M.Litt. (Masters)
The M.Litt. in Theology and the Arts is ITIA’s flagship programme. A one-year residential Masters course, it is designed to provide a broad introduction to postgraduate work in the field of theology and the arts. The course can be taken both a self-contained programme of study and as grounding for those intending to pursue doctoral research in this field.
The M.Litt. in Theology and the Arts is a rigorous and vibrant programme, best suited for students with a strong academic background in either theology or the arts (literature, music, fine or performance art, or a similar subject), and with the equivalent of a ‘minor’ or ‘with’ degree in the other area. Full information on entrance requirements and selection criteria are available on the University’s admissions pages. Informal enquiries from prospective applicants are always welcome.
- Find out more and apply at the university’s postgraduate admissions pages.
The programme director is Dr Gavin Hopps.
The M.Litt. programme 2020/21 consists of four taught modules and a 15,000-word dissertation on a topic agreed between student and supervisor.
There are three compulsory modules:
- Theological Engagements with the Arts (Dr Gavin Hopps), introduces students to a range of theoretical approaches to the relationship between Christian theology and the arts.
- Christian Doctrine and the Arts (Dr Rebekah Lamb), examines key Christian doctrines and their artistic interpretation throughout the centuries.
- Religious Experience and Aesthetic Forms (Dr George Corbett), seeks to understand how historical context through the ages has shaped different ways of facilitating human experience of God, and explores the aesthetic theories undergirding approaches that have come to prominence at different times and places.
A fourth optional module can be chosen from among the following:
- Practical Criticism (Dr Rebekah Lamb and Dr King-Ho Leung)
- A module from within another of the School of Divinity’s MLitt programmes or Honours modules (with approval of your programme director and of the module coordinator)
- A module from within the MLitt programmes in English Literature, Film Studies, Art History, as available (with approval of your programme director and of the module coordinator)
Programme may be subject to change and cannot be guaranteed.
Students attend ITIA’s weekly research seminar, and may, if they wish, receive language instruction and attend other lectures, seminars and reading groups as appropriate.
The School of Divinity and the University as a whole work together to provide graduate students with the skills they need to succeed in an international job market, both academic and non-academic. The University’s Centre for Academic, Professional and Organisational Development offers tailored workshops and courses for M.Litt. students. The School of Divinity also hosts subject-specific workshops and panel discussions in areas such as publishing, conference presentations, and job searches. English language support for non-native speakers is available from the excellent English Language Centre.
The School and University offer a number of scholarships and bursaries, though as at all of the most prestigious UK universities, many of our graduate students are self-funded. Full scholarship information can be found on the University’s funding pages.
The M.Litt. is an ideal stepping stone towards the Divinity School’s Ph.D. programme, which centres on a three-year independent research project.