Licence in Divinity
News & Stories
Three years
Part-time | Hybrid
September 2026. Applications welcome until the first week of September.
La Faculté Notre-Dame
Overview
The Licence in Divinity: Pathway in Catechetical Sciences is a qualification of the Holy See, distinct from an STL, offered by Maryvale since 2012. It is awarded through Maryvale HIRS and validated by the theology faculty of the Faculté Notre-Dame de Paris on behalf of the Congregation for Catholic Education in Rome. A three-year, part-time, distance-learning programme, it aims at growth in wisdom and understanding through the systematic study of pastoral theology, and of catechesis and religious education in particular. It helps each person discover their vocation in the Church, develops the skills to share the faith, and nourishes the spiritual life through study alongside others of a similar commitment. Applicants who already hold an MA in Catholic Theology, Religious Studies and Catechesis may, with approval from the Admissions Committee, progress straight to the final year.
Those in leadership in catechetics and other positions of responsibility: diocesan catechetics and adult faith formation, those creating or overseeing catechetical resources, those in the new evangelisation, and those in Catholic chaplaincy or school leadership.
Requirements
The BDiv or an equivalent qualification
Computer or tablet with reliable internet access.
Evidence of competence in English may be required.
Course Fees
Six steps from first thought to enrolment. Take them at your own pace, and ask for help at any point.
2026 – 2027
£4,700
2027 - 2028
TBC
Structure & Modules
The full Licence comprises eight postgraduate modules in Catholic Theology, Religious Studies and Catechesis, followed by a final year writing a 20,000-word dissertation and studying three specialist modules in catechetics:
YEAR ONE
Module One: Catechesis: Purpose, Nature, Method
Module Two: God and Salvation in Jesus Christ
Module Three: Christian Anthropology
Module Four: Scripture for RE and Catechesis
YEAR TWO
Module Five: The Church
Module Six: Liturgy and Sacraments
Module Seven: Moral Formation
Module Eight: Research Methods
A dissertation in the area of RE and Catechesis (20,000 words).
YEAR THREE
During this final year students finish a dissertation and take three specialist modules in which they study:
A classic text in the area of catechetics
A key figure in the area of catechetics
A contemporary debate in catechetics.
Programme Director
Fr Richard Aziati
Programme Director, Licence in Catechetics
Programme Director for the Licence in Catechetics since January 2026 and parish priest in Chepstow, Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia.
Course Tutors
Fr Richard Aziati
Programme Director, Licence in Catechetics
Programme Director for the Licence in Catechetics since January 2026 and parish priest in Chepstow, Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia.
Dr Tamra Fromm
Lecturer
Lecturer in Catechetics and Scripture, Catholic International University, USA.
Supervision & Assessment
In the first year, students write a 5,000-word assignment for each of the four modules and complete a short research assignment. In the second year, students write a 5,000-word assignment for each of three modules and produce a dissertation proposal. In the final year, students write a 5,000-word assignment for each of three specialist modules.
How to Apply
Applications are welcome up to the first week of January using the forms below. If you have any further enquiries, please get in touch with the Programme Administrator through the contact button.
Application Resources
Accessibility
If you have a disability or any long-term condition that impacts on your day-to-day life, please download the Accessibility Form below, open and edit it in Acrobat Reader, and email or post the completed document to the Accessibility Coordinator (address included on the form), to ensure we can give you the best possible support during your course of study. Disclosing a disability will not be a factor in Institute’s decision as to whether or not to offer you a place on the course. However, it is important that the Institute knows if you have any specialist needs in order to provide you with appropriate support and facilities. This information will remain strictly confidential. For further information, please contact us to speak to the Accessibility Coordinator.
Contact us
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