PhD Theology

About our programmes

Part of the School of Education and Social Sciences, our Theology research degrees are broadly themed around culture, religion and society. This emerging area of work draws together studies of contemporary cultural practices, their inter-relationships and their social impacts, including in the media and the digital world.

Our work is supported by the well-established Centre for Spirituality Studies and includes both empirical and theoretical work.

Due to the new interdisciplinary work within the field, these programmes bring together social science, arts and humanities researchers from across the University and beyond.

During this four-year programme (seven years part-time) you will research and write a dissertation of 70,000 to 100,000 words on a theological or religious topic chosen in conjunction with your supervisor.

Research

We welcome applications to undertake research in all the main branches of Theology. Research by social scientists at Hull aims to have a positive impact of the life conditions and experiences of individuals and communities, at a local, national and global level.

Culture, Religion and Society

Our work is supported by the Centre for Spirituality Studies which exists to:

Promote interdisciplinary research and scholarship which develops understanding of spirituality
Provide opportunities for advanced study and research training in spirituality
Offer a forum for community and inter-faith engagement with the study of spirituality

Research specialisms include:

Church as communion
Contemporary ethical problems
Doctrine of the Trinity
Faith and truth
History of Christian ethics
Interpreting religion practice
Natural theology
Philosophy and cultures
Philosophical theology
Social doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church
Symbol and sacrament.

For entry onto one of our PhDs you should normally have, or expect to obtain, at least Master's degree at merit or 60% and above (or international equivalent) in a closely related subject to your proposed disciplinary field of study. For applicants whose backgrounds do not qualify them for direct entry, we may recommend a ‘conversion course' in the form of one of our Masters courses. For entry onto one of our research Master programmes, you should normally have, or expect to obtain at least a 2:1 Honours degree or equivalent. Intending research students are expected to have relevant prior research training at postgraduate (for PhD) or undergraduate (for MRES or MPHIL) level or equivalent.