Applied Theology

The MTh in Applied Theology is designed to enable theological reflection upon experience in pastoral practice mainly, but not only, in the context of ministry in the Church. It may be taken if you hold a pastoral appointment at present, or if you are able to include a period of approved pastoral experience in your course of study for the MTh.

The MTh is divided into two parts. Part I is one year of taught study during which full-time students must be resident in Oxford and part-time students must attend classes in Oxford once a week.

You will take four units in total during Part I, each assessed by extended essay. The two core units are:

• Doctrine, Context and Practice
• Experiential Project with Theological Reflection.

You will choose two further units from the following options:

• Sociology of Religion
• Pastoral Psychology
• Science and Faith in the Modern World
• The Use of the Bible
• Christian Spirituality
• Liturgy and Worship
• Christian Ethics
• Mission in the Modern World
• Inter-faith Dialogue
• Ecclesiology in an Ecumenical Context

In Part II of the MTh, you will write a dissertation of 15,000 to 20,000 words on an agreed aspect of applied theology. This dissertation can be completed part-time with no requirement to be permanently resident in Oxford.

The MTh may be taken either full-time (residential) in two years, or part-time in three or four years. You may transfer from full-time to part-time after the first year.

Applicants are normally expected to be predicted or have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in theology, religious studies or another closely related field. Entrance is very competitive.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.7 out of 4.0.

If you hold non-UK qualifications and wish to check how your qualifications match these requirements, you can contact the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC).

Other examination results may be submitted alongside degree qualifications. If offered, the minimum Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score sought is 160 and the minimum GMAT score sought is 600.

• Official transcript(s)
• CV/résumé
• Statement of purpose: One page
• Written work: Two essays of 2,000 words each
• References/letters of recommendation: Three overall, all of which must be academic

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Higher level

• Global Education
• Hill Foundation Scholarships