MLitt in Theology and the Arts
St 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
Key Summary
About: The MLitt in Theology and the Arts at The University of St Andrews gives a theoretically and historically grounded introduction to theology and the arts. Offered by Institute for Theology, Imagination and the Arts (ITIA), School of Divinity, this one-year taught MLitt is standalone MLitt and basis for doctoral research. It engages cultural forms and trains artists and theologians to examine theological aspects of culture.
Career Outcomes: The programme builds research, critical skills for international academic and non-academic careers. Graduates work in arts institutions and museums, church ministry and secondary school teaching. It supports progression to MPhil and PhD.
The MLitt in Theology and the Arts gives students a theoretically inflected and historically contextualized introduction to the field of theology and the arts, acting as a stand-alone Master’s course or a stepping stone for those considering doctoral research in the field.
Course details
The MLitt in Theology and the Arts is a one-year taught programme run by the Institute for Theology, Imagination and the Arts (ITIA), part of the School of Divinity.
The course is designed to provide a broad introduction to postgraduate work in the field of theology and the arts. It can be taken as a self-contained programme of study or as a grounding for those intending to pursue doctoral research in this field.
Highlights
- A unique training programme for artists wishing to reflect on the theological dimensions of their work, and for theologians wishing to explore the place of art within theological thought and practice.
- An ideal stepping stone towards the Institute's PhD programme, which centres on a three-year independent research project.
- An opportunity to engage with diverse forms of culture from different historical periods, including literature, drama, the visual arts and music.
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.
Each module typically comprises:
- Three hours of weekly lectures and seminars
- Coursework assessment
- In some cases, a written exam.
Compulsory
- Christian Doctrine and the Arts: examines key Christian doctrines and their artistic presentation throughout the centuries
- Religious Experience and Aesthetic Theory: explores how historical and cultural contexts through the ages have shaped religious art and examines critically how different art forms – painting, music, literature, drama, architecture, film – and different styles within those forms mediate different kinds of religious experience
- Theological Engagements with the Arts: Methodologies and Critical Theories: addresses theological questions about human artistry and introduces students to different ways of engaging the relationship between Christian theology and the arts.
Optional
- Practical Criticism: exposes students to a multiplicity of forms and themes, with an emphasis on the practice of close reading (taught by ITIA staff)
- A module from another of the School of Divinity's MLitt programs
- A module from another academic School (e.g., English, Art History, Film Studies).
Dissertation
Student dissertations will be supervised by members of the teaching staff who will advise students on their choice of subject and provide guidance throughout the research process. The completed dissertation of 15,000 words must be submitted by a date specified in August.
If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, an exit award is available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MLitt.
Teaching
Teaching format
The programme consists of four taught modules taken over two semesters followed by a 15,000-word dissertation written over three months during the summer.
Modules are interdisciplinary, integrating various artistic media and theological themes, and are taught through weekly lectures and seminars.
Class sizes typically range from 6 to 12 students.
Students attend ITIA’s weekly research seminar, and may, if they wish, enrol 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.
Assessment
Assessment comprises a combination of coursework and written examination.
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 Theology and the Arts MLitt programme are provided with the skills they need to succeed in an international job market, both academic and non-academic.
Graduates have taken up roles in a wide variety of occupations including:
- Work for arts institutions and museums
- Church ministry
- Secondary school teaching.
Further study
In addition to the MLitt, the School offers a two-year residential Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree option in Theology and the Arts.
Many Divinity graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews.
ITIA provides a competitive and rigorous PhD programme aimed at those who already have the necessary scholarly grounding to begin an independent doctoral research project.