Introduction
The Masters in Theology (MTh) allows students to choose either a specialist or a more generalist study route. Depending on the combination of courses taken, students can graduate with either the more general Masters in Theology (MTh) or a specialist degree in one of the following subject areas: MTh Biblical Studies (with biblical languages focus), MTh Church History, MTh Systematic Theology, or MTh Theological Ethics.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MTh
- Duration
- 12 months or 24 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- September
The University of Aberdeen has an international reputation for excellence in the study of Christian Theology and the Department of Divinity is a leading centre of biblical and theological training and research. On entry to the MTh in Theology, you will join a lively, collegial, international and ecumenical community.
What You'll Study
- Degree Content
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Students who choose a specialisation route and who successfully complete all 180 credits, on approval by the School, will be able to graduate with one of the following degrees:
- MTh Biblical Studies
- MTh Church History
- MTh Systematic Theology
- MTh Theological Ethics
Students who choose not to specialise will graduate with a Masters in Theology, MTh. Students who choose the Biblical Studies specialist route, which has a focus on biblical languages, will be required to take 30 credits of biblical language courses to have facilities in Greek and/or Hebrew.
The programme of study will be decided on an individual basis in consultation with the programme coordinator and will take account of demonstrable previous language learning. In cases where the student can demonstrate proficiency in both Greek and Hebrew, this requirement may be waived.
Compulsory Courses
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
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This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across the first 4 weeks of term.
Topics include University orientation overview, equality & diversity, MySkills, health, safety and cyber security, and academic integrity.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
- Research Skills and Dissertation Writing (DR505W)
-
60 Credit Points
15,000 word dissertation written on a topic related to the student's taught Master's programme and agreed to by the supervisor and the programme co-ordinator.
Optional Courses
- DR502T Creation and Christian Ethics (30 credit points)
- DR504U Topics in Systematic Theology: God, Christ and Salvation (30 credit points)
- DR505C New Testament Studies in Process: Currents and Themes (30 credit points)*
- DR505N Israel’s Scriptures at the Turn of the Common Era (30 credit points)*
- DR505T A History of Spiritual Formation Literature and Practices (30 credit points
- DR551Q Great Thinkers in Theological Ethics (30 credit points)
- DR554U Topics in Systematic Theology: Spirit, Church, and World (30 credit points)
- DR555L The Old Testament – Mundane Mechanics & Heavenly Concepts (30 credit points )
- DR555R Significant Figures and Places in Early Christianity (30 Credit Points)*
- DR555V Close Readings in Early Christian Literature (30 credit points)*
- DR5045/DR5545 Special Subject (15 credit points)
- DR502X/DR552X Special Subject (30 credit points)
* These courses run every other year.
NB: Students require special permission from the programme coordinator to take 30-credit Special Subject courses. For those on the MTh Biblical Studies pathway, 15-credit Special Subject courses may be selected when taking a 15-credit language course each term. These 15-credit Special Subject courses will focus on extending critical engagement with biblical texts.
Biblical Languages options:
- DR508E Hebrew Language 1 (15 credit points)
- DR558G Hebrew Language 2 (15 credit points)
- DR508A Aramaic I: The Language of Empire (15 credit points)
- DR558C Aramaic II: The Language of Empire (15 credit points)
- DR103X Ancient Greek Language 1 (15 credit points)
- DR153X Ancient Greek Language 2 (15 credit points)
- LT1009 Latin 1 (15 credit points)
- LT1507 Latin 2 (15 credit points)
A maximum of 30 credits of Biblical Languages below level 5 may be chosen.
Please note that Latin 1, Ancient Greek Language 1, Hebrew Language 1, and Aramaic I run in the first term; Latin 2, Ancient Greek Language 2, Hebrew Language 2 and Aramaic II run in the second term.
- Creation and Christian Ethics (DR502T)
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30 Credit Points
This course examines the account of creation in the biblical book of Genesis in order to explore the theological account of human moral action it offers. By exploring different movements of the creation story, the course lays out the basic structure of Christian moral theology. The aim is to develop a theological approach to the fundamentals of Christian ethics, clarifying its relevance for issues of sexuality and procreation, economics, work, governance, health, animals and the environment. The course offers a broad theoretical framework for thinking about the whole scope of ethical questions in contemporary society.
- Topics in Systematic Theology: God, Christ, and Salvation (DR504U)
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30 Credit Points
This course engages at length and in depth with the classic topics of God, Christ, and salvation in the Christian theological tradition, aiming to foster critical reflection on the scope and coherence of Christian teachings as well as on the defining concerns and conventions of Christian systematic theology, and to cultivate in students the interpretative and analytical skills required for advanced work in the discipline. In this course, students will engage intensively with one or more major texts from the Christian doctrinal tradition, with a particular focus on modern and contemporary sources.
- New Testament Studies in Process: Currents and Themes (DR505C)
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30 Credit Points
This course will engage a significant area of debate in New Testament Studies by means of close and sustained evaluation of a particular work, or by a thematically arranged series of discussions. This will allow students to develop awareness of the major questions currently dominating the discipline and their backdrop in scholarship, thus helping students to identify ongoing challenges and prospects for future inquiry. The topic under consideration will vary in each delivery of the course.
- A History of Spiritual Formation Literature and Practices (DR505T)
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30 Credit Points
This course will introduce students to the literature and practices of Spiritual Formation within the Christian tradition.
Spiritual Formation involves the transformation of the whole person to the character of Jesus Christ by the work of the Holy Spirit within the Christian community.
- Great Thinkers in Theological Ethics (DR551Q)
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30 Credit Points
This course will introduce students to a number of major thinkers in the area of Theological Ethics. Its focus will be on reading and discussing texts by prominent figures who are of ongoing significance. Moreover, this course will include figures from different theological and confessional backgrounds (Catholic, Reformed, Lutheran, non-Conformist, etc.), and explore whether and how their theological commitments connect with practical stances and approaches (i.e. on issues of war and peace, sexual ethics, bioethics, etc.)
- Topics in Systematic Theology: Spirit, Church, and World (DR554U)
-
30 Credit Points
This course engages at length and in pdeth with the classic topics of Spirit, church and world in the Christian theological tradition, aiming to foster critical reflection on the scope and coherence of Christian teaching as well as on the defining concerns and conventions of Christian systematic theology, and to cultivate in students the interpretative and analytical skills required for advanced work in the discipline. In this course, students will engage intensively with one or more major texts from the Christian doctrinal tradition, with a particular focus on modern and contemporary sources.
- Special Subject (DR5045)
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15 Credit Points
This course allows a student to do in-depth study in a specific area agreed upon with a student-selected staff member in Divinity and Religious Studies.
- Significant Figures and Places in Early Christianity (DR555R)
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30 Credit Points
This course offers students the opportunity to explore in depth important thinkers and locales in early Christianity. It will critically analyse the contexts, settings, causes, key figures and sources, and the resultant trajectories of particular historical ecclesiastical phenomena. Of note, alongside this will be the theological concerns at stake and the influence of given movements on wider Christian thought and practice.
- Special Subject (DR5545)
-
15 Credit Points
This course allows a student to do in-depth study in a specific area agreed upon with a student-selected staff member in Divinity and Religious Studies.
- Special Subject (DR502X)
-
30 Credit Points
This course allows a student to do in-depth study in a specific area in Divinity or Religious Studies agreed upon with his or her supervisor and approved by the Head of School. It may be offered in conjunction with the student sitting in on level 4 lectures relating to the subject material.
- Special Subject (DR552X)
-
30 Credit Points
This course allows a student to do in-depth study in a specific area in Divinity or Religious Studies agreed upon with his or her supervisor and approved by the Head of School. It may be offered in conjunction with the student sitting in on level 4 lectures relating to the subject material.
- Ancient Greek Language 1 (DR103X)
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15 Credit Points
This course will explore the language of the ancient Greeks with the view to connecting the Classics. This course will provide an overview of classical Greek and look to draw upon (adapted) texts, for example, of Plato, Euripides, Xenophon, Herodotus and fragments. This course will not only delve into ancient Greek language and grammar, but also the culture of the ancient Greek world.
- Ancient Greek Language 2 (DR153X)
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15 Credit Points
This course will build on the foundations laid in Ancient Greek Language 1, introducing further study of ancient Greek language, grammar, and culture of the ancient Greek World.
- Latin 1 (LT1009)
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15 Credit Points
Latin 1 is an introductory, intensive course for those with little or no previous exposure to Latin. Students completing this course should have a Latin vocabulary of about 400 words and a basic understanding of Latin grammar and syntax. Students successfully completing this course will be adequately prepared to attend Latin 2. Students will very likely discover that their knowledge of English vocabulary and grammar/syntax is improved by their study of Latin. The etymological roots of many English words can be traced to the Latin language.
- Latin 2 (LT1507)
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15 Credit Points
Latin 2 picks up where Latin 1 finished in first term. By the end of this course students should have a more or less comprehensive understanding of Latin syntax and grammar, a Latin vocabulary of 700-800 words, and should be capable of translating simple Latin texts into idiomatic English. Students will very likely discover that their knowledge of English vocabulary and grammar/syntax is improved by their study of Latin.
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page. In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips.
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| UK | |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | £10,000 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year (University of Aberdeen Graduates *) | £7,000 |
| EU / International students | |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | £22,000 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year (Self-funded Students *) | £14,000 |
Fee Information
Scholarships
All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students starting in September 2025 will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Seminars
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
The taught courses will be assessed by coursework, by written examination, or by a combination of these, as prescribed for each course. The dissertation module will be assessed by submission of the dissertation. An oral examination may be held at the discretion of the examiners.
Why Study Masters in Theology?
- The Masters in Theology allows academic flexibility, enabling students to determine their own path of study.
- The University of Aberdeen has a reputation as one of the foremost research institutions in Theology, offering a variety of career options and further academic research.
- Teaching on the programme is closely integrated with Aberdeen’s research expertise and offers access to internationally recognised scholars in a broad range of sub-disciplines.
- Aberdeen’s Department of Divinity has a large postgraduate community and there are several vibrant postgraduate research seminars open to students and staff.
- The Department of Divinity regularly hosts events and conferences through which you will gain access to a range of internationally renowned scholars.
- The Department of Divinity is linked to a number of active research centres.
- Our students come from across the globe and contribute to a diverse and multi-cultural context.
View further videos about the programme:
Entry Requirements
For more information about the application process, including details about which supporting documents you will be asked to provide, please click here.
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
Candidates must normally have an Honours degree to at least 2:2 standard in an appropriate discipline or equivalent qualifications.
Please enter your country or territory to view relevant entry requirements.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Eligibility details and further information are available on our dedicated page.
Aberdeen Global ScholarshipEnglish Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- Degree Certificate
- a degree certificate showing your qualifications
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
Careers
An Aberdeen MTh in Theology prepares students for a wide variety of careers. Our students have gone on to teaching, ministry, church leadership, charitable organisations. Many of our students also progress to doctoral studies here at Aberdeen and at a wide range of institutions around the world.
Our Experts
- Other Experts
- Dr Marie-Luise Ehrenschwendtner
- Professor Joachim Schaper
- Professor Grant Macaskill
- Professor Paul Nimmo
- Professor Tom Greggs
- Professor Philip Ziegler
- Professor Brian Brock
- Dr Kenneth Jeffrey
- Dr Edward Epsen
- Dr Daniel Pedersen
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX