Mattersey Hall offers a range of different taught Master’s programmes, including both MA and MTh degrees. All these require the completion of four modules, examined ordinarily in each case by a 5,000 word essay, and a dissertation of approximately 20,000 words.

A number of different teaching strategies are employed in these courses, including directed learning, seminars, workshops, field trips and group presentations as well as formal lectures. All our teaching staff are highly-qualified and respected academics, but experienced, active practitioners who understand the real-world implications of their teaching and are as interested as you will be in the practical, everyday application of the new skills, knowledge and abilities you will gain in working toward your qualification.

All graduate students undertake our Research Training Programme as part of their course, which provides an excellent introduction to study at this level. The RTP covers academic writing and research skills in particular, aiming to prepare students as effectively as possible for the dissertation phase and, potentially, for further studies.

Please note the specific admission requirements noted for each of our courses below. In general, however, applicants under 25 should normally have a first degree in a biblical or theological discipline, ideally at Upper Second or First Class level (US GPA 2.8 or above), though we are able to take other qualifications into account and may be able to accept you on the basis of an entrance test and interview. Applicants over 25 can be accepted on the basis of their experience in ministry and do not always need formal qualifications for admission; however, we may ask applicants without ministry experience or theological training to complete our Graduate Conversion Course or a programme of study with our Distance Learning Department. Candidates whose first language is not English may have to demonstrate their facility in the language. Please contact the Graduate School for guidance on any of these matters.

Which Master’s Course Should I Choose?
Because they are specialised courses, our degrees are all designed for specific purposes, and you should select the one that is most suited to your needs. Essentially:

• The MTh in New Testament and MTh in Old Testament are specialist, serious academic programmes in biblical studies for those who wish to study the texts in their original languages and may be planning to continue to doctoral studies. These courses are only available full time and generally only to people who already have a first degree in biblical studies.

• The MA in Mission is designed for missionaries and local church mission directors who need to broaden their knowledge of contemporary missiology and global culture.

• The MA in Missional Leadership is a qualification - and a whole experience - for those already in leadership in a church, Christian organisation or company who wish to refine their leadership, organisational and management skills. It has a distinctive delivery mode (short weekend residentials).

• The MTh in Practical Theology offers a far wider range of modules than the others, in areas such as Pentecostal Theology, Preaching, Biblical Studies, Leadership and Ministry Studies and is our mainstream graduate degree. If you are not sure which of our degrees is best suited to your needs, then it will almost certainly be this one.

For the latest information on our MTh degrees and MA in Mission, please download this file.