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PhD

PhD in Theology

Duration
3 Years (Full Time) • 6 Years (Part Time)

Cost
Fees and Funding Explained

This course is awarded by:

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Cultivating profound scholarship and inspiring innovative contributions to the theological landscape

How to Apply Open Days

Course Overview

Nazarene Theological College offers doctoral programmes that cultivate profound scholarship and inspire innovative contributions to the theological landscape. Our PhD specialisms provide a rich environment for in-depth research, offering the opportunity for you to complete a research project in an area related to your specific interests.

Whether you seek to explore the narratives of Scripture, trace the historical development of doctrine, or engage with contemporary theological challenges, our programmes are designed to support your scholarly journey.

Focuses

Our PhD pathways allow you to focus on the following specialist areas:

  • Biblical Theology: Explore the intricate narratives and themes of the Bible.
  • Church History: Trace the development of Christian thought and practice throughout the ages.
  • Christian Theology: Engage with core doctrines and contemporary theological debates.
  • Missiology: Understand the church’s global mission and cross-cultural engagement.
  • New Testament Studies: Analyse the texts and contexts of the New Testament era.
  • Old Testament Studies: Investigate the Hebrew Bible and its historical background.
  • Practical Theology: Apply theological insights to real-world ministry and social issues.
  • Second Temple Judaism: Examine the rich context that shaped early Christianity.
  • Wesley Studies: Focus on the life and thought of John Wesley, founder of Methodism.
  • Wesleyan Tradition: Discover the unique heritage and practices of Wesleyan Christianity.

Why choose a PhD with NTC?

Choose the path that suits you:

Full-time: MPhil (12 months), PhD (36 months)

Part-time: MPhil (24 months), PhD (72 months)

Open Days How to Apply

Benefit from our strong partnerships and facilities:

Manchester Wesley Research Centre: Access a wealth of resources dedicated to Wesleyan studies.

Methodist Archives in The John Rylands Library: Explore historic documents and artefacts.

Nazarene Theological College is an approved partner of The University of Manchester.

Theology Student Stories

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Paul’s PHD helped enhance his ministry

Paul used his PhD research to help improve the ministry he was offering within his church.

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Gift’s education helps him to focus on the church in Africa

Gift explores the importance of high quality theological learning to the future of the church in Africa.

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Tori Stone uses her studies to explore the welcoming of the stranger

Tori studied an MA at NTC, using it to understand the full ministry experience and role of strangers.

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What does PhD study look like?

The PhD programme is a research-based programme, assessed wholly by the final thesis (80,000 words in total), and does not include any other coursework or taught modules.

Entry Requirements for MPhil and PhD Programmes

To be considered for our MPhil or PhD programmes, applicants typically need to meet the following requirements:

Education:

  • Bachelor’s Degree: A Bachelor’s (Honours) degree with at least a 2:1 classification (or international equivalent) in a related field such as theology, religious studies, or a similar discipline.
  • Master’s Degree: Master’s degree in Religions and Theology, or a closely related subject. You’ll need to have achieved:
    • An overall average of 65% or higher
    • A minimum of 65% on your dissertation
    • No individual module mark below 55%

Additional Considerations:

  • Research Experience: If you don’t have a Master’s dissertation or formal research experience, you may be asked to complete all or part of an MA programme before starting your doctoral research.
  • English Proficiency (Non-native speakers): You’ll need to demonstrate your English language skills with a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 overall (or its equivalent).

Modern technology has made contact between supervisors and students much easier and more frequent. Therefore, most of our PhD students do not live in Manchester or the UK. However, we do have an annual residency requirement.

Our annual research residency is held in June every year, and for most of our students, the annual residency is the highlight of our PhD programme. Students and scholars from around the world come together to participate in postgraduate seminars and other activities and to conduct research in the libraries here. It is also a time for students to have face-to-face meetings with their supervisor.

Students must plan to be in June for three working weeks every year. A fourth ‘flexible week’ of residency allows you and your supervisor to target conferences where you participate – so this need not be at NTC.

Meet our PhD Supervisors

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Revd Dr MiJa Wi

Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies and Global Mission
Research Degree Chair
Director of Bridging Worlds: Centre for Asian Christianities

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Revd Dr Svetlana Khobnya

Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies and Languages

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Dr Samuel Hildebrandt

Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies (Old Testament), Director of Research, and MA Programme Lead.

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Rev Dr Deirdre Brower

Principal and Senior Lecturer in Pastoral and Social Theology

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Revd Dr Stephen John Wright

Senior Lecturer in Christian Theology and Wesley Studies and MWRC Associate Director

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Revd Dr Jacob Lett

Vice Principal (Academics), Dean of the Faculty, and Senior Lecturer in Theology

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Quick Links

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How to Apply

Everything you need to know about applying to the Nazarene Theological College and how to start your journey with us.

How to Apply Apply Now

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Based at a beautiful campus just outside of Manchester, or online, life at NTC is integral to your study experience. From pastoral support, to chapel, and our daily coffee mornings, studying here allows you to fully immerse yourself in study and engage in your faith in a reflective and invigorating learning environment.

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Dene Road, Didsbury,
Manchester, M20 2GU,
United Kingdom

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