MTh
The Master of Theology is designed to strengthen leaders in their gospel ministry. It deepens leaders’ biblical and theological knowledge while strengthening their pastoral, preaching and leadership skills. With options for full and part-time study, and offered on campus or in Learning Communities, the MTh provides church leaders with a feasible option to study alongside current ministry commitments.
Our MTh in Scripture and Theology, validated by The Open University, is designed with two purposes in mind: depth and flexibility.
If you have any questions about this course or the application process, please get in touch.
Overview
Our MTh in Scripture and Theology, validated by The Open University, is designed with two purposes in mind: depth and flexibility.
As well as a wide range of modules, students complete a research dissertation where they can explore a chosen subject in more depth with the guidance and support of a faculty member.
The MTh is extremely flexible, to serve those currently in ministry, work or academic positions. The programme is delivered as intensive block-taught weeks, both on campus and in our off-campus Learning Communities.
Most students on the MTh already serve as pastors, elders, church planters, women’s workers and ministry leaders, or are studying alongside other work or family commitments. Students come from a variety of backgrounds and ministry contexts across the UK and further afield. This diverse community means that students not only learn from and build friendships with faculty, but also one another – supporting each other throughout their ministry.
“Doing the MTh has been a fantastic addition to my earlier studies on the Union GDip. I’ve taken a fantastic blend of modules that have been academically stretching, theologically grounding, culturally relevant and heart-warming. Gathering with the other students on campus has been a great way to build friendships with others who are in similar roles nationally and internationally. All this has been possible whilst continuing to gain experience at the church where I am a Pastor-in-training. There’s no doubt the course has enriched my preaching and enhanced my ability to pastor God’s people more broadly.” - David Hart, MTh student and Pastor-in-training at Emmanuel Church Northwich, UK
Programme Details and Contents
The MTh programme gives students the opportunity to explore topics at graduate level and strengthen their existing understanding and pastoral skills.
Each module is focussed on specific areas of biblical, linguistic, historical, systematic or pastoral studies, but is broad enough to meet the needs of students across a variety of ministry contexts. Using a blend of lectures, seminars and discussions, either in class or in a learning community, students are guided through their studies, exposing them to a range of theological scholarship and beliefs while equipping them with concrete skills for ministry.
Students must complete a minimum of one module from each of the three areas listed in the module chart below. However, students may not take more than two of: Greek Reading; Advanced Greek Reading; Hebrew Reading: Narrative and Poetry; Advanced Hebrew Reading.
Course structure
The MTh programme is made up of two parts, totalling 180 credits (90 ECTS):
Part One: six taught modules, each worth 20 credits (10 ECTS). Scripture and Hermeneutics is a core module that everyone must complete. There is also a compulsory, non-assessed self-study Research Methods module which students must complete. This material will be useful in writing course assignments across the programme, and particularly so as you come to complete your dissertation.
Part Two: a 15,000-word dissertation worth 60 credits (30 ECTS). The dissertation is begun by agreement with UST; with approval from their supervisor, students can choose their own area of research and will receive regular support and guidance. Students can submit their dissertation at any time following completion of all the taught elements, within the specified deadline for their chosen mode of delivery (for full-time study: within 3 months of completing the taught elements; for part-time study: within 12 months of completing the taught elements).
Successful completion of Part 1 and Part 2 will lead to the award of an MTh. Students exiting the MTh programme before completing the dissertation will achieve a Postgraduate Diploma if they have successfully completed six taught modules.
It is also possible to take MTh modules individually rather than as part of a full degree course. The Enquiries Officer will be happy to advise.
Delivery
Our flexible programme makes studying as accessible as possible - you can immerse yourself full-time in your studies or spread your classes out to fit around existing commitments.
Sample video
Campus-based
The teaching is delivered in intensive week-long blocks, with two modules delivered back-to-back on campus, as you can see in the chart above. Students choosing a Biblical Languages module will attend all 3 of the Language weeks, beginning with Language Block A, and are permitted to zoom in to the classroom if desired.
The availability and running order of the modules varies from year to year, so please be sure to check that the modules you wish to take are being run during the academic year(s) you are planning to attend. See the MTh Campus Schedule above for this academic year’s modules.
Any individual studying the MTh via campus-based, intensive weeks may opt to study up to one module per year online, either a language module in real time (via Zoom) or a module being offered by an available online Learning Community, by agreement with the Programmes Team.
Full-time campus studies – in one year
All six of the modules scheduled for that academic year will be completed, beginning with Week 1. Only one Biblical Languages module may be taken on the full-time MTh. See the MTh Campus Schedule above for this academic year’s modules.
The entry point for full-time study is mid-August each year.
Part-time campus studies – over up to 4 years
The usual pattern is for students to spread their modules evenly over their course of study, and submit their dissertation at any time in the year after completing their taught modules. Please see the Module Descriptors Overview for the full list of modules available on the MTh.
You can study one Language module in each academic year. Language modules all begin with Language Block A in September and require attendance to Blocks B & C, and students will need to complete a pre-test before beginning their classes.
You can choose to start with any of the six teaching weeks.
Application deadlines for campus-based MTh:
- for a January 2024 start: 15th November 2023;
- for a March 2024 start: 1st February 2024;
- for an August 2024 start: 19th July 2024.
Staying on campus during the MTh
Full-time students can choose to live on site for the whole academic year and be part of the Union community, or to travel in for their teaching weeks. Full-board accommodation is available during MTh weeks; students are also welcome to bring their families for the week – email the Enquiries Officer for more details about accommodation.
The campus is in easy reach of motorways, Bridgend train station and Cardiff Airport, with connecting international flights.
In Learning Communities
Part-time over either 2 or 3 years*, with a further year for the dissertation
You can choose to study with an in-person Learning Community where you’ll gather with other students at the venue, or with an online Learning Community. Explore our locations and delivery modes here.
Learning Communities run six pre-set modules (see indicated modules in the chart above) as intensive weeks, and students may substitute one of these (per year of study) for an intensive campus-based module in person, by agreement with the Programmes Team. For Biblical Languages substitutions, students may choose to come in person or to join in real time via Zoom. Please check the Campus Schedule for delivery dates of this year’s campus-based modules.
All the teaching and assessment is delivered by UST lecturers, with a Lead Mentor facilitating the work of the Learning Community.
Six 20-credit modules are delivered as intensive block-teaching, either in alternate years (three modules one year and three the next for LCs delivering modules over 2 years) or on a 3-year rotation (two modules in each year for LCs delivering modules over 3 years), so that new students study the same modules as those continuing their studies. Students can submit their dissertation at any time in the year following completion of the taught elements.
Find out which rotation your chosen MTh Learning Community operates (A or B) on their LC profiles, and view the module rotations schedule using the button at the top of this page.
Entry points for studying the MTh in a Learning Community are September, January and March.
Application deadlines for Learning Community-based MTh:
- for a January 2024 start: 15th November 2023;
- for a March 2024 start: 1st February 2024;
- for a September 2024 start: 9th August 2024.
* See individual LC profiles to check if they deliver their modules over 2 or 3 years.
“As a busy church planter, there's no way I could study a masters in a traditional way. But at a Learning Community, studying in intensive weeks means I can access great teaching from the lecturers at Union and study in a flexible, achievable way. The format really works for me.” – Duncan Sills, MTh Learning Community student & pastor of Christchurch Fareham, UK.
Admission Requirements
Unsure if the MTh is the right course for you? Get in touch with our Enquiries Officer.
MTh applicants should normally have a lower second-class honours degree in Theology or a closely related discipline. Applicants may also be admitted who have achieved an average of 50% in UST’s Graduate Diploma in Theology. Where applicants do not meet the normal entry criteria, admission may be permitted if the applicant can demonstrate that they have the experience and / or prior qualifications to be reasonably expected to succeed on the programme.
Students exiting the MTh programme early will achieve a Postgraduate Diploma if they have successfully attained 120 credits (i.e. all of Part One but not the dissertation).
Essential Information
Full-time completion in 1 year, or part-time in up to 4 years
Can be studied on campus or in Learning Communities
On-campus full-time study begins in late August. Part-time study (campus or Learning Community) can begin with any of the teaching weeks
Students must complete a total of 6 taught modules, a self-study Research Methods module and a 15,000-word dissertation
The MTh corresponds to Level 7 in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
Modules may be studied individually rather than as part of a full degree programme, and students can take extra modules for an additional cost.
This award is validated by The Open University.
UST reserves the right to make alterations to the contents or methods of delivery of programmes or assessment but only if such action is absolutely necessary for one or more of the following reasons: compliance with the validating university or regulatory bodies; in response to external examiner or stakeholder feedback; as part of periodic or annual review measures; in response to technological developments. When this occurs, UST will inform students as soon as feasible, and request feedback from and engage in dialogue with students to ensure that the changes are not disruptive to the student experience.
A student may not always be able to study a particular module when student demand is limited, and will be asked to take an alternative.
