The School also offers a two-year Master's degree (MPhil), and a one-year research Master's degree (MSt (Res)). The MPhil comprises the taught components of an MLitt in its first year, and a dissertation of about 40,000 words in the second. Find out more about the MPhil on its degree page. The MSt (Res) is a full-time research project to write a dissertation of up to 30,000 words. It is an excellent opportunity to spend a shorter time in a research environment either for a standalone degree or as preparation for a PhD.
The School welcomes applications for the PhD from qualified candidates from around the world in a wide range of theological and biblical disciplines.
Admission to the PhD is normally on the basis of a good Master’s degree in the applicant’s discipline (that is, an upper second-class degree or one with a minimum grade point average of B+ or the equivalent).
For the MPhil, completion of the first year of course work to a sufficient standard may count as the requisite Master’s degree.
In principle, the precondition of a good Master’s degree applies for admission to the MSt (Res). But if applicants to the MSt (Res) do not have a good Master’s degree and are not currently working towards one, the School of Divinity will consider admission if they have any of the following:
a first-class undergraduate degree (or one with an A-range grade point average or the equivalent) in the relevant discipline;
a writing sample and research proposal that the admissions committee judges to be equivalent to Master’s-level work;
other substantial evidence that convinces the application committee that the applicant is capable of research at the Master’s level.
As the thought of undertaking doctoral work can seem daunting and sometimes complex, the School staff invite you to contact them with preliminary queries. Your questions may be about the School, or you may be unsure about the practical arrangements involved in re-locating for a research degree. Whatever the case, secretaries, staff and current students are usually happy to help.
