Go deeper into theological thinking with our postgraduate MA. Study in a unique way that encourages both personal and professional development.
Programme duration
Full-time: 1 year taught plus 1 year for dissertation.
Part-time: 2 years taught plus 1 year for dissertation, with a possibility of gaining an extension into a second year.
Location and mode of study
- Christchurch
“Studying for a MA has truly added value to my pastoral work. The knowledge gained on this course with the emphasis on Christian Leadership has positively transformed my outlook and service as a Pastor of a local congregation. I would recommend this programme to those in leadership teams at their local Church.”— John, MA graduate
Programme content
Our MA in Applied Theology will help you root your practice more deeply in Scripture and develop sharper insight into opportunities and challenges in your particular context.
Study theology alongside others in a way that encourages both personal growth and vocational development – all without the need to leave your responsibilities at home or work.
The MA in Applied Theology requires the completion of 180 credits. The programme effectively has two main parts: the taught element, which accounts for 120 credits; and the dissertation, worth 60 credits.
The programme is designed to be pursued on a part-time basis over three years* (or full-time over two years**) and is structured to facilitate this.
In the compulsory module, we dive into the areas of biblical interpretation and theological reflection, exploring the significance and implications of establishing solid theological foundations as a basis for Christian practice.
You also choose three optional modules to complete from our suite of optional modules. These modules focus on different areas of Christian theology and are all rooted in one or more aspect of Christian ministry and practice. You can choose a pathway of your own or select modules from one of our recommended pathways: Christian Leadership, the Bible and Preaching, or Societal Engagement.
You then embark on the final component of the MA in Applied Theology, which consists of either a 15,000-word dissertation or a practice-based research project. The dissertation involves researching and writing on a topic of your choice, one that is both theologically rich and relevant to your own context and practice. The practice-based research project requires you to plan, deliver, and reflect on a new initiative or project in your practice setting. Whichever you choose, you’ll be individually allocated a supervisor, appropriate to your field of research, who will provide you with support and guidance. We prepare you for this extended piece of research by providing training on advanced research skills throughout the taught phase of the programme.
*For part-time students, the taught element spans two academic years, and is followed by a one-year dissertation, with the possibility of gaining an extension into a second or third year.
**If required, the College can facilitate students completing the programme full-time in one year. Please raise this with the programme leader on interview if you’d like to request this.
Available Modules:
Bible and Context
Christian Leadership in Contemporary Contexts
Spirit and Mission in Acts and Today*
Bible and Preaching
Ethics, Humanity and Morality
Christian Life and Thought in a Post-Enlightenment World
The Church in Revelation and Today
Justice, Ecology and Poverty in the OT and Today
Spiritual Formation and Pastoral Care*
*These modules are only available to students commencing their studies in September 2026 who are studying part-time.
Delivery of optional modules subject to sufficient student take-up.
“After over 22 years of ministry, my MA has enabled me to become a more reflective practitioner. I found it challenging and fulfilling and enjoyed sharing the experience with those in my cohort, along with supportive and inspiring tutors.”— Jane, MA graduate
“My friend had been to Moorlands College, and I saw something in them I wanted to emulate. I liked the location and the programme, the emphasis on spiritual, applied theology—rather than simply theorising. This MA offered study which was grounded in reality.”—Michael, MA graduate
Assessment and feedback
Assessment is exclusively by coursework. The balance of written assignments and presentations depends on which modules you choose. Please see the MA Module Selector to find out more about the assessment requirements for each module. Assessments are marked by a member of the module team and are returned, together with written feedback, within four weeks.
Timetable
Delivery of the taught component of the MA Applied Theology is by means of four intensive study blocks per year at the Christchurch Campus and evening E-seminars. Study blocks typically occur in September, December, February and March/April. They are three days in duration for part-time students and week-long for full-time students. E-seminars take place on a Monday evening (7-8pm) during term-time, around once a month for part-time students and twice a month for full-time students.
*Students from the UK may be entitled to a Government-funded Postgraduate Master’s Loan. Contact the Admissions department for more information.
Application deadline
If you do not have an undergraduate degree in theology or related subject, the deadline for application is 31st May 2026 for commencing in September 2026. This is to give you time, if needed, to complete an Introduction to MA-Level Theology short course (please see below).
The deadline for those with an undergraduate degree in theology or related subject is 31st July 2026.
If you have missed this deadline, please get in touch with the Admissions department for further advice on admissions@moorlands.ac.uk
Introduction to MA-Level Theology Short Course
This online course prepares those whose first degree isn’t in theology, or a related subject, to commence theological studies at master’s level.
Please click here to find out more information about this course.
Entry requirements
A degree in theology or similar subject or equivalent (see below):
Postgraduate MA programme
We realise that some people interested in our programmes don’t have a degree in theology, but have developed a sufficient understanding to succeed in and benefit from it through other means. If you think you may be in this category, please talk to us about your situation.
You will need to show evidence of:
- A capacity to benefit from the study of practice, as part of your continuing professional or vocational development. You will normally have at least two relevant years of experience, and you will be engaged in practice while you undertake the programme.
- Sufficient academic ability: applicants are expected to have an undergraduate degree, but not necessarily in a theological field. Where applicants don’t have an undergraduate degree in theology, they are expected to have had significant experience of Christian life and service and demonstrate the ability to engage with academic theology. (Where suitable applicants do not have an undergraduate degree, they can apply through the College’s Recognition of Prior Learning application process.)
- GCSE in English (Language or Literature) at grade C or above, or equivalent qualifications at level 2, including an IELTS Academic Certificate with an overall score of 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each of reading and writing or nationally-recognised English language-based level 3 award, equivalent to these IELTS scores, from a different testing system.
If your formal education does not meet the entry requirements, but you have experience and non-certificated learning to the appropriate level, or you wish to enter at a level other than the first year of study, please submit a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) application. You will also need to supply evidence to support it.
Please do get in touch with us if you have any questions, we will be happy to guide you through the process.
If you do not have an undergraduate degree in Theology or if you need to submit an RPL application, please apply by the 31st May, otherwise please submit your application by 31st July.
Apply now
Our programmes are validated by
Student profile: Myles MacBean
Quite quickly I was led to Moorlands College, as I gave up business life and made the time for theology studies. Despite my concern that as a scientist and businessman I had never written a humanities-style academic essay in my life, the Moorlands College approach to the MA in Applied Theology was a perfect match for me.
“The MA in Applied Theology was a perfect match for me. The ‘applied theology’ approach encourages such students to bring all their professional, life and church experience to bare in a very beneficial way.”
The ‘applied theology’ approach encourages such students to bring all their professional, life and church experience to bare in a very beneficial way; and the focus on ‘practice’ allows us to immediately use what we learn at Moorlands in our ministry.
This academically rigorous, practical theological grounding I received at Moorlands College certainly gave my wife and I additional confidence as we stepped out with God anew and—in a move that turned out to be a greater surprise to us than our friends and family—end up on the mission field in Malawi.
Acting as Church Development Partners for the last three years, we have been able to deploy all our life-skills for the benefit of the Church in Malawi while also learning so many things about ourselves, about God and about his world.