Master of Theology (Research)

The Master of Theology (Research) at the University of Notre Dame Australia is a research degree for people who want to study a theological question in depth and write a thesis about it. You work under supervision, usually with a principal supervisor and a co-supervisor, and the final product is a substantial piece of original research rather than a set of coursework subjects. Notre Dame is a Catholic university, so theology sits at the centre of its academic life rather than at the edges, and the research culture reflects that.

How the degree is structured

As a research master's, the degree is built around your thesis. At Notre Dame, research candidates typically begin with a period of supervised reading and proposal development, then move into full-time writing. You may be required to complete a research methods unit or a candidature confirmation process, where a panel reviews your proposal before you continue. The thesis is examined by external academics. The two-year full-time duration reflects the AQF expectation for a master's degree by research, and part-time study is often possible. Because this is a research award rather than a coursework one, there are no semester-by-semester unit lists in the usual sense. Confirm the exact candidature milestones, word limits and any coursework requirements with the university before you apply.

What you actually study

Your topic determines the reading. Notre Dame's theology staff work across biblical studies, church history, moral theology, systematic theology, liturgy and pastoral theology, and research students often draw on more than one of these. You might work through the Gospel of Mark, the reception of Aquinas, Catholic social teaching, or the history of a religious order in Australia. The skills you build are the ones research demands: finding and assessing sources, handling primary texts in their original languages where relevant, constructing an argument that holds up to examination, and writing clearly for an academic audience. You also learn to present your work at seminars and to respond to criticism without losing the thread of your argument.

Who it suits

This degree suits graduates in theology, religious studies, philosophy or history who want to research rather than accumulate more coursework. It also suits teachers, chaplains, ministry workers and others in faith-based organisations who need a research qualification for their role or for further study. If you are considering a doctorate later, a research master's is a common route into it. The University of Notre Dame Australia has campuses in Fremantle, Sydney and Broome, and theology research is concentrated where the relevant supervisors are based, so ask early about supervision and location. If you are an international student, you will need to meet the university's English requirements for your course, and the Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. While you hold a Student visa you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods. After you finish, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available depending on your circumstances. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 073041J, and you should check the official page for current fees, intake dates and application requirements.

• Academic and research roles: university tutor, research assistant, or doctoral candidate, in Australian universities and theological colleges.
• Religious and church organisations: diocesan offices, parishes, religious orders and Catholic education offices, in roles involving research, policy, formation and writing.
• Education: secondary and tertiary teachers of religious education and theology, and school chaplaincy, where a research qualification supports promotion or specialist work.
• Publishing and media: religious publishing, journals, and faith-based media organisations that need people who can research and write accurately about theology and religion.
• Health and community services: pastoral care, chaplaincy in hospitals, aged care and corrections, and ethics roles in Catholic and other faith-based providers.
• Government and non-government organisations: policy and research work touching on religion, culture, multicultural affairs and community services.