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Sarum College graduares

Take a learning journey

Home Ministry Independent Study Postgraduate study in Theology, Ministry and Mission

Join us

for rigorous postgraduate level study in a supportive community of discussion, debate and mutual learning where you will learn advanced skills of discernment, reflexivity and reflection on practice.

Independent students can study for awards on flexible pathways to suit a range of circumstances. These programmes are well-suited to curates, continuing ministerial development and lay ministers.

Pathways are flexible so you can tailor the course to your particular ministry and learning and formational needs.

These pathways are validated through Common Awards at Durham University.

This course has offered me a great space to broaden my understanding of my faith and how I live that out in the world. I’ve enjoyed good collegiality with others on the course as we journey together. The lecturers are supportive and responsive to the questions and challenges I’ve had while grappling with tricky subjects.

Ella, an independent MA student

Dr Beth Dodd introduces the Postgraduate Programmes in Theology, Ministry and Mission.

Beth_Dodd

Imaginative and practical

All students study advanced skills in theological reflection and research methods. Other module options include modern theology, advanced biblical studies, mission and ecclesiology, worship and liturgy, an extended placement, leadership and an independent learning project.

Programmes offer scope to develop areas of interest within and between modules. MA students can cultivate a specialism and develop independent research skills through the dissertation.

Beth_Dodd
Dr Beth Dodd, Programme Leader for Postgraduate Programmes in Theology, Ministry and Mission

I have taught in theological education since 2012, taking various roles across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes as a programme leader and director of studies. I teach Christian doctrine and specialise in theology, arts and culture. A child of the manse and daughter of the Lake District fells, the stomping ground of Wordsworth and Coleridge, I bring a poetic sensibility to my writing, which focuses on what poetry can teach us about the ‘grammar’ of Christian theology and the experience and practice of Christian faith. I have a passion for retrieving neglected or devalued ideas, recovering the beauty that once made them powerful and reimagining them for a contemporary context. Previous publications focussed on a Christian theology of innocence while my forthcoming book takes a step beyond narrative theology and theodramatic theory to explore the lyric voice in Christian theology. I have published on spoken word artists such as Kae Tempest and Tony Walsh alongside religious poets like John Clare, George Herbert and Thomas Traherne.

As well as programme leader for postgraduate programmes in theology, ministry and mission at Sarum College, I am also a research associate for the Oxford Centre for Religion and Culture.

I am available to supervise research projects and offer teaching sessions, study days and retreats in the areas of Christian doctrine, theology, arts and culture and theological reflection.

View full biography 

Entry requirements & awards

The normal requirement is a good first degree in a related subject, or a good degree in another subject combined with a university-level qualification in theology or religious studies with an overall mark of at least 60%.

However mature students with relevant professional experience and/or training may be admitted subject to interview, an academic reference and a sample of academic or reflective writing.

Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or MA on flexible pathways to suit a range of circumstances. Qualifications usually take between one and three years part-time, and are validated by Common Awards at Durham University.

How you learn

Sarum College offers flexible, part-time study with personal attention so that every student thrives, working to fit alongside other personal and professional responsibilities.

Independent students join a mixed learning community of people either active in or training for public ministry. There is regular online interaction with tutors and peers.

This study programme suits people who are happy to learn online in addition to Saturday teaching days. Weekly seminars offer regular contact and teaching support.

The programme emphasis is on developing skills of reflection and practice alongside academic rigour, reflecting on your ministry and your local church context.

A great place to study

You will enjoy the many resources of Sarum College in the wonderful setting of Cathedral Close in Salisbury.

Lovely food cooked and served on site, and the Common Room provides a bar and informal space for continued conversation into the evening.

Teaching rooms combine historic architecture with high tech classroom resources for digital presentations and live-streamed events. The library is well-stocked with access to a large catalogue of books and journals, and you can make use of it when you like. Some use the library outside of residential periods if they are passing for work or as a study day.

Staff provide you with pastoral and academic support when at college or at home, as well as teaching on the modules. Other experts supplement the teaching programme with specialist knowledge as required.

Fees

Fees will differ according to the speed at which you take modules and the pathway you follow. Please contact us to discuss.

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Discover Sarum

Find out more

The Ministry team

The Revd Canon Professor James Woodward

Principal, Sarum College

Read more

Beth_Dodd

Dr Beth Dodd

Programme Leader for Postgraduate Programmes in Theology, Ministry and Mission

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The Revd Paul Burden

Academic Dean

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The Revd Anna Bishop

Programme Leader, Short Courses & Exploring Theology programmes

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Ian Macdonald

Tutor in Mission

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Jacquie Gallon

Ministry Registrar and PA to Principal

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The Revd Jo Neary

Tutor in Rural Ministry and Mission

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Upcoming short courses

Spiritual Exercises for the 21st Century

19 May 2025

This online course opens up the transformative impact of Ignatius Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises. By ...

View course

Women Mystics: Thea Bowman

19 May 2025

Female Theologians through Christian History Sister Thea Bowman was a Catholic religious sister, teacher, musician, ...

View course

Exploring Theology Spring 2025

20 May 2025

Living Out Christian Faith This term addresses some of the very real questions and dilemmas ...

View course

Sustaining Wellbeing in Ministry

21 May 2025

Those in ministry face a range of challenges to their wellbeing and increasing numbers of ...

View course
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Stimulating and Challenging

What is Successful Ageing? led by James Woodward

I enjoyed the course immensely from beginning to end – the seamless interweaving of knowledge, ideas and research and the linking with belief and faith.

The content was stimulating, challenging, thought provoking and I was greatly appreciative of the contributions and questions from other participants, your considered and sensitive responses and integration with your presentations.

Thank you!

 

 

Netflix, Theology and Pastoral Practice

Peter Butchers on his MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture student experience

How do cultural tropes, like those found in Black Mirror, help bridge the gap between what academic theology espouses and what the everyday Christian believes? In his research as a student on the MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture, Peter Butchers explored platonic philosophy, digital theology and eschatology, and pastoral practice around death and dying.

Read more 

Rewarding Sabbatical Stay

The Revd Greg Syler, is Rector of Ascension & St. George’s, Resurrection Parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC USA, spent part of his ministry sabbatical at Sarum College in spring 2022.

His account of the experience begins: ‘I loved spending nearly three weeks of my ministry sabbatical at Sarum College earlier this year.

Not only did I rest, and rest well in the comfortable care of the Sarum College staff, I experienced very significant renewal and fresh insights.’

Read more

The Road Not Taken

Sarum Graduate Mike Truman

January 2022

Five years ago, I told my Warden of Readers that I would not be renewing my licence when it expired in 2019, as I thought my faith was becoming too unorthodox for a Church of England licensed lay minister. As someone who knew me well, she challenged me to actively explore what I did still believe. Thus started the journey that ended last August with the dissertation completing my MA in Theology Imagination and Culture (MATIC) at Sarum College.

Read more 

Clergy Study Breaks

The opportunity for clergy to get away occasionally from their own context, to have an overnight stay in the beautiful setting of Sarum College and all that the Salisbury Cathedral Close offers is hugely valuable. All the clergy I have suggested who have spent 24hrs at Sarum College have benefit greatly from the experienced mentoring where they can talk, reflect, think, plan and pray.

The support and encouragement they receive is excellent and has a positive on their on going ministry. This is something the Diocese of Rochester encourages and supports financially in preparation for their clergy preparing for Extended Ministerial Development Leave (Sabbatical).

— Canon Christopher Dench, Diocese of Rochester Director of Formation and Ministry

Retreats and Private Stays

When I arrived, exhausted and sensitive, I was grateful not to be asked by Reception were I came from, whether I had had a good journey etc. That was the kind of hospitality I needed: a non-intrusive welcome that was found in ancient cultures and still survives in some societies today, where the host asks questions about a stranger and his journey only when the visitor has rested and been given food and drink.

— guest on a private stay

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