Program Overview

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Theology and Ministry

At the core of our MA lies the desire to integrate theology and ministry in a way that enriches both.

Start Dates

• September 2025

Degree type

• MA

Course length

• 1 year full-time, 2 year part-time, 3 year part-time

Location

• Durham City

Programme code

• V60507

Course details

This integration is the hallmark of all of our modules, and is exemplified in our programme’s core module, Theological and Practical Reflection on Mission & Ministry. Here students explore Practical Theology, an approach to theology that seeks to take practice and experience seriously, both as a context for the development of new insight and faithful response in light of Scripture and tradition, and as a source of new questions to bring to Scripture and tradition.

This approach engages the whole range of theological sub-disciplines and can sometimes also be interdisciplinary in its engagement of social scientific or other academic disciplines. Above all, it reflects a desire to live faithfully in the light of rigorous and prayerful thinking.

You will gain the MA in Theology and Ministry by completing the core module, three optional taught modules and a dissertation (total 180 credits). The following modules are validated for the MA in Theology and Ministry but, as modules are usually taught on a bi-annual basis, we cannot guarantee the running of certain modules during a course of study.

Course structure

Year 1 modules

Core modules:

• Theological and Practical Reflection on Mission & Ministry (core module)

Optional modules:

• In recent years optional modules have included:
  • Preaching from the Old Testament
  • Mission and Ministry in the Acts of the Apostles
  • The History and Theology of the Charismatic Movement
  • Intellect and Imagination: Apologetics in the Mass Media
  • Psychology and Christian Ministry
  • Preaching from the New Testament
  • Leadership in Christian Ministry
  • Theological Approaches to Spiritual Direction
  • Mission and Ecclesiology: Critical Frameworks for Pioneering
  • Forgiveness and Pastoral Ministry Today
  • Advanced Old Testament Studies
  • Mission and Ministry in the Johannine Literature
  • Early Christian Perspectives on Mission and Ministry
  • Christian Doctrine in the Life of the Church
  • Advanced New Testament Studies
  • The Thought of Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Context

Learning

Modules are delivered either in weekly lectures across Michaelmas or Epiphany term, or in residential blocks of two and a half days each, Monday – Wednesday morning or Wednesday afternoon – Friday. The timetable changes from year to year, so please note that the schedule for the upcoming academic year is subject to change.

Assessment

All modules on this course are assessed with formative and summative assignments in a range of forms – some written, some verbal, and all determined in part by the module’s specific subject. The MATM includes a dissertation of 15,000 words.

Entry requirements

For the MA, the entrance requirement is either a BA in Theology or Religious Studies or a related subject, or a BA in another discipline with experience of Theology or Religious Studies to at least HE Certificate level.

If you don’t meet the above requirements but do have relevant experience, training, or unaccredited study, we may still consider your application to the Postgraduate Certificate.

Application Deadlines

• The deadline for programme applications and bursary applications each year is 31st of July.

Additional requirements

• We also request two references – one academic and one ministry based.

Alternative qualifications

• Other UK qualifications
• EU qualifications
• International qualifications

International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree may have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.

Home students who do not meet our direct entry requirements may be eligible for our Foundation Programme which offers multidisciplinary programmes to prepare you for a range of specified degree programmes.

English language requirements

Country specific information is available.

Fees and funding

The fees for this academic year have not been confirmed yet.

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase and are expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only.

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Scholarships and Bursaries

We are committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances and are delighted to offer a range of funding opportunities.

Career opportunities

Department information

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