Skip to Content

detail

MRes Theology

Academic Year 2020/21

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance and Enhancement processes as set out in the DASA Policies and Procedures Manual.

Programme Title

MRes Theology

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Masters of Research

Programme Code

THE-MRES

UCAS Code

HECoS Code

100340

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

Interview Required

Mode of Study

Full Time

Type of Programme

Postgraduate

Length of Programme

1 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

180

Exit Awards available

INSTITUTE INFORMATION

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Institute of Theology

Quality Code
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code

Higher Education Credit Framework for England
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england

Level 7

Subject Benchmark Statements
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

Theology and religious studies (2014)

Accreditations (PSRB)

REGULATION INFORMATION

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

None.

Programme Specific Regulations

• The pass mark for each taught module and for the dissertation is 50%. A Re-sit will be available for any taught module and the dissertation, the pass mark to be capped at 50% for classification purposes.
• Candidates may not submit the dissertation until all the written examinations have been passed.
• In the case of full-time students, the dissertation shall be submitted no later than 15 September following completion of taught modules. In the case of part-time students, the date of submission shall be prescribed by the Institute of Theology but shall not be later than two years from initial enrolment for the MRes course. In exceptional circumstances, the Institute of Theology may grant an extension of time to students in either category.
• The regulations governing the presentation of the dissertation shall be the Regulations for Theses.

• The degree of Masters of Research in Theology may be awarded either simpliciter, with commendation, or with distinction. To achieve the award of Master’s with commendation, an overall average of 60% or more is required. In order to receive the award with distinction, candidates must achieve an overall average mark of 70% or over, together with a mark of 70% or over in the dissertation element, and an average of 65% or more across the other modules.

• A PG Certificate in Theology is available for those students who have taken and passed four modules, or 80 CATS, and who do not wish to proceed to the dissertation element of the pathway.

Students with protected characteristics

N/A.

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF PROGRAMME

• The overall aim of the MRes in Theology is to offer students the opportunity to work closely with a supervisory team to produce a substantial piece of independent research in Theology, and to develop wide-ranging research skills within disciplinary and interdisciplinary frameworks. On successful completion of this programme, students will have:

o An excellent foundation for progression to PhD study.
o A sophisticated level of critical and divergent thinking and expression.
o An extended and informed experience of research in a specific domain of expertise within Theology.
o Advanced skills appropriate to self-directed study and independent research.
o Wider intellectual and transferable skills, consistent with creative thought and independent learning.
o Advanced practical, analytical and critical research skills relevant to a variety of professional and intellectual contexts.
o The capacity to deal with complex research questions.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

• Demonstrate a critical awareness of the issues surrounding the application of a range of methodological approaches.
• Critically reflect and make judgments in the light of evidence and argument.
• Engage with and interpret, at a sophisticated level, different discourses and theories and their applicability to practice.
• Synthesise, present and apply complex ideas within the framework of a structured and reasoned argument in a well-articulated, and stylistically mature fashion.
• Develop and apply independent and sophisticated insights into their chosen discipline and demonstrate these through the undertaking of independent research projects.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials, research training and supervised independent learning.

Methods of Assessment

Literature review, essays, creative practice and extended dissertation/portfolio.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

• Gain research expertise from the interaction with supervisors and the programme of research.
• Demonstrate a coherent methodology appropriate to the area of research
• Organise disparate material into a coherent argument.
• Demonstrate engagement with the research culture of the Institute and Faculty.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials, research training and supervised independent learning.

Methods of Assessment

Literature review, essays, creative practice and extended dissertation/portfolio.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

• Show detailed knowledge of and engagement with the existing scholarship within the proposed area of research.
• Make an original contribution to the area of research through detailed engagement with primary and/or secondary sources as appropriate.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials, research training and supervised independent learning.

Methods of Assessment

Literature review, essays, creative practice and extended dissertation/portfolio.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

• Work independently and take responsibility for own learning.
• Conduct library and bibliographic research.
• Retrieve, sift, and select current and relevant primary and secondary information from standard and electronic sources.
• Effectively communicate in oral and written expression to a range of audiences.
• Utilise IT skills for professional use.
• Define a complex project and bring it to completion with minimal input.
• Organise disparate material into a coherent argument.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials, research training and supervised independent learning.

Methods of Assessment

Literature review, essays, creative practice and extended dissertation/portfolio.

MODULE INFORMATION

Programme Requirements

Module Title

Module Code

Level/ stage

Credits

Availability

Duration

Pre-requisite

 

Assessment

 

 

 

 

S1

S2

 

 

Core

Option

Coursework %

Practical %

Examination %

MRes Practical Theology

THE7017

7

20

YES

YES

12 weeks

N

YES

80%

20%

0%

MRes Dissertation

THE7091

7

100

YES

24 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Notes

Students must take 180 CATS in total for the award of Master of Research.

Supervisors will guide students on their module choices. Students are required to take the Dissertation module, which will be 25,000 words.