Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Religious and Theological Studies

The Religious and Theological Studies postgraduate research programme, based within the School of History, Archaeology and Religion, offers students the opportunity to join a dynamic and supportive academic community with a strong reputation for developing future researchers. The programme welcomes applicants pursuing PhD study across a wide range of subject areas, with particular strengths in fields such as Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hindu traditions, Sikh studies, biblical studies, and the sociology of religion, as well as interdisciplinary approaches to religion, ethics, and cultural studies.

The programme is designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and research expertise suitable for careers in academia, teaching, the media, public service, and other professions that value humanities-based training. Its interdisciplinary nature allows students to combine broad intellectual perspectives with focused specialist research. Students benefit from experienced supervision, a strong emphasis on language and textual analysis, and an active research environment that includes regular seminars, visiting speakers, and opportunities to develop both subject-specific and transferable research skills.