The Master of Ministry (MMin) degree requires a minimum of two years' full-time or its equivalent in part-time study. The aim of the programme is the enhancement of contemporary ministries, and it is designed for ministers, priests, pastors and others involved in a range of ministries. It incorporates current scholarship in the practice of ministry with options from Biblical Studies, Christian Thought and History and Pastoral Studies, within an ongoing process combining theological learning and reflective practice.
The admission requirements are a degree or equivalent three-year qualification in Theology with satisfactory grades, and the completion of a minimum of three years of ministry experience prior to application.
The degree consists of six taught papers at 400-level, of which three are in Ministry Studies and three are selected from papers offered in Biblical Studies, Christian Thought and History and Pastoral Theology. From 2013, the degree also involves the completion of a Research Project of 25,000 to 30,000 words related to issues emerging from the contemporary practice of ministry.
The degree is designed to enhance a graduate's professional practice in a range of Christian ministries and to enable advanced reflection and research on the practice of ministry.
The Master of Ministry (MMin) is also available through Distance Learning.
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Programme details
Regulations for the Degree of Master of Ministry (MMin)
Admission to the Programme
Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).
Every applicant must either
have been admitted to a degree in Theology and have experience in Ministry acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities), or
have alternative qualifications or experience acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).
Structure of the Programme
The programme of study shall consist of six papers and a research project, worth a total of 210 points:
three papers with a value of 60 points from 400-level MINS papers,
three papers with a value of 60 points from 400-level BIBS and CHTH papers,
a research project (MINS 5) with a value of 90 points embodying the results of supervised research. Note: With approval from the Head of Department, MINS 5 may be taken on a part-time and/or part-year basis.
A candidate may be exempted from some of the required papers as prescribed in regulations 2(a)-2(c) on the basis of previous postgraduate study.
Duration of the Programme
A full-time candidate shall follow a programme of study for not less than 21 months.
A candidate shall satisfy the requirements for the degree within six years of admission to the programme.
Examination
The project shall be assessed by at least two examiners, at least one of whom shall be external to the University.
The candidate's supervisor(s) shall not normally be an examiner, but may make a report on the work of the candidate for the examiners to consider.
If the project is assessed as unsatisfactory, the examiners may recommend to the Programme Co-ordinator that it be revised and resubmitted by a specified date.
If a revised and resubmitted research project is finally accepted, the result shall be either 'Pass' or 'Fail' (i.e. ungraded) and without eligibility for the award of the degree with distinction or credit.
Where examiners cannot agree on a result, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) shall reach a decision after consulting a referee.
Level of Award of the Degree
The degree may be awarded with distinction or with credit.
Variations
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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