Sarum College is an ecumenical study and research centre with an international reputation for excellence in theological education and spiritual reflection.
Applications for any of Sarum’s four MA programmes are now being accepted.
Sarum College offers a distinguished location for meetings, conferences, events and functions with full catering services.
Sarum College Bookshop is Salisbury's most established independent Christian and theological bookshop.
The Sarum College Library has an outstanding academic theological collection of more than 40,000 books covering all denominations.
Anyone may enrol in MA courses as an “auditor” without registering for the full MA programme. Auditors participate in a module in exactly the same way as students enrolled on the MA programmes, but do not prepare an essay at the end of it.
Introduction to Liturgical Study
This module introduces students to the sources and methods used by liturgical scholars in the evaluation of liturgical history and contemporary worship events. It will equip students with skills in the critical evaluation of various sources and create awareness of the presuppositions which lie behind much liturgical scholarship. As further preparation for the degree, students will be introduced to the research and writing skills for work at Master’s level.
The Eucharist
This module explores the development of eucharistic worship from the New Testament to the contemporary church through an analysis of the most significant primary and secondary sources. Students will gain an understanding of the theological, historical and social influences upon the eucharist and be equipped for independent study of the topic.
Christian Initiation
The major Western Churches have significantly revised their baptismal liturgies in the last fifty years in response to the changing place of the church in society, the fruits of liturgical scholarship in assessing patterns of the early church and ecumenical exchange. This module will examine key historical periods which provide a context for contemporary rites and the theologies which lie behind them.
The Liturgical Year
This module will explore the development and contemporary celebration of Christian feasts through an analysis of their historical origins and changes, their theological and ritual meaning, and recent liturgical reforms. The implications for pastoral and liturgical practice in local churches will be drawn out in discussion.
Christian Prayer
This module explores the way in which Christians have prayed, individually and corporately through the centuries with particular reference to daily prayer or offices. It will investigate the role of psalmody, scripture and intercessory prayer in these models as well as other selected prayers such as the Collect, the Lord’s Prayer and the Jesus Prayer. Theological and contemporary pastoral issues will help focus students on forms of liturgical prayer used in their own church context.
Liturgy Mission and Cultures
This module will investigate the relationship between liturgy and mission, and attempt to identify the changing understanding of how these two ecclesial actualities interact. And to chart the role of culture in relation to the missionary imperative expressed in the liturgy. Reflection on these issues will be in relation to theological concepts and to the published policy documents of the church and their critics. Students will be encouraged to reflect critically on the pastoral implications of the material discussed.
Music in Christian Worship
(co-validated with the MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture)
Music is a core feature of much Christian worship, whether chanted psalms, congregational hymns, liturgical texts arranged for choirs or contemporary worship songs. This module explores the variety of musical styles in Christian worship from both historical and contemporary perspectives and draw upon critical themes in musicology, theology and pastoral liturgy. It will equip students to make informed assessments of music choices in the liturgical events of different ecclesial settings. Musical skills, while beneficial, are not required.
Worship, Art and Architecture
(co-validated with the MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture)
The space in which Christian worship takes place is influenced by the culture of the age and place as well as ecclesiology. This module will investigate the Church buildings and their art in selected and typical historical periods in order to highlight the key interpretative issues. It will consider 20th century and contemporary responses to social and theological change demonstrated in Christian architecture. Students will be encouraged to reflect upon the use of liturgical space in specific contexts.
Guided Reading in Liturgical Studies
This module provides the student with an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the relevant sources and methodologies of Liturgical History or Pastoral Liturgy through independent research and writing. Students will be supported by tutorials and selected relevant reading before identifying their own topic for assessment.
