Postgraduate research opportunities A-Z

Source: https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/theologyreligious/ Parent: https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/

Postgraduate research

Theology & Religious Studies PhD/MPhil/MTh/MLitt (Research)/MRes

Self funded opportunities

Theology Through Creative Practice PhD, MPhil

Research in Theology and Religious Studies encompasses a wide range of traditions, methods and perspectives and has been an ever-present part of the mission of the University since its foundation in 1451.

PhD: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time; Thesis of 70,000-100,000 words- MLitt (Research): 2 years full-time; 3 years part-time; Thesis of 40,000-70,000 words- MPhil/MTh: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time; Thesis of 30,000-40,000 words- MRes: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time; Thesis of 20,000-30,000 words

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Overview

Researchers in Theology and Religious Studies continue to build on Glasgow's reputation for excellence in traditional fields of theology including:

Biblical Studies
Systematic Theology
Catholic Moral Theology
Practical Theology
Church History and Scottish Religious History

Glasgow also has a strong profile in:

Judaism and Jewish Studies
Islam, particularly Sufism and religion in modern Iran
Religion in the Asian Subcontinent
Religion in Japan

Theology and Religious Studies in Glasgow has strong interdisciplinary research links to other subjects across the College of Arts & Humanities. Recent collaborations have involved English and Scottish Literature, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, History, Classics, Law, Education, Philosophy, Medical Humanities and several Glasgow Museums.

Contact: Dr Mia Spiro, PG Convener, Theology & Religious Studies

Research clusters

Study options

PhD: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time. Thesis of 70,000-100,000 words
MLitt:2 years full-time; 3 years part-time. Thesis of 40,000-70,000 words
MPhil/MTh: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time. Thesis of 30,000-40,000 words
MRes: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time. 60-80 Credit taught course plus a thesis of 20,000- 30,000 words

About the MRes in Theology & Religious Studies

The MRes in Theology & Religious Studies is a flexible programme combining substantial taught study along with an independent dissertation of 20,000–30,000 words. Designed as a strong foundation for doctoral research, the programme enables students to develop advanced subject knowledge alongside core research skills.

The MRes allows students to select courses from across our Theology & Religious Studies provision (Level 5 – SCQF level 11):

Current theology & Religious Studies Level 5 Courses [not all courses may be available every year]

Teaching and dissertation supervision are available in the following areas:

Biblical Studies (Old and New Testament) and Interpretation
Church History
Islamic Studies
Jewish Studies
Practical Theology and Ministry
Religion and Global Challenges (including conflict, environment, health, and migration)
Theology (historical, philosophical, and systematic)
Theology, Arts and Culture
Theology through Creative Practice

Entry requirements

Our regular standard of admission is at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree (2:1), although candidates will usually also have completed or be undertaking a Masters qualification.

Research outline

Candidates are required to provide an outline of the proposed research subject in about 1000 words. This need not be your final thesis proposal but should include:

a straightforward, descriptive, and informative title
the question that your research will address
an account of why this question is important and worth investigating
an assessment of how your own research will engage with recent study in the subject
a brief account of the methodology and approach you will take
a discussion of the primary sources that your research will draw upon, including printed books, manuscripts, archives, libraries, or museums
an indicative bibliography of secondary sources that you have already consulted and/or are planning to consult

Your application, including your references and research proposal, will be passed to members of staff whose expertise and research interests most closely match the area of your proposed study.

English language requirements

For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

7.0 overall with no subtest less than 7.0
IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Common equivalent English language qualifications accepted for entry to this programme

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

Tests taken up to 20 January 2026

100 Overall, Reading 24; Listening 24; Speaking 23; Writing 27
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Tests taken from 21 January 2026

104 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 26; Listening 25; Speaking 26; Writing 27
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

66 overall with no subtest less than Reading 68; Listening 66; Speaking 65; Writing 82
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

185 overall, no subtest less than 185
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Oxford ELLT

8 overall with no subtest less than 8
ests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

LanguageCert Academic SELT

75 overall with no subtest less than 75
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Password Skills Plus

7.0 overall with no subtest less than 7.0
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Trinity College Tests

Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEIII Pass with Pass in all sub-tests
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)\
students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)\
students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:

direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.

For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:

Pre-sessional courses

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

Heriot Watt
Kingston Upon Thames
Middlesex University
Manchester University
Reading University
Edinburgh University
ST Andrews University
UCL
Durham

Fees and funding

Fees

2026/27

UK: £5,238
International & EU: £27,720

Prices are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Fees for part-time study are half the full-time fee.

Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.

Fee status and policies

Alumni discount

We offer a 20% discount to our alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme, Exchange programme, International Summer School or Erasmus programme with us. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships. No additional application is required.

Possible additional fees

Re-submission by a research student £540
Submission for a higher degree by published work £1,355
Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed £350
Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship £790

Depending on the nature of the research project, some students will be expected to pay a bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs. The exact amount will be provided in the offer letter.

College of Arts & Humanities Graduate School funding opportunities

Support

Teaching and research in the Arts and Humanities is supported by the outstanding resources of our University Library with its special collections and our on-campus Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery.

Our close links and partnerships with Glasgow Life, and the city’s many museums, art galleries, performing arts and music venues, international festivals and creative industry organisations make the University of Glasgow the ideal place for postgraduate study of the arts.

Graduate School

Our Graduate School creates a productive and interdisciplinary collegiate environment for all of our research students. We offer a range of services, courses and skills development opportunities for research students.

The College of Arts & Humanities is home to a vibrant and diverse community of students enrolled on taught masters and research programmes within a stimulating intellectual and cultural environment. Across every school and subject area the college is home to world-leading and agenda-setting research.

Find out more about what is happening in the community by following us on social media.

You will also be part of the wider Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities, the world's first national graduate school in the Arts & Humanities. Membership includes 16Scottish universities, four art schools & the national conservatoire, with support from the arts, culture, creative & heritage sectors.

Resources

Research is underpinned by several regular seminar series: the Theology and Religious Research seminar, the Literature and Theology seminar, and the Theology and Biblical Studies seminar. The sense of community is greatly enhanced by the activities of the Glasgow University Theology and Religious Studies Student Society (GUTRSSS) who organise regular social activities and host a weekly coffee morning for staff and students.

How to apply

Identify potential supervisors

All Postgraduate Research Students are allocated a supervisor who will act as the main source of academic support and research mentoring. You may want to identify a potential supervisor and contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply. Please note, even if you have spoken to an academic staff member about your proposal you still need to submit an online application form.

You can find relevant academic staff members with our staff research interests search.

Gather your documents

Before applying please make sure you gather the following supporting documentation:

Final or current degree transcripts including grades (and an official translation, if needed): scanned copy in colour of the original document.
Degree certificates (and an official translation, if needed): scanned copy in colour of the original document.
Two references on headed paper and signed by the referee. One must be academic, the other can be academic or professional. References may be uploadedas part of the application form or you may enter your referees contact details on the application form. We will then email your referee and notify you when we receive the reference. We can also accept confidential references direct to rio-researchadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk, from the referee’s university or business email account.
Research proposal, CV, samples of written work as per requirements for each subject area.
For Distance Learning study option only - completed CoAH Distance Learning PGR application statement form