Higher Diploma in Theological Studies (Blended Learning)
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.
Postgraduate - Part Time |
1 Year |
| Fees and Funding | |
Application Deadline: |
15th August 2026
For EU & those living on the island of Ireland (Late applications will NOT be considered in 2026). |
|
31st May 2026
For non EU |
|
Course Start Date: |
11th September 2026 * |
| Get info | Apply now |
Introduction
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.
Description
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.
Higher Diploma in Theological Studies (Blended Learning) - Some information from the Programme Director and Past Students
ASSESSMENT
All core courses will be assessed by means of either coursework or end of semester examination.
Accommodation
ACCOMMODATION
Overnight facilities are available in the College at a discounted rate. While students need only stay in the area on Friday nights, they are welcome to either stay on either Thursday night or Saturday night at a discounted rate to conduct research or simply enjoy some free time on the historic college campus.
Rates and information from the Maynooth Campus Conference and Accommodation Office. Students must produce student card. Early booking is advisable.
Telephone: 01-708-6400 Fax: 01-708-3534
E-mail: Reservations@Maynoothcampus.com
Web Page: www.Maynoothcampus.com
Please phone the Conference Centre directly to avail yourself of the special rates.
Please note that if social distancing rules make it impossible to gather on campus for any of the weekend residentials, the programme will still go ahead with the residentials in question being held on-line.
Fees
Please see our Fees Listings for more details. The fee for 2026-2027 is €4000.
Instalment option:
Students may spread their fees over four payments as listed below. Please note, where an acceptance fee of €150 has already been paid, the first instalment is €962.50.
By registration - €1112.50 (€962.50+€150) or €962.50 if an acceptance fee of €150 has already been paid.
By November 30th - €962.50
By January 31st - €962.50
By April 30th - €962.50
For further information, contact our team at fees@spcm.ie
Timetable
Course Start Date:
First On-Campus Weekend • September 11, 2026
*As well as the opening lectures for a number of modules, the first on-campus weekend includes in-person course orientation, and in-person registration, during the afternoon of September 11. Note: it is obligatory to attend registration in-person.
FULL SEMESTER ONE TIMETABLE • to be published on June 19, 2026
TIMETABLE
Students are expected to be available from 6.30pm – 9.30pm on the ten Wednesday evenings during which content will be delivered “live” on on-line. Students can participate from home. Candidates beginning the HDTS (Hybrid) will receive a Zoom link in the days prior to orientation. If you are beginning the HDTS, you are asked to familiarise yourself with communication on the Zoom platform.
A further 3 hours of self-directed learning will be provided for each week during semester; that can be completed during the week according to each student’s personal schedule. Please note that students will be expected to devote additional time to study and working on assignments every week.
There are SIX weekend residentials (Friday evening to late Saturday afternoon), three each semester. This is when face-to-face classes will take place and when students have an opportunity to meet their lecturers and each other. Additionally, it is a good time to take advantage of the many resources that the campus offers (in particular, the University Library). Students are not obliged to stay on campus but as part of the programme may avail of the very competitive discounted room rates provided by the Accommodation Office.
The on-campus dates for the HDTS in the Academic Year 2025–26 are as follows:
• September 11–12, 2026
• October 9–10
• November 13–14
Second Semester
On-Campus Weekends
• February 5–6
• March 5–6
• April 2–3
Final Online Lectures
Semester ONE: Wednesday, December 2, 2026
Semester TWO: Wednesday, April 28, 2027.
Note: assessment in the HDTS is varied, and can occur as a combination of in-class assessments (quizzes, reaction pieces), take-home examinations, and essays. The assessment window for Semester One attempts to avoid the busy Christmas period, and therefore continues until late January; the assessment window for Semester Two can continue until late May. Within administrative constraints, an indicative assessment schedule is agreed during Course Orientation.
The following is the weekend timetable:
Friday
Arrival/supper: 5:30pm-6:30pm (supper is offered by the Pontifical University)
class: 6:30pm-8:30pm (exceptionally, until 9:30pm)
Saturday
Breakfast: from 8:00am (to be booked with College Catering in Pugin Hall)
class: 9:00am-10:45am;
coffee: 10:45am-11:15am (Pugin Hall)
class: 11:15am-1:00pm;
lunch: 1:00pm-2:00pm;
class 2:00pm-4:00pm (exceptionally, until 5pm).
Course Content:
A general introduction to theology, giving students the necessary foundations for an academic treatment of theology in accordance with St. Anselm’s maxim of “faith seeking understanding.”
- Sacred Scripture, which studies the Bible – its nature and significance, origins, literary forms, interpretation today. It will include a study of particular Old Testament and New Testament books.
- The History of Christianity including its origins and contemporary experience.
- World Religions, including the major world religions and their relationship to Christianity. Human dignity and religious freedom are also included in the course.
- Secular belief systems and how Christianity engages with their challenges and legitimate questions.
- Moral Theology, which deals with the experience of morality and in particular with the bearing of Christian faith on the moral life. Topics include: conscience, making moral decisions, the Bible and morality, bioethics, justice, morality and law, ethics in public life, peace and war and ecology.
- Systematic Theology, which studies the meaning and implications of the principal faith-affirmations of Christianity concerning God, Jesus, the Church, the human condition.
- Foundations of Worship, which provide the student with critical skills in exploring the nature and history of Christian Liturgy
- Foundations in Religious Education, which provides students with an introduction to the meaning, tradition and contemporary practice of religious education with a particular focus both on the teaching of Religious Education at post-primary level, with particular but not exclusive reference to Catholic Education
- The Philosophy of Religion which studies the philosophical debate concerning the existence and nature of God. It also considers the interplay between reason, science and religion.
Career Outcomes
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.
Course Structure
Students are required to take electives from the following modules in order to attain the required 60 credits.
Application Requirements
If you have any queries please contact admissions@spcm.ie.
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.
Further information:
Admissions Office,
Pontifical University,
St Patrick’s College,
Maynooth,
Co. Kildare.
Telephone: 01-708 3391
Fax: 01-708 3441
E-mail: pgadmissions@spcm.ie
Web site: www.sppu.ie
Course Director:
Prof. Séamus O'Connell
St. Patrick’s College
Maynooth
Co. Kildare,
e-mail: seamus.oconnell@spcm.ie
Selection procedure
If you live outside Ireland, check out our dedicated area for international students.
Let’s talk
For Undergraduate queries: email admissions@spcm.ie.
For Postgraduate queries: email pgadmissions@spcm.ie.
For The Centre for Mission & Ministries queries, email: cmmadmissions@spcm.ie.