Our postgraduate programmes in Theology, Ministry and Mission are advanced degrees for graduates who want to deepen their theological understanding, engage rigorously with Scripture, and grow as reflective practitioners in ministry and mission.
Our postgraduate programmes are built to be flexible — enabling you to shape your studies around your ministry, work, and life - whilst prioritising synchronous training.
You can tailor your studies in three key ways:
Study full time or part time, over up to four years for the MA
Choose between intensive teaching weeks, weekly classes, or a combination of both
Attend teaching in person at Oak Hill College or live synchronously online from home
You study one module at a time or several together, depending on your availability, and you choose your modules from a rotating cycle that ensures options are always available.
You can take each module in one of two teaching formats and you may mix intensive and weekly modules if this best suits your circumstances across the programme.
You must study at least one module per semester. If combining teaching formats, you may study up to three modules in a semester (which represents a full-time student load). For all modules semesters are 15 weeks long. Each module carries 20 credits and represents approximately 200 hours of learning across the semester.
Modules are centered around a 5-day intensive teaching week usually held mid-way through a semester.
Usually held between mid October and early November (Semester 1) and Early to Mid March (Semester 2). This year's residentials will provisionally be:
Research Methods running w/c 28th September [Full time MA students]
New Testament running w/c 19th October
Doctrine running w/c 8th March
The weekly workload outside of the intensive teaching week is 8-10 hours per week.
Learning begins with others on your module in the first week of the Semester (Semester 1 on w/c 14th September and Semester 2 on w/c 1st February) when the online learning platform opens. However, a reading list and module outline will usually be available in advance to give students extra time to help manage their workload.
Outside of the intensive weeks there will be weekly learning activities and time for the completion of assessments. This might also include synchronous learning with tutors/other students and opportunities for collaborative learning.
The total weekly workload is 10-12 hours per week for a weekly module.
Each week typically involves around 3 hours of class time, with the additional spent on ongoing learning assignments and assessments.
Classes begin in the first week of the Semester (Semester 1 on w/c 14th September and Semester 2 on w/c 1st February). A reading list and module outline will usually be available in advance.
Weekly classes are taught on Thursdays (morning or afternoon).
Classes are attended either in person at Oak Hill College or live online.
All postgraduate awards can be studied either full time or part time:
Each taught module carries 20 credits and represents approximately 200 hours of learning, including lectures, reading, seminars, and assessment. We recommend allowing around one day per week for each module studied at any one time.
You must study at least one module per semester. If combining teaching formats, you may study up to three modules in a semester.
Programme Specifications
We offer three postgraduate awards in Theology, Ministry and Mission:
Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) – 60 credits (three modules)
Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) – 120 credits (six modules)
Master of Arts (MA) – 180 credits (six modules plus a 15,000-word dissertation)
Church of England ordinands complete the MA over two years of full time training due to the additional modules required for ordination training. Further information about the MA ordination pathway is available separately here.
Student can exit with a lower level award, then return within five years and continue to a higher level award.
Modules run on a rotating cycle, ensuring that whenever you join the programme you will have meaningful choices available.
The only fixed module is Research and Reflection: Resources and Methods, which is normally taken intensively in Semester 1 by students intending to proceed to the MA dissertation either that year or the following year.
A three-year indicative module plan is published here to help you plan ahead. You confirm your module choices each summer for the following academic year.
Our curriculum brings together biblical studies, doctrine, pastoral theology, and missiology.
Bracketed titles are the Common Awards module titles.
TMM40320 Minor Prophets in Canonical Context [Advanced OT Studies]
TMM40420 The Theology of Luke-Acts [Advanced NT Studies]
TMM40920 Incarnation: The Glory of God in the Face of Christ [Advanced Topic in Christian Doctrine]
TMM44320 Leadership, Discipleship and Holiness in Contemporary Culture [Christian Doctrine and Contemporary Culture]
TMM49120 Complex Issues in Pastoral Care
TMM42220 Research and Reflection: Resources and Methods
Each year, two of the following are offered:
TMM40120 History of Biblical Interpretation [The Bible and Christian Faith]
TMM43820 The Church and the Public Square [Further Advanced Topic in Christian Doctrine]
TMM49020 Missiology for a Changing World [Advanced Missiology]
TMM46720 The Theology and Spirituality of the Child
Students on the MA complete a 15,000-word dissertation.
You may begin work on your dissertation after completing the intensive Research and Reflection: Resources and Methods module in Semester 1. You will choose a topic in consultation with the programme team and be allocated a suitably qualified supervisor.
Students studying the MA over four years may use their fourth year primarily to complete the dissertation.
Students on the PGCert may take up to 20 credits at Level 6 (or biblical language modules at Levels 4 and 5). Students on the PGDip or MA may take up to 30 credits at Level 6 (or languages at Levels 4 and 5). These modules must be attended, either in person or online, when timetabled, and this could be on any day in the week.
Assessment is primarily by written coursework. This includes:
Academic essays
Reflective journals
Book reviews
Some modules may also include oral presentations.
Applicants will have at least a 2:1 honours degree (or other Level 6 qualification, such as a Graduate Diploma) in Theology.
Graduates in other disciplines with at least a 2:1 honours degree may also be admitted to the programme and will complete a piece of written work before interview. This will allow applicants to get a flavour of the level of reading and engagement that will be required for the programme as well as allow the College to assess the applicant’s suitability for Master’s-level theological study.
However, especially for mature students (those aged 25 and over), prior professional experience will be taken into account as well as educational qualifications.
Applicants who do not have a 2:1 degree in any subject will be considered ‘non-standard’. In addition to completing a piece of written work before interview, following the interview Oak Hill must seek approval from Durham University before a place would be offered.
Given the professional development orientation of these programmes, students are likely to be preparing for a ministerial or related vocation or be actively engaged in such a ministry.
Click here to look at equivalent entry requirements.
Applicants whose first language is not English must satisfy the College that they have a sufficient command of spoken and written English to meet the demands of their chosen programme. IELTS Academic or equivalent is therefore required at 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any component.
You can find out more about equivalent qualifications, along with details of any exceptions, here.
Students studying in person must have the appropriate right to study in the UK. In some cases, the PGCert may be taken in one semester on a visitor visa.
Students studying online do not require a UK visa.
To do this course you will need both access to a laptop/desktop and a working reliable internet connection for both digital reading and synchronous lecture access.
Applications for September 2026 entry for postgraduate programmes are now open here.
Closing dates
Non standard/APL applications close on 15 May (noon)
Standard applications close on 29 May (noon)
Other important dates, including interview days, accommodation and bursary application dates can be found here.
If taken full time in 2026/27, the total cost of each programme is:
PGCert £3,600
PGDip £7,200
MA £10,800
We charge fees per module undertaken with all information found on our fee sheet here.
All module offerings and details are subject to change.
Oak Hill alumni can access a 20% discount on fees for this course.
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Oak Hill offers a number of bursaries to enable a wide range of students to access theological training.
The MA has helped me think more clearly and carefully about Scripture, but also about how theology connects to the life of the church.