MTh New Testament & Early Christianity

Program Overview

---

New Testament and Early Christianity

Overview

Earn a Masters degree in the New Testament and Early Christianity, flexibly, online. Learn with us anywhere and manage your study hours to suit you.

Qualifications

• MTh
• PgDip
• PgCert

Key Info - MTh

Learning Mode

• Online

Study Level

• Postgraduate SCQF Level 11

Credits

• 180

Typical Duration

• 32 - 36 months

Start Month

• September or January

Indicative Cost

• £10,860

This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over three years, starting in September 2025.

Key Info - PgDip

Learning Mode

• Online

Study Level

• Postgraduate SCQF Level 11

Credits

• 120

Typical Duration

• 20 - 24 months

Start Month

• September or January

Indicative Cost

• £7,140

This indicative cost is based on 120 credits of study over two years, starting in September 2025.

Key Info - PgCert

Learning Mode

• Online

Study Level

• Postgraduate SCQF Level 11

Credits

• 60

Typical Duration

• 8 - 12 months

Start Month

• September or January

Indicative Cost

• £3,520

This indicative cost is based on 30 credits of study per term, starting in September 2025.

What You'll Study

You can choose to study for a:

• Masters (180 credits)
• Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits), or
• Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits).

Master of Theology - 180 credits

You'll work through four 30-credit courses and a dissertation to earn your MTh.

Duration

It takes a minimum of 32 months to complete the MTh. To study part-time, we recommend you take no more than 30 credits per term. You're welcome to take study breaks between courses.

Courses

Each of these courses runs every second year, rather than every year.

• 30 credits: Israel's Scriptures at the Turn of the Common Era (September)
• 30 credits: Close Readings in Early Christian Literature (January)
• 30 credits: New Testament Studies in Process: Currents and Themes (September)
• 30 credits: Significant Figures and Places in Early Christianity (January)

Dissertation

• 60 credits: Research Skills and Dissertation Writing (September)

Postgraduate Diploma - 120 credits

You'll work through four 30-credit courses to earn your PgDip.

Duration

It takes a minimum of 20 months to complete the PgDip. To study part-time, we recommend you take no more than 30 credits per term. You're welcome to take study breaks between courses.

Courses

Each of these courses runs every second year, rather than every year.

• 30 credits: Israel's Scriptures at the Turn of the Common Era (September)
• 30 credits: Close Readings in Early Christian Literature (January)
• 30 credits: New Testament Studies in Process: Currents and Themes (September)
• 30 credits: Significant Figures and Places in Early Christianity (January)

Postgraduate Certificate - 60 credits

You'll work through two 30-credit courses to earn your PgCert.

Duration

It takes a minimum of 8 months to complete the PgCert. To study part-time, we recommend you take no more than 30 credits per term. You're welcome to take a study break between courses.

Courses

Choose two of these courses. Each of these courses runs every second year, rather than every year.

• 30 credits: Israel's Scriptures at the Turn of the Common Era (September)
• 30 credits: Close Readings in Early Christian Literature (January)
• 30 credits: New Testament Studies in Process: Currents and Themes (September)
• 30 credits: Significant Figures and Places in Early Christianity (January)

How You'll Study

Online Learning

This distance-learning degree in New Testament and Early Christianity is delivered flexibly, 100% online.

You can learn with us anywhere in the world, no student visa required, and manage your study hours to suit you.

Your Teaching

Teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you'll need in your studies.

You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You'll find a range of online resources available, including:

• reading materials
• seminars
• discussion boards with your tutors and peers
• access to hybrid postgraduate research seminars
• access to our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.

Biblical and Classical Greek Texts

Your studies will feature texts transmitted in Biblical and/or Classical Greek, in their original languages and in translation. In studying these texts, you can develop your applied language skills.

You do not need to have any previous training in these languages to join this degree. If you're interested in additional language training while you study, introductory courses may be available at an additional cost.

Your Tutors

This MTh is delivered by our School of Divinity, History, Philosophy and Art History (DHPA).

You'll learn from academics who are active researchers in the fields of New Testament and Early Christianity.

Our Department of Theology is recognised internationally as one of the foremost research institutions in Theology.

Dr Katherine Hockey

Katherine is a Lecturer in New Testament at the University of Aberdeen. She has published on ancient philosophy of emotion and 1 Peter.

Her current research interests include the Catholic epistles, emotion studies and the New Testament, and Christian identity construction.

Katherine is co-chair of the Later Epistles seminar of the British New Testament Society, and she is the Coordinator for MTh New Testament and Early Christianity.

Reverend Professor John Behr

John is Regius Chair in Humanity at the University of Aberdeen. He has written a wide range of books on Patristics as well as the Gospel of John.

His current research interests include scriptural interpretation and anthropology, questions of life and death, and the hermeneutics of reading texts.

John serves on a number of editorial boards of the International Journal of Orthodox Theology.

Professor Grant Macaskill

Grant Macaskill is the Kirby Laing Chair of New Testament Exegesis at the University of Aberdeen.

He has published on a wide range of historical and theological topics, including union with Christ in the New Testament, and autism and theology. He has published a book on Enochic literature in ancient Jewish and Christian traditions.

Grant is joint editor of Brill's Studia in Veteris Testamenti Pseudepigrapha.

Dr Logan Williams

Logan is the Kirby Laing Research Fellow in New Testament. He has published on ritual purity and eschatology in the Gospel of Mark, and Christology and ethics in Galatians.

His current research explores the relationship between ritual and human transformation in Jewish and Christian antiquity.

Logan was winner of the 2022 Paul J. Achtemeier Award for New Testament Scholarship.

Assessment

This degree is assessed entirely online via:

• research essays
• critical book reviews
• reflective-learning journals
• exegetical journals
• creative assessments, eg, poster presentations.

Study Hours

Hours for Taught Courses

To study part-time, we recommend you take a maximum of one 30-credit course per term.

• 30 credits: Around 300 hours of study and assessment time to complete.
• You'll study 15 – 20 hours per week per term, plus more at assessment times.

This is a guide to the time required for a typical student at this level to achieve the learning outcomes. This includes time for independent study, as well as teaching and assessments.

You can largely set your own study hours each week to cover the materials. MyAberdeen is available 24/7, so you can log in and study when it suits you.

Activities at Fixed Times

There may be some activities scheduled at fixed times, such as weekly live seminars, online meetings with your tutor or assessments with deadlines. But otherwise, you can access and work through each course at your convenience.

Hours for 60-credit Dissertation

A 60-credit dissertation is around 600 hours of study time.

You can start the dissertation after you have completed at least two courses in this MTh programme.

You have flexibility over when you carry out the work. You can centre most of the workload in the summer months, when you do not have any other courses.

Support

Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren't alone in your studies. You'll have contact with your coordinator via email, MyAberdeen and Microsoft Teams. You can use social media and discussion boards to chat with your fellow students too.

We provide a wide range of services to support you in your studies and beyond:

• Careers and Employability Service
• Disability support
• IT support
• Library support
• Student Support Service – help with finances, stress, wellbeing and non-academic issues
• Student Learning Service – study support, with advice sessions available via phone or Skype
• Aberdeen University Students' Association (AUSA) – run by students for students
• Toolkit – clever apps and free training that can make your study life easier

Wherever you are in the world, you'll feel part of our very special Aberdeen learning community.

Study Experience

When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure so that you're never alone in your studies.

But learning online does mean you have to motivate yourself and manage your own time.

Your most important commitment will be time – the time to work through, reflect on and understand your teaching materials.

Before you start a course that involves a high degree of independent study, we recommend looking at the time you will be able to devote to your studies each week:

• Be realistic
• Create a weekly schedule as a guide

If you have any questions about studying online, get in touch with our friendly team. We're here to help.

Use Your Local University Libraries

We're a member of the Access scheme run by the Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL).

Access Study Spaces, Books and Journals in Your Area

The SCONUL Access scheme allows you, as a University of Aberdeen student, to access books and resources at university libraries across the UK and Ireland, or visit them for a quiet place to study.

You'll be able to use study spaces, books and journals at over 150 university libraries which belong to the scheme.

Your Support Team

Our friendly team are here to answer any queries you have before, during and after your studies.

Dr Katherine Hockey

Katherine is the degree coordinator. She'll be on hand to answer any questions about degree content before you start and to help you throughout your studies.

Kate Smith

Kate is part of the School's support team. She'll be there throughout your studies to answer any of your non-academic queries.

Where This Will Take You

Your MTh Qualification

On successful completion of this programme, you'll earn a respected MTh in New Testament and Early Christianity from the University of Aberdeen, one of the UK's six ancient universities.

You'll receive exactly the same qualification online as you would on campus. Your degree title will not mention online or distance learning.

Towards a PhD

This Masters qualification also provides ideal preparation to pursue further postgraduate research, including doctoral studies.

Careers

The courses that are part of this MTh are ideal continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities for those working in:

• Faith communities
• Educational settings

Fees and Funding

Master of Theology

• 180 credits: £10,860

This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over three years, starting in September 2025.

Postgraduate Diploma

• 120 credits: £7,140

This indicative cost is based on 120 credits of study over two years, starting in September 2025.

Postgraduate Certificate

• 60 credits: £3,520

This indicative cost is based on 30 credits of study per term, starting in September 2025.

The fees quoted above are based on you starting your studies with us in the 2025/26 academic year.

Our tuition fees will rise by 3% for the 2026/27, 2027/28 and 2028/29 academic years. Our indicative cost includes a 3% fee rise each year.

Pay as You Go

This is a pay-as-you-go qualification.

You do not have to pay the full tuition fee upfront.

You can spread the cost and pay as you go, term by term.

How It Works

• You decide how many credits to study for each term.
• At the start of term, you pay only for the credits you're taking that term.
• This gives you control over your costs and workload for each term of your qualification.

Your Personalised Cost Breakdown

Use the degree scheduler to plan your studies and see your cost breakdown, term by term.

Additional Costs

Learning Resources

Access to all the books and resources you need are included in your tuition fee. They'll be made available to you online and you do not have to buy your own copies.

Printing

You may wish to set aside a small budget for printing, depending on how you like to work.

Funding Your Studies

There are several ways you may be able to get help funding your studies:

• Employer sponsorship – we accept full and partial fee payments from sponsors
• Student loans
• Scholarships – search our funding database for scholarships

Entry Requirements

MTh, PgDip, PgCert

• 2:2 UK honours degree in a relevant discipline, or
• equivalent qualifications.

You're also welcome to apply if you have:

• other relevant qualifications, and
• professional experience with supportive references.

International Students

Entry Requirements

We welcome students from all over the world.

See the minimum entry requirements above. If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check equivalent qualifications from your country.

Visa Requirements

You do not need a student visa to study online with us.

English Language Requirements

Teaching is delivered in English.

If English is not your first language, use our English requirements checklist to see if you need to provide evidence of your English language skills when you apply.

English Language Tests and Scores

If you do need to provide English language test scores, these are the tests and minimum scores we accept.

These are our Postgraduate Higher requirements.

• IELTS Academic, IELTS UKVI Academic, or IELTS Online (not IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training)
  • 6.5 overall
  • 5.5 for listening and speaking
  • 6.0 for reading and writing
• TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition
  • 90 overall
  • 17 for listening
  • 21 for reading
  • 20 for speaking
  • 21 for writing
  • TOEFL DI code is 0818
• Cambridge English: B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency
  • 176 overall
  • 162 for listening and speaking
  • 169 for reading and writing
• LanguageCert Academic / LanguageCert Academic SELT
  • 70 overall
  • 60 for listening and speaking
  • 65 for reading and writing
• Oxford ELLT Digital – English Language Level Test Online
  • 7.0 overall
  • 5.0 for listening and speaking
  • 6.0 for reading and writing
• PTE Academic (online test not accepted)
  • 62 overall
  • 59 for listening, reading, speaking and writing
• Skills for English: SELT
  • B2 pass with merit
• Duolingo – tests taken from 1 July 2024 onward
  • 120 overall
  • 95 for listening and speaking
  • 105 for reading and writing
• University of Aberdeen English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE)
  • Pass
  • Valid for one year. Refresher can be offered if out of date
• Pre-sessional academic English preparation programmes undertaken at other UK universities
  • Pass at an equivalent of 6.5 (C1)
  • B2 in all four skills
  • Certification must be within one year prior to the start of your course

How to Apply

You apply through our online Applicant Portal. It allows you to upload relevant qualifications and documents.

There is no application fee for our online degrees.

What You Need to Apply for This Degree

• Degree transcript
• Personal statement
• Degree certificate
• References x2

References

You will need two reference letters. One should be from your university discussing your academic ability. If you have been out of education for a long time, you can use your current or most recent employers or other professional individuals.

When to Apply

You can apply to start in either September or January.

Apply as early as you can. This is so we have time to review your application and get a decision to you. We also want to ensure you have time to enrol before teaching starts.

September 2025 Intake

For our September 2025 intake, the application deadline is 8 September 2025.

You will need to accept your offer and provide any outstanding documents to meet the conditions of your offer by 15 September 2025.

Teaching starts on 22 September 2025.

January 2026 Intake

Teaching starts on 26 January 2026.

Application deadlines will be announced in due course.

IT Requirements

You will need access to:

A Computer (PC, Laptop or Mac) with an Up-to-Date Operating System

Most teaching materials are smartphone- and tablet-friendly. But we recommend a proper laptop or desktop for completing assignments comfortably.

Reliable Internet Access

We recommend:

• a wired connection
• a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.

Speakers or Headphones

• We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you're likely to study in an environment with background noise.
• A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one for some interactive sessions.

Software

We'll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneDrive and install these programs on up to five personal devices.

If your course requires specialist software, we'll provide you with access to this and a licence that lasts throughout your studies.

Program Outline

---

Program Extractions:

---

Degree Overview:

• Focus: Online Postgraduate Diploma in New Testament and Early Christianity
• Study Mode: Online, flexible
• Duration:
• Minimum 18 months
• Recommended pace: 30 credits per term
• Maximum completion time: 4 years
• Credits: 120, leading to a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip)
• Delivery: Asynchronous learning with online materials and resources
• Institution: University of Aberdeen
• Department: Divinity, History, Philosophy and Art History (DHPA)
• Faculty: Active researchers in New Testament and Early Christianity
• Cost: £6,880 (indicative for 2024)
• Start Dates: September or January

---

Outline:

• Content:
• New Testament
• Early Christianity
• Theology
• Divinity
• Biblical Studies
• Church History
• Patristics
• Structure:
• Two 30-credit courses per term (4 terms total)
• Courses offered every two years
• Courses progress roughly chronologically
• Current course offerings:
• New Testament Studies in Process: Currents and Themes (September)
• Significant Figures and Places in Early Christianity (January)
• Israel’s Scriptures at the Turn of the Common Era (September)
• Close Readings in Early Christian Literature (January)
• Custom degree scheduler available
• Assessment:
• Research essays
• Critical book reviews
• Reflective-learning journals
• Exegetical journals
• Creative assessments (e.g., poster presentations)

---

Teaching:

• Delivery: Online, asynchronous
• Materials:
• Reading materials
• Seminars
• Discussion boards
• Hybrid postgraduate research seminars access
• Award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library access
• Language: Texts in Biblical and/or Classical Greek (translation provided)
• Optional Language Support: Introductory courses (additional cost)

---

Careers:

• Professional Development: Continuous professional development (CPD) for faith leaders, professionals in faith-based organizations (schools, charities)
• Potential Career Paths:
• Ministers
• Priests
• Religious volunteers
• Teachers (religious/moral education)
• Private faith-based school teachers

---

Other:

• Admission Requirements:
• 2:1 UK honours degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent
• Relevant qualifications with professional experience and supportive references considered
• Additional Costs:
• Printing (optional)