Program Overview

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Theology & Religious Studies Research MPhil/PhD

Key information

Award: MPhil, PhD Study mode: Full time, Part time Campus: Strand Campus Duration: Expected to be: MPhil two years FT, four years PT; PhD three years FT, four-six years PT. October to October, February to February or June to June

Programme Description

Study at one of the largest and most wide-ranging departments of Theology & Religious Studies in the UK, and indeed the world. Our programme uniquely integrates humanities and social sciences into the study of religions in their cultural and social contexts, all within a supportive and diverse community of students and academics.

We offer supervision of doctoral projects focused on religion from a range of perspectives. Our research spans Religion and the Arts, Philosophy and Ethics, Biblical Studies, Theology, History, Jewish Studies, Islamic Studies, Buddhist Studies, Anthropology, Politics, and Sociology of Religion. Depending on your particular field of study, you can be awarded a PhD in that area, for example, in Sociology of Islam or in Religious Studies.

Our research environment was ranked first in the UK in the most recent Research Excellence Framework assessment (REF). Our lively research-oriented culture includes various research groups and grant-funded projects led by academic staff at the cutting edge of their disciplines. As a PhD student you will have access to a wealth of seminars and events which profile the research of top scholars in the field as well as to London’s vast religious and cultural diversity right on your doorstep.

REF rankings

• The Department ranked 3rd in the country according to the ‘power’ metric, which takes into account both the quality and quantity of research activity, and received an outstanding score for the impact of its research.
• It ranked 1st in the country for its research environment in the most recent REF, which assessed the quality of research taking place between 2014 and 2020 in UK higher education institutions.

Current number of academic staff: 20

Current number of research students: 45

Our partnerships and collaborations range from the National Gallery and the Courtauld Gallery to Inform, the world’s leading research organisation on new religious movements which is based in the Department. Our connections and outreach stretch far wider to universities, networks, and advocacy organisations across Asia, North America, and the world.

The Department represents a broad range of overlapping research areas. Students can pursue areas of study including theology and biblical studies, the social-scientific study of religion (sociology, anthropology, and politics), philosophy of religion, the world of Jews in modern Europe, Islamic thought, and Asian religions. Staff are engaged in research and publishing at forefront of their areas of study, with several editing leading academic journals and monograph series.

Students pursue their research by working with a supervisor, and the Department's graduate seminars and day conferences offer excellent opportunities for interaction with other staff and students, including the chance to try out research papers on a friendly audience. We have successfully placed PhD graduates at excellent academic and research posts across the world. We pride ourselves on the quality of our research training at every level.

King’s College London’s Doctoral College provides exceptional support for PhD students, fostering academic excellence and personal development. With expert supervision, interdisciplinary opportunities, and tailored training, it equips researchers to excel in their fields. Its vibrant community and global networks empower students to make meaningful contributions to academia, industry, and society.

How to apply

1. Find a supervisor

You are encouraged to contact a potential supervisor before applying to discuss your proposed research project. To identify a supervisor please see:

• [List of available supervisors]

You can also reach out to the Postgraduate Research Lead Paul Joyce directly.

Admission to our research programmes will initially be for the MPhil/PhD but we expect students to transfer to the PhD after an appropriate period, by agreement with their supervisor and the Departmental Postgraduate and Research Committee.

2. Personal statement and supporting information

You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

• Research Proposal: Yes, The proposal (1-2 pages in length) should explain in some detail precisely the field of study that you want to contribute to and current research gaps, what you want to do and how you propose to do it.
• Previous Academic Study: Yes, A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
• References: Yes, Two references are required with at least one academic. Professional references will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.
• Other: Optional, Applicants may also wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application.

3. Application closing date

We encourage you to apply as early as possible so that there is sufficient time for your application to be assessed. We may need to request further information from you during the application process.

The final application deadlines are detailed below; on these dates, the programme will close at 23:59 (UK time) and we will open for the corresponding intake in 2026 soon after the same intake has passed in 2025.

• February 2025 entry – 20 October 2024 for Overseas fee status and 20 November 2024 for Home fee status
• June 2025 entry – 20 March 2025 for Overseas fee status and 11 April 2025 for Home fee status
• October 2025 entry – 25 July 2025 for Overseas fee status and 25 August 2025 for Home fee status
• February 2026 entry – 20 October 2025 for Overseas fee status and 20 November 2025 for Home fee status
• June 2026 entry – 20 March 2026 for Overseas fee status and 11 April 2026 for Home fee status

Please note that funding deadlines may be earlier than the application deadlines listed above.

Fees or Funding

UK Tuition Fees 2024/25

• Full time tuition fees: £6,168 per year
• Part time tuition fees: £3,084 per year

International Tuition Fees 2024/25

• Full time tuition fees: £24,786 per year
• Part time tuition fees: £12,393 per year

UK Tuition Fees 2025/26

• Full time tuition fees: £6,600 per year
• Part time tuition fees: £3,300 per year

International Tuition Fees 2025/26

• Full time tuition fees: £27,100 per year
• Part time tuition fees: £13,550 per year

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Study environment

Base campus

Strand Campus

Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.

You work with a supervisor, and our graduate seminars and day conferences offer excellent opportunities for interaction with other staff and students, and the chance to try out research papers in a friendly atmosphere.

Within the department you will have the opportunity to take part in the Biblical studies seminars, the research seminars in Social Scientific Study of Religion, and the Research Institute in Systematic Theology seminar programme of lectures, colloquia and seminars.

Student destinations include teaching; journalism; careers in the church - one of our famous alumni is, of course, Desmond Tutu.

Entry requirements

UK requirements

Students who wish to read for a research degree should normally have obtained either an MA with Merit or, in exceptional circumstances, a first class or good upper second class honours degree at a British university, or an equivalent overseas qualification. In both cases, their previous studies should normally have included a dissertation, or equivalent, demonstrating ability to present the result of independent study and research.

Equivalent International qualifications

Select a country to view the equivalent qualifications.

English language requirements

English language band: C

To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.

Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.

For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.