Why study this course?
The PGDip and MLitt in Bible and the Contemporary World is a part-time online programme aimed at both lay people seeking personal development and clergy seeking continued professional development.
Find out more about studying Bible and the Contemporary World.
Highlights
- Gain an understanding of how public issues and culture both shape and are shaped by Christian theology, biblical interpretation and practice.
- Join an international and interdenominational group of students, most of whom are lay people.
- A residential study week in St Andrews starts each module with lectures and seminar discussions and allows you to meet your fellow participants and tutors.
- Opens possibilities for future doctoral work in fields such as practical theology or for those who seek to deepen their critical thinking in careers (often in the voluntary sector) that have a religious dimension.
Each semester begins with a residential study week held at St Mary's College, part of the School of Divinity at the University of St Andrews.
A typical residential study week includes lectures, seminars, sessions on using the Moodle and MMS internet platforms, and study skills training. It is also a good opportunity for you to meet your online peers and tutors in person.
Attendance is required at each study week from Monday through Wednesday, but students are encouraged to stay for the remainder of the week. You will need to pay for your own travel and accommodation costs to attend these mandatory study weeks.
Both MLitt and PGDip students take three taught modules over the course of their programme. Each module comprises 15 weeks of study (typically divided into four units) and focuses on independent learning.
In each unit of a module, students are supplied a number of scholarly articles and extracts from books which are supplemented by two written lectures available online in digital format. You will also have access to the library's extensive online subscriptions of journals and ebooks. Instead of seminars, you will participate in online bulletin board discussions with your peers (not held in real time).
The MLitt programme is followed by a 15,000-word dissertation submitted at the end of two years of study. Students are assigned an individual supervisor for their dissertation, and meetings with supervisors are normally held via online video messaging or telephone.
Course duration
From 15 weeks part-time (single module); minimum 18 months part-time, maximum 4 years part-time (PGDip); minimum 2 years part-time, maximum 5 years part-time (MLitt)
Teaching
Delivered through lectures and online bulletin board discussions.
Assessment
Students typically write four essays for each module (one for each unit) and receive written feedback.
Dissertation
A 15,000-word project with regular support.
Support
Students will have one personal tutorial with a tutor (usually via online video messaging or telephone) per module where they can discuss their recent essay.
Modules
The course runs across three semesters, starting in January and ending in May or starting in September and ending in December, depending when you start the course.
Each module typically comprises:
- online lectures and seminars
- 100% coursework assessment
Students will take the modules in different orders depending on their point of entry.
For more details, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the module catalogue. The modules are examples from previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your course.
What it will lead to
Careers
Students on this programme are often already in employment. Others have gone on to work in the charitable sector and to further studies. Previous students have had professional occupations in:
- education
- law
- business
- administration
- charities
- ministry
Students on our Masters programmes are provided with the skills they need to succeed in an international job market, both academic and non-academic.
Regular workshops, both general and subject-specific, in areas such as publishing, conference presentations, and job searches are offered by the School of Divinity and the University.
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students on a taught postgraduate course and hosts a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.
Further study
Many Divinity graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews or elsewhere in the UK and abroad.
Why St Andrews?
The School of Divinity at St Andrews regularly hosts international conferences and smaller symposia on themes across the field of biblical and theological studies.
Alumni
When you graduate you become a member of the University's worldwide alumni community. Benefit from access to alumni clubs, the Saint Connect networking and mentoring platform, and careers support.
“Studying the Bible at this level was challenging and life-enhancing at the same time. The online-learning option for this program offered something hard to find: the concentration I wanted in the format I needed. ”
- Tennessee, USA
Ask a student
If you are interested in learning what it's like to be a student at St Andrews you can speak to one of our student ambassadors. They'll let you know about their top tips, best study spots, favourite traditions and more.
Entry requirements
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
Application requirements
- CV that includes your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date
- personal statement (200 to 300 words)
- sample of your own, single-authored academic written work (2,000 words)
- two original signed references (academic or professional)
- academic transcripts and degree certificates
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.
Fees and funding
January 2025 entry
- Home: £2,595 per module, £3,895 MLitt dissertation module
- Overseas: £5,750 per module, £8,630 MLitt dissertation module
September 2025 entry
- Home: £2,670 per module, £4,010 MLitt dissertation module
- Overseas: £5,750 per module, £8,650 MLitt dissertation module
Scholarships and funding
We are committed to supporting you through your studies, regardless of your financial circumstances. You may be eligible for scholarships, discounts or other support:
Contact us
Start your journey
Legal notices
Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy
Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the course archive.
Curriculum development
As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online.
Tuition fees
The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online.
Page last updated: 19 March 2025
