Lambeth degree
Encyclopedia
A Lambeth degree is an academic degree
conferred by the Archbishop of Canterbury
under the authority of the Ecclesiastical Licences Act 1533 (25 Hen VIII c 21) (Eng) as successor of the papal legate
in England. The degrees conferred most commonly are DD (Doctor of Divinity
), DCL (Doctor of Civil Law
), DLitt (Doctor of Letters
), DMus (Doctor of Music
), DM (Doctor of Medicine
), BD (Bachelor of Divinity
) and MA (Master of Arts
). The relatively modern degree of MLitt (Master of Letters
) has been conferred in recent years. The degrees awarded (and their letters) are dependent on which of the two ancient universities, Oxford or Cambridge, the archbishop chooses as his model. This is also tied with the nature of the academic dress
used as well.
by the Education (Recognised Bodies) (England) Order 2007. There are two types of degrees awarded, those for the recognition of service to the church and those for which an examination is required.
Though the first type of degree is similar to an honorary degree
they are legally substantive degrees and are only awarded to those individuals deemed to have met the requirements for the degree in some way. They are, in a sense, awarded in recognition of prior learning or experience but also serve as a form of church honours system. The extent of a person's learning is taken into account when it is being decided what degree should be conferred. An eminent and much-published scholar may be considered suitable for a doctorate, an experienced cleric or lay minister may be awarded the MA and a senior figure with some published work may be considered for the BD. For some time in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries new diocesan bishops traditionally received the DD
on appointment; but since 1961 this has not been the custom and all awards are made on an individual basis.
Because they are substantive and not honorary degrees, holders of Lambeth doctorates are able to use the title "Doctor", as (for example) Dr John Smith. The Latin designation of Canterbury, "Cantuar", is used to explain the origin of the degree, e.g. John Smith, DD (Cantuar) in the case of a Doctor of Divinity.
and the MA
. The first is the Lambeth Diploma of Student in Theology (STh
). The Lambeth Diploma was established in 1905 to provide a means of scholarly theological study and to encourage women to study theology
. It was originally for women only and only since 1944 has it been for men also. It may be conducted by examination (part one in three biblical studies subjects, part two in four doctrine
and optional subjects) or, since 1913, by a 30,000-40,000 words thesis
for suitably qualified candidates (originally with a theology degree but, since 1969, other suitable theological qualifications).
Whether by examination or by thesis a candidate must pass, or be exempted from, a paper in New Testament
Greek
. The standard is that of an honours degree. Successful candidates may join an association of Lambeth diploma holders. Most awards are now by thesis alone.
qualifications may register for a Lambeth MA
(Master of Arts
) by thesis
(registration from 2-5 years, maximum of 50,000 words excluding the bibliography and bibliographic references, and a 1000 word abstract
). The degree is styled MA Lambeth or MA Cantuar or (much more rarely) MA Canterbury. There may be no more than thirty candidates on the books at any one time.
The MA was inaugurated 1990 by Archbishop
Runcie
at the request of the Lambeth Diploma Committee to meet a need to provide for the possibility for theological study at a more advanced level than that offered by the diploma
(though MA examinations had been introduced by Archbishop Tait
in the late nineteenth century, these had ended in the early part of the twentieth century by Archbishop Davidson). The first award of the new degree was in 1993.
Candidates must have at least a second class first division honours degree in theology or a subject related to the proposed thesis topic or, alternatively, a STh
with distinction or possibly another equivalent qualification. Applications are considered twice yearly by a committee appointed by the archbishop. Applicants are then interviewed by the director or a nominated member of the committee. The thesis is written under the direction of a supervisor appointed by the committee. It is examined by at least two examiners and awarded if approved by both examiners and endorsed by the committee.
The degree is awarded by the archbishop at an annual service in the chapel at Lambeth Palace
- held separately from the service for the more "honorary" Lambeth degrees.
Applicants must be able to take the oath of allegiance, so must be subjects of the British monarch, either of the United Kingdom
or of the overseas realms
. They are not subject to a formal religious test
but non-conformists may not be admitted. The committee rejected the application for enrolment of the Reverend Andrew Brown, a Unitarian
minister, in 2001 as the Unitarians do not acknowledge the divinity of Christ
. Brown was a former rock star with a first class honours degree in theology from Oxford
and is minister of the Unitarian Church in Cambridge
. A Lambeth DD
was awarded in 1987 to Chief Rabbi
Sir Immanuel Jakobovits
and since then to Chief Rabbi
Jonathan Sacks
(2001) and Rabbi Tony Bayfield (2006).
and MPhil degrees in theology will be accepted from early 2008 with the first awards of the new MPhil degrees anticipated in 2012 and doctorates shortly afterwards. The MA will be phased out, but the STh will continue.
There has been talk of whether holders of Lambeth degrees should have distinctive academic dress and some Lambeth degree holders have designed their own dress to wear, for example, Dr Turpin who commissioned an Oxford and Cambridge hybrid DMus robe.
However, the STh
(Lambeth Diploma) has a distinctive academic dress. The hood is of black stuff of full Cambridge shape with the lining divided horizontally. The lower half is of light blue silk and the upper half is of white silk, so that the lining appears white over blue when worn. This is an unusual pattern for academic hoods in the UK so some STh hoods have been made of black stuff of full Cambridge shape, lined with mid-blue silk, and the cowl faced with eight inches of white silk. The gown is of the London BA pattern but with blue cords and buttons on the sleeves.
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
conferred by the Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
under the authority of the Ecclesiastical Licences Act 1533 (25 Hen VIII c 21) (Eng) as successor of the papal legate
Papal legate
A papal legate – from the Latin, authentic Roman title Legatus – is a personal representative of the pope to foreign nations, or to some part of the Catholic Church. He is empowered on matters of Catholic Faith and for the settlement of ecclesiastical matters....
in England. The degrees conferred most commonly are DD (Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
), DCL (Doctor of Civil Law
Doctor of Civil Law
Doctor of Civil Law is a degree offered by some universities, such as the University of Oxford, instead of the more common Doctor of Laws degrees....
), DLitt (Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters is a university academic degree, often a higher doctorate which is frequently awarded as an honorary degree in recognition of outstanding scholarship or other merits.-Commonwealth:...
), DMus (Doctor of Music
Doctor of Music
The Doctor of Music degree , like other doctorates, is an academic degree of the highest level. The D.Mus. is intended for musicians and composers who wish to combine the highest attainments in their area of specialization with doctoral-level academic study in music...
), DM (Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
), BD (Bachelor of Divinity
Bachelor of Divinity
In Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies....
) and MA (Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
). The relatively modern degree of MLitt (Master of Letters
Master of Letters
The Master of Letters is a postgraduate degree.- United Kingdom :The MLitt is a postgraduate degree awarded by a select few British and Irish universities, predominantly within the ancient English and Scottish universities.- England :Within the English University system MLitts are not universally...
) has been conferred in recent years. The degrees awarded (and their letters) are dependent on which of the two ancient universities, Oxford or Cambridge, the archbishop chooses as his model. This is also tied with the nature of the academic dress
Academic dress
Academic dress or academical dress is a traditional form of clothing for academic settings, primarily tertiary education, worn mainly by those that have been admitted to a university degree or hold a status that entitles them to assume them...
used as well.
Nature of the degrees
The continued authority of the archbishop to confer degrees is recognised in accordance with section 216(1) of the Education Reform Act 1988Education Reform Act 1988
The Education Reform Act 1988 is widely regarded as the most important single piece of education legislation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland since the 'Butler' Education Act 1944...
by the Education (Recognised Bodies) (England) Order 2007. There are two types of degrees awarded, those for the recognition of service to the church and those for which an examination is required.
Though the first type of degree is similar to an honorary degree
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
they are legally substantive degrees and are only awarded to those individuals deemed to have met the requirements for the degree in some way. They are, in a sense, awarded in recognition of prior learning or experience but also serve as a form of church honours system. The extent of a person's learning is taken into account when it is being decided what degree should be conferred. An eminent and much-published scholar may be considered suitable for a doctorate, an experienced cleric or lay minister may be awarded the MA and a senior figure with some published work may be considered for the BD. For some time in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries new diocesan bishops traditionally received the DD
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
on appointment; but since 1961 this has not been the custom and all awards are made on an individual basis.
Because they are substantive and not honorary degrees, holders of Lambeth doctorates are able to use the title "Doctor", as (for example) Dr John Smith. The Latin designation of Canterbury, "Cantuar", is used to explain the origin of the degree, e.g. John Smith, DD (Cantuar) in the case of a Doctor of Divinity.
Degrees and diplomas
The degrees for which examination is required fall under the ambit of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Examination in Theology (“Lambeth degree”). There are two grades, the SThSth
STH can refer to:* STH , a human gene* Somatotropin hormone, now more commonly referred to as growth hormone* Subtropical High, a band of atmospheric high pressure found between 30 and 35 degrees both north and south* St Thomas' Hospital in London...
and the MA
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
. The first is the Lambeth Diploma of Student in Theology (STh
Sth
STH can refer to:* STH , a human gene* Somatotropin hormone, now more commonly referred to as growth hormone* Subtropical High, a band of atmospheric high pressure found between 30 and 35 degrees both north and south* St Thomas' Hospital in London...
). The Lambeth Diploma was established in 1905 to provide a means of scholarly theological study and to encourage women to study theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
. It was originally for women only and only since 1944 has it been for men also. It may be conducted by examination (part one in three biblical studies subjects, part two in four doctrine
Doctrine
Doctrine is a codification of beliefs or a body of teachings or instructions, taught principles or positions, as the body of teachings in a branch of knowledge or belief system...
and optional subjects) or, since 1913, by a 30,000-40,000 words thesis
Thesis
A dissertation or thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings...
for suitably qualified candidates (originally with a theology degree but, since 1969, other suitable theological qualifications).
Whether by examination or by thesis a candidate must pass, or be exempted from, a paper in New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
. The standard is that of an honours degree. Successful candidates may join an association of Lambeth diploma holders. Most awards are now by thesis alone.
Master of Arts by thesis
A limited number of candidates with good theologyTheology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
qualifications may register for a Lambeth MA
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
(Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
) by thesis
Thesis
A dissertation or thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings...
(registration from 2-5 years, maximum of 50,000 words excluding the bibliography and bibliographic references, and a 1000 word abstract
Abstract (summary)
An abstract is a brief summary of a research article, thesis, review, conference proceeding or any in-depth analysis of a particular subject or discipline, and is often used to help the reader quickly ascertain the paper's purpose. When used, an abstract always appears at the beginning of a...
). The degree is styled MA Lambeth or MA Cantuar or (much more rarely) MA Canterbury. There may be no more than thirty candidates on the books at any one time.
The MA was inaugurated 1990 by Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
Runcie
Robert Runcie
Robert Alexander Kennedy Runcie, Baron Runcie, PC, MC was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1980 to 1991.-Early life:...
at the request of the Lambeth Diploma Committee to meet a need to provide for the possibility for theological study at a more advanced level than that offered by the diploma
Diploma
A diploma is a certificate or deed issued by an educational institution, such as a university, that testifies that the recipient has successfully completed a particular course of study or confers an academic degree. In countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia, the word diploma refers to...
(though MA examinations had been introduced by Archbishop Tait
Archibald Campbell Tait
Archibald Campbell Tait was a priest in the Church of England and an Archbishop of Canterbury.-Life:Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Tait was educated at the Royal High School and at the Edinburgh Academy, where he was twice elected dux. His parents were Presbyterian but he early turned towards the...
in the late nineteenth century, these had ended in the early part of the twentieth century by Archbishop Davidson). The first award of the new degree was in 1993.
Candidates must have at least a second class first division honours degree in theology or a subject related to the proposed thesis topic or, alternatively, a STh
Sth
STH can refer to:* STH , a human gene* Somatotropin hormone, now more commonly referred to as growth hormone* Subtropical High, a band of atmospheric high pressure found between 30 and 35 degrees both north and south* St Thomas' Hospital in London...
with distinction or possibly another equivalent qualification. Applications are considered twice yearly by a committee appointed by the archbishop. Applicants are then interviewed by the director or a nominated member of the committee. The thesis is written under the direction of a supervisor appointed by the committee. It is examined by at least two examiners and awarded if approved by both examiners and endorsed by the committee.
The degree is awarded by the archbishop at an annual service in the chapel at Lambeth Palace
Lambeth Palace
Lambeth Palace is the official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury in England. It is located in Lambeth, on the south bank of the River Thames a short distance upstream of the Palace of Westminster on the opposite shore. It was acquired by the archbishopric around 1200...
- held separately from the service for the more "honorary" Lambeth degrees.
Applicants must be able to take the oath of allegiance, so must be subjects of the British monarch, either of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
or of the overseas realms
Commonwealth Realm
A Commonwealth realm is a sovereign state within the Commonwealth of Nations that has Elizabeth II as its monarch and head of state. The sixteen current realms have a combined land area of 18.8 million km² , and a population of 134 million, of which all, except about two million, live in the six...
. They are not subject to a formal religious test
Religious test
The Test Act of 1673 in England obligated all persons filling any office, civil or military, to take oaths of supremacy and allegiance, to subscribe to a declaration against transubstantiation, and to receive the sacrament within three months of taking office....
but non-conformists may not be admitted. The committee rejected the application for enrolment of the Reverend Andrew Brown, a Unitarian
Unitarianism
Unitarianism is a Christian theological movement, named for its understanding of God as one person, in direct contrast to Trinitarianism which defines God as three persons coexisting consubstantially as one in being....
minister, in 2001 as the Unitarians do not acknowledge the divinity of Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
. Brown was a former rock star with a first class honours degree in theology from Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
and is minister of the Unitarian Church in Cambridge
Cambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
. A Lambeth DD
DD
- Computing :* dd , a program that copies and convert files and data* dd, an HTML element for specifying definition data* Dolby Digital, the name for audio compression technologies developed by Dolby Laboratories...
was awarded in 1987 to Chief Rabbi
Chief Rabbi
Chief Rabbi is a title given in several countries to the recognized religious leader of that country's Jewish community, or to a rabbinic leader appointed by the local secular authorities...
Sir Immanuel Jakobovits
Immanuel Jakobovits
Immanuel Jakobovits, Baron Jakobovits, Kt was the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth from 1967 to 1991. His successor is the present Chief Rabbi, Jonathan Sacks.-Biography:...
and since then to Chief Rabbi
Chief Rabbi
Chief Rabbi is a title given in several countries to the recognized religious leader of that country's Jewish community, or to a rabbinic leader appointed by the local secular authorities...
Jonathan Sacks
Jonathan Sacks
Jonathan Henry Sacks, Baron Sacks, Kt is the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth. His Hebrew name is Yaakov Zvi...
(2001) and Rabbi Tony Bayfield (2006).
Expansion of the programme
On 11 September 2007 the Archbishop of Canterbury announced a new higher degree programme as an expansion of the Archbishop’s Examination in Theology. Applications for PhDPHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
and MPhil degrees in theology will be accepted from early 2008 with the first awards of the new MPhil degrees anticipated in 2012 and doctorates shortly afterwards. The MA will be phased out, but the STh will continue.
Academic dress
As with many degrees from elsewhere, holders of a Lambeth degree are entitled to wear academic dress. However, the academic dress worn is not unique, original or exclusive. The tradition is to wear the academic dress of the institution from which the archbishop graduated and this has always been either Oxford or Cambridge. Dr Carey is not an Oxford or Cambridge graduate (he is a London graduate) but chose to follow tradition and chose Oxford dress. The then Vice-Chancellor of London University, Graham Zellick, attempted to see if London University academicals could be used but his attempt proved fruitless. It is uncertain whether robes from a university other than Oxford or Cambridge can be used when the archbishop is not an Oxford or Cambridge graduateThere has been talk of whether holders of Lambeth degrees should have distinctive academic dress and some Lambeth degree holders have designed their own dress to wear, for example, Dr Turpin who commissioned an Oxford and Cambridge hybrid DMus robe.
However, the STh
Sth
STH can refer to:* STH , a human gene* Somatotropin hormone, now more commonly referred to as growth hormone* Subtropical High, a band of atmospheric high pressure found between 30 and 35 degrees both north and south* St Thomas' Hospital in London...
(Lambeth Diploma) has a distinctive academic dress. The hood is of black stuff of full Cambridge shape with the lining divided horizontally. The lower half is of light blue silk and the upper half is of white silk, so that the lining appears white over blue when worn. This is an unusual pattern for academic hoods in the UK so some STh hoods have been made of black stuff of full Cambridge shape, lined with mid-blue silk, and the cowl faced with eight inches of white silk. The gown is of the London BA pattern but with blue cords and buttons on the sleeves.
See also
:Category:Holders of a Lambeth degree- Third oldest university in England debateThird oldest university in England debateThe title of third-oldest university in England is a topic of much debate, with prime contenders for the title usually being considered to include University College London, King's College London, Durham University and the University of London, however deciding which is truly the 'oldest' depends...