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Courses

MTh in Biblical Studies

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Online

Part-time, over up to 4 years

The MTh is a specialised, advanced study Master’s degree in the area of Biblical Studies. Biblical Studies is broadly conceived to include study of the languages and literature of the Old Testament, New Testament, and Ancient Near East. The degree therefore permits pathways of specialization in Old Testament, New Testament, and Ancient Near Eastern studies (Assyriology).  It is intended to bring students to the point where they can consider embarking upon doctoral research. It can also function as a self-contained and satisfying course of study in its own right.

Download Specification

There is a strong philological focus to the degree. For students wishing to follow a NT/Greek pathway or OT/Hebrew pathway, applicants must have completed a minimum of a one-year complete introduction to the relevant biblical language. This is usually established by means of a language placement test as part of the interview. As part of the application and interview, students are expected to have some idea about the particular area of the sub-field in which they would like to work for their dissertation.

Programme Structure and Modules

A student will take a total of 180 CATS of modules as outlined below.

90 CATS taught modules plus longer dissertation (90 CATS)

OR

120 CATS taught modules plus shorter dissertation (60 CATS)

At least one module must be taken from the list of language/text modules.

Full-time students must do the longer dissertation.

The following list of modules is labelled according to specialism: OT, NT, and ANE. All modules are 30 CATS.

Exodus: texts and topics [OT]

This module offers an opportunity to explore the book of Exodus in depth, giving particular attention to its theological contribution to the metanarrative that runs from Genesis to Kings. In narrating God’s deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt through signs and wonders, Exodus records the Old Testament’s preeminent salvation event in terms of chronology and theology. The making of the covenant at Mount Sinai not only includes the giving of the Decalogue but also establishes Israel as unique among all the nations of the earth. The construction of the tabernacle prepares for God’s presence among the people and the establishment of a system of cultic worship. Through exploring these topics, special attention will be given to understanding how the book of Exodus provides a paradigm of salvation that enables people to be sanctified and restored to a harmonious relationship with God.

Wisdom literature [OT]

Wisdom Literature is an adaptable category for grouping books from the Old Testament. It has a rich history as a biblical “genre” and has recently encountered debate regarding its plausibility and ongoing viability. This module considers the books of Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes as texts particularly designed to provoke thought about what it means to be human in God’s world. It profiles “wisdom” across each book while covering the messages, major themes, and a selective history of interpretation for each.

The world of the patriarchs [OT/ANE]

General Epistles [NT]

In this module, students are offered an opportunity to develop and enhance their existing exegetical and hermeneutical skills, through close engagement with selected New Testament texts representing different genres within the New Testament Canon. The texts that will be considered in this module include select epistles from Hebrews-Jude.

Synoptic gospels and Acts [NT]

This module equips students for academic study of the Synoptic Gospels and Acts, at an advanced level. The course includes topical study of key interpretative issues and extensive exegesis of passages selected from all strata of the Synoptic Gospels and from Acts.

Matthew’s Gospel [NT]

This module provides students with an in-depth exegetical study of the Gospel of Matthew, dealing with translation, exegesis, interpretation, and application in the modern context. Students will engage with Matthew’s message, major themes, with particular focus on the five major discourses, which are unique to Matthew’s Gospel.

Hebrew Reading and Exegesis [OT]

Advanced Hebrew [runs across two semesters] [OT/ANE]

This module studies select features of Biblical Hebrew at an advanced level. Special attention is given to diachronic variation in the Tiberian tradition in light of morphology, orthography, patterns of usage, and inscriptional evidence. Students develop their own philological and linguistic analysis of select texts in light of these considerations. To enrol, students must have completed Hebrew Reading and Exegesis or equivalent as a minimum.

 

Greek Reading and Exegesis [NT]

In this module, students will study select features of Biblical Greek at an intermediate level. Students will develop and consolidate their skills and tools for textual criticism, translation, analysis and exegesis of Greek, using a range of resources. In addition to improving their grasp of Greek vocabulary, grammar and syntax, students will incorporate recent advances in the understanding of ancient Greek into their work. Several texts are studied in the original Greek, with selected passages chosen from the New Testament, Septuagint, and Apostolic Fathers.

Introduction to Akkadian [runs across two semesters] [ANE]

Akkadian is one of the oldest attested languages in the Ancient Near East. From its earliest traces around 2600 BC to its final traces in the first century AD, it has a remarkably long period of attestation. It was spoken in Mesopotamia by Babylonians and Assyrians, written mainly on clay tablets in cuneiform script. This module introduces students to the Akkadian language as attested in its Old Babylonian form (c. 2000-1600 BC), together with the cuneiform script in which it was written. After the foundational grammar is studied, students work on a selection of Old Babylonian texts, including laws, letters, and omina.

Introduction to Sumerian [runs across two semesters] [ANE]

This module introduces students to the world’s oldest known language, Sumerian, and the cuneiform script in which it was written. Sumerian was used throughout the third millennium BC and continued to be used in scholarly and other texts long after it ceased to be a spoken vernacular by the twentieth century BC. There is a rich text corpus of Sumerian texts covering a variety of genres including literary, cultic, legal, administrative, and royal inscription texts. The module combines study of the cuneiform script, comprehensive foundations of Sumerian grammar, and text reading. The course runs across two semesters with instruction in script and grammar weighted heavily to the first semester.

Sumerian texts [ANE]

Mesopotamian texts of the second millennium [ANE]

Programme Fee

Tuition fees are subject to annual revision and are typically increased by approximately 4% per annum for programmes longer than one year. For part–time intermittent study, the schedule for the payment of fees is arranged by the College office.

Fees for entrants in 2025-26 are as follows:

£6,615 (UK/ROI)

180 CATS points - £36.75 per CATS
Annual Registration - £205

£17,770 (International/EU)

180 CATS points - £98.72 per CATS
Annual registration - £205

Fee information is subject to change and is for guidance only.

Entry Requirements

Please check you meet all the entry requirements for this programme before you submit an application. All students will be interviewed online which will include a language placement test.

Helpful links

  • Curriculum vitae
  • Sample of academic work
  • Letter of intent
  • Two signed letters of reference in support of your application
  • Academic transcript(s) and a copy (or copies) of degree certificates
  • English language requirement certificate (if applicable)
  • A document to confirm your identity, name and date of birth

MTh in Biblical Studies

Thank you for your interest in this programme. Our admissions team will be in touch with more information.


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