Continuing Professional Development - Catholic Theology

The module is fully online and asynchronous. In each unit students will engage with primary texts, supported by written and video materials, interacting with one another through discussion boards. There will also be at least three optional online seminars, two individual tutorials, and a chance to engage with the lecturer at other times through online office hours.The expected total time spent by students on the module is 300 hours, including all work in preparation of essays. While students are encouraged to work through the units together as a cohort as far as possible, the module is designed with an understanding that students will need to work in different patterns, and there is a strong element of flexibility built into the module design.

Assessment

Students write, and receive feedback on formative essays after the 3rd and 7th unit. The module is assessed by two summative essays submitted at the end: one provides the opportunity for students to deepen their understanding and analysis of key texts and debates; the second is a reflective and integrative essay, asking students to explore the relationship of the learning on the module to their own context, practice and experience. 

• Degree in a humanities BA (or its international equivalent).
• Students with at least a 2.1 in a non-humanities first degree, who have the ability to engage in critical and analytical reflection on texts and ideas and to write academic essays are also very welcome to apply, and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

English language requirements

The tuition fees for 2024/25 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved.

Fees shown are for one year. Total fee will depend on the length of your programme. All fees are subject to annual increases. For more information please visit the Tuition Fees page www.durham.ac.uk/postgraduate/finance/tuition

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Durham graduates are in demand across many sectors. The world-class study facilities, combined with a research-led approach to learning and the Department’s international outlook mean our postgraduate taught courses and research degrees provide the fundamental skills and personal qualities needed to succeed in the workplace.

Our Theology and Religion graduates are equipped to follow a wide range of careers, including law, politics and government, marketing, business and finance, industry, charity work, the media, journalism and the clergy. Many progress into careers with religious institutions across the world, while others work in schools, colleges and universities. Our taught MAs also offer a pathway into research and many graduates take the step into higher-level studies.

Previous employers have included Linklaters, Kirkland and Ellis, Coltraco Ultrasonics, the Home Office, Durham Police and Jaguar Land Rover.

Durham University’s Department of Theology and Religion is a supportive and vibrant international teaching and research community where ‘belief’ and ‘beliefs’ are studied in detail, whether those beliefs are atheistic, humanistic or religious.

We are a recognised global leader in the field of theology and religion. Delivered by researchers at the forefront of their disciplines, our range of highly regarded postgraduate degrees enables students to pursue their interests in the fields of theology, philosophy, religious studies, biblical studies, and ethics, through the exploration of diverse and contemporary issues such as the migrant crisis, homelessness and Catholic identity.

In the Department we have an intellectual community of more than 30 academic staff and 150 postgraduate students and researchers who join us from across the world, giving our courses a highly international focus. The local, national and international contexts in which we work and study help to build a more joined up picture of the complex world in which we live.

The Department is home to a range of research centres and projects, including the Centre for Anglican Studies, the Centre for Catholic Studies, the Centre for Death and Life Studies, and the Project for Spirituality, Theology and Health. These all help to foster a vibrant research culture, of which our postgraduates are an important part.

Our postgraduate provision is designed to develop the academic and personal qualities that are valued in the workplace and in higher-level academic research. This includes a professional development and training programme with opportunities to work as a teaching or research assistant.

For more information see our department pages.

Rankings

• World Top 10 in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2023
• 4th in The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2024 
• 4th in The Guardian University Guide 2024
• 6th in The Complete University Guide 2024

Staff

For a current list of staff, please see the Theology & Religion Department pages.

Research Excellence Framework

• 4th in the UK for Research Power (REF 2021)
• 91% research graded world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)

Facilities

We are a leading Department in the field of Theology and Religion, uniquely situated within a World Heritage Site next to Durham Cathedral and within easy walking distance of the Students’ Union, colleges and Durham Castle. Our home, Abbey House, is an inspiring place to study and research the field of theology and religion.

We hold extensive library resources. As well as the University’s well-equipped central library which includes wide-ranging collections of rare books and manuscripts of particular interest to theology and religion students, we also hold the largest collection of German language theological materials in Britain. Next door, Durham Cathedral is home to Sharp Library, which focuses on modern and pastoral theology, while a number of college libraries also hold theological collections.

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