Master of Theology in Missiology
by Taught Courses
This postgraduate programme forms part of our ETS Centre for Mission and will be attractive to those who want to develop their academic interests in mission, whether local or global, and to develop knowledge and skills that will make them more effective in their chosen career.
This degree programme is validated by the University of Glasgow.
The programme is delivered by means of prescribed courses at ETS involving either one year of full-time study or two years’ part-time study. The courses are provided by means of supervised research and short essays rather than by classroom-based lectures.
The course is designed primarily for graduates in Theology or other relevant disciplines and could serve as an introduction for further research in Missiology at doctoral level.
In the full-time programme, during the first semester students will be required to study a compulsory Research and Study Skills module which will introduce them to the world of postgraduate study in the relevant areas together with the first of three main courses. In the second semester, students will study the second and third main courses. Each main module will be assessed by means of two 4,500-word essays. Part-time students will normally complete the same programme over two years.
At the completion of the taught courses, students will then write a 15,000-word dissertation on a topic of their own choice, under the guidance of a supervisor.
The main supervisor for each candidate will be a member of ETS academic staff.
Areas for Study
In addition to the compulsory Study Skills and Research course, students will take a core course plus any two further optional courses in consultation with the Programme Director.
Bible, Theology, and Mission (Core)
This covers topics such as definitions, Bible and mission, theology and mission and characteristics of a distinctively reformed missiology.
History and Mission (Option)
This covers topics such as principles of historiography, important ‘histories of mission’, key historical periods, key organisations and events and key figures in missiology.
Current Issues in Mission (Option)
This covers topics such as World Christianity; globalisation, urban mission and church planting, contextualisation, world religions, ‘integral mission’, Pentecostalism, migration and refugees.
Mission into the Twenty-first Century (Option)
This covers topics such as mission strategy, training for mission, biblical literacy and Scripture engagement, preaching and communication in a digital age, discipleship in a digital age, member care and business as mission.
Distance Learning
While being present on campus may help with access to research resources, all the Masters programmes can be completed on campus, off-campus or a mixture of both. This can enable you to remain in your present position, if desired, making trips to ETS when required.
See Distance Learning FAQ for more information on distance learning at ETS.
Further Information
The Postgraduate Admissions Policy can be found here.
Applicants for admission would normally be expected to hold a good honours degree in Theology/Divinity of a recognised university or college/seminary, or the Bachelor of Theology degree of Edinburgh Theological Seminary at distinction or merit level. Applications may also be considered from applicants holding a qualification in another discipline appropriate to their proposed field of study (for example, anthropology, religious studies, history, linguistics), at an approved level of achievement, and subject to any conditions laid down by the Seminary Senate with the agreement of the Higher Degrees Committee of the University of Glasgow.
The admissions process normally includes an interview in person or by means of video-conference technology. If appropriate, applicants may be asked to produce a short paper to demonstrate English language capability.
Applicants whose first language is not English will normally be required to provide documentary evidence of an IELTS score of 6.5 or its equivalent.
Course fees can be found here.
For further information, please email ETS Offices or Dr Alistair Wilson, Postgraduate Studies Director.
We will be accepting applications from November 2023 for September 2024 entry.
ETS Centre for Mission
Using the wealth of resources at Edinburgh Theological Seminary, the Centre for Mission is being developed with the aim of providing every Christian in the church with the support, encouragement and facilities they need to serve God, whether at home or abroad.