Want to know what it's like to study this course at uni? We've got all the key info, from entry requirements to the modules on offer. If that all sounds good, why not check out reviews from real students or even book onto an upcoming open days?
PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy
The University of Manchester
Full Time
SEP-25
3 years
Select a course option
PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy
The University of Manchester
Full Time
SEP-25
3 years
PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy
The University of Manchester
Part Time
SEP-25
6 years
Select a an exam type
Programme description
Our full-time and part-time Religions and Theology PhD programme involves substantial original research in Religions and Theology, leading to the production of a thesis (of up to 80,000 words) that constitutes a significant contribution to knowledge.
One of our particular strengths is the ability of our research students to draw on the expertise of specialists in a wide range of disciplines.
This offers the possibility of developing interdisciplinary projects with high level expertise in both disciplines. For instance, recent PhD students have had supervision jointly between lecturers in Biblical studies and Roman social history, theology and music, and South Asian Studies and sociology.
Within Religions and Theology, our doctoral students also participate in a thriving disciplinary research culture. There are regular research seminars in Religions and Theology, Biblical Studies, and Jewish Studies.
Research students are also welcome at a wide range of seminars in other areas, for instance, in linguistics or in gender, sexuality and culture.
Religions and Theology students get the opportunity to meet and discuss with a range of major international scholars who visit to deliver seminars, public lectures (The Manson Memorial Lecture in New Testament, The Sherman Lectures in Jewish Studies, The Ferguson Lecture in Theology).
Many of our students undertake some undergraduate teaching, following appropriate training which is offered to all doctoral students.
Funds are available for students to organise conferences and travel to attend events and undertake research.
There are opportunities to organise, participate in, and present papers at conferences led by PhD students and joint events, such as the Manchester-Durham-Sheffield PhD student conference in Biblical Studies.
Teaching and learning
The PhD programme is based on supervised independent research. The student-supervisor relationship thus sits at the heart of this programme.
Doctoral supervision is on a one-to-one basis, with meetings usually fortnightly in the first year.
Each student has a main supervisor, a co-supervisor and an additional panel member who acts as an independent reviewer. The Religions and Theology Postgraduate Research Officer provides more general academic advice and support.
In addition to regular personal supervision, our graduate research students each have a research panel which meets a minimum of two times per year (on more occasions if necessary).
The research panel increases the breadth of expertise available to the student and widens the informational and networking opportunities accessible to them.
In addition the panel reviews the development of the student's research proposal, provides feedback on draft chapters and conference papers, discusses research progress, and provides guidance on the formulation of realistic objectives.
Coursework and assessment
Assessment is based on the thesis and an oral examination. See what our current PhD students are working on.
Career opportunities
Many of our Religions and Theology PhD graduates have gone on to leading academic positions in countries such as the UK, USA, South Korea, Australia, Burundi and South Africa.
Among past PhD graduates are Morna Hooker, Donald Hagner, W Ward Gasque, Robert Gundry, Itumeleng Mosala, Quek Swee Hwa, Seyoon Kim, Ronald Fung, Moises Silva, Charles Wanamaker, David Wenham, Peter O'Brien and Peter H Davids.
Recently, our PhD graduates have gone on to become department heads, post-doctoral fellows, principles and professors at leading institutions in the UK, Canada and Burundi, as well as going on to positions the John Rylands Research Institute, and with leading European research projects.
Students require Bachelors (Honours) degree at 2:1 level or above (or its international equivalent) in a related subject; and a UK Master's degree with an overall average of 65% or higher, with a minimum of 65% in the dissertation and with no mark below 55% (or its international equivalent) in a related subject.
Students living in
Domestic
£4,786 per year
Students from Domestic
This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
£21,500 per year
Students from EU
The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.
£21,500 per year
Students from International
The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.
Check out our
Manchester city guide