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Writer's pictureCaleb Kaltenbach

Earning an Overseas Masters Degree Without Moving Overseas

Updated: Nov 26

****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:


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:


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 Cumbria

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


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

**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:


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:


University of Westminster


University of Winchester

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