Application deadline
Thursday 10 August 2023
Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships and for international visa purposes.
“Our lecturers are not only experts in their own field, but they also encourage interdisciplinary discussion. The seminar held each week on Friday is also a chance to meet a lot of scholars and discuss our ideas in a less formal situation.”
- Jawa Timur, Indonesia
Entry requirements
- A 2.1 undergraduate Honours degree in Theology, Philosophy (with a religious component) or Biblical Exegesis. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
- English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.
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.
Application requirements
- CV or résumé. This should include your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date.
- personal statement (optional)
- sample of your own, single-authored academic written work (2,000 words)
- two original signed academic references
- academic transcripts and degree certificates
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.
Course details
The MLitt in Analytic and Exegetical Theology is a one-year taught programme run by the Logos Institute in the School of Divinity. The programme is aimed at students who are interested in engaging central theological topics at a taught Masters level and are considering progressing to pursue doctoral research.
This is an intellectually rigorous programme which introduces students to interdisciplinary engagement with major theological themes at an advanced level. The course draws on research in biblical studies and analytic philosophy while embodying the methodological commitments and intellectual ideals that characterise analytic theology.
Highlights
- Introduces students to a new development in the field of theology, 'analytic theology', while developing skills in the critical assessment of theological doctrines in dialogue with key constructive developments in biblical scholarship and analytic philosophical theology.
- A research component allows students to apply the skills, academic principles and methods of analytic theology learned in the course to explore a key area in the contemporary debate.
- Equips students with high-level general intellectual and theological training to allow them to enter challenging careers in research and elsewhere.
Modules
The modules published below are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your programme. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the module catalogue.
The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details about each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue, which is for the 2022-2023 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2023 entry.
- Analytic Theology: Special Topic: deepens understanding of a special topic within Analytic and Exegetical Theology - this topic will be set annually in accordance with instructors' expertise and identified student interest.
- God, History and Revelation: provides an overview of analytic theology, focusing on the field-changing developments that have taken place in Christian analytic philosophy over the last four decades.
- Persons: Divine and Human: assesses the concept of the ‘person’ as used to describe the nature of God and the Trinity on the one hand, and the nature of human beings on the other.
- Reconciliation: Divine and Human: explores the doctrine of reconciliation and its implications for human relationships.
Student dissertations are supervised by members of the teaching staff who advise on the choice of subject and provide guidance throughout the research process.
Students begin their dissertations at the start of Semester 2, but will have time for particular focus during the three months in summer. The completed dissertation of 15,000 words must be submitted by a date specified in August.
If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, there are exit awards available that allow suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MLitt.
Teaching
The MLitt comprises two semesters of taught modules. During Semester 2, but with particular focus during the summer months, you will begin researching and writing the final component of the MLitt, a 15,000-word dissertation.
Teaching methods include:
- lectures
- one-to-one discussions
- seminars
- class presentations.
Class sizes in the School of Divinity typically range from 6 to 12 students.
Assessment will include:
- seminar presentations
- extended essays
- end-of-semester written examinations.
Events
MLitt students are encouraged to take full advantage of the Logos Institute which offers seminar discussions, conferences, dinners and other activities.
In addition, the School of Divinity regularly hosts international conferences and smaller symposia on themes across the field of biblical and theological studies.
Fees
Home
£11,120
Overseas
£23,530
More information on tuition fees can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page.
Funding and scholarships
The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances.
After your degree
Careers
Students on the MLitt programme are provided with 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 as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.
Further study
In addition to the MLitt, the School offers a two-year residential Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree option in Analytic and Exegetical Theology.
Many Divinity graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews or elsewhere in the UK and abroad.
Postgraduate researchWhat to do next
Online information events
Join us for one of our information events where you can find out about different levels of study and specific courses we run. There are also sessions available for parents and college counsellors.
Postgraduate online visiting days
We encourage all students who are thinking of applying to the University to attend one of our online visiting days.
Contact us
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 2826
- divinitypg@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Address
- School of Divinity
St Mary's College
South Street
St Andrews
KY16 9JU