top of page
  • Writer's pictureCaleb Kaltenbach

Earning an Overseas Masters Degree Without Moving Overseas

Updated: Jan 27

****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



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:


University of South Africa


SWITZERLAND


University of Geneva


University of Lausanne



UNITED KINGDOM


Anglia Ruskin University


Bangor University


Cardiff University


Durham University **Students can earn a master's from Durham University through:


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:


Oxford Brookes University


Oxford University

St. Mary's University


Spurgeon's College


Union Theological College

University of Aberdeen

**Students can also earn a master's from the University of Aberdeen through:


University of Birmingham


University of Bristol


University of Chester

MA in Religious Studies **Students can also earn a master's from the University of Chester through:


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:


University of Gloucestershire


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:


University of Northampton


University of Nottingham


University of St. Andrews


University of Sheffield


University of Sunderland


The University of Wales Trinity Saint David


University of Westminster


University of Winchester

bottom of page