10Feb
PostgraduateCourse summary
Led by the University’s world-renowned Centre for Catholic Studies (CCS) within the Department of Theology and Religion, our MA in Catholic Theology will provide you with an in-depth knowledge of individual figures, periods, themes and areas of Catholic theology. The MA is particularly suitable if you have an undergraduate education in Theology, Religious Studies, or a related discipline. It is an excellent foundation for doctoral work, and for those pursuing ongoing personal and professional development. You will undertake a ‘Preliminary Tour’ as a core module while three further optional modules will enable you to adopt historical, philosophical, ethical and political approaches to the subject through the study of topics such as faith and reason, twentieth century Catholic theology and conceiving change in contemporary Catholicism, and through exploring the thought of Thomas Aquinas or medieval Franciscan thinkers. You will also be required to complete a dissertation which will provide the opportunity for you to develop a specialism in a subject of your own choosing, under the guidance of a supervisor. The course is offered part-time over two or three years via distance learning. It has been set up to enable you to study from wherever you live regardless of your time zone. There will however be a residential session of 2-3 days in the University each year. The residential is an important part of the course. It offers a valuable opportunity to connect with fellow students and lecturers and to attend a series of tailored lectures and seminar sessions. For those attending the residential, there is an additional fee to cover room and board for the days in Durham. As a distance learner, you will be considered a valued and engaged member of the CCS and the Department’s student body as a whole. You will be encouraged to participate in the Department’s research seminars where possible and other online events. We also hold an early career conference in Catholic Studies, which in some years is run online. We are fully committed to making the high-quality academic study of Catholic theology available to students in different parts of the world and in a wide variety of life situations. Course structure Core module: Catholic Theology: A Preliminary Tour provides a strong intellectual foundation to help you move from undergraduate studies in theology and religious studies or in related subjects such as classics, philosophy, history or literature to the study of Catholic theology at a more advanced level. You will also gain training in research methods and resources that are used in the academic study of Catholic theology.
Modules
In recent years, optional modules have included: Conceiving Change in Contemporary Catholicism; Twentieth-Century Catholic Theology; Catholic Social Thought and Practice; The Theology of Thomas Aquinas Selected Topics; Faith and Reason; High Medieval Franciscan Theology.
Assessment method
Assessment is rigorous and continues throughout the course. The majority of the modules are assessed by essays, with two including an oral exam. You will be required to complete a dissertation of 12,000-15,000 words on a subject of particular interest to you with support from a supervisor in individual tutorials.
How to apply
International applicants
If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.
Entry requirements
A 2:1 undergraduate degree in Theology, or Religious Studies or a related discipline. The three principle exceptions to this rule are: Graduates of other disciplines who have studied at an undergraduate or equivalent level in one or more of the areas in which they hope to work, through their first degrees, through training for the ministry of the churches, and so on. Students from overseas universities who have successfully reached a point in their theological, religious studies or studies in a related discipline comparable with completion of an English BA. Students who have already passed the module ‘Catholic Theology: A Preliminary Tour’ with a score of 60 or higher.
English language requirements
Durham University welcomes applications from all students irrespective of background. We encourage the recruitment of academically well-qualified and highly motivated students, who are non-native speakers of English, whose full potential can be realised with a limited amount of English Language training either prior to entry or through pre-sessional and/or in-sessional courses. It is the normal expectation that candidates for admission should be able to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency before the start of a programme of study, whether via the submission of an appropriate English language qualification or by attendance on an appropriate pre-sessional course. Acceptable evidence and levels required can be viewed by following the link provided.
English language requirements
https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £7200 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £7200 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £7200 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £7200 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £7200 | Year 1 |
| EU | £15600 | Year 1 |
| International | £15600 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
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.
Sponsorship information
For further information see the course listing on the Durham University website.
Provider information
Durham University
The Palatine Centre
Stockton Road
Durham
DH1 3LE