Patterns of Spiritual Growth and Personal Transformation

MA Taster Term for September 2024

Dive into an exploration of personal transformation through a historical lens as you examine key spiritual figures and texts across Christian history.

Key info

  • Next enrollment: September 2024 – Sign up now
  • Duration: September to December 2024 (Autumn Term)
  • Location: Kent campus (West Malling)
  • Entry requirements: Typically a degree in theology/ministry, or degree in another subject plus a qualification in theology/ministry
  • Cost: £500 (payable on application)

  • Qualification level: Worth 20 credits

This course may suit you if...

…you are a theology graduate interested in postgraduate study (but not ready to commit to a full degree programme) or an ordained minister or priest looking to deepen your theological knowledge.

  • “Christians have long been amongst those who sought profound kinds of growth and transformation, under the impress of God’s grace.” Course tutors Barney palfrey and Edward Howells touch on some of the topics you’ll be studying during this Taster Term.

About the taster term

This exciting and faith-expanding MA-level Taster Term allows you to thoroughly explore the concept of personal and corporate spiritual transformation.

Together with your classmates, you will study examples of transformation, conversion and growth in the context of key spiritual figures and texts from different periods of Christian history.

Using these fascinating sources and stories, you will begin to identify, analyse, and compare the distinctive patterns of Christian spiritual growth and transformation present in each text.

Finally, you’ll use this insight to assess the significance of these accounts to reflect on how they fit within a contemporary context. Through class work and independent study, you’ll explore how these patterns might impact how we understand human growth and transformation today.

As part of your studies, you’ll employ a range of approaches, from theological and spiritual, to historical, psychological, and social. This course is taught by St Augustine’s tutors Edward Howells and Barnabas Palfrey.

  • Tutors Edward Howells and Barney Palfrey run through some of the topics and key content you’ll be studying over this exciting 3-month Taster Term.

Where and when will I be attending classes?

Classes for the Patterns of Spiritual Growth and Personal Transformation MA Taster Term will be taught via fortnightly Friday teaching days at our Kent-based campus.

Location: West Malling campus (52 Swan Street, West Malling, Kent, ME19 6JX) View on Google Maps

Date: Fridays (fortnightly)

Time: 10:30am – 4:00pm

  • Friday 27th September 2024
  • Friday 11th October 2024
  • Friday 25th October 2024
  • Friday 15th November 2024
  • Friday 29th November 2024

Please note there is a 3-week gap between your third and fourth teaching sessions to accommodate a reading week, which takes place 28th October to 3rd November.

Take a virtual tour of our West Malling campus in the heart of rural Kent, less than an hour by train from central London.

Discover what it’s like to study at St Augustine’s

Come along to one of our open-day style taster events. Meet the staff, chat with fellow students, sit in on classes, and join us in worshipping together.

Frequently asked questions

At St Augustine’s, we believe we should make theological learning as accessible as possible. If you’re intrigued by theological study at postgraduate level but you’re not yet ready to commit to a full MA programme, the taster term might be for you.

Taster terms (sometimes referred to as “taster modules”) give you an opportunity to whet your appetite and test your aptitude for studying theology at MA level. By taking a single 20-credit module from our MA programme in Theology, Ministry and Mission, we hope you’ll gain a fantastic insight into what studying theology at postgraduate level is like.

Completing the taster term alone doesn’t give you an academic qualification. However, if you pass the assignments for the module and decide to continue your studies, the credits that you achieve can be counted towards your MA qualification.

The fee for the taster module is £500, payable upon application.

You should expect to devote at least 10 hours of independent study per
week to get the most out of your academic experience. As part of your studies, you will be expected to complete one or more written assignments.

You will also be expected to attend your classes at our West Malling campus, which will be held on alternating Fridays.

In order to complete the module, you will be expected to submit either of these two options:

  • One large assignment (6,000 words) with a deadline of a few weeks after the final teaching session.
  • Two smaller assignments (typically 3,000 words each) with the first deadline typically in week 7 or 8 of term.

Because this taster module is taught at MA-level, we require applicants to have academic experience of studying theology (or a relevant subject) at undergraduate level.

Specifically, we ask for qualifications that include:

  • either a 2:1 degree or other equivalent level 6 qualification (e.g. a Graduate Diploma) including a substantial element of theology and/or ministry
  • or a 2:2 degree in any subject and an additional qualification at level 5 or above in theology and/or ministry at 2:1 standard or equivalent
  • or a 2:1 degree in any subject and an additional qualification at level 4 or above in theology and/or ministry.
Theology books on the shelves St Augustine's Trinity House library

Next steps

Take the next step on your journey into studying theology.

Need help or have a question? Contact our admissions team for further assistance.