MA Biblical Studies

This Programme facilitates students to engage with the complexities of Christian Theology through critical engagement with biblical texts, contemporary thought and culture and the practice of Christian ministry. The programme is part-time, studied online over 2 or 3 years.

The programme is offered entirely online (asynchronous) mode on the VLE. Students are able to choose 1 optional module from across our level 7 provision, these modules may include (optional) live seminars delivered by video conferencing.

Programme Overview

This Programme enables students to engage with the complexities of Christian Theology through critical engagement with biblical texts, contemporary thought and culture and the practice of Christian ministry.  Through the programme, the student will develop mastery in the interpretation and application of scripture and theology in order to encourage personal and spiritual growth and development. This will be achieved, primarily, through enabling the student to develop mastery in understanding hermeneutical theory and its implementation in order to exegete and interpret biblical texts.

Recognising that every student has their own distinctive worldview that can act as filters on biblical interpretation, the student will be asked to examine these for their influence on their understanding of Scripture and the contemporary world and enable them to develop as reflective practitioners, who use skills of critical enquiry and reflection to enhance their own practice of ministry, to become agents of change within the church context locally and globally.

This programme is studied entirely in part-time online mode and there is no requirement to come on campus at any point in your studies. The programme can be studied over 2 or 3 years. The teaching material will be provided entirely through the School’s Virtual Learning Environment and interaction with fellow students and the tutor will occur through interactive forum discussions.

Download our Module Syllabus for more information.

Programme Leader MA Biblical Studies and MA Theological Studies, Lecturer in Biblical Studies
Julie Robb
Doreen Rosser
Postgraduate Admissions
Doreen Rosser

Programme Structure

The MA Biblical Studies (180 credits) develops the student’s scope and interests in hermeneutical study by means of a broad range of modules and provides the student with the opportunity to undertake research in a specific area of interest. The programme is studied part-time (students will normally complete the 180 credits in 2 or 3 years).  For information about the modules, please download our Module Syllabus for more information.

Teaching/learning methods

As on an online course the primary method students will learn will be through module material taught and modelled on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).  As part of the VLE there will be an opportunity to engage in online debate and discussion with fellow students in online forums. Students will be expected to undertake critical reading, theological reflection and research to develop their knowledge in the field.

Written assignments allow students to explore particular subject areas in detail, developing their understanding.  Students are to use what they are studying to facilitate theological reflection on their own context.

Assessment methods

The programme utilises a variety of assessment methods including essays, book reviews, and critical reflection. For those who progress to the MA, having completed the taught modules, will write a 15,000 word dissertation that will enable the student to research and to write a sustained piece of writing on a topic of the student’s choosing but which has a clear link to the core of this programme: hermeneutics.

Entry Requirements

The normal entrance requirements for this programme are a first degree in theology (2:1) or a previous degree in another discipline but with evidence of having studied theology to DipHE level, However, the programme Leader has discretion to consider other entry qualifications, so if your background does not conform to these requirements, please contact the programme Leader to discuss a possible way forward.

Some students may be required to undertake preliminary studies to provide background and foundation knowledge prior to commencing the MA. Although this delays the start of the programme, our experience is that those students who take this route into the MA gain more from the programme and are able to produce stronger assignments as a result.

Time Commitment

The MA programme is studied part-time either over 2 or 3 years. Students should allow for a weekly time commitment of 10-15 hours/week as this should enable progress on a weekly basis through the weekly units of teaching material provided through the School’s Virtual Learning Environment.

PG Certificate

The PGCert is particularly suitable for students with no formal theological education who may be unsure as to whether an entire MA programme is achievable. Thus, this award allows progression to taught MA programmes, by way of formal introduction to theological education at a postgraduate level.

The PGCert Biblical Studies (60 credits) lays the foundation for the study of the Hermeneutics (core module) and allows the student to engage in further hermeneutical study through one optional module. The PGCert is comprised of Core Module: Hermeneutics (40 credits) and one optional module (20 credits).