Program Overview

MPhil in Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion

The MPhil in Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion is a postgraduate program that aims to provide advanced teaching and training in research to students in the theologies, scriptures, histories, and philosophies of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.

Course Objectives

The course aims to:

• provide high-calibre students with an excellent education in these traditions, informed by current developments in scholarship and research
• provide a stimulating environment in which students can reach their intellectual potential
• provide an integrated structure of learning and teaching
• help students develop a wide range of intellectual abilities and skills that will enable them to make a significant contribution in their chosen careers and walks of life, particularly training in academic research

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
• more advanced and specialised knowledge of some fundamental issues and literatures at the forefront of research in that sub-discipline
• 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 to PhD

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% in the MPhil as a whole. Applications are considered on their own merit.

Key Information

• Duration: 9 months full-time, 1 year and 9 months part-time
• Study Mode: Taught
• Degree: Master of Philosophy
• Faculty: Faculty of Divinity

Dates and Deadlines

• Applications open: September 3, 2025
• Application deadline: May 14, 2026
• Course starts: October 1, 2026
• Funding deadlines:
  • Course funding deadline: December 3, 2025
  • Gates Cambridge US round only: October 15, 2025

Similar Courses

• Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion (AdvDip)
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• Theology and Religious Studies (PhD)
• Social Anthropological Research (MPhil)