MA pathway that questions Theology for a Planet in Crisis

Explore in theological depth what is perhaps the most critical issue of our time: the environmental and climate crises faced by our planet, including the unequal distribution of consequences across the globe.

Key info

  • Next enrolment: Applications now open for September 2024

  • Duration: 2 to 3 years part-time, or 1 year full-time

  • Locations:
    St John’s Waterloo campus (London)

  • Entry requirements: Degree in theology/ministry, or degree in another subject plus a qualification in theology/ministry

  • Qualifications available: MA in Theology, Ministry and Mission (incl. PGDip and PGCert)

  • Cost: From £5,800

This course may suit you if...

  • If you want to engage in new areas of theological study and research
  • You want to delve into recent theological developments in the field of environmental or eco-theology
  • You’re looking to recognise the spiritual aspect of environmental destruction and demonstrate personal and collective practices for resisting and renewing the environment.

Watch this exciting snippet of ‘The Teachings of Plants’; an exclusive lecture from Rev Dr Charlotte Sleigh.

About the MA pathway – Theology for a Planet in Crisis

In this new pathway, delivered in partnership with St John’s Waterloo, you’ll explore pressing questions about what responses these crises require of us – practical as well as intellectual and spiritual. You’ll engage with the natural sciences as well as theological disciplines, including Ethics, Biblical Theology, Christian Spirituality and Christian Doctrine.

In studying this pathway, you’ll also be invited to make a long-term personal commitment to be more faithfully attuned and responsive to this crisis. To support this, you’ll take part in placements with organisations working in areas of ecological concern (e.g., environmental mission, climate activism).

Classes and seminars will take place at St John’s Waterloo, an iconic church in the heart of London. This newly renovated cultural touchstone boasts excellent teaching facilities and is home to a congregation and ministry team committed to ecologically focussed mission.

St John's Waterloo logo.

What are the modules?

Over your two years of study, you will engage in the following modules.

  • Christian Faith and the Environment – including initial short placement
  • Contemporary Spirituality in Historical Context
  • Research and Reflection: Resources and Methods
  • Science and Faith (Level 6) or Advanced Topic in Christian Doctrine (depending on previous study)
  • Issues in Biblical Theology
  • Reflective Practice Placement – including main placement
  • Dissertation in Theology, Ministry and Mission

“I decided to choose St Augustine’s because I felt as though I mattered as a person, and not just as a statistic. Diversity of community was important to me, as well as the approach and commitment of teaching staff.”

Student at St Augustine’s College of Theology

Theology for a Planet in Crisis learning outcomes

In view of the College’s core values, the MA learning outcomes translate in the following objectives for this pathway.

On successful completion of this pathway, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of recent theological developments in the field of environmental or eco-theology, and the ability to apply them critically in relation to biblical and classical doctrines of creation, Christology, and eschatology, as well to explore their value for ecclesiology, spirituality, liturgics, and missiology.
  • Have completed interdisciplinary research on an aspect or aspects of environmentally relevant theology, able to inform Christian mission and practice under conditions of environmental crisis.
  • Lead, design, and teach theologically informed educational initiatives to promote the environmental understanding and action essential for contemporary Christian discipleship.

  • Identify and explain, at a non-specialist level, scientific findings relevant to understanding current environmental crises, engaging them theologically, and devising a varied range of practical and hopeful responses.

Draw on both contemporary and traditional, Western and majority world resources, to fashion and advocate for authentic ways of Christian life that acknowledge the spiritual dimension of environmental destruction and model individual and corporate practices of resistance and renewal.

Initiate and collaborate in collective action, both ecclesial and secular, to secure the political, economic, religious, and cultural changes necessary to mitigate climate and environmental destruction.

“….ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you;”

Job 12:8

Your fellow students

At St Augustine’s, you’ll learn and challenge yourself alongside your fellow students, exchanging knowledge and insight to enrich your own study experience.

You’ll share your classrooms with a range of people from all walks of life pursuing theological study for their own reasons. Many of our students choose to study with us in order to:

  • enrich their understanding of their Christian faith
  • undergo training for licensed lay ministry
  • engage in study to better serve Christ in their daily lives.

Whatever your reason for studying, you will do so as part of our distinct and valued learning community.

St Augustine’s students and faculty chat about the rich diversity of the college, and what it means to them.

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

Postgraduate studies at St Augustine’s are designed to be flexible and accessible, so you can choose how best to study depending on your unique needs and interests.

As part of the Masters programme, you can achieve three different levels of academic qualification depending on your preference. These are:

  • MA in Theology, Ministry and Mission (worth 180 credits)
  • Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Theology, Ministry and Mission (worth 120 credits)
  • Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Theology, Ministry and Mission (worth 60 credits)

Many students opt to study for the full Master’s degree (MA in Theology, Ministry and Mission). If you’re looking for a spiritually indepth, academically rigorous challenge, this may be the pathway for you.

For others, focusing on achieving their Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) or Diploma (PGDip) is the way to go. This pathway is ideal for those with limited study time, as you will take fewer modules and will not be required to complete a dissertation.

Students who opt for the specialism in Christian Spirituality will earn a Masters in Christian Spirituality.

Regardless of how you opt to pursue your postgraduate studies, you can choose the duration of your programme depending if you want to study full-time or part-time. For students undertaking the Masters in Theology programme, you can choose from:

Part-time students (3 years)

If you’d like to study part-time over three years, you will undertake six modules over your first and second years, followed by a dissertation in your third and final year.

Part-time students (2 years)

If you’d like to study part-time over two years, you will undertake six modules over your first year; effectively as a full-time student. In your second year, you will complete your dissertation on a part-time basis.

Full-time students (1 year)

If you’d like to study full time, you will undertake six modules over the academic year and complete over the summer period.

Depending on how you’ve chosen to study, there are a range of locations and study modes available, including:

Alongside your studies, all St Augustine’s students are invited to attend our annual Theological Symposium, held in Canterbury.

The amount of study time typically required depends on how you’ve chosen to undertake the course.

Part-time (3 years)

In your first and second year:

  • You will attend fortnightly classes during term time
  • You will typically take one module per term
  • You can expect to dedicate at least ten hours of study time a week outside the classroom.

In your final year:

  • You will attend a number of supervisions with your tutor over the academic year
  • You can expect to dedicate at least ten hours of study time a week to complete your dissertation.

Part-time (2 years)

In your first year:

  • You will attend a classes every week during term time
  • You will typically take two modules per term
  • You can expect to dedicate at least twenty hours of study time a week outside the classroom.

In your final year:

  • You will attend a number of supervisions with your tutor over the academic year
  • You can expect to dedicate at least ten hours of study time a week to complete your dissertation.

Full-time

  • Full-time students attend classes every week during term time
  • You will typically take two modules each term
  • You can expect to dedicate at least twenty hours a week outside the classroom for study time
  • You will need a similar amount of time over the summer for completing your dissertation.

To undertake the Masters in Theology or Christian Spirituality, you must have completed either:

  • a degree in theology or ministry
  • or a degree in another subject combined with an additional qualification in theology or ministry.

Further details on core entry requirements can be found in our admissions policy.

While the programme provides opportunities to relate academic learning to contemporary church life, you don’t need to have any particular role or experience within the church.

Your course fees will depend on how you choose to engage in study.

Part-time
(3 years)		 Part-time
(2 years)		 Full-time
(1 year)
MA in Theology, Ministry and Mission (or Christian Spirituality) £6,000
(£2,000 per year)		 £5,800
(£2,900 per year)		 £5,800

If you’re interested in studying for the Postgraduate Certificate and/or Diploma, your fees may vary. Get in touch with our admissions teams for more information.

As part of our commitment to making theological studies accessible to all, we have established the Tattersall Fund. This fund provides bursaries in support of students whose personal circumstances may mean that finance is a barrier to their studying.

Applying for a bursary to help towards the cost of fees, books, or travel is simple and non-intrusive. Find out more about bursaries and how to apply.

Find out more about our postgraduate degree modules. Note that the exact selection and order of modules within a pathway may differ year on year.

Students on this pathway undertake two placements, each with an organisation or institution – Christian/religious or secular – that is active in an area of ecological concern.

  • The first placement, which is relatively short, takes place during the introductory module of the pathway.
  • The second, more substantial placement (in a different context) is part of the ‘Reflective Practice Placement’ module, which students take during their first or second year, depending on their frequency of study.
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.