Promote human dignity and social justice with our Catholic Social Teaching master’s.
Drive necessary change with our Catholic Social Teaching master’s. You’ll explore key principles, history, and contemporary issues while covering topics like:
- liberation theology
- global development
- systematic theology
- ministry.
A one-of-a-kind learning experience
Our Catholic Social Teaching MA is the only one taught face-to-face in the UK and Ireland.
Foundations in Catholic social teaching
We built our foundations teaching poor Catholic communities. And, as part of our Catholic mission, we’ve since worked to create a compassionate, just, and sustainable world.
Specialist teaching and support
You will learn from research-active academics committed to your wellbeing. Our student, Aikaterini, tells us they were “always encouraged and fully supported”.
Study around your schedule
You can take our Catholic Social Teaching MA on a part-time or full-time basis, meaning you’ll study around your commitments.
Revd Dr Ashley Beck
Senior Lecturer - Pastoral Ministry
Upcoming webinars and events
Postgraduate events
Join us at a postgraduate event
Course content
Modules
Full-time students will study six core 20-credit modules (including Ecclesiology in Contemporary Perspective) plus a dissertation or service-learning based research in one year.
Part-time students will study three core 20-credit modules in their first year.
In their second year, they will study two core 20-credit modules and then choose to study either Ecclesiology in Contemporary Perspective or Systematic Theology and Contemporary Themes.
They can chose either a dissertation or service-learning based research to study in either their second or third year.
Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.
Entry requirements
2:2
Previous degree
An interview is required before entry to the programme.
International Requirements
International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any section.
We now accept IELTS Indicator test results as proof of your English language level.
Further Information
For more information about entry requirements please email apply@stmarys.ac.uk.
Fees & funding
September 2025
Home
£10,800
International
£18,450
Funding Information
Distance-learning
If you are studying the programme at distance, your fees may differ slightly:
- Home: £10,800
- International: £11,910
Additional costs
*Please note: Tuition fees are annual and may increase as detailed in our tuition fee variation disclaimer.
Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme. Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.
For further information about additional costs please see our additional costs webpage.
Alumni discount
A 20% tuition fee discount is available for our alumni (undergraduate and PGCE) planning to study this Master's degree. Those studying for a PGDip of PGCert are not eligible for the discount.
Funding
You can check on the UK government website to see if you may be eligible for a loan of up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate programme.
Home and international students may also be eligible for external sources of funding. International students should check their eligibility for our International Scholarship.
For more information, please look at our postgraduate funding page.
How the degree is taught
Assessment methods
There will be five taught modules in this programme. Everyone will study the two initial core modules, and study a further two modules out of a choice of three.
There will also be a module comprising a 15,000-word dissertation. In the taught modules there will be a 5,000-word essay and a shorter piece of work such as an article review, case study, or presentation.
Career opportunities
With our Catholic Social Teaching master’s, you will develop essential transferrable skills like patience, communication, and creative problem-solving.
Contact our Career Services at careers@stmarys.ac.uk for further information on jobs and postgraduate opportunities.
Some examples of job roles and areas of work for graduates of Catholic Social Teaching MA include:
Apply now
PGDip applications for 2025/26 are not yet open. Register your interest now.
January 2025
September 2025
Make sure to check our step-by-step guide to application process.
More from St Mary's
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