Program Overview

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Theology and Religious Studies MPhil

Overview

The Theology and Religious Studies MPhil is a research-based degree that allows you to explore your questions in Theology and Religious Studies. The program is designed to provide you with the time and support to delve into your research interests, with a focus on developing your skills and expertise in the field.

Research Overview

We have particular strengths in:

• Theology and the Natural Sciences
• Theology and Phenomenology
• Theology and Metaphysics
• Theology and Literature
• Systematic Theology
• Theology, Philosophy, and History of Ideas
• Science, Technology and Nature
• Religion, Culture and the Arts
• Islamic Studies

Staff and Supervision

Our staff include theologians, historians, sociologists, and philosophers who can support your research with a range of different approaches and methodologies. They are experienced supervisors and will support you in engaging, honest, and creative ways.

Current Research

You will be joining a diverse community whose current research projects include:

• Constructive Theology
• Continental Philosophy
• Hebrew Bible and New Testaments
• Hermeneutics
• Historical Theology
• Islam and Politics
• Jewish Philosophy
• Philosophy of Religion
• Philosophical Theology
• Reformation Theology
• Religion and Environment
• Religion and Media
• Religion and Technology
• Sociology of Religion
• Theology and Literature
• Theology and Natural Science

Your Department

Theology and religion research and expertise is based in the Department of Philosophy.

Course Content

You will complete a written thesis of up to 60,000 words, with expert support and advice from your academic supervisor(s). You will also take an oral examination called a viva voce where you explain your project in depth to an examination panel.

Example Recent Theses

• Chromatic dialogues: colour and culture in Homer, Herodotus and the Hebrew Bible - Ellena Lyell
• Friendship as ecclesial binding: a reading of St Augustine’s theology of friendship from his In Iohannis tractatus evangelium - Phillip Brown
• Alan Richardson: Reappraising the life and work of a twentieth-century Christian theologian, cleric and educator - Terry Root
• Ibn Taymiyya’s views on issues of divorce in contrast to the majority of jurists in Islamic law - Seerwan Ahmed
• Reading the "Paradoxical Book of Bell": a case study in theology and science - Joanna Susan Penberthy
• By the Spirit we understand: how do new religious experiences create scripture? - Mark Wreford
• A Thematic Analysis of Iqaz-al-Himmam: Ibn 'Ajibah's Commentary on the Aphorisms (Hikam) of Ibn 'Ata' Allah - Sumit Jha
• The Significance of Time in Augustine's Understanding of the Authority of Scripture - Lal Dingluaia

Optional Modules

You will be encouraged to take advantage of the faculty-wide Mastering the Arts: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Research module. This gives you a strong foundation in the skills and techniques necessary for effective research.

Entry Requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis, and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

Home / UK Students

• Bachelors degree: 2:1 or above
• Masters-level degree (or international equivalent): Merit

EU / International Students

• Bachelors degree: 2:1 or above
• Masters-level degree (or international equivalent): Merit

International and EU Equivalents

We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world. For information on entry requirements from your country, see our country pages.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS: 7.0 (no less than 6.5 in any element)
• As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB, and O level English.

Applying

We encourage you to get in touch with a member of our academic staff before submitting an application. They may be able to help you with your proposal and offer support in finding funding opportunities.

Fees

Home / UK

• £5,350

International

• £23,000

Funding

There are funding opportunities which are only open to students within the Faculty of Arts.

Support

We have a strong, supportive, and welcoming research culture.

Research Seminars

• Hear visiting scholars from the UK and overseas
• Present research in progress in a friendly and constructive environment
• Broaden your general knowledge of Theology and Religious Studies
• Gain a better sense of how research develops as part of an interactive process

Language Learning

You can make full use of the Language Centre facilities for both research-specific learning and personal interest.

Researcher Training and Development

The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers, and staff who support them. We work together to promote a healthy research culture, to cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.

Careers

Careers advice, graduate destinations, and career progression are all available to support you in your future endeavors.

Research Excellence Framework

The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

• A top 10 department in the UK by grade point average
• 100% of research outputs recognised internationally in terms of originality, significance, and rigour
• 90% of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4) or 'internationally excellent' (3)
• 100% of our research is recognised internationally
• 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact

Related Courses

• Theology MRes
• Religious Studies MRes
• Religious Studies (distance learning) PhD
• Theology and Religious Studies PhD
• Theology (distance learning) PhD