Postgraduate study

World Christianity MTh, MSc

Awards: MTh, MSc

Study modes: Full-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: World Christianity

This programme is designed to enable you to understand a wide range of Christian belief, culture and practice throughout the world, in historical, theological, and sociological contexts.

With more than 2.2 billion followers, and as one of the oldest religions, Christianity plays an important role in influencing a wide range of social, political and cultural issues.

This programme interprets some of the key themes and trends in Christianity in the non-western world. It is designed to provide expert insight, knowledge, skills and understanding, particularly in relation to Africa, Latin America and Asia.

It is taught in a strongly interdisciplinary way, and employs historical, sociological, anthropological and theological perspectives. You will enjoy a unique framework to study, research and understand the complexity of Christian communities in the world and their wider significance for culture and society.

This programme can be taken either as a Master of Theology (MTh) or as a Master of Science (MSc); the difference is only in the name.

This programme is run full-time over one year (or part-time over two years).

You will:

  • be taught mainly in small classroom/seminar groups
  • be trained in research methods which offer a practical approach to postgraduate level skills of critical investigation and writing
  • receive individual supervision for your 15,000 word dissertation

Compulsory courses

Compulsory courses comprise:

  • Selected Themes in the Study of World Christianity
  • one further course from the options specific to this programme
  • two courses in research methods

Option courses

You will choose three options. At least two must be World Christianity courses, such as:

  • Christianity in Asia
  • Critical Debates in Christian Mission
  • History of Christianity in Africa
  • Theologies of World Christianity

The options on offer change from year to year, so please consult the Programme Director for advice on what will be available.

With your Programme Director’s agreement, you may also choose options from other taught masters programmes, language courses, or advanced undergraduate courses.

This programme is designed to provide a strong foundation for postgraduate research in the field or for employment in a range of areas requiring critical analysis and empathetic understanding.

These entry requirements are for the 2023/24 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2024/25 academic year will be published on 2 October 2023.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, a minimum US 3.25 GPA, or its international equivalent, in theology/religious studies or a relevant field within humanities and social sciences. (Revised 15 December 2022 to amend minimum entry requirement.)

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

English language requirements

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

Tuition fees

Featured funding

  • School of Divinity scholarships

  • Scholarships are awarded on academic merit. Most are open to all, but some are ring-fenced for applicants from certain parts of the world.

  • Awards are made for both masters and PhD programmes.
  • Typically, awards are for full or partial fee costs. Fully funded awards are exceptional and highly competitive.

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

  • your programme
  • the duration of your studies
  • your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

  • School of Divinity
  • New College
  • Mound Place
  • Central Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH1 2LX

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Further information

  • School of Divinity
  • New College
  • Mound Place
  • Central Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH1 2LX