Program Overview

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Religious Studies (distance learning) PhD

Overview

The University of Nottingham offers a distance learning PhD in Religious Studies, allowing students to explore their theological interests while maintaining their existing commitments.

Research Overview

The Department of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Nottingham is a vibrant and active research community, inviting applications from enthusiastic and committed PhD students. The distance learning PhD provides students with the time and support to explore their theological interests while maintaining their existing commitments.

Staff and Supervision

The department's staff includes theologians, historians, sociologists, and philosophers, providing students with a range of different approaches and methodologies. Supervision is provided by research-active staff, and the department is confident in its ability to provide quality learning with flexibility.

Current Research

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

• Hebrew Bible and New Testament
• Hermeneutics
• Islam and Politics
• Jewish Philosophy
• Philosophy of Religion
• Philosophical Theology
• Religion and Media
• Religion and Technology
• Theology and Continental Philosophy
• Theology and Literature
• Theology and Natural Science

Your Department

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

Course Content

Students will complete a written thesis of up to 100,000 words, with expert support and advice from their academic supervisors. They will also take an oral examination called a viva voce, where they will explain their 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

Entry Requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis, and the department accepts a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2026 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:
  • The department accepts a wide range of qualifications from all over the world.
• IELTS:
  • 7.0 (no less than 6.0 in any element)
• English language requirements:
  • As well as IELTS (listed above), the department also accepts other English language qualifications, including TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB, and O level English.

Meeting Our English Language Requirements

If students need support to meet the required level, they may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach academic skills in addition to English language. The Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

Visa Restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

Applying

The department encourages students to get in touch with a member of their academic staff before submitting an application. They may be able to help with the proposal and offer support in finding funding opportunities.

Fees

• Home / UK: To be confirmed
• International: To be confirmed

Funding

There are funding opportunities which are only open to students within the Faculty of Arts. Postgraduate funding for Faculty of Arts students is available.

Support

The department has a strong, supportive, and welcoming research culture. With many years of experience in distance learning, the department provides students with a comprehensive package of resources backed up with substantial support.

Supervisors

Students' supervisors are always available to provide support and advice by email and MS Teams.

Libraries

Students have full access to the University's library systems and resources. The department has reciprocal agreements between university libraries, which permit students to use the facilities at the libraries nearest their home.

Researcher Academy

The university has many distance-learning and part-time researchers, so students will be part of a large community with specialist support. The Researcher Academy provides resources, training, and support available.

Research Centre

The department is associated with the Centre of Theology and Philosophy, which promotes collaborative research both inside and outside the University.

Teaching Opportunities

During their doctoral studies, students may have the opportunity to apply to work as a Postgraduate Teaching Assistant (PGTA) within the Faculty of Arts. The department offers a limited number of part-time annualised hours contracts of employment, which provide invaluable teaching experience in delivering and supporting seminars, as well as marking, assessing, and giving feedback on students' work.

Visiting Us

There is no need to visit the university in person to successfully complete the research. However, the department will be delighted to see students if they are able to visit - simply arrange with their supervisor the best time for a visit.

Research Seminars

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

Language Learning

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

Video Content

The department has one of the largest collections of self-developed video resources of any UK university. These explore themes such as:

• Why study... - an ever-expanding series where theologians discuss the key issues and concepts of particular topics
• Objects of belief - a series of short films that uncover the rich theologies of items used (or not) in religious practices
• Sacred calendar - explaining key dates, events, and celebrations across religions
• Theologians in conversation - theologians discuss their work and the questions they see as significant

Researcher Training and Development

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

Student Support

Students will have access to a range of support services, including:

• Academic and disability support
• Childcare services
• Counselling service
• Faith support
• Financial support
• Mental health and wellbeing support
• Visa and immigration advice
• Welfare support

Students' Union

The Students' Union represents all students. Students can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer.

Careers

The department's expert staff will work with students to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop their interview skills, and meet employers. Students can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course, or attend a workshop.

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 the department's research is classed as 'world-leading' (4) or 'internationally excellent' (3)
• 100% of the department's research is recognised internationally
• 51% of the department's research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact

Related Courses

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