Liturgy and Spirituality
MA Taster Term for March 2024

Ever wondered how your life of prayer relates to what we do in church? Explore how the Christian identity and personal prayer is shaped by worship in this exciting new MA Taster Term.

Key info

  • Next enrollment: March 2024 – Sign up now

  • Duration: March 2024 to June 2024 (Spring Term)

  • Location: Kent campus (West Malling)

  • Entry requirements: 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.

“If you’re thinking about studying one of the Taster Terms at St Augustine’s, I encourage you to come and try a module at the West Malling campus, because you won’t regret it. You will be in love with this space; a place where the visible and invisible meet.”

St Augustine’s Taster Term student

About the taster term

Have you ever wondered how your life of prayer relates to what we do in church? If so, this engaging new MA-level Taster Term gives you the chance to search out the answer for yourself.

As part of this Taster Term, you will explore what it means to be an embodied worshipper, investigating the ways in which corporate worship provides the language for our private prayer.

Together with your fellow students, you will reflect on how worship can engage all the senses, and – in a more theological key – examine the role of the Spirit in animating our worship. Finally, you will be called to look at how our very identity as Christians is formed when we gather with others for worship.

You will attend classes with fellow students at our West Malling campus in rural Kent, joining students and staff for morning worship before engaging in the day’s classes. This taster term is taught by St Augustine’s Honourary Teaching Fellow, Canon Chris Irvine.

“To explore how the Spirit and one’s own senses bring our worship to life, we will, as a cohort, be looking in two different directions.

Firstly, we’ll be looking heavenward, as we explore the notion of ‘the communion of saints’.

And secondly, we’ll also be meditating on what is beneath our feet, tracing out the connections between liturgy, creation, and our prayer for the environment.”

Chris Irvine
Tutor for the Liturgy and Spirituality Taster Term

Where and when will I be attending classes?

Classes for the Liturgy and Spirituality 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 12th April 2024
  • Friday 26th April 2024
  • Friday 10th May 2024
  • Friday 24th May 2024
  • Friday 7th June 2024

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.