Lambeth Degree - Master of Arts By Thesis

Master of Arts By Thesis

A limited number of candidates with good theology qualifications may apply for a Lambeth Master of Arts degree by thesis, with the period of registration being usually between two and five years. Theses are limited to a maximum of 50,000 words, excluding the bibliography and bibliographic references, and a 1000 word abstract. The degree is styled MA Lambeth or MA Cantuar or (much more rarely) MA Canterbury. There may be no more than thirty candidates on the books at any one time.

MA examinations were introduced by Archbishop Tait in the late nineteenth century, but were brought to an end in the early part of the twentieth century by Archbishop Davidson. The MA degree was reinstated by Archbishop Runcie at the request of the Lambeth Diploma Committee to meet a need to provide for the possibility for theological study at a more advanced level than that offered by the diploma. The first award of the new degree was in 1993.

Candidates must have at least a second class first division honours degree in theology or a subject related to the proposed thesis topic or, alternatively, a STh with distinction or another equivalent qualification. Applications are considered twice yearly by a committee appointed by the archbishop. Applicants are then interviewed by the director or a nominated member of the committee. The thesis is written under the direction of a supervisor appointed by the committee. It is examined by at least two examiners and the degree of MA awarded if the candidate's work is approved by both examiners and endorsed by the committee.

Degrees by examination are awarded by the archbishop at an annual service in the chapel at Lambeth Palace - held separately from the service for the more "honorary" Lambeth degrees.

Applicants must be able to take the oath of allegiance, so must be subjects of the British monarch, either of the United Kingdom or of the overseas realms. They are not subject to a formal religious test, but non-conformists may not be admitted. The committee rejected the application for enrolment of the Reverend Andrew Brown, a Unitarian minister, in 2001 as the Unitarians do not acknowledge the divinity of Christ. Brown was a former rock star with a first class honours degree in theology from Oxford and is minister of the Unitarian Church in Cambridge. A Lambeth DD was awarded in 1987 to Chief Rabbi Sir Immanuel Jakobovits and others to Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks in 2001 and Rabbi Tony Bayfield in 2006.