Ministry

Entry requirements

Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).

Every applicant must either

• have been admitted to a degree in Theology and have experience in Ministry acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities), or
• have alternative qualifications or experience acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).

Minimum of three years ministry experience.

If your first language is not English you need to meet our English language requirements as follows: IELTS score of 6.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0); we also accept a number of other English language tests. Due to COVID-19, we currently accept Duolingo English Test (DET), IELTS Indicator Test, and TOEFL iBT Special home Edition.

Don’t meet the English language requirements? The University of Otago Language Centre "English for Otago" programme offers a pathway for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students to meet the English language requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Months of entry

February, July

Course content

The Master of Ministry (MMin) degree requires a minimum of two years' full-time study. The aim of the programme is the enhancement of contemporary ministries, and it is designed for ministers, priests, pastors and others involved in a range of ministries. It incorporates current scholarship in the practice of ministry with options from Biblical Studies, Christian Thought and History and Pastoral Studies, within an ongoing process combining theological learning and reflective practice.

The admission requirements are a degree or equivalent three-year qualification in Theology with satisfactory grades, and the completion of a minimum of three years of ministry experience prior to application.

The degree consists of six taught papers at 400-level, of which three are in Ministry Studies and three are selected from papers offered in Biblical Studies, Christian Thought and History and Pastoral Theology. From 2013, the degree also involves the completion of a Research Project of 25,000 to 30,000 words related to issues emerging from the contemporary practice of ministry.

The degree is designed to enhance a graduate's professional practice in a range of Christian ministries and to enable advanced reflection and research on the practice of ministry.

The Master of Ministry (MMin) is also available through Distance Learning.

Structure of the Programme

The programme of study shall consist of six papers and a research project, worth a total of 210 points:

• three papers with a value of 60 points from 400-level MINS papers,
• three papers with a value of 60 points from 400-level BIBS and CHTH papers,
• a research project (MINS 5) with a value of 90 points

Information for international students

Otago offers students an unrivalled campus experience and a vibrant, social student culture. The majority of Otago’s 21,000 students live, work and play in Dunedin - New Zealand’s only true university city. Otago is home to over 3,000 students, from over 100 countries.

Fees and funding

New Zealand is a relatively affordable country to live in. Dunedin, being a student-focused city, has living and entertainment options for all budgets.

Students are eligible for the Otago International Excellence Scholarship.