Students on any postgraduate taught programme take modular classes at the same level. Each module involves around 300 dedicated study hours: a mix of lecture and seminar time, preparatory reading and study, and researching and writing assignments.

The full Master of Arts programme consists of four of these taught course modules and a research dissertation. The Postgraduate Diploma programme consists of only the four taught course modules. The Postgraduate Certificate programme consists of two taught course modules.

Full Time (1 year), Part Time (2 years), or Part Time – Opening Learning (3 – 5 years)

Students taking the MA programme full-time will complete in one year.  Part time students applying for the UK’s Postgraduate Student Loan must complete the programme within two years. All other part time students are considered open learning and must complete the programme within five years.

Applicants to the MA normally have an honours degree in a relevant subject. However, NTC offers a pre-MA course to help develop foundational knowledge in biblical studies, pratical theology, and theology to ensure you thrive in the MA in Theology programme. You can find more information at this link.

MA courses primarily run as weekly classes during Autumn and Spring terms. These are supplemented by our optional intensive residency periods. These modules are structured around ten 3 hour seminars, led by our world-class faculty.

Online or On Campus Modes

• Students can choose to study via either on campus or online modes. Online mode allows students to study in a live, synchronous classroom setting from anywhere in the world, joining alongside our Manchester-based students. Online mode classes are live, synchronous video conference sessions, meaning students attend class as its being taught during its scheduled time, usually afternoon/evening UK time.
• MA units will be taught in a dual-delivery format. This means online students and their on campus peers take the class simultaneously, allowing online and on campus NTC students to learn together and from each other. Online students will also have the opportunity to come to Manchester for an optional in-person Summer intensive residency period in June.
• On campus students may take up to one third of their degree online.

Note: Both the Ecology and the Community Development & Social Change pathways are not available via online mode for 2023 entry.

Weekly Class Format

• For the weekly class format, students meet once per week during the regular term time. The class schedule will be published several weeks before the class begins, so students know the core reading to complete ahead of time, and the weekly class topics and readings to complete each week before class. Term times run September – December and February – May with ten weekly sessions.

Optional Intensive Class Format

• For the optional intensive residency class format, in-class time is compressed into eight days of full-time study, normally running Saturday – Saturday. Intensive sessions usually run in early June. All MA students are welcome to travel to our Manchester campus during these sessions. NTC does provide accommodation for students at these times, subject to availability.