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Master of Arts in Theology


King's Evangelical Divinity School (formerly Midlands Bible College and Divinity School) offers a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Theology (with a special focus on Evangelical Theology) by distance learning. The programme is accredited by the University of Wales, Lampeter.

This full-time and part-time (minimum one year, maximum three years) postgraduate degree is available now and students may start at any time during the calendar year.
 

The postgraduate Theology programme is a taught Master's degree allowing students to select study areas of particular interest in theology. The substantial thesis element also enables students to undertake an extended area of research and writing in the subject of their own choosing. The MA degree course as a whole offers scholarly academic studies that develop students' understanding of important aspects of Evangelical Theology.
 

Aims of the Master's Degree in Theology

The general aim of the programme is to provide Christians a thorough, detailed and scholarly examination of Evangelical theology, with a special emphasis on current trends and developments within the movement. This programme will primarily be of interest to Evangelicals keen to engage fully with the history, thought, and effects of the movement, allowing them both to appreciate more fully and critically engage with their tradition. Evangelicalism is a pan-denominational movement, moreover it tends to be somewhat fragmented, so that many of the disparate pieces are ignorant (or suspicious) of each others' history and thought (consider, for example, the tension between Reformed Evangelicals and Charismatics). An integrated programme such as this would help Evangelical students to understand more fully and also appreciate each of the various components that make up the movement, thus encouraging respect and cooperation within an Evangelical in which the various traditions have traditionally been fragmented and at times even somewhat dismissive of each other.

An important aim of the programme is to equip Evangelicals to be more effective in their current ministry and engagement with society. In order to help them develop the necessary knowledge, skills and understanding to do so, the programme will also focus on theology, hermeneutics, valuable lessons that can be learned from Evangelicalism's past, and also the necessary evaluative skills to engage with and critique modern society and the challenges it offers. At a more general level, the course will provide students with the advanced study and research skills normally gained at this level, which will further enhance the effectiveness of their ministry.

This programme is also relevant to observers and commentators of Evangelicalism and related studies who may not actually belong to the movement. 

This Master's degree in Evangelical Theology is designed to appeal to a wide range of students including those holding undergraduate qualifications in Religion, Divinity or Theology as well as clergy and other professionals seeking to extend their theological study. Is taught MA programme also provides a suitable place from which students may undertake subsequent further studies at research level (e.g research MTh or PhD/ThD).

 
Structure

The MA in Theology consists of 180 credits, with an early exit awards at 120 credits, as follows:

Postgraduate Diploma = 120 credits
Master of Arts (Theology) = 180 credits

All modules consist of 20 credits, while the final dissertation required to earn the full MA degree is valued at 60 credits. All students are required to complete the following two modules:

701 Study and Research Methods (20 credits)
711 History, Thought and Expressions of Global Evangelicalism (20 credits)

The remaining four modules are chosen from a range of options. Students may select from the following list but at least two of the four modules must be Case Studies.

712 Evangelical Approaches to Biblical Hermeneutics (20 credits)
721 Case Study: Evangelicalism in Latin America (20 credits)
722 Case Study: Evangelicalism in Africa (20 credits)
723 Case Study: Evangelicalism in Asia (20 credits)
724 Case Study: Evangelicalism in Western Europe and North America (20 credits)

Please note that during 2010, additional module electives will become available, including courses in Bible Translation, the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Mark.

In situations where students have not previously studied any of the Level 6 modules listed below (currently available as part of King's Bachelor of Theology programme), any two of the following may be taken to earn a total of 20 credits towards the Master's programme:

301 Biblical Theology
302 Theology of Romans
342 Evangelicals and the Public Square
332 The Bible, Culture and Historical Theology

The final stage of the MA programme is the dissertation, an extended piece of writing on the subject of the student's own choice:

799 Dissertation of 20,000 words (60 credits).


Resources and Delivery

The entire Master's programme is available by distance learning, thereby enabling students to study for this degree without the need for residential requirements. The flexible nature of this course enables international students to study for a British degree from overseas.

In addition, there is flexibility in start/end times and students may study either part-time as well as full-time. It is expected that the course will be of particular interest to those who need to work and study simultaneously. Although there are no residential requirements, King's Evangelical Divinity School provides regular student seminars, where interaction with lecturers and other course members allows important community involvement.

All of the teaching is provided through our innovative online eCampus (Virtual Learning Environment, VLE) that provides Internet-based delivery of audio lectures, course notes, written materials, as well as allowing interaction with staff and other students. Course lecturers and tutors are available by contact via e-mail or through the online Student Forum.

The eCampus also provides a huge range of library materials and eJournals to support learning and research. This access to subscription theological journals are provided free to all registered students and is especially useful for distance learning students without ready access to a library. Also, as an official partner of the University of Wales, Lampeter, all King's students are entitled to full library access to the Lampeter library in west Wales. This in turn enables students to apply for access to nearly all other British university libraries through the academic inter-library SCONAL scheme.


Entrance Requirements

Ordinarily, a good degree in either Theology, Religious Studies, Divinity  (e.g. BTh, BA, BD, BMin) or a degree in a related area of Theology and Religion is expected. We also accept motivated students with undergraduate degrees in other disciplines. (BSc, BA) In certain circumstances, students without an undergraduate degree may also be accepted provided they have reached the level of a Diploma in Higher Education* in some area of theological studies.
   
*Note that King's also provides a distance learning DipHE in Hermeneutics that serves as an appropriate entry qualification for the Master's programme.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the Academic Dean for questions relating to entry requirements. A copy of the full MA specification approved and validated by the University of Wales, Lampeter is available here. This programme is available for immediate enrolment.


FEES (2010-11 academic year) 

For a fully accredited higher degree course, this M.A. (Theology) programme offers very good value compared with similar courses elsewhere, particularly taught courses which usually attract high accommodation and living costs. The fee indicated below represents the total cost of the full M.A. (Theology) programme based on the current 2010-11 academic year fees, regardless of whether the degree is taken full-time or part-time. For comparison purposes with other colleges be sure to add up the various subsidiary fees payable (eg registration fees, Internet fee, validation fees payable to the accreditating university etc).

Total fees in British Pounds (GBP) for the Master of Arts degree based on the 2010-11 academic year are as follows:


United Kingdom and European Union permanent residents (Home Fees): 

3,285 GBP (365 GBP per 20-credit module. The M.A. consists of 180 credits.)

International students: 

3,825 GBP (425 GBP per 20-credit module. The M.A. consists of 180 credits.)


Notes

1. Fees indicated are fully inclusive. The above fee is the amount you pay (excluding books or travel costs). The cost is the total, complete fee  for the full MA degree based on the current 2009-10 rates regardless of whether taken full-time or part-time. Other than a 10 GBP one-off application fee that becomes payable at the time of your application (but which is deducted from the first module fee if accepted onto the programme), there are no supplementary fees, unlike some other institutions which might add various supplementary fees. When comparing costs with other institutions make sure you have included all their supplementary fees.

2. Fees are payable a module in advance, that is, you pay for the module(s) you are working on.  The first module fee becomes payable when you commence your studies. 

3. Please note that once paid, all module fees are non-refundable. Therefore, you should only purchase modules as you need them.

4. Module fees are subject to an increase each year in line with University requirements and/or inflation. The fee indicated above is for the 2010-11 academic year. Any increase in 2011-12 will be reflected in the new rates which take effect from 1 September 2011.

5. To be classed as a UK/EU student you must have been permanently resident in the UK/EU for three years or more prior to the commencement of the course and without being in education. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For further information visit: www.ukcosa.org.uk. You may be required to supply documentary proof to qualify for the lower Home fee.

6. UK students may be eligible for government funding to cover some of the costs. View our financial assistance page for further information.

7. Part-time and full-time students pay the same overall fee for the M.A. programme, the difference being that part-time students are able to spread the cost of their studies over a longer period. The M.A. degree must be completed within a maximum of three years of registration.

Application Procedure and Admission Forms
Notes for North American Applicants