St Mary’s to launch a new postgraduate campus in Edinburgh

Andrew Mitchell Press releases

St Mary’s University will offer taught Masters courses in Theology and Catholic Education beginning academic year 2020/21.

St Mary’s is pleased to announce a partnership with the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh which will open up postgraduate provision in Catholic Theology and leadership in Catholic education in Edinburgh.

The University and the Archdiocese have agreed arrangements for St Mary’s to occupy part of the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh. The Gillis Centre, located in central Edinburgh, was formerly St Margaret’s Convent and School.

The announcement has been welcomed by the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, the Most Reverend Leo Cushley. He said, “St Mary’s is the UK’s leading Catholic university so we’re delighted it has agreed to offer courses here. It’s an ideal location and is consistent with our Archdiocesan aim for the advancement of Catholic education. It will help support the Roman Catholic community and give people the opportunity to study a fascinating range of subjects.”

Speaking of the announcement, Chair of St Mary’s University Board of Governors, Bishop Richard Moth, said, “St Mary’s is very pleased to be working with the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh. Opening a postgraduate campus in Edinburgh is consistent with the mission of the University to promote higher education and to grow our postgraduate offering.”

Interim Vice-Chancellor of St Mary’s University, Dave Hartnett, said, “We are greatly pleased to have this opportunity to offer our theology and education postgraduate courses in Edinburgh. Our courses are open to students of all faiths and none. Our flexible programmes at the Gillis Centre will create new opportunities for mature students, teachers and others across central Scotland.”

The postgraduate part-time MA courses will begin at the Strathearn Road campus from Autumn 2020 and information will soon be available via the St Mary’s University website.

St Mary’s University hosts the only faculties in the UK with the ability to offer ecclesiastical degrees, the Mater Ecclesiae College (dating back to 1614). Its long-standing and nationally recognised Education programme was recently re-confirmed as Ofsted ‘Outstanding’.