Master of Arts in Contemporary Christian Leadership

Being a leader has always been a challenge, and today it may seem especially tough. Many Christian leaders are seeking help and inspiration in how to lead in ways that truly serve others as Christ has served us, without burning out or giving up.

A recent survey of a large denomination revealed that one-third of church leaders showed signs of clinical depression, facing challenges like loneliness, financial pressures, and relationship issues. This struggle can be even greater for those transitioning from training roles.

The MA in Contemporary Christian Leadership is designed to help leaders handle the challenges of leadership, fostering the habits of heart, life and mind that can sustain them joyfully through ministry in the long term. It is suitable for leaders in both church and parachurch contexts, within the UK and working overseas.

Through learning and reflecting with other leaders, this program will deepen your theological understanding of Christian leadership and build practical skills for real-world situations.

How does it work?

Across three or four years, students will be in a cohort with fellow leaders, learning in community with a mixture of in-person week-long residentials (at Oak Hill College) and online gatherings (with times to be agreed within the cohorts).

In the first year you will have two residential weeks (September and January) with years 2-4 focussing on optional modules and a dissertation. Additional intensive learning weeks will take place in years 2-3.

A student will need to give around a day a week to study outside of the residentials. 

You will take 180 credits over four years with two compulsory modules with a number of optional modules to choose from, focussing on topics such as:

• Principles of Christian leadership

• Dealing with conflict within the church

• Collaborative leadership

• Church planting

• Leading for the future

• Global Theology

All students will also do a 15,000 word dissertation reflecting on an aspect of leadership.

And there's the opportunity to learn a biblical language, too.

Compulsory Modules

Research and Reflection: Resources and Methods [20 credits] 

Dissertation in Christian Leadership [60 credits]

All students will study 3 modules (60 credits) from the following:

Leadership and the future church [20 credits] 

Ecclesiology and conflict [20 credits] 

Reflective Practice: Leadership and Collaboration [20 credits]

Advanced Church Planting in Perspective [20 credits] 

Leadership and Theology for Ministry and Mission [20 credits]

Other Modules

All students will study a further 40 credits:

Either 1 further module from the above electives and 20 credits of other modules from Level 6 or Level 7, or biblical languages modules at levels 4 and 5.

Or

40 credits of other modules from Level 6 or Level 7, or biblical languages modules at levels 4 and 5.

You can view our sample module list here.

Modules are assessed in a variety of ways including written assignments (2-3,000 words), practical projects and oral presentations.

The final assessment is a 15,000 word dissertation completed in years 3 and 4.

This programme is designed to equip those who are currently serving in a leadership role in churches or other Christian organisations, within the UK and overseas. Students do not necessarily need to have a theology degree in order to study this programme. 

Academic requirements

Our entry requirements are outlined below. We want to make this programme accessible for anyone involved in Christian leadership and if you do not meet the criteria below, we will discuss with you in interview your previous experience of leadership and study. We may set a piece of work to assess academic potential.

• Normally an upper-second class honours degree in a subject relevant to the proposed course of study. To see equivalents click here.
• Normally students will need a good degree (or other Level 6 qualification, such as a Graduate Diploma) in Theology.
• Graduates (classed as first-class or 2:1 honours) in other disciplines with experience of Theology or Religious Studies to at least FHEQ Level 4 (undergraduate Certificate level, awarded with credit or distinction, or with an overall mark of at least 60%) may also be admitted to the programme.
• However, especially for mature students (those aged 25 and over), prior professional experience will be taken into account as well as educational qualifications. 
• Given its professional development orientation, students are likely to be preparing for a ministerial or related vocation or be actively engaged in such a ministry. 

English Language requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must satisfy the College that they have a sufficient command of spoken and written English to meet the demands of their chosen programme. IELTS Academic or equivalent is therefore required at 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any component. 

You can find out more about equivalent qualifications here.

2025/6 fees

Over three years: £2,667 per year, payable for each of the three years.

Over four years: £2,000 per year, payable for each of the four years.

Fees include all food and accommodation for residential weeks, the Durham registration fee, online library access and access to our VLE.

More details

Applications for this programme will open in late January 2025.

1. Submit application

Use our application portal to apply. Check all the key dates to ensure you apply in good time; and see what's involved to ensure you give yourself enough time to complete the application.

We do not interview without references being completed. We interview all applicants who meet the basic admissions criteria. 

Applications close for standard applications on Friday 13 June 2025 (12noon). Non standard applications (those who do not meet the entry requirements) close on Friday 30 May 2025 (12noon).

2. Interview

You'll have an interview with the programme director and a chance to ask any specific questions of the admissions team. This will be conducted online.

3. Offer

Normally you should expect to hear from us within five working days of your interview as to whether we are offering you a place.

4. Accept offer 

Let us know by the agreed date whether you’d like to accept the offer.

5. Meet conditions

We may place certain conditions on your offer and you will need to respond appropriately if this is the case.

6. Assured place

Once you’ve accepted an offer and met any conditions, you’ll be given an assured place. 

7. Preparing for arrival

From early July we'll give you your Oak Hill email account details so that you can access online your new student welcome information.