Terms of use

Last updated 2026-08-31

1. Purpose

These terms set out the conditions for using the online theological education service provided by Blue Petra Open Learning ("the School"), and the rights and obligations of the School and its students.

2. What this school is — a non-degree programme

3. Cost

Every course is free. The School charges no tuition, no enrolment fee, and no fee for issuing a certificate. Operating costs are carried by BluePetra Ministry.

If you are ever asked to pay money in the School's name, it did not come from us. Please tell us immediately.

4. Accounts

1. Anyone may create a student account free of charge. There is no entrance exam and no admissions review.
2. You must give accurate information and must not register under another person's identity.
3. An account is for one person. It may not be shared or transferred.
4. Study features — enrolling, sitting quizzes, receiving certificates — become available after your email address is confirmed.
5. Keeping your password safe is your responsibility.

5. Study and assessment

1. Lectures can be read without signing in. Enrolling exists so progress can be recorded and a certificate issued.
2. Multiple-choice and short-answer questions are graded automatically; essay answers in examinations are marked by staff.
3. Essay questions in chapter quizzes are for self-checking and carry no marks.
4. Completion requirements — the pass mark, and whether examinations are required — differ by track and are shown on each course page.
5. The School may revise course material, questions and completion rules. Certificates already issued are not affected.

6. Certificates

1. A certificate is issued automatically once every requirement has been met.
2. Each certificate carries a unique number that anyone can verify on the School's website.
3. The School may withdraw a certificate obtained dishonestly or issued in error.
4. A withdrawn certificate is not deleted — it continues to resolve, and reports itself as withdrawn.

7. What is not allowed

1. Using another person's account, or having someone else sit an examination for you.
2. Sharing examination questions or answers outside the School.
3. Using course material commercially, or redistributing it, without permission.
4. Placing an unreasonable automated load on the site.
5. Behaviour that harms other students or staff.

Where any of the above is established, the School may suspend the account without prior notice and may withdraw certificates already issued.

8. Copyright

Course material, diagrams and questions remain the property of the School or of their rightful owners. Students may read and print material for personal study and non-commercial use within their own church. Selling it, or adopting it as course material at another institution, requires the School's written permission in advance.

9. Interruptions to service

The School is a free, non-profit undertaking. Service may be interrupted by maintenance, technical failure or operational circumstances. We will give notice where we can, and will make every effort to preserve study records.

10. Limits of responsibility

The School provides its material in good faith but is not responsible for the outcomes of your study or for how a certificate is received elsewhere. In particular, whether a certificate is accepted for employment, ordination or any credential is entirely the decision of the body concerned, and the School makes no assurance about it.

11. Closing your account

You may ask the School to delete your account at any time. However, certificates already issued are not deleted: a certificate number must keep resolving for whoever holds the printed copy, so the name and course remain on record. If you are not content with that, please ask us to close your account before a certificate is issued.

12. Changes to these terms

The School may revise these terms and will post any change on the site. Where a change is significant, we will write to the address on your account.

13. Contact

Questions about these terms go through the message form.

Blue Petra Open Learning is not an accredited degree-granting institution. The curriculum follows the shape of an M.Div programme, but what is issued is a certificate of completion, not a degree, and it does not transfer as credit elsewhere.