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Theology & Religious Studies Research MPhil/PhD

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Overview

At King's you will find a broad range of overlapping areas of research. Students can pursue traditional areas of study through:

  • Theology (Systematics; Philosophical Theology; Patristics and Medieval Theology; History of Christianity in the reformation and modern period; Biblical Theology, Ethics, Business Ethics, and Christianity and the Arts)
  • Biblical Studies (literary, ideological and theological approaches to the Hebrew Bible; Second Temple Judaism, gender and the Dead Sea Scrolls; New Testament studies, including biography, genre, environment and ethics).

Central to our department, too, is the social scientific study of religion (anthropology, sociology, history and politics), together with philosophy of religion, the world of Jews in modern Europe, contemporary Islamic thought, and Chinese religions.

  • Most recent 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. Overall, 76% of the Department’s research was rated 3* or 4* - indicating internationally excellent and world-leading quality – in the Research Excellence Framework (REF)- which assesses the quality of research taking place between 2008 and 2013 in UK higher education institutions.

  • Current number of academic staff: 28

  • Current number of research students: 120

  • Partner organisations : London School of Jewish Studies & Leo Baeck College, and the National Gallery.

 

Key information

Duration Expected to be: MPhil two years FT, four years PT; PhD three years FT, four-six years PT. September to September, January to January or April to April.

Study mode Full-time, Part-time

Further details

Awarding institution King's College London

Faculty Faculty of Arts & Humanities

Department Department of Theology and Religious Studies

Locations

 

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Course detail

Description

The lively research-orientated atmosphere of our department offers a stimulating environment for graduate research.

The department represents a broad range of overlapping research areas. Students can pursue traditional areas of study through Theology and Biblical Studies. Central to our department too is the social scientific study of religion, together with philosophy of religion, the world of Jews in modern Europe, contemporary Islamic thought, and Chinese religions. Staff are engaged in research and publishing at the cutting edge of their areas, and several are involved in 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 pride ourselves on the quality of our research training at every level.

Course study environment

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.

Postgraduate training

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.

Head of group/division

Professor Markus Vincent, markus.vinzent@kcl.ac.uk

Contact for information

Postgraduate Admissions, Admissions Office
tel: +44 (0) 20 7848 1649
fax: +44 (0) 20 7848 7200

Contact email

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/pg/Admissions-contact-form.aspx

Course website

www.kcl.ac.uk/trs

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Theology Entry Requirements
Minimum 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 (b) an equivalent 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.
International requirements   Visit our admissions webpages to view our International entry requirements.
English Language requirements Band C Visit our admissions webpages to view our English language entry requirements.

 

Application procedure

You are encouraged to contact a potential supervisor before applying to discuss your proposed research project (see Staff and Groups section). 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.

Personal statement and supporting information

Applicants are encouraged to approach potential supervisors prior to application. To identify a supervisor please see: https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/

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

Theology Research checklist
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. For advice on how to write a winning application, please visit the following page.
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.

 

Course intake

No set number.

Application closing date

The deadlines for applications are detailed below. Please note that funding applications deadlines may be earlier. We will open applications for the corresponding intake in 2021 after the final deadline passes in 2020.

  • January 2020 entry – 25th October 2019 for International students and 2nd December 2019 for Home/EU students
  • April 2020 entry – 14th February 2020 for International and Home/EU students
  • October 2020 entry – 31st July 2020 for International students and 28th August 2020 for Home/EU students

Applications for 2021/22 academic year will open from October 2020.

Help and support

If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, or if English isn't your first language, our academic preparation courses can help you get ready for study in the UK.

Preparation courses

Fees and funding

UK/EU Tuition Fees 2020/21

Full time tuition fees: £5,550 per year

Part time tuition fees: £2,780 per year

International Tuition Fees 2020/21

Full time tuition fees:  £20,820 per year              

Part time tuition fees: £10,410 per year

 Students starting their programme in 2020/21 who are eligible to pay EU fees will pay the same rate of tuition fees as UK students. This will apply for the duration of their programme, but may be subject to change by the UK Government for subsequent cohorts from 2021/22.

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

Financial help and support

Visit the fees and funding webpages to find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans and other financial help available at King's.

Testimonials

Rodolphe

Rodolphe

I chose King's College London because I wanted to study at a top university. It offers a world-class education as you are taught by renowned teachers in fantastic facilities and this explains its international reputation.

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