It is common for students aiming to enter doctoral studies at Oxford to begin with either the MPhil or MSt in Theology.
MPhil in Theology
Course Code | 001250
The MPhil degree is designed to offer graduate education in a specialist field of Theology. Students specialise in one of the following areas: Old Testament, New Testament, Christian Doctrine, Ecclesiastical History, Christian Ethics. Students in Christian Doctrine and in Ecclesiastical History specialise in a historical period (patristic, medieval, Reformation or modern).
Assessment includes a short dissertation of up to 30,000 words based on independent scholarly research, which may contrinute to a future research degree, and three to five formal examination papers or groups of assessed essays. In some subjects there is also a written examination.
A knowledge of Hebrew and Greek is required for Old and New Testament Studies respectively and most courses in the History of Doctrine will require study of texts in languages other than English; generally, most courses will require knowledge of a language other than English.
- Length of programme: Twenty-one months
MPhil in Philosophical Theology
Course Code | 001120
This course is designed for those who have graduated in either Philosophy or Theology and wish to do more advanced work in Philosophical Theology.
All students study the Philosophy of Religion and the History of Philosophical Theology; those whose background is primarily philosophical also study a historical period of Christian Doctrine, while those whose background is primarily theological study a further area of philosophy. Teaching is provided jointly by members of the Theology and Philosophy Faculties.
The degree is awarded on an examination and a short thesis.
- Length of programme: Twenty-one months
MPhil in Eastern Christian Studies
Course Code | 000550
This course provides graduates in Oriental Studies or Theology with the opportunity to study the main creative period of the Eastern Christian tradition with a more detailed study of texts in Greek, Armenian or Syriac. Teaching is provided jointly by members of the Faculties of Oriental Studies and Theology, but teaching in all three options may not be available every year. A knowledge of Greek is required.
The aims of this programme are to develop the practice of analytical enquiry into Eastern traditions of Christianity; to enable students to acquire knowledge and understanding of foundational material and current developments in the area; to develop the ability to identify, understand and apply key concepts and principles; to enable students to reflect on relevant issues of method; to enable students to gain a critical knowledge of the scholarly literature relevant to their course.
- Length of programme: Twenty-one months
MPhil in Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World
Course Code | 000820
This course, for which teaching is provided by members of the Oriental Studies and Theology Faculties, pays equal attention to the two religious traditions. The subjects available in that part of the course concerned with Judaism are: Jewish literature, history, and institutions from 200 BC to AD 200, Jewish historiography, Bible interpretation, eschatology, and wisdom literature; and in that concerning Christianity: Christian literature, history, and institutions to AD 180, the Gospels and the historical Jesus, the Acts and the Pauline corpus, the Apostolic Fathers, and the Apologists. A knowledge of Greek and Hebrew is required, and a wide range of primary literature must be covered. Two papers and a short thesis are required in one of the two traditions, three papers in the other.
- Length of programme: Twenty-one months
MSt in Theology
Course Code | 001260
The MSt is designed to offer graduate education in a specialist field of Theology. Students specialise in one of the following fields: Old Testament, New Testament, Christian Doctrine, Ecclesiastical History, Christian Ethics, or Biblical Interpretation.
Assessment includes a dissertation of up to 15,000 words based on independent scholarly research and writing, which may contribute to a future research degree, and several short essays. In some subjects there is also a written examination. Students initially registered for the MSt may, if their work is of sufficiently high quality, be allowed to transfer to the corresponding two-year MPhil.
A knowledge of Hebrew and Greek is required for Old and New Testament Studies respectively, and most courses in the History of Doctrine will require study of texts in languages other than English; generally, most courses will require knowledge of a language other than English.
- Length of programme: Nine months
MSt in Philosophical Theology
Course Code | 001130
This course, which covers part of the ground covered by the MPhil in Philosophical Theology, provides an opportunity for advanced work in Philosophical Theology within the limits of what can be done in a single year.
- Length of programme: Nine months
MSt in Study of Religion
Course Code | 001210
This course is intended to provide a research introduction to the study of religions, and teaching is often provided by members of the Centre for Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic and Hebrew Studies. It consists of three papers, one on the Nature of Religion and two on practices texts and doctrines selected from one of: Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, or Buddhism.
- Length of programme: Nine months
MTh in Applied Theology
Course Code | 000310
This course is designed to enable theological reflection upon experience in pastoral practice, mainly but not only, in the context of ministry in the Church. It may be taken by those who hold a pastoral appointment at present, or by students who can include a period of approved pastoral experience in their course of study for the MTh.
Candidates must have a degree in theology, or hold an equivalent theological qualification. The degree is awarded on the successful completion of four extended essays - one of which is an ‘Experiential Project with Theological Reflection’ - and a dissertation on an agreed topic in practical theology..
In addition to a number of Oxford's own colleges and permanent private halls which accept applicants to the MTh, applicants may select Ripon College Cuddesdon as their college choice.
Although this degree is under the Board of the Faculty of Theology it is administered by the group of colleges, permanent private halls and theological colleges, to whom all enquiries should be made.
- Length of programme: Twenty-one months (full-time), three or four years (part-time)
Postgraduate Diploma in Theology
Course Code | 003430
The course is primarily intended for those with a first degree in a subject other than Theology or Religious Studies. The course is primarily biblical in content, but with optional papers in Christian Doctrine, Church History, Christian Ethics, Hinduism, Buddhism or Islam, and Philosophy of Religion. No knowledge of ancient languages is required.
- Length of programme: Ten months
In addition to core and optional courses, students will be expected to attend the dedicated graduate seminar in their field.
How to ApplyThe deadlines for the MPhil, MSt and PGDip courses are 18
January and 8 March 2013. Studentship applications must be submitted by the January deadline. The standard set of materials you should send
with any application to a taught course comprises: In addition to the standard documents above,
applicants to the MPhil courses, MSt courses or the PGDip in Theology should provide two (2) academic essays or other
writing samples from their most recent qualification of 2,000 words each,
or 2,000-word extracts of longer work. Applicants to the MPhil should clearly indicate in their Statement of Purpose which field of Theology, from the available options listed in the prospectus, they wish to study. Please follow the detailed
instructions in the Application
Guide, and
consult the Theology website
for any additional guidance. |
