Postgraduate courses

Postgraduate courses

Postgraduate courses

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MA in Theology, Ministry and Mission: learning with the global church to do mission where you are

This MA focuses on learning about contextual mission, equipping you to engage in mission where you are while learning with global voices.

Attentive to the vibrant and diverse expressions of Christianity worldwide – and building upon CMS’ rich history of global mission and pioneering – this MA offers a unique opportunity to learn from diverse perspectives to actively participate in God’s mission in your own context. The MA offers three streams: African, Asian, and Pioneer, with emphasis on shared learning, mutual dialogue, and real-world application.

This intercultural approach recognises the global diversity of the church and highlights how different perspectives can enrich our own practices and ministries – making the CMS MA truly unique. Whether you are involved in mission at the edges, church planting in new places, or witnessing to Christ across cultures, this MA provides an opportunity to reflect theologically, refine your practice, and enrich your ministry.

More about postgraduate study

Develop as a passionate, articulate and prayerful advocate for the mission of God. Discover how to be more generous, open and empathetic in engaging and cooperating with others in and beyond the church.

Our training is designed to prepare you for roles in pioneering leadership, community projects and innovative ministry. 

The postgraduate programme is taught on Tuesdays with the following awards, validated by Durham University as part of the Common Awards (except for the DTh delivered in collaboration with the University of Roehampton):

  • Certificate – the first year of a master’s
  • Diploma – the first and second years of a master’s
  • MA – the first and second years of a master’s, with a dissertation
  • DTh – Professional Doctorate in Practical Theology

Is it for me?

Students who take this programme are often…

  • seeking to grow in confidence in their pioneer practice and ministry
  • wanting a theological language to explain their pioneering
  • needing tools and resources to sustain them
  • preparing for a specific job or vocation
  • pursuing personal growth

“It has helped me knock down walls that I had built around my own heart, to see more clearly the fields that are before me, and helped to fill me with new courage and determination.”

Angel, MA (African Christianity route)

Application requirements:

You will normally need an upper second-class honours degree or equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed study. We do also take your life experience into account. If your undergraduate degree is not in theology, you will likely be required to complete our one-year undergraduate certificate in theology first. You also need to have a good level of spoken and written English.

Our awards are designed to complement your pioneer mission practice. Therefore it is desirable, but not essential, for you to have a mission context, be that paid or voluntary. All assessments give you the opportunity to apply your learning directly to your context.

Programme structure

PG Certificate
  • Entry requirement: normally an upper second-class honours degree or equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed study
  • Credits: 60
  • Duration: 
    • full-time: one academic year (a full-time course load is equivalent to five teaching days each term)
    • part-time: two academic years
  • Location: Oxford and online (pioneer route) / fully online (African and Asian Christianity routes)
  • Assessment: Not just essays! We offer the option to complete assignments in all sorts of creative formats. In order to graduate from this programme you will need to successfully complete 60 credits (three modules) with a minimum grade of 50%. If, for whatever reason, the academic assessment is not possible for you there is an option to complete the course as an audit student.
  • Cost: Please see our fee structure. An annual bursary of up to £500 is available to apply for.
PG Diploma
MA
DTh

Modules

PG Certificate
PG Diploma

Choose six modules from:

Anthropology and Christian Mission

An introduction to culture, context and worldview. You will develop your own reflexive capacity in relation to your cultural background and behaviour. This module is replaced by Advanced Topic in African or Asian Church History if you are following the African or Asian Christianity routes.

Reflective Practice: Mission and Evangelism

Gain a comprehensive understanding of mission and evangelism from a global perspective while reflecting on your own context and experiences. Through the exploration of key themes and metaphors, you will engage critically with contemporary mission issues.

Reflective Practice: Leadership and Collaboration

Equips you to discern appropriate models of leadership and evaluate your own experience in leadership. Material is drawn from both secular and Christian contexts.

Mission and Ecclesiology in Contemporary Contexts

Reflect on the role and mission of the church both historically and in the contemporary world, bringing your own experience into conversation with various perspectives from around the world.

Research and Reflection: Resources and Methods

An introduction to various research methods and approaches to theological reflection. There will be an opportunity to design a research project.

Theologies in Global Perspective

Engage in theologies from around the world and develop your understanding of how some of these emerged from particular religious traditions which have shaped a people’s identity and theology.

Political Theology in Mission

A course drawing on mission and political perspectives to explore how we witness in public spaces as individuals, churches, and Christian communities. This module is residential; students must be able to attend in-person in the UK.

MA
DTh
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