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Biblical Studies, Patristics and Medieval Theology MPhil / PhD – (Ph.D.)
University of Birmingham
School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion| Application Deadline: | None, but early application advised | ||
| Location: | Birmingham / United Kingdom / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 36 months | ||
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| Languages: | English | ||
Location of University of Birmingham
Postgraduate Biblical Studies in Birmingham offers a unique mixture of specialist older and newer approaches, in the stimulating environment of one of the UK's largest and most diverse departments of theology. With a full and flexible range of courses, it is possible to specialise in any one of a number of fields, or to take a broader approach and mix the subjects to suit your own interests.
Biblical Studies is one of the strongest areas in the Department of Theology and Religion, with a large postgraduate body and staff with excellent international reputations in a variety of areas, including New Testament textual criticism, the Hebrew Bible and contemporary hermeneutics, issues pertaining to the Bible and gender/sexuality.
We are able to provide teaching and expert supervision across the full range of Biblical literature and languages as well as in hermeneutics and exegesis.
Current staff research and expertise includes the following topics:
* Biblical hermeneutics
* Gender criticism and the Bible
* New Testament textual criticism
* The study of the manuscripts of the New Testament
* Queer approaches to the Bible
* The Latin Gospel Harmony tradition
* The text of John's Gospel
* The Bible in the Arts, particularly film and music
* The Dead Sea Scrolls
* Second Temple Judaism
* Contemporary commentary on Judges, Samuel and Kings
* Evangelical and Pentecostal approaches to the Bible
These are just some of the areas of current staff expertise; teaching and supervision is undertaken in these and many other areas.
Contents
The PhD can be taken in three formats:
* As a full-time degree in the UK This course lasts three years, and the requirement is the submission of a thesis not exceeding 80,000 words. This is the ideal option for PhD.
* As a part-time degree in the UKThis course last six years, and the requirement is the submission of a thesis not exceeding 80,000 words
* As an external degree External registration is a possibility for overseas students who are unable to live full time in Birmingham. It lasts between four and six years, depending on individual circumstances.
Ideally we recommend one of the first two options as the best mode of research, but it is possible for those who cannot move to the UK to register externally and several current research students have taken this course. Normally, students will be expected to reside in Birmingham for six months (divided up however they wish) during their period of registration. It is also common for a supervisor to visit the externally registered student in their country of residence. It is also essential that externally registered students have access to good library facilities in their location. If you would like to discuss this option further, please feel free to contact us.
The main requirement for PhD students is to attend the regular supervision with their supervisor. But the following are also expected:
Attendance at the Biblical Studies Seminars, and presenting at least one paper during the period of registration.
Where language study is relevant to the subject of the thesis, attendance at least one of the language courses offered (Hebrew, Greek, Syriac, Latin, Armenian), or a modern language, by arrangement with their supervisor. No assessment is required.
It is possible to attend other relevant courses or seminars, in consultation with the supervisor.
Reasons for Choosing the PhD
You have the necessary basic training, and there is a topic on which you want to write a substantial study.
Supervisors
It is usual to discuss your ideas for a research proposal with your potential supervisor(s) in advance of applying, so please do not hesitate to get in touch. Profiles of the Academic Staff in Biblical Studies are available on this site, if you are not sure who to ask, please Contact Us.
Note
While it is important to discuss with your potential supervisor the topic you want to work on in advance, it is not necessary to have fixed it precisely, and it is a very common experience for PhD students to spend quite a few months settling on a final topic. And it may be that some preliminary research will lead you to reformulate your original topic. But it is important to have framed in your mind a place to begin.
IELTS
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
Take testRequirements
Applying to a Doctoral Research programme at Birmingham is a simple four-step process -
Step 1 - Ensure your qualifications meet our entry requirements|
Step 2 - Find a potential supervisor(s) and identify your research area|
Step 3 - Develop and submit an initial research proposal|
Step 4 - Submit your formal application
In order to undertake a programme of study here at the University, you will need to demonstrate that you have a good level of written and spoken English. You can demonstrate your level of English with IELTS, TOEFL or alternative qualifications..
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Master's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
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