A limited number of candidates with good theology qualifications might apply for a Lambeth Master of Arts degree by thesis, with the period of registration being usually between two and five years. Theses were limited to a 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 might be no more than thirty candidates on the books at any one time.