MPhil/PhD Entry Requirements

To be eligible to apply for an MPhil or PhD programmes, applicants should normally have, or expect to obtain, at least an upper second class honours degree in a discipline appropriate to their intended area of research.

Substantial prior research experience may, in some instances, be acceptable in place of a first degree qualification. If you are not sure whether this might apply to you, our Postgraduate Research (PGR) Admissions team will be able to advise you.

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of proficiency to IELTS 6.5 with no less than 5.5 in each band or equivalent.

Information about English language tests will normally be available from your British Council office. International applicants whose most recent qualification has been taken in English may be exempt from our usual English Language requirements.

The University of Chester offers supplementary English Language classes, free of charge, to those students who might need them.

A completed application, two references (in most cases the references shall come from independent academic referees, i.e. they are not normally provided by a prospective supervisor), an up-to-date CV and copies of appropriate certificates or transcripts must be uploaded to the application in order to be considered.

Applicants who do not fulfil the normal entry criteria may be required to provide additional information and documentation in support of their application.

MPhil or PhD in Theology and Religious Studies

We welcome inquiries from students wishing to pursue an MPhil or PhD project within the range of disciplines in the areas we have represented.

What’s involved?

In the UK, the MPhil and PhD courses are focused on the production of an extended piece of original, independent research, which makes a significant, and in the case of the PhD, original contribution to knowledge in the field. It is usually awarded on the basis of a written thesis of up to 60 000 (MPhil) or up to 100 000 (PhD) words and an oral viva examination. You can study full-time or part-time.

The MPhil degrees normally takes 2 years full-time and the full-time PhD normally takes 3 years.

Our students work with a supervisory team with appropriate expertise through the different stages of the research process, from initial scoping and design through research, analysis and interpretation, to the production of the full written argument and preparation for submission. They also join a dynamic research culture of staff and other postgraduate students by participating in research seminars, postgraduate training events and symposia, and in events at Faculty and University levels, as well as conferences and workshops in the UK and abroad. See what areas we supervise in, in the next dropdown link on this page.

Entry requirements

To be eligible for admission you should have, or expect to obtain, an upper second or first-class honours degree, or lower second-class degree with a Master’s degree, with at least one qualification in a discipline congruent with their intended area of research. You can find more information about these criteria here.

For inquiries that progress to application, those applications are considered on the basis of a completed online application including, references, a detailed research proposal and, where there is the possibility of admission, an interview is involved. You can find out more about the process below.

Fees and funding

More information about fees and funding for the MPhil and PhD is available online.

How to apply for an MPhil or PhD in TRS

You can apply for entry in October, February or May. We would advise contacting us at least 6 months before the time you hope to begin your studies.

If you are interested in pursuing the possibility of an MPhil or PhD with us, the process to application follows these steps.

1. Identify a topic and make an inquiry

Contact us to see if we may be able to supervise a topic in the area of research that interests you. You could get in touch with a member of staff in whose area of expertise your topic falls, or contact Dr. Ben Fulford, the Deputy Head for Humanities, Cultures and Environment (b.fulford@chester.ac.uk), or email trs@chester.ac.uk.

2. Submit your research proposal

Before you apply, we would like to see a research proposal of about 1000 words. It should identify your main research question(s) with reference to appropriate literature, identifying a potential intervention in scholarship; outline a proposed methodology (where appropriate); include an extended bibliography of relevant primary and secondary sources as appropriate. We may ask you to develop or revise your proposal, in conversation with a potential supervisor.

3. Apply online

If your topic is one we can supervise, and your research proposal looks reasonably realistic, focused and viable as a potential doctoral project, we may advise you to apply. Please submit your application at least 2 months before the point of admission you are aiming for. You can apply here.

4. Interview

We normally interview eligible applicants with a viable research proposal which we are able to supervise, as part of the admissions process. After interview, we make a recommendation to the University’s PGR Admissions Office, who will notify you of whether the University is able to make you an offer. If we make you an offer, you can accept via our online admissions system.

5. Successful international applicants

Those who accept their offers will need to pay a deposit, fulfil any outstanding conditions of their offer and then, if they need to apply for a visa to study in the UK, begin the Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) process (further details here).

6. Enrol

If you’ve confirmed acceptance of your place and met any conditions of your offer, information on how to enrol will be sent to you 1-2 months prior to the beginning of your course. You should then enrol online.

7. Registration and induction

You will be sent details of how to register, and about the University induction process. TRS holds a postgraduate induction in early October, and induction will be arranged for those joining us in February or May, in addition to University events.

1. Biblical Studies, Second Temple Judaism and Early Christian History

We welcome inquiries from potential research students in any aspect of biblical studies, Second Temple Judaism and early Christian history.

We have has two experts working in these areas and their specialist research interests are detailed below. Please do make contact with one of the scholars listed here if you are interested in pursuing a research degree with them. Alternatively, for more general enquiries, please contact trs@chester.ac.uk.

Dr Matthew Collins

With broad research interests in Hebrew Bible, Qumran Studies and Second Temple Judaism, Matthew Collins’ research particularly focuses on:

  • The Dead Sea Scrolls and their academic and popular impact
  • Hebrew Bible/Old Testament narratives in their ancient Near Eastern context
  • Social dynamics of the intertestamental period
  • The Bible in popular culture (literature, visual arts, music and film)

Professor Paul Middleton

With broad research interests in the New Testament and other early Christian literature, Paul Middleton’s research particularly focuses on:

  • Martyrdom and religious violence
  • Jewish and Christian Apocalypticism
  • The book of Revelation
  • Social identity in the New Testament

2.  Contextual, Practical and Public Theologies

We welcome inquiries from potential research students in any aspect of contextual, practical and public and political theologies, with particular expertise in feminist theologies.

We have two experts working in these areas and their specialist research interests are detailed below. Please do make contact with one of the scholars listed here if you are interested in pursuing a research degree with them. Alternatively, for more general enquiries, please contact trs@chester.ac.uk.

Professor Hannah Bacon

Hannah Bacon’s research particularly focuses on:

  • Feminist theologies
  • Body theologies
  • Feminist qualitative research on commercial dieting contexts
  • Feminist engagements with Christian doctrine (e.g. Trinity, Incarnation)

Professor Wayne Morris

With broad research interests in contextual and practical theologies, Wayne Morris' research particularly focuses on:

  • Disability theologies
  • Deaf theologies
  • Theologies of salvation
  • Theology and inter-faith questions

3. Philosophy of Religion

We welcome inquiries from potential research students in any aspect of philosophy of religion, continental and analytic. The department has particular strengths in 19th and 20th century debates on the nature and existence of God and humanity. 

We have an expert working in these areas and their specialist research interests are detailed below. Please do make contact with one of the scholars listed here if you are interested in pursuing a research degree with them. Alternatively, for more general enquiries, please contact trs@chester.ac.uk.

Dr Deborah Casewell is a philosopher working on religion, culture, and moral philosophy. Her areas of research expertise are: 

  • 19th and 20th Century Continental Philosophy
  • Ethics and Meta–Ethics
  • Philosophy of Religion
  • Aesthetics 

4.  Religious Studies, Contemporary Spiritualities and Religion and Society

The department welcomes inquiries from potential research students in any aspect of religious studies.

There is significant expertise at Chester that focuses on lived religion and spirituality, drawing on anthrolopological, ethnographic and more broadly qualitative methodologies. There is research specialism in religions such as Christianity and Islam, and in the role of religion and spirituality in relation to contemporary culture and society. The religious studies team also offer expertise in the role of religion and spirituality in relation to contemporary culture and society. We have three experts working in religious studies and their research areas are detailed below. Please do make contact with one of the scholars listed here if you are interested in pursuing a research degree with them. Alternatively, for more general enquiries, please contact trs@chester.ac.uk.

Dr Steve Knowles

With broad research interests in religion, spirituality and contemporary popular culture, Steve Knowles’ particular research interests focus on:

  • The influence of spirituality/religion in popular music
  • Charismatic Christianity
  • Postmodern philosophy and theology
  • Contemporary apocalyptic beliefs

Dr Dawn Llewellyn

With broad research interests in gender and religion as well as women’s reading practices Dawn Llewellyn’s particular research interests focus on:

  • Feminist theology and hermeneutics
  • Religion and literature
  • Reader-response studies
  • Qualitative methodologies and methods
  • Motherhood and voluntary childlessness

Professor Caroline Tee

Professor Tee is a social anthropologist working on contemporary Islam, with a primary geographical focus on modern Turkey.  Her areas of research expertise are:

  • Religious groups in turkey (the Alevis, the Gülen Movement)
  • Religion and politics in Turkey
  • Social anthropology of Islam
  • Ethnography of religious scripture
  • Muslims in the UK

5.  Historical and Systematic Theology

The department welcomes inquiries from potential research students in any aspect of systematic theology, historical theology and Christian doctrine.

We have one expert working in these areas and his specialist research interests are detailed below. Please do make contact with him if you are interested. Alternatively, for more general enquiries, please contact trs@chester.ac.uk. 

Dr Ben Fulford

A systematic theologian, Ben Fulford’s research interests focus on:

  • Hans Frei and postliberal theology
  • Theological anthropology
  • God
  • Marriage and forms of shared life
  • Early Christian theology
  • Gregory of Nazianzus and the Cappadocians