2023-24
Degree of Master of Theology
RESOLUTION
The Degree of Master of Theology is governed by Resolution No. 560 of the University Court, the provisions of which are as follows:
1. The Degree of Master of Theology (MTh) may be awarded by the University of Glasgow at Edinburgh Theological Seminary.
2. The Senate, may make Regulations, which are subject to the approval of the University Court, governing the award of the Degree - these are set out in the section entitled ‘Regulations’.
3 A Joint Board composed of representatives of Edinburgh Theological Seminary and the Senate of the University of Glasgow shall be appointed to oversee the administration of the Degree.
4. It shall be competent for the University Court, on the recommendation of the Senate, to recognise as teachers of the University for the purpose of the Degree, such lecturers and officers of Edinburgh Theological Seminary having responsibility for the supervision of research students registered to carry out advanced study and research for the Degree.
5. The Senate may appoint as an Examiner for the Degree, but not as an External Examiner, any teacher recognised in accordance with Section 4.
6. The External Examiner(s) for the Degree shall be appointed by the University Court on the recommendation of the Joint Board and the Senate.
REGULATIONS
1. Before being admitted to study qualifying for the Degree of Master of Theology a candidate must have obtained the Degree of Bachelor of Theology at Edinburgh Theological Seminary or an equivalent degree from a University or Cognate Institution recognised for this purpose by Edinburgh Theological SeminarySenate with the approval of the Higher Degrees Committee of the College of Arts & Humanities, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Higher Degrees Committee’; provided that the Seminary Senate may, with the approval of the Higher Degrees Committee, admit a candidate with such other qualifications as it may approve for this purpose.
Alternatively, a candidate may be admitted provided they can satisfy the Edinburgh Theological Seminary Senate and the Higher Degrees Committee of their fitness to undertake advanced study.
2. Candidates for the Degree shall undertake research in accordance with the following provisions:
i) The minimum period of study for each candidate shall be one academic year of full-time study or two academic years of part-time study.
ii) The Seminary Senate shall nominate to the Higher Degrees Committee a main supervisor for each candidate. The supervisor shall be a member of the Seminary staff recognised as a teacher of the University; and they shall submit a written report to the Seminary Senate and to the Higher Degrees Committee at least once a semester on the progress of the candidate.
iii) The Higher Degrees Committee shall appoint a Professor or Lecturer in the University as an additional supervisor for each candidate.
iv) On completion of the prescribed period of research each candidate shall present a thesis embodying the results of their work. The thesis must be in English and shall not exceed 40,000 words. In addition to presenting a thesis a candidate will normally be required to undergo oral examination.
A candidate must submit the thesis electronically accompanied by a Declaration that the research has been carried out and the thesis composed by the candidate, and that the thesis has not been accepted in fulfilment of the requirements of any other degree or professional qualification.
The layout and binding of the thesis should generally conform to the British Standard Institution's Recommendations for the presentation of theses (BS4821:1990), a copy of which is available in the University Library.
If the Degree is awarded, two hard-bound copies of the thesis and one electronic copy shall be submitted. One shall become the property of the University and be deposited in the University Library, and the other shall become the property of Edinburgh Theological Seminary and be deposited in the Seminary Library. Where agreed by the Seminary and the Library, hard bound submission may be waived in favour of solely electronic submission.
v) Except by special permission of the Joint Board a thesis may not be presented later than four years from the date of the candidate's admission.
vi) The Internal Examiners for the Degree shall normally be such members of Edinburgh Theological Seminary staff, recognised as teachers of the University, as are nominated by the Seminary Senate and approved by the Higher Degrees Committee.
vii) The External Examiners for the Degree shall be nominated by the Higher Degrees Committee in consultation with the Edinburgh Theological Seminary Senate, and appointed by the University Court on the recommendation of the (University) Senate.
viii) In the case of a thesis not approved for the Degree of Master of Theology, the Higher Degrees Committee, on the recommendation of the examiners, may permit resubmission of the thesis in a revised form under such conditions as may be prescribed in each case.
ix) In the case of a candidate adjudged not to have achieved the MTh standard, the examiners shall have discretion to recommend the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Theology.