Aquinas Studies

Master of Arts (Aquinas Studies) (Level 9)
Aims and Objectives
The Master of Arts (Aquinas Studies) provides students with the opportunity to:
• Study the philosophical and theological thought of St Thomas Aquinas at postgraduate level by engaging with primary sources as well as historical and contemporary scholarship on Aquinas' thought.

• Explore the historical, contextual and linguistic background to Aquinas’ thought.

• Recognise the unity of faith and reason in Aquinas’ thought, using a method which involves cross-cultural dialogue and is relevant for today.

• Contribute meaningfully to philosophical and theological scholarship on the thought of Thomas Aquinas.

An option exists to exit with a Graduate Diploma in Arts (Aquinas Studies).

Modules
These are the modules available in each semester.
Year 1
• Research Methods For Aquinas Studies
• Introduction to Latin for Reading St Thomas Aquinas
• Introduction to Thomas Aquinas: Life, Thought and Historical Context

Year 2
• Aquinas Studies Elective Modules

Spring
Year 1
• Thinking and Talking about God
• Happiness and the Virtuous Life

Year 2
• MA (Aquinas Studies) Dissertation

Admission Requirements
The degree is suitable for students with a Level 8 (honours) degree in which theology or religious studies is a major component. Candidates must have obtained at least a second class honours degree.

An interview is also part of the selection process.

Not all candidates with the minimum requirements will be automatically accepted.

Application Deadline: September 2023

Assessment Method
There is a taught component consisting of eight modules (60 credits in total) delivered over three semesters of 15 weeks. A dissertation of 15,000 words (30 credits) is completed in the fourth semester.

Two years (part time).

Delivery is through blended learning (a combination of onsite and online learning). Attendance at two onsite weekends in each of semesters 1, 2 and 3 is required.

Fees are payable at the beginning of the first semester for the forthcoming year and at the beginning of the third semester for the second year. An instalment payment plan is available.

Application Fee €40
Year One €3,170
Year Two €1,785
The Total Fee is €4,995

Course Begins: September 2023
Location: The Priory Institute, Tallaght Village, D24