Theological Studies

This one-year, evening/weekend, Level 8, 60 ECTS credits programme gives a foundation in Theological Studies to students who hold a primary degree in another discipline. This Higher Diploma meets all the Teaching Council of Ireland’s Requirements for the teaching of Religious Studies at post-primary level. It entitles teachers holding Department-recognised degrees and teacher training qualifications to teach up to 15 hours’ Religious Education per week in a secondary school.



The Higher Diploma in Theological Studies from St. Patrick’s Pontifical University attests to the completion of a substantial and coherent programme of learning. The Higher Diploma allows students to finish an accredited introductory programme in theology and to obtain a credential for it. Other students who achieve a Second Class Honours Grade I, or better, may use the programme as a gateway to applying to a Master’s programme in Theology or Pastoral Ministry either in Maynooth or elsewhere (students interested in entering a Master’s programme are advised to speak with the Admissions Office prior to starting the HDip for further details).



Others may be interested in the programme simply as a structured way to approach the big questions in life, giving their personal inquiry a theological shape in the Catholic tradition. Additionally, the Higher Diploma equips graduates to take a more active role in their local church community.

Hybrid Mode



Systematic Theology

ST08405: Reason, Faith, and Revelation

ST08404 Understanding Jesus Christ Today

ST08403 The Church and Its Sacraments

ST08406: Grace and Anthropology



Moral Theology

MR08405: Introduction to Moral Theology

MR08403 Catholic Social Teaching



Sacred Scripture

SC08400 The Bible and Its Worlds

SC08401 The Old Testament: Moses, David, Isaiah, and Beyond

SC08403 The New Testament: Reading Luke and Acts



Liturgy

LI08400 Foundations of Worship



Electives

MR08404 - The Catholic Moral Tradition and Bioethics

TS08109 Foundations of Religious Education

TS08115 Engaging the Real • Prayer and Praxis in East and West



General Courses

TS08111 Introduction to World Religions

TS08112 Church History

TS08114 Philosophy of Religion and Secular Belief Systems



Daytime Mode



Systematic Theology

ST08114 Ecclesiology

FC08101 Revelation, Faith, and Culture

ST08109 - Christology and Soteriology



Moral Theology

MR08121 Introduction to Moral Theology: Fundamental Matters.

MR08342 - Contemporary Issues in Bioethics



Sacred Scripture

SC08139 Introduction to Scripture

SC08135 Risen Lord in a Pagan Empire

SC08138 Beginnings of God's People

SC08337 - "Full of Your Creatures" Ecology and the Old Testament



General Courses

EH08250 Early Christianity: from the Book of Acts to the Book of Kells

LI08151 Introduction to Liturgy and the Sacraments of Christian Initiation



Elective

Students are required to take electives from the following modules in order to attain the required 60 credits.



PY08139 Academic Writing and Research

PY08140 History of Medieval Philosophy

PY08142 The Philosophy of Augustine

PY08135 Phenomenology

AN169 Anthropology Matters (Maynooth University Module)

Normal entry requirements:



A primary degree or its equivalent is required. While the degree/qualification will normally be in a discipline other than Theology, consideration will be given to all applications.



University-issued or certified copies of official transcripts of results for qualifications must be included with the application. These copies are kept by the University. Copies may be certified/stamped, as a true copies of the original, by the relevant institution or by a member of an Gárda Siochána (the police force of the Republic of Ireland), a medical doctor, a member of the clergy, a lawyer or solicitor, a school principal/vice-principal, who have no relationship to the applicant.



All credentials in languages other than English must be accompanied by certified English translations;



Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to satisfy the English language requirements. See here for more information: https://sppu.ie/english-language-requirements;



Students must provide a digital passport style photograph that will be used in the College’s computer system to identify the student to lecturers and other students;



As this course is delivered in a hybrid manner with much of the content being given on-line, students are required to have basic academic computer skills and have access to a computer and the internet.

Application Deadline:



15th August

For EU & those living on the island of Ireland (Late applications will NOT be considered in 2025).



31st May

For non EU

All core courses will be assessed by means of either coursework or end of semester examination. Shorter modules are assessed by means of essay.

1 year part-time.

Course Start Date: September 2026

The Higher Diploma in Theological Studies meets all the Teaching Council of Ireland’s Requirements for the teaching of Religious Studies at post-primary level. It entitles teachers holding Department-recognised degrees and teacher training qualifications to teach up to 15 hours’ Religious Education per week in a secondary school. Other graduates may use the programme as a gateway to applying to a Master’s programme in Theology or Pastoral Ministry either here in Maynooth or elsewhere (students interested in entering a Master’s programme are advised to speak with the Admissions Office prior to starting the HDip for further details). Others may be interested in the programme simply as a structured way to approach the big questions in life, giving their personal inquiry a theological shape in the Catholic tradition. Additionally, the Higher Diploma equips graduates to take a more active role in their local church community.