Program Overview

Program Overview

The M.Phil. in Christian Theology is a postgraduate program that enables participants to gain an in-depth knowledge of core issues in contemporary Christian theology. The program is designed for graduates in theology or related disciplines and offers a structured program of study at an advanced level.

Course Details

• The program is offered full-time over one year or part-time over two years.
• The course incorporates both taught and research components.
• Students must take three core and three optional modules, and write a 15,000-20,000 word dissertation.
• Core modules include:
  • Readings in Classical Theological Texts
  • Violence and Grace in the Human Narrative
  • The First Words: Theology/ies of the Bible
• Elective modules vary year by year and may include:
  • Jesus of Nazareth: Son, Christ, Word
  • Theology and the Arts
  • The Role of Church in a Pluralist Society
  • Ministry and Church in a Challenging Era
  • Christianity of the Celtic World (AD)
  • Political Theology
  • Nature, Grace and Place: Theology, Maps and Territories
  • Reimagining Ecumenical Theology: and Dialogue and Difference

Admission Requirements

• Applicants should normally have an upper second-class Honours Bachelor's degree, or 3.2 GPA (or above).
• Applicants not meeting these requirements may be considered at the discretion of the Dean of Graduate Studies.
• English Language Requirements: All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements.

Career Opportunities

• The program provides an excellent opportunity for teachers of religious education to explore theological issues at a deeper level.
• The program can serve as preparation for those wishing to proceed to further research in the field.
• Students will learn research skills, as well as analytic, written, and verbal communication skills that are highly valued and effective in a variety of careers.

Course Fees

• For a full list of postgraduate fees, please refer to the university's website.

Awards

• NFQ Level 9

Next Intake

• September 2025

Course Coordinator

• Professor Michael Kirwan

Closing Date

• 31st July 2025

Program Structure

• The program can also be done following a three-year framework route, from P.Grad.Cert. to P.Grad.Dip. to M.Phil.
• In Year 1, at Postgraduate Certificate level, students complete three modules (two core modules and one optional module) to develop a basic understanding of the core issues in contemporary Christian theology (30 ECTS).
• In Year 2, at the Postgraduate Diploma level, students complete three modules (two core modules and one optional module) to gain a thorough grounding in contemporary Christian theology (30 ECTS).
• In Year 3, at the M.Phil. level, students will have the opportunity to apply what they have learned in their coursework throughout the development of a 15,000-20,000 word research dissertation (30 ECTS).