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: The programme, allows the student to 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. They will 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.

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.