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Study Catholic theology in an ecclesial context with our BA (Hons) Theological Studies programme.
  • 100% NSS score in 2022, ranked first in the country.
  • Our Theological Studies course can lead to a Bachelor of Sacred Theology (STB) - awarded through Mater Ecclesiae College, the Pontifical Faculty at St Mary's.

Why study Theological Studies?

This degree enables you to study Catholic theology across a range of sub-disciplines. The focus is exclusively theological, making it different from our BA (Hons) Theology, Religion, and Ethics programme.

Why St Mary's?

Theology at St Mary's ranks well nationally – 4th in the Guardian League tables in 2021 – and studying within the community of the Pontifical Mater Ecclesiae College is an opportunity unique to this degree.

Not only will you study at our friendly, spacious St Mary's campus, but lectures are also delivered at Allen Hall seminary in Chelsea, so you will be able to benefit from the intellectual life of the seminary community as well as that of St Mary's.

St Mary's is a campus-based university with a strong sense of community. We are also only 30 minutes by train to central London, so you will be connected with all that the capital has to offer.

Useful information

Course lead

Dr Jeremy Pilch headshotDr Jeremy Pilch
Programme Director - Theology, Religion and Ethics

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Entry requirements

80-112UCAS points required

Check how many points your grades are worth

Calculate your total UCAS points

We will make you an offer if you are within the tariff band range and you meet subject-specific requirements (where applicable).

For undergraduate programmes we will take into account subjects studied at Level 3, your GCSEs (or equivalent) profile, relevant non-academic achievements outlined in your personal statement, references and your motivation for study.

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 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any section. (or equivalent).

UCAS Personal statement support

Create your UCAS personal statement through our online builder and we'll email you a copy of your completed version at the end.

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Course content

Year one

  •  Core
  •  Core

Year two

  •  Core
  •  Core

Year three

  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core

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.

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Career opportunities

For those not taking this degree as part of their formation for the priesthood, the career prospects are wide-ranging. While the focus is theological, the slight-set acquired is extensive and transferrable across a broad sector of careers, meaning that many fields of work will be open to you following this course.

The Careers Service has more information on careers and postgraduate study options available to Theological Studies students who have started their studies at St Mary’s.

Potential professions

Some examples of job roles and areas of work for graduates of Theological Studies include:

  • teaching and academia
  • pastoral ministries including chaplaincy
  • professional services jobs
  • journalism
  • civil service.
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How the degree is taught

Teaching methods

You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.

Teaching and learning methods will provide an appropriate balance among:

  • a variety of teaching formats: traditional lectures, seminars, multimedia content (e.g.. film clips, voting software), individual and group tutorials
  • large and small group work: e.g. class debates, guided reading exercises, quizzes
  • tutor-led and independent learning sessions
  • e-learning: fullest possible use of Moodle platform for timely uploading of teaching resources, discussion forums, dissemination of resources and audio lecture capture where possible
  • exploration of a wide range of materials and sources, ancient and modern.

Teaching breakdown

Learning on the course is made up through a combination of:

  • Contact time: 16%
  • Guided learning: 21%
  • Independent study: 61%

Independent study is a key feature of your degree and is crucial to furthering your knowledge.

You will receive your timetable a week before teaching is due to start at the latest.

Assessment methods

The variety of assessment methods used on the course seeks to balance traditional learning and more contemporary approaches. There is a particular emphasis on oral means of assessment, in respect of the centrality of oral communication for vocational ministry in the Church.

Feedback

We adhere to the university’s policy of providing feedback on assessments within three weeks.

See how your final degree mark is calculated...

Compensated passes

Please refer to the information on compensated passes throughout your degree as outlined in the academic regulations.

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Facilities

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Fees and funding

2023/24 fees

  • Home: £9,250
  • International: £14,850

*Please note: these fees are annual and may increase in line with inflation each year subject to the Governments review of Higher Education Funding

Information about tuition fees, student loans and funding your studies can be found within our fees and funding section.

Additional costs

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. 

Scholarships

A range of scholarships and bursaries are available to new undergraduate students. This includes:

Living costs

A guide to your living costs has been created by our Student Funding Team.

Accommodation costs vary depending on whether you opt for an en suite room and on-site catering. Take a look at our accommodation options and the prices you can expect to pay.

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Further information


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Visit the campus

Upcoming open days

Meet current students, explore our green campus, and find out why St Mary’s could be the place for you.

You'll also get a chance to:

Staff from various teams, including the Student’s Union, Student Funding, and Admissions, will also be around to discuss any questions you may have about studying at St Mary’s.

Book your place now

Campus tours

There are plenty of opportunities for you to explore the campus, even if you can't make it to an Open Day. We run campus tours every Wednesday at 12pm. If you'd like to join us for one of these tours please register your place for your preferred day.

Virtual tour

We know that for it's important to you to see where you'll be living and studying before you make your decision. However, we also know that for many people it's not always easy to make it to the campus.

That's why we've developed a virtual tour of campus, allowing you to explore that facilities and the beautiful views that we have to offer.

Launch the virtual tour

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UCAS Application Timeline

1

UCAS Apply Opens

You will be able to register and begin your application, but won't yet be able to submit it.

May (year before entry)

Find out more about the application process
2

Completed applications can be submitted to UCAS

From September you'll be able to submit your UCAS application. Universities will start making decisions on applications.

September (year before entry)

Find out more about the application process
3

UCAS application deadline

You will need to submit your application by this date.

January 26th

Find out more about the application process
4

UCAS Extra opens

If you've used all five choices, but are not holding any offers, you might be able to add another choice.

Late February

Find out more about UCAS Extra
5

Replying to offers

Your deadline for replying to your offers depends on when you received all your decisions by. If you miss your deadline, UCAS will automatically decline all your offers

Spring/Summer

Find out more about the application process
6

Late applications are entered into Clearing

If your application is received after 30th June, it will be entered into Clearing.

30th June

Find out more about Clearing
7

UCAS Extra application deadline

If you've used all five choices, but are not holding any offers, this will be your last chance to add an Extra choice.

Early July

Find out more about UCAS Extra
8

Clearing Opens

Clearing vacancies will be displayed in the UCAS search tool.

Early July

Find out more about Clearing
9

Clearing hotline opens

On A-Level results day, we open our Clearing hotline. If you're eligible to apply through Clearing, you'll be able to apply to us via phone.

Mid-August

Find out more about Clearing
10

Adjustment opens

If you've exceeded the conditions of your firm choice, you may be able to apply for an alternative course.

Mid-August

Find out more about the application process
11

Final application deadline

This is the final opportunity to apply for a course beginning in that year.

September

Find out more about Clearing
12

Clearing closes

This is your final chance to apply through Clearing. Please note: you will not be able to apply for Primary Education beyond mid-September.

October

Find out more about Clearing