What is it about?: This postgraduate programme aims to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of Christian theology. Students will be able to choose from a range of units, depending on their area of interest, including Biblical Studies, Mission, Anabaptist Studies, Bible and Violence, Children, Youth and Family Ministry, History and Doctrine or Practical Theology.

Students who are studying the MA programme as part of training for Baptist ministry will follow a prescribed selection of taught units that comprise a balanced ministerial curriculum for Christian leadership.

Who is it for?: The programme is designed to provide a solid background in Christian theology for students who wish to devote time to more in-depth, focussed and critical study of an area of theological study or who are planning to go on to do research in theology and other relevant fields.
What is involved?: To complete the MA programme, students must complete taught units totalling 120 credits and then a dissertation of 15,000 words (worth 60 credits). There is a compulsory, module on MA Research and Resource Methods.

Upon the successful completion of taught units totalling 120 credits, with an average of 60%, a student may progress to the MA dissertation. The MA programme can be completed full time in 12 months or part time over 2-4 years. Students who do not progress to the dissertation but complete 120 credits are awarded a Postgraduate Diploma.

The normal entrance requirement is a good degree (2.1 or first class honours degree in the British system) in theology or a related discipline. For students with a good degree in a non-related discipline we offer a Graduate Diploma as a route into studying for the MA in Christian Theology (see below). For mature students prior learning and life experience will also be considered.

These courses are validated by Durham University and entry qualifications must be from institutions recognised by this university.

What units of study can I do?: All MA students take part in a mandatory module on Research Methods. Full time students take this as the introductory module at the start of the course but part time students may defer this unit until a subsequent year.

Students choose taught units totalling 120 credits. Units are normally 20 credits each so that students will complete six taught units. A minimum of 90 credits must be achieved at Level 7. The remaining 30 credits are usually chosen from Level 6 units. However there is also an opportunity to study Biblical languages at a lower level.

Within the MA, there are the options to follow different tracks. We currently offer an Anabaptist Track and Bible and Violence Track, both accessible online.

Students should note that some units may be offered only on alternate years.

Here is a selection of our current MA modules:

  • Gender Based Violence and Christian Tradition
  • Research and Reflection: Resources and Methods
  • Galatians and 1 Corinthians
  • Psalms
  • The Book of Revelation
  • Reflective Practice: Mission and Evangelism
  • Reflective Practice: Christian Worship
  • Karl Barth
  • Pilgram Marpeck
  • Issues in Biblical Theology
  • The Bible and Christian Faith
  • Christian Faith and the Environment
  • Anabaptist Ecclesiology and Missiology
  • Anabaptist Ethics and Hermeneutics
  • Menno Simons’ Foundation of Christian Doctrine
  • Mission and Ecclesiology in Contemporary Context
  • Advanced Theory and Method in Practical Theology
  • Revivals and Revivalism
  • Themes in Moral Theology: Reconciliation
  • Biblical Hebrew (various levels)
  • New Testament Greek (various levels)
  • Theology, Ministry and Mission in Contemporary Urban Contexts
  • Theological Perspectives of Place
  • Ministry and Mission with Children, Families and Young People

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