UBAHSCTPTE-2023-4-O - L-Università ta' Malta

Course Title

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Scripture Studies

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

5 Years

180 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-time Evening

Information for International applicants

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

Applicants admitted under paragraph (c) of regulation 6 of the Admissions Regulations must be in possession of those qualifications and/or experience that would satisfy the Faculty Admissions Committee, through an interview, that they have reached the academic standard required to follow the Course with profit. Applicants admitted in terms of this paragraph shall be in possession of a pass in an English language proficiency test as approved by the University before being admitted to the Course,

provided that applicants in possession of a Secondary Education Certificate pass at Grade 3 or higher in English Language, or a pass at the same standard in a comparable qualification, shall be exempted from sitting for the proficiency test.

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The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Scripture Studies will provide you with a thorough foundation in Biblical Studies during the first two years of the programme by focusing on the study of the Biblical languages as well as the history, geography, and culture I which the Biblical texts were written and the shaping of the Bible. The second year will equip you with a general introduction to the Bible, focusing on the main sections of the Biblical Canon, namely the Pentateuch and Historical Books, the Sapiential and Prophetic Books, the Gospels, and the Pauline Writings. The third year will consolidate your knowledge of the biblical languages through the linguistic study of the selected texts from the Old and the New Testament.

Communication and Academic Skills Programme

The communication and academic skills programme complements students’ main course of study. It introduces them to writing and presenting as situated within academic contexts sensitive to specific disciplines and develops their competences for future careers.


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

SHG1008	Biblical Hebrew: Introduction	4 ECTS
SHG1011	New Testament Greek: Introduction	4 ECTS


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

FDT1150	Seminar: Issues in Biblical Church Pronouncements and Teachings	4 ECTS
SHG1035	Hermeneutics: Methods and Approaches of Interpretation	4 ECTS
SHG1038	Biblical History, Geography and Environment	4 ECTS
SHG1042	Canonicity and Inspiration	4 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

FDT1250	Seminar: Scripture and Theology	4 ECTS
SHG1070	Theology of the Old Testament	4 ECTS
SHG1071	Theology of the New Testament	4 ECTS


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

SHG1009	Biblical Hebrew: Intermediate	4 ECTS
SHG1013	New Testament Greek: Intermediate	4 ECTS


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

PLC1150	Seminar: Scripture, Evangelisation and Catechesis	4 ECTS
SHG2160	Pentateuch and Historical Books	4 ECTS
SHG2260	Prophetic, Apocalyptic and Wisdom Literature	4 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

MRT1250	Seminar: Scripture and Moral Theology	4 ECTS
SHG2050	Johannine Literature	4 ECTS
SHG2760	Pauline Writings and Acts of the Apostles	4 ECTS
SHG3050	The Synoptic Gospels	4 ECTS

Requirement for regular Progression to Year 3: 36 ECTS credits


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

SHG1014	Biblical Hebrew: Select Texts	4 ECTS
SHG2012	New Testament Greek: Select Texts	4 ECTS


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

HPA2720	Patristic Biblical Exegesis	4 ECTS
PLC2151	Seminar - Scripture and the Media	4 ECTS
SHG2262	The Book of Psalms	4 ECTS
SHG2320	Acts and the Catholic Letters: Exegetical Approaches	4 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

PLC2560	Scripture and the Liturgy	4 ECTS
SHG2250	Seminar: Biblical Anthropology	4 ECTS
SHG2460	Biblical Spiritual Theology	4 ECTS

Requirement for regular progression to Year 4: 36 ECTS credits


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

PLC2152	Seminar: Biblical Ministry and Youth	4 ECTS
SHG2121	The Book of Genesis: Exegetical Approaches	4 ECTS
SHG3220	The Prophetic Books: Exegetical Approaches	4 ECTS
SHG3321	The Wisdom Books: Exegetical Approaches	4 ECTS
SHG4400	The Gospel of John: Exegesis	4 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

SHG3251	Seminar: Environmental Issues in Scripture	4 ECTS
SHG3520	The Gospel according to Mark: Exegetical Approaches	4 ECTS
SHG3620	The Gospels of Matthew and Luke: Exegetical Approaches	4 ECTS
SHG3720	The Pauline Corpus: Exegetical Approaches	4 ECTS

Requirement for regular progression to Year 5: 36 ECTS credits


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

SHG3350	Seminar: The Feminine in the Bible	4 ECTS
SHG3830	Principles of Bible Ministry	4 ECTS
SHG3831	Lectio Divina and Biblical Prayer	4 ECTS
SHG3832	Bible Translation in Malta (1811 - 2020)	4 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

SHG3890	Synoptic Study-unit 1	4 ECTS
SHG3891	Synoptic Study-unit 2	4 ECTS
SHG3999	Dissertation	12 ECTS

Requirement for successful completion of year 5: 36 ECTS creditsRequirement for award of B.A. (Hons): 180ECTS credits

This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Undergraduate Awards, 2019 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Scripture Studies - B.A. (Hons) - under the auspices of the Faculty of Theology.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

Read and understand most of the Biblical text written in the original language.
Identify the rich and diverse socio-religious, political and historical milieus of the Ancient Near East which contributed to the formation of the Judaeo-Christian Bible
Establish the influence that the political, historical and geographical background of Israel had on the formation of the Biblical text.
Describe the main features of Judaism along its long history of development and formation.
Summarise the development of the nascent Christian Church within a Roman imperial context.
Distinguish between the first two monotheistic expressions of faith, namely Judaism and Christianity.

Non EU Applicants:

Fee per academic year: Eur 4,250

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As a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Scripture Studies, you will have a wide range of career opportunities in various fields. With a deep understanding of religious texts and their cultural and historical contexts, you can pursue a career as a scriptural scholar, researcher, or educator. Your expertise in scripture studies will also be valuable in religious organizations, where you can contribute as a theologian, pastoral counsellor, or minister. Furthermore, your critical thinking, analytical skills, and cross-cultural understanding developed during the course will open doors to opportunities in journalism, publishing, cultural heritage preservation, and interfaith dialogue. If you aspire to continue your academic journey, this degree will provide a solid foundation for pursuing advanced studies, such as a master's or doctoral degree in religious studies, theology, or related fields.