Theology and Religion - Postgraduate Research Opportunities

At Birmingham we offer promising candidates the opportunity to carry out research in one of the UK's largest and most diverse Departments of Theology and Religion. The knowledge and expertise of our academic staff provides variety and depth of study and encourages multidisciplinary research and postgraduate study across the fields of theology and religion.

The University was ranked in the top 50 in the world for Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies in the 2021 QS World University Rankings.

The MA by Research programme requires you to prepare a dissertation of up to 40,000 words on a topic of your choice, for which an academic staff member will provide expert supervision.

The PhD – the most advanced research degree – leads to a dissertation of up to 80,000 words on a subject of your choice and under the expert supervision of an academic member of staff.

You can study an MA by Research or PhD programme on campus or by distance learning. Please note that if you are studying with us by distance learning, there is a required visit to campus in your first year of study.

We also offer our Practical Theology Doctorate, which provides the opportunity to undertake a practice-based research degree to support professional and academic advancement.

Research interests of staff include:

We offer subject specialisms in Biblical studies, Christian theology, Islamic studies, Jewish and Holocaust studies, Pentecostal and Charismatic studies, Quaker Studies and Religion and society.

• Biblical studies
• Christian theology
• Islamic studies
• Jewish and Holocaust studies
• Pentecostal and Charismatic studies
• Philosophical theology
• Quaker Studies
• Religion and society

For full research interests of staff, please read our staff profiles or visit each programmes webpage.

Funding Notes

Please visit the College of Arts and Law funding page for information on possible funding opportunities: View Website