Ministry (MMin)

About the Course

The MMin Ministry is a professional Postgraduate Degree which provides an opportunity to engage in sustained reflection and research upon the practice of ministry. Designed for people who cannot take extended periods of study away from their ministry, this course seeks to address the rapidly changing contexts of Christian ministry taking a holistic approach to new challenges, theories and practices associated with modern day ministry.

This programme has been developed in such a way that students are encouraged to explore various theological traditions and disciplines, to further develop a range of practical skills and to develop habits of theological reflection which integrate theory with practice. This process of reflection and dialogue contributes to students’ personal and professional development as reflective practitioners, helping them to construct fresh perspectives on the tasks and opportunities facing those involved in the practice of ministry.

Students will develop and expand their range of theological knowledge, understanding and skills in ways that will inform their practice while supported by a variety of teaching approaches, delivered in a supportive learning environment. They will have the opportunity to explore and reflect critically upon theological studies with particular regard to the richness of Christian practice and expression drawing on a variety of theological and other academic disciplines and discourses in order to reflect critically and constructively on their practice.

Why choose Liverpool Hope?

The MMin Ministry adds value to first degrees by developing knowledge and skills involved in modern day ministry within Christian churches and organisations. Students with an interest in studying the challenges faced by modern day ministry, will find this degree challenging and stimulating. They will be able to draw on the wide areas of academic scholarship and expertise brought to the course by well-published academics and experienced theologians.  Students will confidently be able to evaluate critically current research in aspects of Christian ministry such as mission, chaplaincy, formation, leadership and preaching and articulately apply that knowledge with ministerial practice.

Curriculum Overview

The MMin Ministry comprises two compulsory 30-credit taught modules: Scriptural Interpretation & Application within the Church and Postgraduate Textual Seminar, 60 credits of optional modules that will allow students to pursue interests across religious traditions* with an optional 60-credit research dissertation adding up to 180 credits.

Assessment methods may include coursework in the form of essays, class presentations, exegetical studies, Portfolios of practice, Viva Voce examinations and research dissertation.

*not all optional modules would be available every year

Modules

Scriptural Interpretation & Application within the Church (30 Credits)

The Christian scriptures are read, preached from and inform the liturgical and devotional practices of all churches, yet to many the academic approaches and theories of the field of hermeneutics seem remote or foreign to the everyday life of church and pastoral praxis. This course brings into dialogue the theories and methods of biblical hermeneutics with the ecclesial realities of modern pastoral practice.

Postgraduate Textual Seminar (30 credits – compulsory)

The material covered will take the form of a close-examination particular aspects or issues within the fields of theology, pastoral practice, philosophy, religion and/or biblical studies. These aspects or issues may be approached in one of a number of ways - for example by studying the contribution to debate of a particular scholar/s or a particular school of thought or by critically examining a selected range of primary texts. Normally this module will be placed immediately after the first 90 credits of taught modules.

Approaching Homiletics: Between Text and Congregation (30 credits – optional)

This course is particularly designed for professional clergy and lay persons with a special interest in the study and practice of preaching. Focusing on developing advanced skills of interpreting the Bible and communicating the Christian faith through the spoken word, this course will invigorate tired practice, making the pulpit ministry exciting; real theology but on the shop-floor

Pastoral Psychology, The Soul, Light and Darkness (30 credits – optional)

The recent field of Pastoral Psychology reflects on ways in which Christian texts, practices, and thought have helped to shape the tradition of soul-care. The course will examine ways in which Christian tradition might provide helpful resources for contemporary pastoral care and spiritual direction.

Christian Service: Well Being, Stress and Burn Out (30 credits – optional)

Stress is a threat to physical and psychological well-being, but it is frequently misunderstood. Burnout has recently been recognised by the WHO as a disease condition. In the context of Christian Service, this masters level course will examine how stress and burn-out impact upon health and well-being. The module draws upon evidence of causes and management of stress from a biopsychosocial perspective. This will include a critique of proactive prevention through risk assessment methodologies. Accepting Healthy work is Productive Work, we will examine job satisfaction, managing a team, including participation, attendance and sickness absence, as well as personal reactive coping strategies. The course encourages interaction and sharing case studies.

Work Placement (30 credits – optional)

This course provides students with the opportunity to undertake a work placement within a chaplaincy setting of their choice. The placement will be 100 hours (the equivalent of approximately three full weeks), to be spent either in a continual block or a certain number of hours per week/month, depending on the needs of the hosting institution and the availability of the student. The Award Coordinator will assist students in selecting and contacting an institution for their placement. If students are already working full-time or part-time in a relevant institution they may be able to

Reflective Ministerial Project (30 credits – optional)

The module consists of a series of tutorials with the student, initially to agree a robust reflective, focused project on an area of ministry, subsequently to provide a critical dialogue, creative encouragement, professional advice and mentoring of the student in pursuance of the project.

Ecologies of Christian Formation (30 credits – optional)

This course provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate critical knowledge, understanding and skills, commensurate with M Level study, through exploring the role, nature, scope and importance of Christian formation within the wider educational mission of the church and for the advancement of their own professional and vocational practice.

Entry Requirements

Normally a minimum of a Second-Class Honours degree in a relevant discipline awarded by a UK university, or an equivalent higher education qualification is required.

International Entry Requirements

Possess a degree from an overseas institution that is judged by the Registrar or Nominee to be equivalent to a second class honours degree from a UK University.

For students whose first language is not English there is a language requirement of IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum of all components. In addition to this, we also accept a wide range of International Qualifications, for more information please visit our English Language Requirements page.

For additional information about country specific entry requirements visit the your country pages. 

*Part time study is not available for Non-EU International applicants

Teaching and Research

Our Postgraduate Theology programmes are led by well-respected academics with internationally recognised research profiles in the fields of Pastoral Theology, Biblical Studies, Religious Studies, Theology, Christian Education, Asian and African Christianity and Philosophy

We work closely with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese and with the Church of England Diocese. Several tutors within the school are active within the local community and after years in ministry and industry, use this experience to deliver an innovative and informed teaching experience.

The MMin Ministry has been designed to enable students to become competent in a range of research methodologies that can be used to reflect on the practice of ministry, within a Christian setting and an academic critical approach to the study of the ministry. This will be underpinned by experiential learning, which will help to improve the student’s capacity to reflect at a highly critical level, while promoting the development of key transferable skills that will assist students in their career options.

Teaching is in line with the wider University Learning and Teaching strategy and encourages learning in small groups to foster the development of academic potential and improve the working dynamic between students and members of staff.

The programme centres around the needs of the student as much as possible, so flexible delivery methods are available, including distance learning options.

UK/Channel Island Tuition Fees

2025/26

Tuition fees for Home students are £7,750

Funding

We offer a number of scholarships and loans to help fund your postgraduate studies. Visit our scholarships pages for more details.

EU/Non EU International Tuition Fees

2025/26

Tuition fees for EU/Non-EU International students for 2025/26 are £15,250

Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.

Careers

The MMin Ministry is designed to prepare reflective and competent professionals for positions of leadership in Christian ministry. The programme strives to discover and nurture sound scholarship, meaningful research and the interdependence of theory and practice. These skills can be applied to virtually any organisational setting, across the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist and Orthodox churches both in the UK and overseas.

This programme is an academic master’s degree, which is suited to students who may wish to undertake further study and progress to the Doctorate in Ministry (D.Min).