MLitt in Systematic and Historical Theology
Saint Andrews, United Kingdom
Master degree
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
07 Aug 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 25,880 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* overseas / home: £11,680
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
The MLitt in Systematic and Historical Theology offers students the opportunity to engage at a high level with the study of Christian doctrine in its historical context and systematic expression.
Course details
The MLitt in Systematic and Historical Theology is a one-year taught program run by the School of Divinity.
Highlights
- Trains students in a high-level engagement with Christian doctrines in their historical and systematic dimensions
- Integrates the study of Biblical origins, primary theological texts, and contemporary scholarship
- Balances coursework and a research component that allows students to apply acquired skills to a substantial subject or question of their choosing
- Equips students for doctoral study in systematic and historical theology, or enhanced ministry in church and society.
The modules published below are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your program.
Modules
Here is a sample of modules that may be offered.
- A Selected Medieval Theologian: allows students to engage at length and in-depth with the thought of a formative, medieval thinker
- A Selected Modern Theologian: allows students to engage at length and in-depth with the thought of a formative, modern thinker
- A Selected Patristic Theologian: allows students to engage at length and in-depth with the thought of a formative, patristic thinker
- A Selected Reformation Theologian: allows students to engage at length and in-depth with the thought of a formative, Reformation thinker
- From Nazareth to Nicaea: The Origins of Christian Theology: examines the beginnings of Christian theology in the New Testament texts and early Christian writers
- Persons: Divine and Human: assesses the concept of the ‘person’ as used to describe the nature of God and the Trinity on the one hand, and the nature of human beings on the other
- Reconciliation: Divine and Human: explores the doctrine of reconciliation and its implications for human relationships
- The Doctrine of Creation: the development of Christian thinking about the creation of the world by God from the Bible to the present day
- The Good Life and the Good Death: Theological and Practical Ethics: explores how ethical concepts, and their practical application, relate to various (and often competing) theological and philosophical conceptions of the Good Life and the Good Death, using a range of important historical and contemporary moral theologians and philosophers.
Dissertation
Over the year, but with a particular focus over the last three months, you will research and write a 15,000-word dissertation. Student dissertations will be supervised by members of the teaching staff who will advise on the choice of subject and provide guidance throughout the research process. The completed dissertation must be submitted by a date specified in August.
There is no exit award option (such as a PGCert or PGDip) for this program. To complete the MLitt, students must pass the dissertation element of their course.
Teaching
Teaching format
The program comprises two semesters of taught modules, featuring both lectures and discussions and a 15,000-word dissertation. Modules are assessed by essays.
Class sizes in the School of Divinity typically range from 6 to 12 students.
Students also attend the weekly Theology Research Seminar, and may, if they wish, enroll in language classes and attend other lectures, seminars, and reading groups as appropriate.
The School offers classes in Hebrew and Greek, which are open to all students.
The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances.
The University of St Andrews offers postgraduate scholarships and other financial awards. These may be held in addition to external funding or awards from a government body. These may also cover (fully or partially) tuition fees, maintenance (living costs including accommodation), or both.
Scholarships are available based on academic merit and financial need. There are scholarships available for both home and overseas fee status. The scholarship team recommends reading the terms of each award carefully and applying to a range of funding sources.
Postgraduate scholarships
Postgraduate study is an investment in your intellectual development and career potential. The University of St Andrews provides scholarships to help as many students as possible continue in higher education.
Scholarship availability may depend on your area of study or fee status (for example, whether you are a 'Home' or 'Overseas' student).
Students in the MLitt program are provided 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.
Further study
In addition to the MLitt, the School offers a two-year residential Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree option in Systematic and Historical Theology.
Many Divinity graduates continue their education by enrolling in Ph.D. programs at St Andrews or elsewhere.