MA
Master of Arts - Theology & Ministry
All-round preparation for ministry, right where you are
Study theology flexibly and around your other commitments
Focus on the character and skills required for a life in ministry
For those who already hold an undergraduate degree in another subject (or equivalent)
Two years full-time or four years part-time
In partnership with Kairos University
Kairos University is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
Programme overview
This Master of Arts is a US-style MA, combining theological depth with growth in your spiritual life and ministry skills. It is flexible and self-driven, enabling you to choose your personal and vocational mentors and the pace of your study. You can stay in your local church setting and join with either a local or online learning community.
The ministry development modules are practical, and go hand-in-hand with the theology we explore throughout the programme.
Students in the MA programme are assessed across core competencies rather than by traditional exams and coursework. You will study Christian theology, biblical studies (with options for biblical languages), church history, ministry and spiritual formation.
It is a degree aimed at those with a bachelors degree in another subject (or equivalent - please get in touch to discuss this if you’re unsure) and amounts to about two-thirds of an MDiv. This qualification is not a UK MA qualification; in terms of theological and academic level, successful completion of the MA programme can lead to entry to our MTh programme.
As part of the MA programme, students will come to one-week residentials at our Ministry Centre in South Wales, UK (once during their course of study for full-time students; twice for part-time students). Students from the Majority World may opt out of attending in-person; all other students are required to be present in-person.
UST is a contextualization partner of Kairos University. Our partnership creates a path for interested and eligible students to earn an accredited Master of Arts degree through Kairos University.
What will I learn?
Studying for two years full-time or four years part-time, you will grow in the areas of Christian Theology, Understanding of the Old Testament and New Testament, Ministry and Spiritual Formation, and Reading Major Theologians in Church History. The theological approach integrates seamlessly with:
mission and church planting
effective preaching and youth ministry
biblical counselling
a focus on spiritual formation of the leader.
The core learning experience includes a total of 16 modules: 12 compulsory modules and 4 electives. Students can opt to study Greek and/ or Hebrew, for one, two or all four of their elective modules. In addition, all MA students follow the ‘Equip’ stream: Starting Well, Gospel Mentoring & Coaching, Reflection in Community, and Continuing Well.
We advise budgeting up to 150 hours per module, including lecturer-led seminars alongside fellow students, online forum engagement and discussion in Learning Community.
CORE MODULES
Year 1
Christian Theology 1
Old Testament 1
New Testament 1
Biblical Counselling
Major Theologians in Church History
Mission and Church Planting
Year 2
Christian Theology 2
Old Testament 2
New Testament 2
Spiritual Formation
Preaching OR Children, Youth & Family Ministry
Research Project
ELECTIVE MODULES
Biblical Languages*
Greek 1, Hebrew 1
Greek 2, Hebrew 2
Greek 3, Hebrew 3
Greek 4, Hebrew 4
Other Electives**
Psalms
Pastoral Theology
Global Christianity & Cross-cultural Mission
Major Themes in the History of Christianity
Preaching (if not taken as core)
Children, Youth & Family Ministry (if not taken as core)
*Biblical Languages:
Students may take a language to ‘level’ 1, 2 or 4 (no stopping at level 3)
Students may opt to take one language to ‘level’ 4 within the standard workload and assessment of the MA programme, and add (at no extra cost) a second language, either to level 2 or to level 4; the additional language is also assessed. Please bear in mind the additional study time required to add a second language to your study schedule.
Students cannot begin a Biblical Language during a spring semester.
**Electives: each elective can only be taken during the semesters which it is scheduled for delivery, but will be available twice during the course of your studies (except Greek & Hebrew Levels 3 & 4).
How does it work?
The MA combines video teaching and participation in local or online Learning Communities with mentor-led support, so you can study wherever you are and be supported by a team of experienced leaders committed to walking alongside you in your ministry formation.
Study with a Learning Community
Part of our approach to spiritual and ministry formation is formation through mentoring and in learning communities. Each student takes part in learning, reflection and assessment in a small community of students who are journeying together on the MA programme, either online or as part of a church or network in-person or hybrid in-person/online group.
Get support from mentors
Every student has an academic mentor, as well as a vocational and a personal mentor. Students will propose a personal and a vocational mentor, who will need to be approved. Please ensure that you have discussed this with your prospective mentors and received their agreement before submitting their details as part of your application.
Learn holistically
The programme is designed to grow the character and skills required for a life of ministry. Through Kairos University’s competency-based approach, partnership students will leverage Union School of Theology learning experiences to demonstrate proficiency in the following courses:
Starting well
Christian theology
Biblical literacy
Christian spirituality
Culture and history
Mentored life
Contextual project
Reflection in community
Continuing well
You compile your own portfolio of work ranging from written pieces to practical application and participation in online forum discussions, supported by your individual team of mentors.
Who is it for?
You should hold a prior degree in any subject. Non-standard entry may be possible upon submission of the required documentation outlined by the UST Admissions team – please get in touch to discuss how this could work for you.
After acceptance to Union School of Theology, we will provide support for the application process at Kairos University.
Meet our Faculty
Rob Trenckmann considers the work of the Holy Spirit in our Christian Theology module.
Ready to apply?
Apply by 15th July 2025 to study with us in August 2025.
Why not start preparing for your application by reading the MA Mentor Role Descriptors and identifying your personal and vocational mentors?
Further information
Union School of Theology is a contextualization partner of Kairos University. UST provides learning resources, mentors, assessment and support for students on the MA programme. The partnership creates a path for eligible students to earn the MA degree through Kairos University.
UST reserves the right to make alterations to the contents or methods of delivery of programmes or assessment but only if such action is absolutely necessary for one or more of the following reasons: compliance with Kairos University or regulatory bodies; in response to stakeholder feedback; as part of periodic or annual review measures; in response to technological developments. When this occurs, UST will inform students as soon as feasible, and request feedback from and engage in dialogue with students to ensure that the changes are not disruptive to the student experience.
A student may not always be able to study a particular course when student demand is limited, and will be asked to take an alternative.
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