Catholic Theology (Distance Learning),MA

Led by the University’s world-renowned Centre for Catholic Studies (CCS) within the Department of Theology and Religion, our MA in Catholic Theology will provide you with an in-depth knowledge of individual figures, periods, themes and areas of Catholic theology.

The MA is particularly suitable if you have an undergraduate education in Theology, Religious Studies, or a related discipline. It is an excellent foundation for doctoral work, and for those pursuing ongoing personal and professional development.

You will undertake a ‘Preliminary Tour’ as a core module while three further optional modules will enable you to adopt historical, philosophical, ethical and political approaches to the subject through the study of topics such as faith and reason, twentieth century Catholic theology and conceiving change in contemporary Catholicism, and through exploring the thought of Thomas Aquinas or medieval Franciscan thinkers.

You will also be required to complete a dissertation which will provide the opportunity for you to develop a specialism in a subject of your own choosing, under the guidance of a supervisor.

The course is offered part-time over two or three years via distance learning. It has been set up to enable you to study from wherever you live regardless of your time zone. There will however be a residential session of 2-3 days in the University each year. The residential is an important part of the course. It offers a valuable opportunity to connect with fellow students and lecturers and to attend a series of tailored lectures and seminar sessions. For those attending the residential, there is an additional fee to cover room and board for the days in Durham.

As a distance learner, you will be considered a valued and engaged member of the CCS and the Department’s student body as a whole. You will be encouraged to participate in the Department’s research seminars where possible and other online events. We also hold an early career conference in Catholic Studies, which in some years is run online. We are fully committed to making the high-quality academic study of Catholic theology available to students in different parts of the world and in a wide variety of life situations.

Our distance learning MA in Catholic Theology offers you the freedom to explore Catholic theology with intellectual rigour and in depth, wherever you are in the world.

• A 2:1 undergraduate degree in Theology, or Religious Studies or a related discipline.
• The three principle exceptions to this rule are
  • Graduates of other disciplines who have studied at an undergraduate or equivalent level in one or more of the areas in which they hope to work, through their first degrees, through training for the ministry of the churches, and so on.
  • Students from overseas universities who have successfully reached a point in their theological, religious studies or studies in a related discipline comparable with completion of an English BA.
  • Students who have already passed the module ‘Catholic Theology: A Preliminary Tour’ with a score of 60 or higher.

A 500-word personal statement should include the following:

• An outline of your interest in the MA in Catholic Theology (DL)
• What skills and knowledge you would bring to the course
• What skills and knowledge you would hope to acquire
• A preliminary indication of the area in which you might like to write your dissertation.

For those who wish, a brief one-on-one interview with a programme convenor.

English language requirements

Durham graduates are in demand across many sectors. The world-class study facilities, combined with a research-led approach to learning and the Department’s international outlook mean our postgraduate taught courses and research degrees provide the fundamental skills and personal qualities needed to succeed in the workplace.

Our Theology and Religion graduates are equipped to follow a wide range of careers, including law, politics and government, marketing, business and finance, industry, charity work, the media, journalism and the clergy. Many progress into careers with religious institutions across the world, while others work in schools, colleges and universities. Our taught MA programme also offers a pathway into research and many graduates take the step into higher-level studies.

Previous employers have included Linklaters, Kirkland and Ellis, Coltraco Ultrasonics, the Home Office, Durham Police and Jaguar Land Rover.