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Systematic and Historical Theology (MLitt) 2020 entry

The MLitt in Systematic and Historical Theology offers students the opportunity to engage at a high level with the study of Christian doctrine in its historical context and systematic expression.

Applications for 2020 entry for this course have now closed, see which courses are available for the upcoming academic year.

Course type

Postgraduate, leading to a Master of Letters (MLitt)

Course dates

  • Start date: 7 September 2020 
  • End date: 30 September 2021

Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.

Course duration

One year full time

Entry requirements

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Tuition fees

UK and EU: £9,450
Overseas: £19,400

Application deadline

Wednesday 12 August 2020. Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships and for international visa purposes.

Application requirements

  • CV or résumé
  • personal statement (optional)
  • sample of academic work in English (2,000 words)
  • two original signed academic references
  • academic transcripts and degree certificates 
  • evidence of English language proficiency (required if English is not your first language).

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

Course information

The MLitt in Systematic and Historical Theology is a one-year taught programme run by the School of Divinity.

Highlights

  • Trains students in a high-level engagement with Christian doctrines in their historical and systematic dimensions.
  • Integrates the study of Biblical origins, primary theological texts, and contemporary scholarship.
  • Balances coursework and a research component that allows you to apply acquired skills to a substantial subject or question of your choosing.
  • Equips students for doctoral study in systematic and historical theology, or for enhanced ministry in church and society.

Teaching format

The programme comprises two semesters of taught modules, featuring both lectures and discussions, and a 15,000-word dissertation. Modules are assessed by a combination of essays and examination. Class sizes in the School of Divinity typically range from 6 to 12 students.

Students also attend the weekly Theology Research Seminar, and may, if they wish, enrol in language classes and attend other lectures, seminars and reading groups as appropriate. The School offers classes in Hebrew and Greek, which are open to all students.

Further particulars regarding curriculum development.

Modules

The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue which is for the 2019–2020 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2020 entry.

  • The Origins of Christian Theology: examines the beginnings of Christian theology in the New Testament texts and in early Christian writers.

Optional modules are subject to change each year, and some may only allow limited numbers of students (see the University’s position on curriculum development).

Here is a sample of optional modules that may be offered.

  • Christology: the development of Christological thought from the fourth-century conciliar settlements up to the present day.
  • The Doctrine of the Trinity: the development of the doctrine of the Trinity from the fourth-century conciliar settlements up to the present day. 
  • Guided Study in Divinity: a small module enabling students to research a chosen topic under the guidance of a member of staff and to develop it in the form of a long essay.
  • History of Biblical Interpretation: critically and historically surveys the most common interpretations of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, the Septuagint and the New Testament.
  • A Selected Medieval Theologian: allows students to engage at length and in depth with the thought of a formative, mediaeval thinker.
  • A Selected Modern Theologian: allows students to engage at length and in depth with the thought of a formative, modern thinker.
  • A Selected Patristic Theologian: allows students to engage at length and in depth with the thought of a formative, patristic thinker.

Over the course of the year, but with particular focus over the last three months, you will research and write a 15,000-word dissertation. Student dissertations will be supervised by members of the teaching staff who will advise on the choice of subject and provide guidance throughout the research process. The completed dissertation must be submitted by a date specified in August.

There is no exit award option (such as a PGCert or PGDip) for this programme. In order to complete the MLitt, students must pass the dissertation element of their course.


The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for 2020 entry. Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.

Conferences and events

The School of Divinity regularly hosts international conferences and smaller symposia on themes across the field of biblical and theological studies.

Students also participate in a weekly Theology Research Seminar and are invited to attend any of the other research seminars pertaining to their interests.

Funding

Recent Graduate Discount
The University of St Andrews offers a 10% discount in postgraduate tuition fees to students who are eligible to graduate or who have graduated from St Andrews within the last three academic years and are starting a postgraduate programme with the University of St Andrews.

Find out more about postgraduate scholarships.

After the MLitt

Research degrees

In addition to the MLitt, the School offers a two-year residential Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree option in Systematic and Historical Theology.

Many Divinity graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews or elsewhere.

PhD in Divinity

Careers

Students on the MLitt programme are provided the skills they need to succeed in an international job market, both academic and non-academic. 

Regular workshops, both general and subject-specific, in areas such as publishing, conference presentations, and job searches are offered by the School of Divinity and the University.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students on a taught postgraduate course and offers a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.

Contact

School of Divinity
University of St Andrews
St Mary's College
South Street
St Andrews
KY16 9JU

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2850
Email: divinitypg@st-andrews.ac.uk

Divinity website

Policies

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our admissions policy.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online (PDF, 72 KB).

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online (PDF, 84 KB).

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