Postgraduate taught 

Church History & Theology MTh/PgDip/PgCert

This Masters in Church History & Theology engages students in the history of the Christian Church, its theology, and the influence of changing theological and historiographical traditions. This programme gives equal weight to the study of history, theology, history of ideas and historiography, enabling students to develop robust critical skills for analysing changing ideas, customs and intellectual traditions. What makes this programme distinctive is its engagement with not just the history of Christianity, but the changing historiography of Christianity, and its impact upon theology. This Masters is delivered by an international collaboration with Stellenbosch University (South Africa).

  • MTh: 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time
  • PgDip: 6 months full-time; 12 months part-time
  • PgCert: 3 months full-time; 6 months part-time

Why this programme

  • The University established the world’s first professorial chair in Church History in 1716.
  • The University has a world-class library with exceptional special collections, archives and rare books, including first-century papyri, over 1,000 early incunabula, first editions of key reformation texts, and one of the largest collections of bibles in the world.
  • Parts of this programme are delivered by Stellenbosch University, joint-oldest university in sub-Saharan Africa and ranked the best university for Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies.
  • You have the opportunity to study at Stellenbosch University for one block of teaching.

Programme structure

The core courses include discipline specific training while the optional courses are taught via lectures and seminars. The taught component is followed by a 15,000 word dissertation on a topic of your choice.

The programme runs from January to December and the second block of teaching (April to June) can be undertaken at Stellenbosch University.

Core courses

  • Nature and Practice of Church History
  • History and Theology of the Early Church
  • History and Theology of the Reformation
  • History of Christianity in Africa

Optional courses

  • Reading, Religion and Culture
  • Political Theologies
  • Religion and Violence
  • Jewish Literature in the Graeco-Roman World
  • Women and Gender in the Bible and the Ancient World
  • Irish Church History
  • Scottish Church History

Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Career prospects

Students may take this programme while on secondment from an on-going teaching or professional education position. Students will typically continue to doctoral study, Christian ministry, school teaching or to posts in the culture and heritage sector. 

Fees & funding

Tuition fees for 2019-20

MTh

Home and EU

  • Full-time fee: £8000
  • Part-time fee: £889 per 20 credits

International

  • Full-time fee: £17620

Fee information is subject to change and is for guidance only

Additional fees

  • Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £360
  • Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £320
  • Registration/exam only fee: £150

Funding opportunities

Wheatley Foundation Bursary

A Wheatley Foundation bursary is a grant that customers living in our homes can apply for to support them to achieve their educational goals and help them on the career path they wish to undertake. It will also aim to offer employability support like CV support and internships where appropriate.  A bursary award can support you for the costs of books, equipment, travel costs, childcare or other living costs that will help you to complete a course.

More Information

The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database

Entry requirements

A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject unless otherwise specified.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

  • overall score 6.5
  • no sub-test less than 6.0
  • or equivalent scores in another recognised qualification:

Common equivalent English language qualifications

All stated English tests are acceptable for admission for both home/EU and international students for this programme:

  • ibTOEFL: 90; no sub-test less than:
    • Reading: 20
    • Listening: 19
    • Speaking: 19
    • Writing: 23
  • CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): 176 overall; no sub-test less than 169
  • CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English):  176 overall; no sub-test less than 169
  • PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English, Academic test): 60; no sub-test less than 59
  • Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English: ISEII at Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept an IELTS test (Academic module) from any of the 1000 IELTS test centres from around the world and we do not require a specific UKVI IELTS test for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

FAQs

What do I do if...

my language qualifications are below the requirements?

The University's English for Academic Study Unit offers a range of Pre-Sessional Courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching; see Links.

my language qualifications are not listed here?

Please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk


 

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office: pgadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk

International students

We are proud of our diverse University community which attracts students and staff from over 140 different countries. Find out more about visa requirements, and the support we offer:

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.

Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.

Documents

As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:

  • A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
  • A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
  • Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
  • One reference letter on headed paper
  • Evidence of your English Language ability (if your first language is not English)
  • Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
  • A copy of the photo page of your passport (Non-EU students only)

You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.

You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.

For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, check Frequently Asked Questions

Guidance notes for using the online application

These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form. 

If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application then you should visit the Application Troubleshooting/FAQs page.

  • Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
  • Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
  • Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
  • Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
  • Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
  • English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
  • Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.

Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.

January 2020 intake

The application deadlines for the January intake programmes are: 

  • International applications (non-EU): 22 November 2019
  • UK and EU applications: 15 December 2019

Applications for this programme will open soon.

More information about this programme

Related programmes

Theology & Religious Studies

Related links

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Postgraduate prospectus 2019