • Good practice in spiritual direction;
  • Supervision, reflection and feedback.

Sarum is blessed with one of the most beautiful locations in the country, underpinned by a warm welcome, generous hospitality and great food.

Our location in Salisbury Cathedral Close, in buildings where theology has been taught for more than 160 years, along with a supportive community of learning allows time for reflection and contemplation, which is such a rarity in our otherwise busy lives.

Visit our hospitality site to see more images of classroom, bedroom, dining and public spaces.

Those participating in the online version of the Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction have the option to join an optional, additional three-day retreat module which supports the Course but is not necessary for its completion.

The course draws on the Christian tradition of Spiritual Direction. It is ecumenical in outlook and we welcome enquiries from people of any Christian denomination who are interested in pursuing it.

If you’re interested in the course, please complete an application form as a Word document and return your completed copy, via email, to cjames@sarum.ac.uk.

Successful applications will be invited to an ‘Explorer’ taster session and invited to book a one-to-one interview.

Following interview successful applicants may be offered a conditional or a non-conditional place on a given cohort.

Download an application form for the Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction

We treat your personal information with respect and care according to the Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction privacy policy.

At the end of the course, students who have completed the full programme and the accompanying reflective assignments to the required standard will receive a Certificate of Completion.

This is not a licence to practice, qualification or accreditation. There is currently no mechanism for this in the UK.

However, the Certificate of Completion from Sarum College is readily accepted by Anglican dioceses and other church networks as evidence of proper training.

Individual churches will have their own structures for good practice and safeguarding. If you exercise a ministry of spiritual direction you must follow the guidance and requirements appropriate to your own context.

‘Curlew’ October 2026 to March 2028

Delivered as a blend of onsite (5) modules and online (4) modules. The course begins in October 2026 and ends in March 2028. The fees for this course are £4000.

The course price will include the residential and online components and resources, all accommodation and catering, access to Wi-Fi in college, basic support in using the SarumLearn student learning portal, and library membership.

Additional B&B may be booked at a discounted educational rate, subject to availability.

Participants commit to one year at a time and it is possible (though not usual) to defer the second year. Some students access grants for financial support of course costs.

‘Dove’ October 2026 to March 2028

This course of nine modules is delivered fully online, all resources are available via our learning portal and library membership is included.

Participants commit to one year at a time and it is possible (though not usual) to defer the second year. Some students acess grants for financial support of course costs. The costs for this course are TBC

‘Eider Duck’ September 2027 to March 2029

This course is delivered via nine residential modules. The fees for this course are TBC.

The course price will include the accommodation and hospitality for each residential module and the online components and resources, access to Wi-Fi in college, basic support in using the SarumLearn student learning portal, and library membership.

Additional B&B may be booked at a discounted educational rate, subject to availability.

Participants commit to one year at a time and it is possible (though not usual) to defer the second year. Some students access grants for financial support of course costs.

Bursaries and funding for the Spiritual Direction Programme

Funding Options

1. Funding is sometimes available from your own parish, diocese, church community or employer. We would encourage you to explore these avenues for partial or full funding, particularly if they offer Continuing Professional Development (CPD) funding, or have designated training, development or enrichment funds.
2. The Retreat Association has a small fund available from which to make grants to provide training opportunities in spiritual direction.

Applications will be considered by the Board of Trustees who meet quarterly in March, June, September and December. Applications should be received no later than the last day of the month preceding such a meeting.

Requests for the ‘small grant funding application form’ must be made individually via email to info@retreats.org.uk. Visit their website

3. The Society of Retreat Conductors also provides some funding. People considering applying for a grant for spiritual direction training will normally be expected to have completed an 8-day individually accompanied retreat and to be able to demonstrate ample evidence of being in regular spiritual direction in recent years. Further information and the grant application form.
4. The Community of St Denys fund  five bursaries per annum for the Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction of up to £2,000 per annum. Applicants may only apply to this fund once during the programme.

Bursaries will be prioritised for those who are:

• receiving benefits
• of Global Majority Heritage/BAME
• under 30
• disabled
• other under-represented group

The deadline for applications to funding bodies differ, so please do leave enough time to apply.

Download the Sarum College Bursary (Academic) application form

 

‘How wonderfully enriching and life-changing it has been’ (Magenta, 2025)

‘The formational approach was so helpful, learning by doing and observing’ (Dan, 2025)

‘Beautiful reflections and quiet space’ (Magenta, 2025)

‘Introduction to a wide variety of reading has been enlightening.’ (Magenta, 2025)

‘The discussion, interactions and reflections have taken me deeper.’ (Magenta, 2025)