Master's program in Eastern Christian Studies (120 ECTS credits)

This is a two-year program in which students study the subject areas within the field of Eastern Christian Studies in depth beyond that of the bachelor’s degree, learn to conduct independent research at an advanced level and develop high-level analytical and communication skills.

Program director: Michael Hjälm, michael.hjalm@ehs.se
Director of Studies: Johan Andersson, johan.andersson@ehs.se
Length: 2 years (full-time) 120 ECTS credits
Type of instruction: On-campus learning
Study Pace: Full-time
Teaching Hours: Daytime
Language of Instruction: English
Location: Campus Bromma, Stockholm
How to apply? Apply through www.universityadmissions.se or www.antagning.se (from March 15)

Why study for a Master’s in eastern Christian Studies?

Today in Europe, the voice of the Church struggles to be heard in a society in which many different religious political and philosophical ideas compete for attention. The Church can no longer claim a privileged place within society or take for granted popular acceptance of its message and values. Those who have leadership roles and positions of responsibility within the Church therefore need to have an objective and critical understanding of their Church’s identity, historical context and the way in which identity and message relate to the modern world. The MTh in Eastern Christian Studies equips students with the necessary understanding and skills to help them to understand the Churches’ identity and mission historically and in the modern world.

Program objectives

The program aims to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to think critically and independently about themes and issues within the field of Eastern Christian Studies. The program will prepare students for teaching roles within the Church and also to study at the doctoral level. Students receive rigorous training in research methodology and practice in preparation for further research at doctoral level or in the Church and community. All students are required to present and defend a research thesis in order to successfully complete the program.

Program outcomes

By the end of the program, successfulstudents will:

possess an in-depth knowledge of specific subjects and issues within the field of Eastern Christian Studies,
be able to understand and critically evaluate the various methods used to study this field of learning,
be able to independently formulate and conduct an original research project,
be able to critically analyze and assess ideas and theories of others and present and defend their own ideas.

Ability to develop one’s own ideas and to communicate them clearly and logically is a prerequisite for successful completion of the program.

Program Requirements

To be eligible to be admitted to either program, an applicant must either have a bachelor’s degree in theology/religious studies, comprising 180 ECTS credits, or a degree in another subject as part of which they have taken religious studies or theological courses worth at least 60 credits, including a thesis of at least 15 credits.

At least 15 credits should be in Eastern Christian studies or an equivalent subject area within religious studies studied at an advanced level (i.e., 3^rd year courses of a three-year bachelor’s degree program, 3^rd year and 4^th year courses of a four-year bachelor’s degree program). Students with other relevant subjects or an equivalent degree from an educational institution outside of Sweden may be admitted on the basis of individual assessment and examination by the Academic Dean.

Students may also be admitted to later parts of the program (61-120 ECTS credits) on the basis of a special application, provided that the relevant prerequisites have been met. For more information about such special application please contact the Director of Studies.

English language proficiency: the English proficiency requirement for academic studies at Sankt Ignatios is equivalent to the English 6 course in Swedish upper secondary school. Students from outside Sweden, or students who cannot verify proficiency in English, are required to take an internationally recognized test (e. g. TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent). More information about the required score on internationally recognized English tests can be found at English language requirements (universityadmissions.se); see section Meeting the English requirements with an English test.

Cost of study

The program is tuition-free for citizens of Sweden, citizens of an EU / EEA country or of Switzerland who hold a valid Swedish residence permit. Students coming from countries other than those listed above are required to pay tuition fees. See Fees&Finance

As a new student at EHS, you automatically become a member of SEHS – the Student Union at Enskilda Högskolan Stockholm. Membership is free. If you want to leave the union, you can write an email to sehs@ehs.se and we will cancel your membership. Read more about the student union’s work: Membership in the Student Union.

Career prospects

A two-year master’s degree in Eastern Christian Studies is a necessary qualification for pursuing research at the doctoral level. A master’s degree also demonstrates a high level of analytical and critical skills and the ability to grasp complex and controversial issues, skills which are in great demand within business, government, NGOs, and trans-national organizations such as the European Union and United Nations.

Find out more about the program here (pdf)Download

Structure of the program

YEAR 1

Fall

The Scriptures and Eastern Christianity, 7,5 5OB410 / 5OB420 on-line
Patristics: Sources and Methods, 7,5 5OT410 / 5OT420 on-line
Liturgics and Liturgical Theology, 7,5 5OL410 / 5OL420 on-line
The Church as Polis, 7,5 5OE410 / 5OE420 online

Spring

Text and Context in Eastern Christian Studies, 7,5, 5OB510 / 5OB520 online
The Church in Theory and Practice, 7,5, 5OT510 / 5OT520 online
Elective course 7,5 x 2

YEAR 2