MPhil in Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion

The MPhil in Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion is a nine-month full-time, or one-year-and-nine-month part-time, master's course. The MPhil offers the opportunity for advanced study in Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion across the full range of disciplines and with a strong focus on research. Students can draw on the expertise of leading scholars from a wide range of subjects, which allows both for specialisation and for interdisciplinary approaches.

The MPhil is designed for students who wish to study their subject interest at an advanced level but also to enable those who wish to undertake further research at a doctoral level to acquire the necessary skills and understanding.  The course has the following streams: Anglican Studies, Christian Theology, New Testament and Early Christianity, Old Testament, Philosophy of Religion, Religion and Conflict, Religions in Antiquity, Study of World Religions and World Christianities.

Candidates submit a dissertation of between 15,000 and 20,000 words and two pieces of submitted work of not more than 5,000 words which will be an essay or an equivalent exercise. Candidates then chose to do one of the following: a three-hour language examination; an exercise; or an alternative exercise within the candidate's chosen subject area if one has not already been offered.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the MPhil students should have acquired:

• an introduction to research methods and skills appropriate to a chosen sub-discipline of the subject, such as will serve both: as a preparation for more advanced research or as offering skills of value to potential employers;
• more advanced and specialised knowledge of some fundamental issues and literatures at the forefront of research in that sub-discipline; and
• the ability to construct a substantive, if preliminary, contribution to research on a particular issue within that sub-discipline, through the writing of a thesis.

Continuing

In order to be eligible to continue to the PhD, students must achieve at least a mark of 71 for the dissertation and an overall average of at least 71 per cent in the MPhil as a whole.

Open Days

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the beginning of November. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the Postgraduate Open Day page for more details.