Earning an Overseas Masters Degree Without Moving Overseas
- Caleb Kaltenbach
- Nov 21, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 27, 2024
****This page is regularly updated****
In previous years, earning a gradulate/postgraduate degree from an overseas school meant moving and living near the university for a year or more. Today, through various platforms (like online study, Zoom/FaceTime, independent studies, intensive classes, live-streaming classes, etc.), many institutions have strived to make it more realistic for students to finish an overseas degree without moving to another country.
While some degrees include taking classes/modules, many are referred to as "by research" and are research-based/thesis-only programs. MPhil (Master of Philosophy), MTh/MTheol (Master of Theology), MRes (Master of Research), MLitt (Master of Letters), MA (Master of Arts), MS/MSc (Master of Science). For perspective, whereas a PhD/ThD requires a dissertation of 80,000-100,000 words, MPhil and MLitt degrees usually require writing a thesis of around 40,000–70,000 words, an MTh 30,000-50,000 words, and a MRes or MA (by research) 20,000–30,000 words (I am not including any info on the degree of postgraduate diploma).
Overseas graduate/postgraduate programs are often perfect for students with an undergraduate degree in a ministry or biblical studies-related field (especially the research-based/thesis-only programs). Such degrees are also well suited for seminary graduates who desire further study or individuals with degrees in fields similar to ministry or biblical studies.
Below are a few overseas schools that have degrees (with majors like biblical studies, theological studies, religion, ministry/practical theology, philosophy of religion, missions/intercultural studies, etc.) requiring either no travel or extremely minimal travel to the school campus.
If you enjoy this post, take a look at some of my other blog posts in this series: where to earn a 100% online masters degree, obtaining an overseas PhD, and PhD distance learning programs in the United States. Anyway, happy reading!!!
AUSTRALIA
Australian School of Theology
**Click on the link and scroll down to see the schools offering the degree.
Charles Sturt University
Sydney College of Divinity
University of Divinity
**You choose one of their schools to study for an MPhil (by research) or MTh (by research)
University of Notre Dame Australia
ISRAEL
Jerusalem Seminary
***A couple of trips to campus are required
NEW ZEALAND
University of Otago
SOUTH AFRICA
South African Theological Seminary
University of Pretoria
**Students can earn a master's from the University of Pretoria through:
Cape Town Baptist Seminary: MTh (by research)
University of South Africa
SWITZERLAND
University of Geneva
University of Lausanne
University of Lucerne
UNITED KINGDOM
Anglia Ruskin University
Bangor University
Cardiff University
Durham University **Students can earn a master's from Durham University through:
St. Mellitus College- MA in Biblical Studies or Mission in Contemporary Culture
Trinity College Bristol- MA in Theology, Ministry, & Mission
London Metropolitan University
London School of Theology
**The degrees are awarded by Middlesex University
Manchester Metropolitan University
The Open University
MPhil (by research) **Students can earn a master's from The Open University through:
Union School of Theology: MTh in Scripture & Theology
Oxford Brookes University
Oxford University
St. Mary's University
Spurgeon's College
Union Theological College
MTh in Old Testament, New Testament, and Reformed Theology
University of Aberdeen
**Students can also earn a master's from the University of Aberdeen through:
Trinity College Bristol- MTh (by research)
University of Birmingham
University of Bristol
University of Cumbria
**Students can also earn a master's from the University of Cumbira through:
Belfast School of Theology: MA in Practical Theology
University of Chester
MA in Religious Studies **Students can also earn a master's from the University of Chester through:
King's Evangelical Divinity School: MA in Theology
Westminster Theological Centre: MA in Kingdom Theology
University of Edinburgh
University of Essex
University of Exeter
University of Glasgow
**Students can also earn a master's from the University of Glasgow through:
Edinburgh Theological Seminary: MTh (by research), MTh in Missiology, and MTh in Scottish Church History & Theology
University of Gloucestershire
**Students can also earn a master's from the University of Gloucestershire through:
University of the Highlands & Islands
University of Leeds
University of London
University of Manchester
**Students can earn a master's degree from the University of Manchester through:
Cliff College- MA in Mission
Luther King Centre- M.Phil (by research)
Nazarene Theological College- MA in Christian Thought & Practice
Spurgeon’s College- MPhil (by research)
University of Northampton
University of Nottingham
University of St. Andrews
University of Sheffield
University of Sunderland
The University of Wales- Trinity Saint David
**Students can earn a master's degree from the University of Wales- Trinity Saint David through:
St. Padarn's Institute- MA in Theology, Ministry & Mission (Children, Young People, & Families Specialists)
University of Westminster
University of Winchester
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